Hopebreaker by Dean Wilson

I've only recently gotten into the Steampunk genre, but I've quickly fallen in love (I'm definitely blaming the fashion). Plus, it's no secret that I'm a fan of Dean Wilson's work, having a deep seated passion for mythology. When he messaged me about doing a review for his new steampunk series, I was understandably more than a little excited. The best part? I wasn't let down. Hopebreaker is a fantastic novel that truly opens up a new world, seamlessly intertwining steampunk into this tale of action and adventure, and certainly deserves 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
In the world of Altadas, there are no more human births. The Regime is replacing the unborn with demons, while the Resistance is trying to destroy a drug called Hope that the demons need to survive.

Between these two warring factions lies Jacob, a man who profits from smuggling contraceptive amulets into the city of Blackout. He cares little about the Great Iron War, but a chance capture, and an even more accidental rescue, embroils him in a plot to starve the Regime from power.

When Hope is an enemy, Jacob finds it harder than he thought to remain indifferent. When the Resistance opts to field its experimental landship, the Hopebreaker, the world may find that one victory does not win a war.

My thoughts:
One thing that I'm still getting used to about novels that are part of a series is that a lot of information is left for the follow-up books to address. Hopebreaker drops the reader off right in the middle of the fighting between the Regime and the Resistance, and there is a lot of information given to the reader through conversations between characters, rather than simple exposition and plot. It can be confusing, but I believe that this makes for a very natural introduction into a new world, and makes for a more fast paced and entertaining novel. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series to have all my questions answered regarding the demons, Hope, and just what Jacob has gotten himself into by working with the Resistance.

It takes a talented hand to develop an incredible world, particularly a dystopian world, destroyed by war, and Altadas is proof that Dean Wilson wields this kind of talent. There are not many lengthy descriptions, yet I feel as though I've been to Altadas simply by how the characters describe it (not that I would necessarily want to visit at this point in its history, of course).

While I don't know much about them yet, there is something to be said for how Wilson writes his characters. I can't help but envision Whistler and Jacob causing trouble while Taberah shakes her head and admonishes them. I am drawn into these characters' lives, and can't wait to read the rest of the series to learn more about their pasts, as well as what the future holds for them.

Well, there you have it. Another review of a great book by Dean Wilson (who apparently enjoys writing trilogies). I wonder if there's something to that.. Perhaps I shall ask him a few questions and see what his responses are :)

- Justin