‘Ashes and Alchemy’ was an advance reader copy I was given and being a lover of historic fantasy, especially steampunk, I jumped at the chance to read this novella. It opens with Minerva Shaw struggling through a toxic London fog, searching desperately for a doctor. Instead she collapses on the doorstep of the intimidating Sebastian Brown, Police detective and her stoic saviour. (For some reason I do like a coupling of two strong willed leads). He aids Minnie who is searching for the decent Dr Grant (Brown’s neighbour) as her daughter, Ivy, is suffering from a deadly fever. Minnie and Sebastian return to her lodging to find that her friend and neighbour Jane has been murdered and the rooms turned up. Luckily, little Ivy was hiding behind the washstand.

Minnie and Ivy stay in Sebastian’s home while they are seen by the doctor and Sebastian investigates the murder of Jane and why Ivy was targeted. Whilst under “Police” custody, Minnie and Sebastian quickly develop feelings for each other, but the attraction is pushed aside amid the murder investigation and Ivy’s miraculous recovery. Their romance slowly burns as they have developed fears from past lovers, but their steady comfort to each other’s nightmares leads to a more revealing affection.

The supernatural elements in the series were barely hinted at due to neither leads having any powers, but did not seem out of place in the world constructed. (Finding out that it was the sixth installment in series made a lot more sense to the surrounding characters and their powers.) The same can be said for the steam machinery that was in the domestic and transport sectors(mainly), it did not have lengthy explanation but readily associated to modern technology.

Some of the revelations in this book happened at such a speed that it almost seemed out of sync with the rest of the narrative, and I can see that it was due to a larger narrative being compressed into the novella form. The revelations did not detract from my enjoyment of the other all narrative, just made it awkward and predictable. Regardless, ‘Ashes and Alchemy’ is a great quick read for anyone in need of a bit a steampunk romance, but keep in mind that it is a novella.