A Clockwork Heart/Liesel Schwarz/283 pgs.

Liesel Schwarz is not getting the creds she deserves! This is the 2nd book in the "Chronicles of Light and Shadow" series, and it is every bit as good as A Conspiracy of Alchemists. Elle Chance and ex-Warlock Hugh Marsh are now married. Elle has assumed her duties as Oracle; she alone has the power to keep the undesirable elements of Shadow at bay. Both Elle and Hugh are adjusting to married life; Elle wants to continue manning the Water Lily, and Hugh is missing his life as a Warlock. When Commissioner Willoughby seeks Hugh's help, Hugh jumps at the opportunity. That's where the story truly begins. Unbeknownst to Hugh and Elle, there is an operation going on that replaces human hearts with mechanical ones. Hugh disappears, and when Elle finds and rescues him, he has been turned into a Zombie-like creature. There is suspense, horror, vampires--elements of a novel that normally would never appeal to me. Yet, this is "steam punk," and I find it highly entertaining. This author would easily appeal to older young adults, as well as the adult population. I'm looking forward to the next installment; I just hope more readers discover her!