The Gilded Scarab
Lancaster's Luck, Book 1
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The Gilded Scarab
Narrated by:
Gary Furlong
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Narrated by:
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Gary Furlong
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By:
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Anna Butler
About this listen
Book one in the Lancaster's Luck M/M steampunk trilogy.
When Captain Rafe Lancaster is invalided out of the Britannic Imperium's Aero Corps after crashing his aerofighter during the Second Boer War, his eyesight is damaged permanently, and his career as a fighter pilot is over. Returning to London in late November 1899, he's lost the skies he loved, has no place in a society ruled by an elite oligarchy of powerful Houses, and is hard up, homeless, and in desperate need of a new direction in life. Everything changes when he buys a coffeehouse near the Britannic Imperium Museum in Bloomsbury, the haunt of Aegyptologists. For the first time in years, Rafe is free to be himself.
In a city powered by luminiferous aether and phlogiston, and where powerful men use House assassins to target their rivals, Rafe must navigate dangerous politics, deal with a jealous and possessive ex-lover, learn to make the best coffee in London, and fend off murder and kidnap attempts before he can find happiness with the man he loves.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019, 2020, 2022 Anna Butler (P)2022 Decent Fellows PressListeners also enjoyed...
beautifully read formulaic trash
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Really enjoyed it..
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The copious embelished descriptions of an exciting time in history, crossed with what it could've been given the steampunk slant; too detailed and over long for some. My first time with "steampunk", a genre I have avoided as real history is always stranger than fiction, so never felt the urge to go there and may never again after this series. It was refreshing to have English English and not American English idioms or lexicon.
The MM relationships are slipped in (no pun intended) as part of the plot and not the key focus. Rafe, a steampunk wanabe "Biggles" is a rascal of the most endearing kind: enjoyed his actions and interactions.
I was hoping for something similar to the scintillatingly stimulating The Shooting Season (The Resurrectionists series by Isobel Starling), also narrated by Mr Furlong; they are hilariously scandalous tomes. Or Green Glass Beads by Josh Lanyon. Even The Affair of the Porcelain Dog by Jess Faraday, all non steampunk. I am not let down; this was enteraining: laugh out loud humour, dramatic quirks and quandries, good banter and diaglogue for our entertainment and enjoyment.
Have had so many "dud" books just lately, so wish I could click to get Book 2 NOW instead of having to read it on Kindle.
VERY ENJOYABLE
An Exquisite Blend
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There were a lot of info dumps. Like quite a lot (and since my brain didn't process it, I was less frustated that in any other case but still)! The two first third of the book were also boring. Nothing really happened and I was wondering if the book had an actual plot. I thought that maybe I was reading a steampunk slice-of-life novel and I was NOT here for that! The last third of the book was where things started to be interesting. I felt like there was finally a real plot and the romance was moving forwards (the "real" love interest came back after disappearing for a good chunk of the story). So the last third part saved the book!
Honestly, I feel like I finished the book only because I read it in one sitting. Without that, I would have dnf it! And if it wasn't for the last part of the book, my rating would have been even lower.
Although I feel like I didn't really grab the world-building nor the political aspect (How the Houses work), I might read the sequel because the end was good and so maybe book 2 will be more action-packed/interesting.
A note: one of the best parts of the book was when Daniel was being a drama queen and Rafe was hating it and had sarcastic responds in his head! It made me laugh.
Mostly boring but promising
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Listener received this title free
Being invalided out of the Aero Corps and forced to return to London with less-than-perfect sight leaves him at loose ends. He’s got a small pension, and an odd inheritance, but no prospects. Until he discovers the perfect business to acquire. Oh, except he has to ask his ‘family’ for money. Felt a bit like the mafia houses and the different operations amused me greatly.
Beyond all this, he’s gay. Upon his return, he meets a gentleman and they share a wonderful evening and an intimate encounter. He thinks often of the man, who has left the country. In the meantime, he meets someone else who seems vaguely compatible. Needless to say, things get interesting.
Rafe’s business, personal, and family life all collide into a climax that quite took my breath away. I enjoyed watching the dénouement as everyone picked up the pieces after their adventure.
I’m thrilled there are more books in the series and desperately hope they come to audio. With a narrative voice that strong, they are bound to be just as compelling. Last, but not least, I want to discuss Gary Furlong. I’ve enjoyed every narration I’ve ever heard from him and this one is no exception. He did an admirable job and I hope there are more audios to come. Well done, and I hope everyone picks this one up.
Steampunk at its best
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A wonderful listen
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