looooooooove it ( )

3.5 stars

I read this for the Creepy Carnivals square for Halloween Bingo

Criminy’s Clockwork Carnival was in full swing.

This is a novella, so the shorter page count (100ish pgs) hampers character and plot depth a bit, but I think the author did a fantastic job with what she had. This is listed in the Blud series as coming before Book 1 – Wicked as They Come but as the main couple from Wicked is already together, I wasn't sure why. Even if familiar or not, you'll get an introduction and refresher on the various characters that make up Master Criminy's Clockwork Carnival. The world building leaves a little bit to be desired as it isn't fully explained how Blud people and animals (vampire like creatures) exist in this other world; it is like Victorian time period Earth but not quite.

She stared down into the nest of books and hidden miracles. Before, the trunk had held hope. Now, in the wrong hands, it held evidence enough to hang her.
“If you’ll trust me, I think I know how best to keep your charges safe.”
Their eyes met over the trunk. She felt as if she stood on a precipice, one step away from freedom or doom. “I find that I trust you, Mr. Murdoch.”
“God help you, Madam Morpho.”

You'll feel for Imogen as you learn her story, Mr. Murdoch less so as I don't think he ever fully emerged from the shadows and fully showed up on the pages. He builds the clockworks and mechanics for the caravan carnival, I would have liked to have seen him interact more with his creations and what was the story behind his partner/friend Vil? They were a calm, cool, and tentative couple and I liked how they worked together but, again, the page count wasn't quite there to build their relationship.

Arm-in-arm, they watched Torno lift his weights, his strength defying physics thanks to Criminy’s magic. Emerlie juggled hedgehogs and rode her unicycle high up on the wire, her lime and magenta costume glowing against the velvety night sky. Next up came Abilene and Eblick and the two-headed Bludman, each waiting behind a curtain to amuse and entertain and, in the twins’case, terrify. A collection of bizarre creatures floating in large jars of liquid was surrounded by a crowd so deep that Imogen caught only a glimpse of the horrors within. They passed Letitia in her turban, telling fortunes in a sequin-spangled tent.

Even though the overall world building was somewhat absent, the immediate caravan carnival world was delightfully detailed and created. There was a sense of unknown, magic, wildness, freedom, jovial companionship, and troubles. I wish I could see the shows.

“Her name is Madam Morpho,” Henry said sharply. “And she doesn’t speak to the riff-raff.”

The main story thread comes from Imogen on the run from her former boss and hiding out in the caravan. I thought the sense of danger and romance was eclipsed by the descriptions of the people and clockworks that made up the caravan carnival. I also thought the magic and wonder of the butterflies Imogen stole got lost in the mix, they could have brought more sense of wonder if utilized more. The ending brought an extremely gruesome conclusion to the issue of Imogen being in danger. I suggest reading this in October to appreciate and enjoy the grisly ending, the spooky vampire like creatures, and the sense of magic and wonder.

“Imogen,” he said, voice ragged as he stepped closer to her, his feet brushing the wide swing of her skirts. “Are you aware that I haven’t seen a woman this close in more than six years?”
“That seems excessive,” she murmured. “Are we such fierce creatures?” ( )

I really enjoyed this steampunk novella set in the Blud universe (I have read the first three book in that series and decided to go back and read some of the novellas). I always seem to enjoy Dawson’s novellas more than her full length books.

Imogen is a very smart woman fleeing a very bad situation. She has a butterfly circus and Criminy recommends that she talk to Mr. Murdoch (who doesn’t talk to anyone) about getting her act and equipment set up. The Mysterious Mr. Murdoch is a mechanical genius of sorts but also very reclusive. With their shared love of all things mechanical and steampunk the two hit it off. I enjoyed both Imogen Morpho and the Mysterious Mr. Murdoch as characters. Of course it was delightful to see Criminy again as well (although he isn’t in the story much).

This is a romance heavy story. The romance is very well done and I enjoyed the chemistry between Madam Morpho and Mr. Murdoch. I also continue to love the slightly twisted world that the Blud series is set in; it’s like a crazy twisted steampunk Wonderland of sorts.

The only thing I found disappointing was the revelation of what made Mr. Murdoch so dangerous; it was fairly anticlimactic and kind of silly. However, the story does wrap up nicely and was an entertaining read.

Overall I really enjoyed this novella set in the Blud universe. The characters were fun and engaging and had great chemistry. I enjoyed the world and the steampunk elements, as well as some of the magic in the story. I would recommend to those who enjoy steampunk romance. ( )

The Mysterious Madam Morpho is a short and sweet novella which might help to tide you over until the next full novel comes out.

I was glad to get back into that charming wonderful world of carnivallieros ruled by Criminy and Letitia. However until the very end I wasn't enthralled by it like it happened to me with Wicked as They Come.

I think novellas are too short for me to believe in the love story between new characters although they are very useful if you want an update on familiar and well loved characters.

Delilah S. Dawson chose to introduce a new love story and new characters and there just wasn't enough time for me to get to know them. Both Henry and Imogen are lovely and well rounded characters, their attraction is believable and they have a lot of interests and secrets in common, however the development of their relationship was too damn fast and left me a little bit cold.

What elevated the novella for me was Madam Morpho butterflies performance in the end. It was magical, spellbinding and really really sweet. If not for anything else you have to read it for the ending. It's entirely satisfactory. Recommended.
( )

Great short story! It was fun to dive back into Dawson's Blud world and I loved that the story spent its entire time in the atmosphere of the circus. ( )