Jacaranda

Cherie Priest

Book 6 in the series:The Clockwork Century

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love eerie haunted hotel stories in the vein of 'The Shining' or crave clever blends of gothic horror with just a dash of weird western flair, you'll get a kick out of this one. Don't worry if you're new to the Clockwork Century universe - this chilling tale stands alone quite nicely, featuring a compelling cast (a gangster-turned-priest, a mysterious nun, and a Texas Ranger) locked in a supernatural showdown. Cherie Priest fans will appreciate her signature suspense and strong characterization, while horror lovers will relish the deliciously creepy atmosphere.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Those looking for heavy steampunk flavors or elaborate gadgetry might feel let down, as Jacaranda dials back the alt-history inventions in favor of classic horror chills. If haunted house tropes or ghostly mysteries aren’t your thing, you might not click with the story. Some readers also found the supernatural backstory a little unclear and wished for deeper development of the supporting cast. And for its novella length, the price of a physical copy can feel steep.

Jacaranda is a taut, atmospheric haunted hotel tale perfect for horror and gothic fiction fans - just don't expect much steampunk. It’s a fast, creepy read that’s easy to enjoy, series knowledge optional.

About:

'Jacaranda' in the series 'The Clockwork Century' by author Cherie Priest is a novella set in an alternate 19th century world where a haunted hotel, the Jacaranda, on Galveston Island, Texas, is quietly killing its guests. The story follows a Mexican priest, an Irish nun, and a Texas Ranger who join forces to combat the dark forces within the hotel during an approaching hurricane. Despite being categorized as 'Clockwork Century 6', the book can be enjoyed as a standalone haunted hotel story, with a focus on supernatural elements and a tense, creepy atmosphere.

The plot of 'Jacaranda' is centered around conflicts between personal values, needs, religious beliefs, and courage, as the characters face a malevolent entity residing within the hotel. The writing style of Cherie Priest is described as beautifully lyrical, taut, and suspenseful, with well-drawn characters and a plot that builds tension effectively. Despite the lack of prominent steampunk elements, the book offers a riveting supernatural horror story with powerful characterization, set in a world that is loosely connected to the Clockwork Century series, providing depth and an eerie, macabre atmosphere.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, including a conflicted priest, a mysterious nun, and a seasoned ranger, all facing supernatural challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lyrical, with a focus on strong character development and suspense, merging gothic horror and supernatural elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a haunted hotel that attracts paranormal investigators due to unexplained deaths, leading to a showdown with malevolent forces.

Setting:

The setting in Galveston, Texas during an alternate 19th-century period is instrumental to the story's haunting atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, with building tension throughout, though some elements remain unresolved, keeping readers engaged.

The nun’s letter intercepted Juan Miguel Quintero Rios on the road to Port Bolivar. Her handwriting was small and precise, and easy to read—even in the back of a bouncing cart on a rough-paved road ma...

Notes:

Jacaranda is set in an alternate 19th century and is loosely connected to the Clockwork Century series.

The story revolves around a haunted hotel in Galveston, Texas, where guests have been mysteriously dying.

It features a gangster-turned-priest and an Irish nun as the main characters investigating dark forces.

The book has elements of horror and supernatural suspense, reminiscent of Stephen King's ghost stories.

Although part of the Clockwork Century, it can stand alone and does not require knowledge of the other books.

The novella is noted for its rich, creepy atmosphere and strong character development.

It contains few steampunk elements, focusing more on personal and supernatural conflicts.

The plot includes a mysterious entity tied to the hotel's history, particularly the cutting down of a jacaranda tree.

Sister Eileen, one of the characters, is intriguing and may have a backstory that could be explored further.

The book's writing style is praised for being lyrical and engaging, making it hard to put down.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include supernatural horror and potential themes of violence and death.

From The Publisher:

Just before a hurricane makes landfall, a Texas Ranger, a nun, and a priest meet at Galveston, Texas's Jacaranda Hotel in order to break the curse that has killed over two dozen people in the establishment's single year of operation.

December 2014

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183 pages

Reader Stats (3):

Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (1)

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