Esprit de Corpse
“Steampunk,
werewolves,
spirits,
and romance.
All the ingredients
a reader needs for a
fast-paced,
action-packed adventure.”
“A wild, steampunky adventure with laugh-out-loud moments and a perfect set of heroines. Hold on and enjoy the ride!”
~ Gregory Frost, author of Rhymer and Shadowbridge
“A rollicking steampunky romp through post-Revolution France. Most delectable!”
~ Tiffany Trent, author of The Unnaturalists
“A meticulously-built world awaits readers in this delightful steampunk mystery.”
~ A.C. Wise, author of Wendy, Darling and Hooked
“A truly delicious story. Deal confidently establishes her world and characters with small historical details and revealing turns of phrase, and leads you through the story’s twists to a satisfying end. *Chef’s kiss!*”
~ Miriam Seidel, author of The Speed of Clouds.
“A fun steampunk adventure that fans of Indiana Jones are sure to love.”
~ John L. French, award-winning author
"A delightful romp suffused in period details with two irresistible lead characters. Great for readers who love steampunk, are Francophiles, strong women with amazing talents, or just who love a ripping yarn of a tale." ~ Randee Dawn, author of Tune In Tomorrow.
What a beautifully written, action-packed story! From the very first chapter, novelist Ef Deal hooks the reader with an imaginative work of steampunk set in 19th century France. The cast of characters includes an automaton powered by a most unlikely source, an artistically inclined shapeshifter, and a brilliant young protagonist (literally a genius) who’s unafraid to get her hands dirty. I cannot imagine how much research Ms. Deal did to write this lush, expansive, and finely detailed book—science, geography, history, etc.—but her efforts show on each page. I am more in awe of the author’s imagination in building the world in which her characters live, love, fight, and die. A mysterious skull, necromancy, catacombs—what more could a reader want? While this is the kind of novel I would gladly return to, and I’m sure I will, I am tickled to hear that it is merely the first in a series.
William J. Donahue, author of Burn, Beautiful Soul ; editor of Neshaminy: The Bucks County Historical and Literary Journal
"One of the masterful things accomplished by Esprit de Corpse is the commentary provided on traditional ideas about female autonomy and women’s possession of their own body. Trigger warning, the book does deal largely with themes of sexual assault and rape, offering a unique view and imagery of how it can effect both the body, the survivor, and family members of survivors. Note, the way this material is handled in the novel may be disturbing to some readers, but the ultimate message of how it can change a person is not to be overlooked. However uncomfortable the topic may be in the novel, it is worth noting that some may agree with the unorthodox and even uncomfortable opinions held by characters- opinions that some survivors may side with. The book also works to provide views of how many women working in predominantly male-led fields may feel in trying to forge paths of their own.
Ultimately though, the book does work to find coalition and common ground between good people- women and men alike- all fighting to stop a common evil and bring peace back to their home. By the end, families both unite and grow. Through pain, hardship, and bravery, the book does end with a fulfilling resolution- completed with even a few good and unpredictable twists. Unity is a word that captures the message of the book, as well as best conveys the real spirit behind Esprit de Corpse."
~ Ann Huber
Philadelphia Stories
Read the exclusive interview with
Paul Semel
Reviews
“Lush steampunk, creepily dark and cozily heartwarming in turns: Deal has created a heart-racing read with high stakes and a found family you can’t help but love.”
~ Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger
“The Order of Duval crackles with energy, offering up the perfect blend of intrigue, action, and magic.” — A.C. Wise, author of Hooked and Out of the Drowning Deep
“Whether you howl alongside fellow werewolf fans, swoon around swords, cheer to clockwork creations or just enjoy a female-forward escapade, Duval will have you along for a wild ride.” — Randee Dawn, author of Tune in Tomorrow and The Only Song Worth Singing
“Steampunk adventure chockful of unexpected twists.” — Caitlyn Rozakis, author of Dreadful
"Ef Deal’s The Order of Duval (Book Three in the series) takes everything I loved about the first two adventures and cranks it up to eleven! More robots. More dirigibles. More werewolves. More deliciously evil villains. This book has it all.
If you love Jacqueline’s amazing engineering skills, this book is for you. If you love Angelique’s powerful werewolf abilities, this book is for you. If you love the imaginative world of 1800s steampunk, this book is for you.
And if you love a great story that combines vivid imagery, sly humor, and moments of Stephen King–level horror, then this book is definitely for you." ~ Tom Sterling, author of Postcards from Earth
"My favorite 19th century hero, Jacqueline Duval, has taken on Vampires, Spirits and the Patriarchy, and now she's gained a following of bad ass ladies to help her carry the burden of awesomeness. I have loved all the books of the Twins of Bellesfées series but THE ORDER OF DUVAL hits a bit harder than the rest. Diving deep into issues of exploitation, colonization, misogyny and abuse, Jacqueline really gets herself in deep with this book and Ef Deal delivers another winner." ~ L.C. Allingham, Speculation Publications, author of Muse and Lady.
Aéros & Héroes
"The novel is punchy and full of intriguing characters. Deal peppers the story with real figures, like the king and the authors Charles Baudelaire and
Alexandre Dumas, who serve as a vivid historical presence in the Bellesfées universe. Jacqueline is a captivating hero whom readers will be struck by... A compelling steampunk confection for readers who love the supernatural."
~ Kirkus Reviews
"AÉROS & HÉROES is a witty, sexy, weird, and wild tale that twists the vampire into terrifying new shapes! Not for the faint of heart!"
~ Jonathan Maberry, NYT bestselling author of V-Wars and NecroTek
"Jacqueline and Angélique Duval are back for another non-stop funhouse ride through a steam-powered French countryside, this
time made vicious and cruel through the actions of a dark and lusting vampire. Full of references to classical vampire literature
from Bram Stoker to Sheridan Le Fanu to John Polidori (with even a tilt of the cap to penny dreadfuls and Varney the Vampire).
It’s a thrill ride you won’t be able to climb off until the last page. Highly recommended."
~ Gregory Frost, author of Rhymer
"An exquisitely detailed world full of charming characters, creatures and creations! This epic story blends intrigue, romance and camaraderie for a steampunk adventure with flavors of Anne Rice and Alexandre Dumas."
-KC Grifant, author of the Melinda West series and Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny
"In the very first chapter, Deal hooks readers back into the world she created, in which we're reintroduced to her protagonist, Jacqueline, a plucky, resourceful, and unlikely hero with an aptitude for all things mechanical. Deal does a skillful job of reminding readers of Jacqueline's past adventures (ESPRIT DE CORPSE), though I suspect readers who didn't read the first in the series will not feel like they missed out on the joke. Much to my delight, Deal goes deeper into horror territory with AEROES & HEROES -- horror in the dread-inducing and classical sense, not needless blood and gore -- and she does so in masterful fashion."
~ William J. Donahue, author of Only Monsters Remain; editor of Neshaminy: The Bucks County HIstorical and Literary Journal
"While her household is bustling to prepare for her twin sister’s wedding, Jacqueline Duval throws herself into working on her automatons, in an attempt to drown out the insecurities that are plaguing her mind. Whereas her twin sister Angelique seems proud and confident in her new transformation as both a werewolf and a fiancé, Jacqueline struggles with her own growth and identity. New to adulthood and courtship, she questions the worthiness of her beauty and her curves, even as her steadfast beau Alain consistently showers her with love and affection. No invention or discovery ever seems good enough in her mind; she constantly questions her own worth even when her ideas are literally proven as life-saving.
Over the space of a week, their home is beset with dark forces, explosions, and gunfire, and even the King of France himself is put into danger. Time and again, Jacqueline saves the day by using her knowledge and skills as an inventor to save her family and friends, yet she never seems to feel like her own contributions matter.
When she falls prey to the seductive call of the vampiric entity Mircalla, Jacqueline’s self-loathing locks her into a shame spiral, and she must learn that she can only overcome her troubles by sharing them with the people she loves—if only she can find the courage to do so.
Mircalla’s seduction becomes the ultimate litmus test of her adulthood and identity, forcing her to come into her own and express her own agency both as an adult inventor as well as gain confidence to declare her love and desire for her Alain."
~ K. A. Masters, QueerSciFi.com
