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The Dark Victorian: Risen Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

“Way will open.”
 
She is Artifice.
A resurrected criminal and agent of HRH Prince Albert’s Secret Commission.
An artificial ghost.
A Quaker.
 
He is Jim Dastard.
The oldest surviving agent of the Secret Commission.
An animated skull.
A mentor to newly resurrected agents.
 
It is 1880 in a mechanical and supernatural London. Agents of Prince Albert’s Secret Commission, their criminal pasts wiped from their memories, are resurrected to fight the eldritch evils that threaten England. Jim Dastard and his new partner Artifice must stop a re-animationist raising murderous dead children. But while Art and Jim pursue him, Art discovers clues about her past, and through meeting various intriguing women—a journalist, a medium, a prostitute, and a woman in black—where her heart lies. A new beginning and new dangers await Art as she fights for the Secret Commission and for her second life.

F/F historical fantasy and Gothic mystery set in the steampunk world of the Dark Victorian series.

“Thoroughly enjoyable...delightfully disturbing.”
–Trina Robbins
Writer, Herstorian, author of The Chicagoland detective Agency series and Lily Renee, Escape Artist

“Read if you:
Delight in a heady, deeply satisfying blend of Victorian, Gothic and Romantic impulses.”
—Worth Reading?

Experience paranormal detective mysteries with a Victorian female sleuth:
A historical fantasy in a mechanical and supernatural London, follow the adventures of an uncanny female sleuth and her senior skull partner set in the same alternate world as Elizabeth Watasin's Victorian supernatural mystery series, The Elle Black Penny Dreads.

Learn more about this intriguing, steampunk lesbian series:
It is 1880; black arts sorcery had its time to grow in England and to battle the eldritch evils threatening, HRH Prince Albert's Secret Commission is born. Executed criminals are brought back to life without memories and to fight as agents. Among those resurrected is Artifice, a six foot two tall strongwoman, Quaker, and artificial ghost, guided by her senior partner, Jim Dastard, the animated skull. And she soon discovers–from her encounters with a madwoman journalist, a mysterious woman in black, and a French prostitute–where her heart lies . . .

Dark Victorian: Risen is the debut steampunk novel from storyteller Elizabeth Watasin, who delights in bringing you shilling shockers immersed in Gothic Victorian mystery, women detectives, and the paranormal vestiges of an otherworldly London. Read more in Dark Victorian: Bones, Ice Demon: A Dark Victorian Penny Dread Vol 1, Medusa: A Dark Victorian Penny Dread Vol 2, and Sundark: An Elle Black Penny Dread.

Enjoy a bonus Art Gallery:
The paperback version of Dark Victorian: Risen contains a small gallery of illustrations by Elizabeth Watasin.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Winner, Best Lesbian Fantasy & Fantasy Romance, 2015 Rainbow Awards. Elizabeth Watasin is the author of the Gothic steampunk series The Dark Victorian, The Elle Black Penny Dreads, the paranormal sci-fi noir series, Darquepunk, and the creator/artist of the indie comics series Charm School, which was nominated for a Gaylactic Spectrum Award. She lives in Los Angeles with her black cat named Draw, busy bringing readers uncanny heroines in historical fantasy, sci-fi noir, and paranormal detective tales.Follow the news of her latest projects at A-Girl Studio.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007TYV32Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ A-Girl Studio (December 31, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 31, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 416 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 136 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Watasin
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Winner, Best Lesbian Fantasy & Fantasy Romance, 2015 Rainbow Awards. Elizabeth Watasin is the author of the Gothic steampunk series The Dark Victorian, The Elle Black Penny Dreads, the paranormal sci-fi noir series, Darquepunk, and the creator/artist of the indie comics favourite Charm School, which was nominated for a Gaylactic Spectrum Award. Gentlewoman and artist, respected member of the animation guild and mistress of the pencil and paper, she lives in Los Angeles with her ghost cat named Draw, bringing readers uncanny heroines in queer sci-fi, Victorian steampunk, and sapphic diesel fantasy.

Join her community at Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/ElizabethWatasin

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
75 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book intriguing and engaging. They appreciate the unique setting and paranormal elements, describing it as a Gothic story set in Victorian-era London. The characters are described as interesting and strong. The book is described as a lovely beginning to a great series that shows promise. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written and praise the author's imagination.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention "Mystery content"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery content. They find it intriguing, with a combination of steampunk and paranormal elements. The book is described as a Gothic story set in Victorian-era London. Readers appreciate the imaginative writing style and the paranormal premise that connects everything together.

"A compelling, Gothic story, set in Victorian-era London, The Dark Victorian: Risen features the reanimated ghost of a Quaker, (Art), and a snarky..." Read more

"...The combination of Victorian London with paranormal elements with an injection of steampunk, large cast, strange language, and a dark mystery had my..." Read more

"The Dark Victorian: Risen is a very original and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...but anyways the story is about a reanimated Quaker! LOL who is partners with a skull! They work for what we would call the FBI...." Read more

14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They enjoy the unique story with multi-layered characters and adventure in an otherworldly setting. The book is described as captivating and refreshing.

"A compelling, Gothic story, set in Victorian-era London, The Dark Victorian: Risen features the reanimated ghost of a Quaker, (Art), and a snarky..." Read more

"...I felt the 2nd book in the series was much better but this is a good book to read to get a feel for Art and the world she lives in. Recommend reading." Read more

"The Dark Victorian: Risen is a very original and enjoyable read...." Read more

"...She is trying to figure out who and what she is. All in all its a all right book and I will read the second one just to see what happens...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"7 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They mention strong, interesting female characters and a lovely cast.

"...Artifice is the lead, by no means is she the only powerful and intriguing character. It's truly a lovely cast...." Read more

"...Characters are well developed and intriguing...." Read more

"This had some wonderful imagery and hinted at great characters, but I had trouble getting into it...." Read more

"...I like the characters, but I found the introduction of 21st century communication (however cleverly adapted to the Victorian era) disconcerting;..." Read more

5 customers mention "Start"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's start. They find it a lovely beginning to a great series with unique characters that set the foundation for future books. While at times detached, they can't wait to read more and can't wait to see how the series progresses.

"...I liked this alright, but didn't love it. In any case, it's an ambitious series starter with lots of potential and will definitely please many fans..." Read more

"...the story is predictable and emotionally detached at times, it shows promise and I can't wait to read more...." Read more

"...for something chilling, thrilling, and unique, then give this brilliant novella a try! You can even read a sample of it on Goodreads, right now!" Read more

"...created engaging, multi-layered characters and has deftly laid a foundation for future books to lead us into their (probably) remarkable pasts...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find it a quick read with an engaging steampunk story.

"...recommend the book for anyone that is interested in a well written steam-punk like novel with characters that are far from the norm...." Read more

"...Her writing continues to improve and impress me. Definitely start with this book though. Don't read any of her series's out of order." Read more

"A Delightfully Quick Read..." Read more

"Good quick read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2014
    A compelling, Gothic story, set in Victorian-era London, The Dark Victorian: Risen features the reanimated ghost of a Quaker, (Art), and a snarky talking skull, (Jim). They have been pressed onto the service of the Queen to solve some rather dark crimes. Art has no memory of her past, or why she, a Quaker, was executed for a crime. As she and Jim progress through their assigned case, Art slowly begins to remember bits and pieces about herself, and the reader sees this in a fascinating unveiling. I love how this gripping tale is sprinkled with humor, (Art, carrying Jim, walks through a wall, leaving Jim to bounce about on the pavement). The Dark Victorian: Risen is sure to amuse and entertain.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2015
    Upping this to 4 stars (with the rest of the series getting 5 stars).

    I had fun re-reading this novella this past weekend. When I originally read it I wasn't writing reviews and, of course, hadn't read the entire series yet nor was I familiar at all with the fabulous writer Elizabeth Watasin. So, I'm adding some extra notes to give it its proper due.

    First off, this is a novella that really is the setup and teaser to a much larger story. On my first read through, I was disappointed that it ended so quickly but I didn't understand at the time it wasn't a full novel so that's on me.

    Also, this story is a bit like stepping off a cliff. The combination of Victorian London with paranormal elements with an injection of steampunk, large cast, strange language, and a dark mystery had my head spinning. I haven't read anything like it before or since and there's an adjustment period to take in the new world that Watasin creates.

    The story is mainly told through the point of view of Artifice, a woman brought back to life to become a new agent in the Secret Commission, a branch of law-enforcement that deals with paranormal crime.

    The book contains mysteries on numerous levels, one of which is Artifice herself. For, you see, the agents of the Secret Commission were all previously criminals in their former lives who met their end at the gallows. When the agents are risen, they do not recall any of their history, and the fact that we soon come to realize that Artifice is a kind-hearted, pacifist Quaker who is now a crime-fighting ghost gives her and us a big question of why and how she came to be.

    Add that Art's seasoned partner agent is a talking skull in a top hat who speaks in strange lingo, welcome to bizarro world of the best kind.

    The main feel of the book is a paranormal mystery and Artifice is basically a Victorian super-hero. In this caper, she and Jim Dastard (the skull) are on the trail of zombie-like children viciously murdering people in the streets of London.

    This is not a romance but the lesfic element comes in from Artifice being a woman loving woman sapphic lead...and she's not the lone one in the story.

    What I also love about Watasin's work, in addition to the crazy imagination, is the breadth of amazingly strong and interesting female characters she writes. Though Artifice is the lead, by no means is she the only powerful and intriguing character. It's truly a lovely cast.

    If this sounds like something up your alley, take a read and definitely get book two (Dark Victorian: Bones) as, again, this first novella is really just a taste of greater things to come.

    Love it!

    ****

    3.5 stars. I felt like the story was too short but it was really imaginative. Another reviewer said it took a little while to get into the groove of how Art spoke, in particular, and I agree with that. It's worth sticking with, though. I liked the character of Art a lot and the supporting cast. I felt the 2nd book in the series was much better but this is a good book to read to get a feel for Art and the world she lives in. Recommend reading.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2013
    The Dark Victorian: Risen is a very original and enjoyable read. Once I started I didn't want it to end, once ended I couldn't wait to start the next. Elizabeth Watasin has crafted one of the best fantasy novels I have read. The characters, Art and Jim have the reader wanting to know more about who the Skull and Ghost were in their former lives. I highly recommend the book for anyone that is interested in a well written steam-punk like novel with characters that are far from the norm. Check out the Book Cave podcast episode 235 for an interview with Elizabeth Watasin about her novel and who her characters are at: http://thebookcave.libsyn.com/
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2013
    I received this book from the author for a honest review so here u are! In the beginning of the book I had a hard time relating to the characters. So it didn't draw me in at first. But the longer I read it the more the story started to draw u in. I will forewarn u there is ALOT of English slang. I know the story is based in England but for me it kinda takes a little something out of it. (Personal preference) but anyways the story is about a reanimated Quaker! LOL who is partners with a skull! They work for what we would call the FBI. They have to figure out who or what is killing the people of the town. Art ( who is the reanimated ghost) has no recollection of her former life. She is trying to figure out who and what she is. All in all its a all right book and I will read the second one just to see what happens. Happy reading!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2014
    'Dark Victorian: Risen' is one of these books hard to put down, featuring characters taller than life -no matter how supernatural, characters you do not wish to leave behind.
    It is 1880 and a female Quaker named Artifice -Art for short- has been reanimated after death, to work with Jim Dastard for Prince Albert's Secret Commission. Their first case together involves dead children reanimated to kill their parents or whoever abused them when they were alive. "Keep calm, Ghost and Skull are here", quips Jim. Art is the ghost and Jim is the skull.
    This is a steampunk novella with humour, style and details. Elizabeth Watasin is the kind of writer who spends as much time as necessary researching all the quirky vocabulary, outfits and other accurate details pertinent to the plot.
    Characters are well developed and intriguing. They will leave their imprints in your memory, be they supernatural, or human like the Skycourt sisters. Readers can reunite with them and the House of Vesta, where most women are saphists, in the sequel 'Dark Victorian: Bones'.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • thegearcog
    5.0 out of 5 stars KEEP CALM: Ghost and Skull ARE HERE'
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2013
    Read if you

    Like your steampunk genre weighed heavily on the supernatural horror side of the scale
    Delight in strong female characters rendered substantial by their flaws
    Love all the flowers of narrative that bloom from Pseudo-Victorian bedrock

    Avoid if you

    Don't enjoy a witty sidekick loaded with the line stealers
    Get irritated that teasers, half reveals and a horde of clues with no solutions are the order of the day [It is a series after all]
    You find the role of humour superfluous or off putting in moments that can be truly horrific
    Allergic to even the slightest hint of manga inspiration.

    The screws that bind:

    Necromancy + Archetypes of Myth
    Secret Societies
    Irreligious humour and witty banter
    Gaslit inspired suspense/ horror

    Aftertaste: Smoke, Hope and the imaginary aroma's of old London.

    Line to Adore:

    "We must discuss this, Art,"
    "Friend, I prefer not," Art said
    "You're a sapphist, the club is full of sapphists, don't you want to talk 'plainly' and about lights and truths like Quakers are supposed to?"
    "Aye, But I needn't know all truths," Art said.

    Author: Elizabeth Watasin-female, American, Animator

    Personal Bias: Truly refreshing novel. Great to see the steampunk motif being only a stage to the supernatural horror. Art reminded me of Claymore Clare, while Jack reminds me somewhat of Klodoa. I did detect a small tendril of dread Cthulhu wriggling through the novel's gaslit streets. Maybe just me..

    Worthreading.co
  • Vickyoreo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Twisted themes
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2013
    I loved this book. It was odd, humourous and constantly had me picking up my kindle to read more. Art is a lovely character full of kindness, charity and emotion, though it seems she has darker personal tastes. To add to the delight of this book she is a re-animated, previously dead, ghost, that can take a solid form. She was re-animated by a Secret Agency who fight supernatural crime. Her partner is a re-animated skull who wears a tophat called Jim Dastard. He is strange, hilarious and rarely makes sense. Its fun to read Art and Jim's interactions, conversations and the friendship they form.

    The ending was a little abrupt and left on an interesting Cliffhanger. I will look forward to reading the second book in this series and other works by this author.

    This book was a delight to read and held the twisted themes I enjoy.
  • hazeyfantasey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book#1 in series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2015
    Fascinating characters throughout... some first novel jitters are more than compensated by the witty wordsmith Elizabeth Watasin.
    It was a enjoyable read given the dark content it's concept is rather unique I have never read a story about a Lesbian Quaker before... Art is brought back from the dead to fight crime as an agent for the Secret Commission.
    I also enjoyed the character and the appearance of Jim Dastard this concept worked perfectly in my mind. Very amusing and his habits are equally entertaining. He has a fascinating mind and a quick wit.
    Great Fun!
  • David Lewis
    4.0 out of 5 stars A dark beginning
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2015
    An interesting premise. Not a lot of the overt trappings of steampunk but it's there in the world the character's inhabit. The characters are engaging enough that by the end I want to read more to know who art really is and what happened to her. This book serves as an introduction this world of reanimated secret agents. And supernatural villains. And I look forward to reading more
  • Paula
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2016
    excellent

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