First Chapter Review: The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author. The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart will be released this month.

BLURB: In his introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum wrote that he created his story as a modernized fairy tale to appeal to the children of his time. Under this same inspiration, The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure is a science fiction re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's classic; for children of all ages of my time.

Searching for her father, Dorothy crashes her airship into the Outcast Zone. The OZ, an inescapable prison, was specifically created to hold the most terrifying criminal the world had ever seen. A psychopath, dubbed The Wizard by an overzealous media, who broke out of every prison that tried to contain him. Until now. If Dorothy has any hope of escaping from the most dangerous place on earth, she must seek out The Wizard of OZ. But can she afford the price he will demand in exchange for his help?

COVER: Again, I am amazed because I love this cover, despite not being a fan of the genre. It has a science fiction feel to it, but the necklace is what truly captures the eye. After reading the first chapter, however, I am a tiny bit confused. If this is Dorothy on the cover, why does she look like an adult? Maybe it will be made clearer as I continue reading, but right now, a bare shoulder on a girl who is only ten in the opening chapter and who on this cover looks more like nineteen is disturbing to me.

FIRST CHAPTER: Professor Benjamin Gale is dressing for his appearance before the Council to request them to allocate money in the annual budget for his proposal. He quickly meets with resistance from Council members who are determined to place the inescapable Australis Penal Colony under inmate control, making them totally independent with no overseer.

Professor Gale's daughter, Dorothy, is hopeful the Council will approve her father's request, so that he will be in a good mood and allow her to continue her education close to home in America instead of attending a boarding school abroad. Armed thugs quickly make school the least of her worries, when they abscond with her father and injure her mother. She must search for her father alone, hoping the special gift he gave her will help.

KEEP READING: Oh my gosh, yes! The opening chapter of this novel has totally captivated me. Considering it is in a genre I would never think to read, I'm thrilled the author offered me a free copy of the book. I might never have discovered it otherwise.

I have to admit to a tiny bit of confusion trying to figure out time and place as the story opened, but pinpointing that quickly became irrelevant because I was so engrossed in this unique plot with its wonderful characters. Stuart moves swiftly to define each person, creating a desire in the reader to know more. And the superb cliffhanger ending is definitely a way to compel readers to move forward.

I'm excited about this one.

I received a free e-copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in anyway.