When Katharine Tulman’s inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle’s world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it.

As you all should know by now, I am a big steampunk fan. But after awhile, all steampunk books kind of seem… the same. That’s why I was so thrilled when I stumbled across The Dark Unwinding. Similar to The Diamond Thief, this series does not have too much steampunk in it, just a flare. Which was PERFECT. The story line itself was interesting, and the writing style was very hauntingly beautiful, that it just… felt steampunk without have gears all over the place.

Although it started out a bit slow, once it really got moving, it was great. It had a fast pace, and it kept me guessing. Some plot twists were a bit predictable, but then there were a few I really didn’t see coming. Having the contrast between the two really added to the story, and made it all the more puzzling – in a good way.

If any of you have played the Professor Layton games – which if you haven’t, I highly recommend them – this was ‘steampunk’ in the same way those games are. So if you’re a fan of those games, definitely check this book out!

I give The Dark Unwinding 5 out of 5 Stars

Maddie