Joint review with Victoria

Karina:
This book definitely made me sad and happy at the same time. I absolutely loved the parts of old Lily when she was remembering how she met Lord Byron, but her losing him was upsetting, because I never quite warmed up to Sal.

Overall, this was an unexpected and gorgeous read. There was something whimsical about it. What do you think, Vika?

Vika:
It was certainly emotionally charged and I have to say that I didn’t expect Lily to turn to the dark side in such a dramatic fashion, but it made for an interesting story and a great character arc. Lily is almost like a phoenix, in the sense that she keeps re-appearing from the ashes of her life, over and over again.

As we last left her, her life seemed to steady a bit and she was recovering from her addiction, with Sal at her side; but unexpected news of Byron’s illness and the events that follow just send her down the dark spiral again. Understandably so though, as her addiction was always a coping mechanism for tragic past and unwelcome reality of life. But as the haze of opium begins to clear she once again has to face her choices, her fears, and herself…

Karina:
I have to admit, I did not expect the story to become downright magical in its second part, Vika. *hint in the book title* However, this is what I appreciate most about this series, - you never know where the author would take you next. There is no predictable plot. We wander around with Lily, and the reader is just as lost as her.

As to her addiction, I think she was in the right state of mind not to let it overcome her again, so with the help of her friend's concoction, she got back on her feet in no time.

There are three plot lines in this book: Byron and Lily's memories of how she met him (which was my favorite part); Lily's trip to claim her inheritance in the mysterious Arcadia; and her airship racing.

Vika:
I’m with you on this Karina! The magic definitely sets this book and series apart and brings it to life, creating a wonderful and exciting world.

I really enjoyed the scenes between Byron and Lily, both past and present, no matter the roller coaster of emotions. This book felt very much like “their” story (which I really enjoyed), but as Karina mentions there are other plot lines running the course as well. But I’m not certain what we are to make of the mysterious Arcadia estate and its inhabitants just yet. Time will tell and I’m certainly looking forward to it.

Karina:
Me too, and I am totally at a loss what it will bring us! 4.5/5 stars from me, peeps. I think I liked it more than the first one.

Vika:
It's 4 stars for me. I'm a bit on the fence with this one and will probably tell you that I still like the first one better; but then we always have the next instalment to look forward to where we'll be Chasing the Fog. *winks* ( )

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

The qualifying race is coming soon, and Lily has woken to find the Stargazer has been sabotaged! Someone doesn't want them racing and wants to know what's made them so fast. The league for the qualifying races has changed it's rules. The winners of the qualifier, and racers of the World Grand Prix, will race around the world! And a dangerous race for all. With all the work needed on the Stargazer, Lily is called away to see Lord Byron. Lord Byron once again sends her on an extraordinary and out of this world adventure.

We have a different narrator this time. Danielle. She has the accents for Lily and those around her along with a lulling voice to flow with the words. But she doesn't have as many different tones for the different characters. Her voice works for the heartbreaking parts, and rises us up with the turn of events to bring us out of the haze we fell into with Lily.

Lily is cleaned up. But she still has her contacts in the opium world. Phineas is one she trusts to put the details together and figure out who is behind the destruction on her ship. But at Phin's she also talks to him about other things he's looking into for her. Temenos, her father. The mention of him since the adventure with Celeste had been tickling at her mind. Phin is also making a trip to check out a grave at the debtors prison as well...

The men in Lily's life...

In Chasing the Star Garden we got to know Sal. We even got to know her past and adoptive fathers. Here, we get to know Byron.

Lily's love, Sal. Lily seems to be questioning whether this is what she wants. She gets the feel that Sal sees her as his future wife and mother of his children. Is it nerves or something more? She's even agreed to move in with him above his new factory that will be opening. It seems Lily's actions at the end of Chasing the Star Garden has drawn eyes to Sal's invention. The parachute is something everyone wants now. And Lily has convinced him to produce the push button bodice.

We get detailed visits to Lily's past with Lord Byron and her ship, the Stargazer. Byron has been a huge part of Lily's life since she got the Stargazer, actually, just before she purchased the Stargazer. And unexpectedly he helped her in the purchase of it, and not in the normal fashion. Byron is one that Lily will always hold close to her heart.

This story has it's heartache and what affects Lily deeply. This is a turn of a corner for Lily, once again. But the heartache will take Lily on a new adventure in the air and in her heart. About half way through the story this drastic turn comes to light. This new turn caught my attention and drew me to wonder what would come next and where we would go. It's almost as the second part of the book is a different story. Mysterious and magical. The first half was emotional and the second half brings us to a curious feeling.

Everyone has doubts and regrets. How you live with them and handle them is what works on you, or not. But we can hope and strive to live life to the fullest, with no regrets in the end. Clearing the regrets and doubts is a way to help feel one is living free and life.

Melanie has packed a lot of leads in the first five chapters. Much to come to pass and work it's way out as the story continues. And oh so much more to learn. There is much more to this world in which we are just starting to scratch the top of the barrel of. We get to see more of what the series is named after; The Airship Racing Chronicles. We get to see the league and ride in a race with Lily. ( )