The Seduction of Phaeton Black

This book was a lot of fun. Words that come to mind to describe it are bawdy, saucy, witty…sexy fun with a supernatural twist. A sexy, at times kinky, romp with a heart of gold. The Seduction of Phaeton Black took me by surprise, and its infectious fun left me curious to know what happens next to Phaeton Black and the lovely Miss America Jones.

The best parts of the book were the wit and the chemistry between Phaeton Black and America Jones. They meet in a very unusual way and from the first moment, the sparks fly. The relationship goes from a light sexual dalliance to something deeper that neither wants to admit to feeling. Both don’t really believe in love as an absolute but I liked the way the relationship developed from light to show more heavy. It was extremely sexual in nature but there were moments of tenderness that gave it more depth. Phaeton himself was an acquired taste. He went from rakish fun to being a bit of an ass but he won me over in the end. And he never failed to make me smile.

“He quickly gave the nod to a confection of emerald green satin. The gown featured a narrow bodice held up by the daintiest small sleeves, which fell off her shoulders and threatened to bare all if she so much as exhaled.

How he hoped she might take a deep breath.”

Miss America Jones is also a wonderful character. Smart, sassy, independent - she was a definite match for the elusive Phaeton. She also did not compromise her goals in order to satisfy a man…which I loved.

There were some intriguing secondary characters as well -- Dr. Exeter who has some unclear abilities of his own, the hermaphrodite Jin, and the gargoyle Edvar. I hope to see more of them in the next book. Especially Dr. Exeter who I felt a little uncertain about in terms of his footing in the paranormal world. Maybe he will be less of a mystery in the next book.

Another nice twist was the mythology used in the supernatural aspects of the story. It takes place in Victorian England when the obsession with Egypt and its artifacts was at its height. Phaeton is a paranormal investigator with the ability to sense or see supernatural beings. He is investigating a murder that he suspects is the work of an empusa/vampire. America, who has her own paranormal abilities, is able to help with his work given her extensive travel and experience in Egypt. I love that the mythology around the seductive empusa had its basis in Egyptian mythology with the jackal headed god, Anubis, making an appearance. Most vampire stories find roots in a European mythos which gets stale after a while. It was refreshing to get a taste of a new mythology.

However, I think the supernatural aspects of the story were also its weakest points, at least in terms of how they were developed. I felt the actual paranormal investigation took backstage to the sexual adventures of the couple. I wish the story was a bit heavier on solving and capturing the goddess terrorizing the mortals of London. Instead, it felt a bit rushed at the end.

Though a bit light on the paranormal for my tastes, I can’t help but recommend this book. The Seduction of Phaeton Black was bawdy, infectious fun. Read it and I dare you not to smile.

(Copy was provided by author via Bewitching Books Tours in exchange for an honest review) show less

The Seduction of Phaeton Black is a fun, intriguing romp through a paranormal/Steampunk universe set in Victorian London.

I somehow thought the "seduction" of the title was a more, I don't know, metaphorical or spiritual seduction. Not exactly. This was smut/romance-themed steampunk, it turned out, so there were lots of literal seductions, and the titular "seduction" was a play on words: Phaeton Black was seduced into a love affair. (Imagine Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, but thinner and a lot raunchier.)

Anyway, it was fairly amusing, although the plotting was a bit disjointed. I liked some of the author's turns of phrase, but felt that the book could have used another editorial once-over to clean up some awkward prose and transitions.

The book offers us a smoother, randier, more woo-woo Sherlock Holmes and lots of very interesting secondary characters with everything and anything -- Egyptian gods, Jack the Ripper, airship, pirates and more--thrown in. I enjoyed the campy feel of the read and the found the mystery plot engaging enough.

I just didn't care for the hero & heroine together (which means, the romance just didn't work for me). Given all the issues of rape and sexual violence that can be found in the news, and being a woman, I just couldn't stomach the way dubious consent was romanticized in the story.

Ms. America had the potential for being a complex character (what with her Cajun witch heritage), but really doesn't get the opportunity. My favorite character show more was Dr. Exeter. show less

There is a beast or vampire stalking the streets and Scotland Yard is desperate to close the case. Having already fired Phaeton Black after he embarrassed them over the Jack the Ripper debacle, they now are crawling on the hands and knees begging for his help. Phaeton, currently living in a brothel, really wants nothing to do with Scotland Yard but wanting to prove a point (that there are supernatural entities out there) he agrees to aid them. Phaeton’s character is crude and sleazy and at times borderlines on repulsive. I am guessing he is written this way to make the reader be disgusted but as the story continues you find that he can be a very decent guy (when he wants to). Some readers will love this about him and others (me show more included) just found it to be a bit much.

During Phaeton’s investigation he ends up taking on a sexy partner (in more ways than one). America Jones is looking for the pirates that have stolen her deceased father’s ships. She is having a tough time finding someone to help her, until she meets Phaeton. The two complement each other. America is no ordinary woman and obviously Phaeton is a rake. America in a way provides the comic relief much needed in this book and her sassiness is a fun addition. Even though Phaeton loves his rakish ways, he finds that America might just be the woman for him.

The two stories weave in and out and at times can be very confusing. Phaeton needs to find the seductress that is leaving bodies everywhere and all America wants to find is her ships. There are many interesting characters that are introduced and we also come to find out that America can also see the supernatural side of Victorian London. The Seduction of Phaeton Black is definitely an adult romance but bordering on erotica at certain points throughout the story. The crude language at times made me not want to continue reading but underneath there was a decent plot line happening.

(ARC was provided by publisher for an honest review) show less

The bare plot held promise but everything felt so muddled and rushed. It really seemed like this was the second book of a series and everything was confusing because we didn't have enough backstory.

The writing was awkward but it did seem to improve as the book progressed - the beginning is littered with bad puns, and quite a few times the reader is left without knowing who exactly is being described or who said what exactly. But I suppose that's more the editor's fault than the writer's...

Also, most of the sex scenes were ridiculous, can anyone be expected to keep a straight face when the hero's cock is constantly referred to as "The Duke"? I mean, really?

I knew going in that this was paranormal romance steampunk, so I was ready for a show more lot, but suspension of disbelief only goes so far. I could accept the harpies, goddesses and gargoyles, but the Victorian England described fell very far from the mark. You can describe the mythical however you want it, but the real world, even if it's alternate history, needs more of a solid feel to it to pull the whole story together.

So... 2 stars for the concept, which could have been brilliant had it been well executed. show less

It almost worked for me, a paranormal steampunk story set in the Victorian era, however it just didn't quite work for me, I wasn't convinced by the romance, and the characters annoyed me. It wasn't terrible but I just had no urge to keep reading this series. Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard's investigator of paranormal incidents who is looking into a vampire in London, assisted by America Jones, who is the more fighterly of the two.

It could have been good, but it didn't work for me.