A really interesting idea, with good plot and worldbuilding - but the writing style just didn’t work for me. I’m sure others will like, but DNF sadly.

The world that the author has created is highly imaginative and completely immersive - I found myself getting lost in the lore and history of the different realms. What really sets this book apart, however, are the characters. Each one is well-developed and unique, and what's even better is that none of the protagonists are perfect - they all have their flaws and quirks, making them relatable and easy to like.

The plot is a thrilling race to solve a mystery while navigating the intricacies of the different realms and uncovering the connection with the second timeline of the book. It's impossible not to feel the tension and excitement as the characters work to piece together what's going on.

This book is a fantastic opening to what promises to be an incredible series.

I really enjoyed this opening chapter of the Steampunk Mystery Romance series, it does a great job in being a steampunk romance. I enjoyed getting to solved the mystery going on and thought the characters were what I was hoping for. It left me wanting to read more in this universe and from this author.

I am writing this review for Net Galley.

Chaos and Axiom are twin realms that coexist because of the barrier in between. Without it the world would collapse.
In this story, we follow Jess. She is part of Chaos. Each agent decides which object to go with their key when they finish their training and share decisions with partners. If someone dies their key would be to dangerous to be left for anyone to find. Tom is an Axiom realm. When Jess's partner Karen dies she asks Tom to bring the relic to the right person because she has known Tom long enough to trust him.

If you like tunnels and train systems you will enjoy reading about them in this story. We learn that Chaos has tunnels. Chaos also has train systems that is a hazard to a family business. Fantasy is not my favorite genre but learning about the tunnels and train systems made it an enjoyable read for me that I did not want to put down. I like the friendship between Tom and Jess since they both come from two different worlds. The author does a good job describing the worlds so that you can understand what is going on.

Rating: DNF

Review: I thought the story line was inventive, the lack was in the execution. A confusing plot within a jumbling narrative, overshadowed by the poor disheveled hunky brainiac. Yeah, the cliche's run deep as does the pervasiveness of the hotty freedom fighter.

Not sure much can save this other than a total re-write.

Great cover and the blurb also caught my attention. However for me the book didn’t have quite the mind bending appeal when I delved between the cover. Too many characters, their names seemed an over complicated idea, and the story had more description than puzzle factor. There was lots of political intrigue, there were twists I didn’t expect and the two main characters are interesting. Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.