Synopses & Reviews
In an age where fantastic inventions of steam and brass have elevated Britain and China into mighty empires, Alice Michaels faces a future of technological terrors… Once, Gavin Ennock sailed the skies on airships and enchanted listeners with his fiddle music. Now, the clockwork plague consumes his intellect, enabling him to conceive and construct scientific wonders—while driving him quite mad. Distressed by her beloved’s unfortunate condition, Alice Michaels sought a cure rumored to be inside the Doomsday Vault—and brought the wrath of the British Empire down on them. Declared enemies of the Crown, Alice and Gavin have little choice but to flee to China in search of a cure. Accompanying them is Dr. Clef, a mad genius driven to find the greatest and most destructive force the world has ever seen: The Impossible Cube. If Dr. Clef gets his hands on it, the entire universe will face extinction. And Gavin holds the key to its recreation…
Review
“A fascinating world of devices, conspiracies, and personalities.”
Review
“Harper creates a fascinating world of devices, conspiracies, and personalities…Filled with danger and narrow escapes, Alice and Gavin fight to survive and to find love in this steampunk coming of age story. Harper’s world building is well developed and offers an interesting combination of science and steam.”—
SF Revu
“You’ll have great fun exploring the Third Ward, and the author created such a rich and lavish world for his characters…Twists and turns abound, and the author managed to lob some shockers at me that I’ll admit I didn’t see coming…If you love your Victorian adventures filled with zombies, amazing automatons, steampunk flare, and an impeccable eye for detail, you’ll love the fascinating (and fantastical) Doomsday Vault.”—My Bookish Ways
“The Doomsday Vault is a good way to start off a new series in a highly specialized genre. Its combination of science and fantasy and good versus evil work well…A clever and worthwhile take on the Steampunk universe.”—That’s What I’m Talking About
“A fun and thrilling fast-paced adventure full of engaging characters and plenty of surprises…I particularly enjoyed all the interesting and unexpected twists that kept popping up, just when I thought I had the story figured out...”—SFF Chat
“The great thing about having all these awesome characters, is that it’s all snuggled up against a really great plot, several intermingling subplots and pretty dang great steampunk worldbuilding. And excellent writing…[The Doomsday Vault is] fun, funny and a damn fine romp of a read. SO much goodness packed into this book! Highly recommended.”—Lurv a la Mode
Synopsis
As China prepares to become the ultimate power in an era of extraordinary invention and horror, Alice Michaels’ fate lies inside the walls of the forbidden kingdom….
Gavin Ennock has everything a man could desire—except time. As the clockwork plague consumes his body and mind, it drives him increasingly mad and fractures his relationship with his fiancée, Alice, Lady Michaels. Their only hope is that the Dragon Men of China can cure him.
But a power-mad general has seized the Chinese throne in a determined offensive to conquer Asia, Britain—indeed, the entire world. He has closed the country’s borders to all foreigners. The former ruling dynasty, however, is scheming to return the rightful heir to power. Their designs will draw Gavin and Alice down a treacherous path strewn with intrigue and power struggles. One wrong step will seal Gavin’s fate…and determine the future of the world.
Synopsis
As China prepares to become the ultimate power in an era of extraordinary invention and horror, Alice Michaels’ fate lies inside the walls of the forbidden kingdom….
Gavin Ennock has everything a man could desire—except time. As the clockwork plague consumes his body and mind, it drives him increasingly mad and fractures his relationship with his fiancée, Alice, Lady Michaels. Their only hope is that the Dragon Men of China can cure him.
But a power-mad general has seized the Chinese throne in a determined offensive to conquer Asia, Britain—indeed, the entire world. He has closed the country’s borders to all foreigners. The former ruling dynasty, however, is scheming to return the rightful heir to power. Their designs will draw Gavin and Alice down a treacherous path strewn with intrigue and power struggles. One wrong step will seal Gavin’s fate…and determine the future of the world.
About the Author
Steven Harper was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but he moved around a lot and has lived in Wisconsin, Germany, and (briefly) Ukraine. Currently he lives with three sons near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Harper teaches high school English in southeast Michigan. His students think he’s hysterical, which isn’t the same as thinking he’s hilarious. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him.