Steampunk in an Irish manor house...

The Wildenstern family have been a dominant force in Irish finance for generations, with investments that reach out to the UK and even America. Their power is augmented by an inherited trait that offers them accelerated healing, long life, and an affinity for controlling the mysterious engimals - mechanical beasts with an unknown origin.

They run their estates with a feudal attitude, with servants who are treated like slaves and tenant farmers who are basically oppressed serfs. The family is run by a Patriarch with the authority of a king, and inter-familial plots and assassinations are par for the course.

But now, a strange discovery has been made. Four bodies found in a bog, that seem to have been sitting there for centuries, are discovered to be inexplicably alive. These individuals may be the ancestors of the current Wildensterns. And their medieval attitudes may be, if possible, even worse than the current state of affairs.

The book has a fun, light-hearted tone, suitable for YA, with an action-oriented focus. What may disappoint some Steampunk fans is that while the genre often has a focus on tinkering, innovation and invention, all of the 'steamy' stuff here falls firmly into the trope of "Mystical Knowledge of the Ancients." Also, while the book contains the genre's seemingly-obligatory commentary on the inequities of gender, race and class, the main character is a not-very-sympathetic, self-centered upper-class brat with an unfortunate lack of awareness/compassion. The book is clearly leading him toward an 'awakening' (to happen in sequels) but although he might have a good heart, for most of the book he's pretty annoying. He's not so bad that I'm not interested in What Happens Next, however.

One thing that I particularly liked about the book is that so many 'mystery' novels feature characters working on sparse clues and coming up with intuitive conclusions that, remarkably, seem to always turn out to be correct. Unlike those, this book actually has a lot of characters looking at the clues and coming to the wrong conclusion - which I found refreshing and amusing.

Overall, I'd recommend this to fans of Scott Westerfeld's 'Leviathan.'

Many thanks to Netgalley and Open Road Media for making this book available. This novel was previously published in the UK, but this is the first time it's being marketed in the US. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
( )

Great rollicking story. It was completely unpredictable and a lot of fun to read. The only thing that pissed me off was the fact that it says it's a series and apparently no second book has come out yet - and this was written in 2007. So very like the first of a non-series. I take it back. I just found the other books. yea! ( )

Ancient Appetites by Oisin McGann
ISBN 978-1-4976-6570-5 Trade Paperback $17.99
Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween (August 11, 2015), 412 pages.
Age Range: 12-17 years
Series: The Wildenstern Saga (Book 1)

The blurb:
The slow collapse of the British Empire in the 19th century meant opportunity for anyone with ammunition and wit. Now the Wildensterns are by far the most powerful family--and the most ruthless. Trained from childhood in the arts of assassination and conspiracy and endowed with the supernatural ability to live for more than a century, the clan has grown rich, vicious, and seemingly invincible.

After nearly 2 years away, eighteen-year-old Nate has returned. But his homecoming is shattered when his eldest brother, Marcus, is mysteriously killed. Following the Rules of Ascension, which allow one male family member to murder another, Nate is being blamed. Nate knows he isn't the murderer, but who is? With the help of his sister-in-law, Daisy, and his cousin Gerald, Nate intends to find out. Their investigation brings them into the underbelly of the Wildenstern empire, where living machines, conspiring relatives, and undercover mercenaries do their dirty work. But when a disaster uncovers the ancient remains of Wildenstern ancestors, the lives of the family members and their struggle for power will take a bizarre and gruesome turn.

Review:
It's a parallel universe during the Victorian Era, the time of the Industrial Revolution, with Steampunk animals that combine aspects and physical characteristics of machines. The Wildenstern family has its hand in many businesses but captures, tames, trains and harnesses the powers of these dangerous creatures. The Wildensterns have amassed one of the largest fortunes in the world. But beyond their reputation for almost limitless wealth and good fortune, the Wildensterns have a reputation for exceptional physical strength and endurance - the power to survive that which would kill ordinary men. The family is known for its ability to survive mortal attacks and dangerous situations. Like some of the other powerful and wealthy clans, they are gifted with the ability to heal faster and better by physical contact with gold. Unlike most other powerful families, the males in their line are allowed to murder or assassinate family members if it brings them closer to the line of succession.

In Ancient Appetites, Oisin McGann has created a fascinating world with clear complex rules of behavior, hierarchy and class. There's family drama, a dashing young male lead, spirited young women eager to find their place in the world, vast wealth and power, treacherous and jealous relations - a wonderful, gripping read with much humor. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. ( )

This is an alteranative Ireland during Victorian times. A world where Engimals live, a strange cross between machine and animal, which gives the story an almost steampunk edge. Nate Wildenstern has been away exploring the world trying to avoid the fate his family has carved for him. However the death of his brother, followed by an explosion at his funeral, paints a picture of double dealing and murder. Which is allowed by the family, there's even rules about it. Add to that some family ancients who are back and want the power and you have a very complicated but compelling story.

I really did enjoy this one. The story is good, the characters interesting but I did feel that the end was a little rushed. ( )

A really enjoyable story, with interesting characters, a sharp plot, and inventive fantasy elements.

Nate Wildenstern has enjoyed a life of privilege and extreme wealth. His family is ruled efficiently and ruthlessly by his father, as well as by a system of dark traditions - such as the Rules of Ascension, which determine how and when it is ok to murder a family member to improve your position as the next Heir.

All is going well for Nate, until his older brother Marcus is killed. Nate is forced back into the business-side of the family empire, he is accused of his brother’s murder, and he must forge new relationships with his remaining siblings and their partners. The major themes of family, grief, betrayal, murder and revenge are all well explored.

An atmospheric setting, strange creatures called engimals, and the reappearance of some ancient Wildenstern ancestors, all work to make this story quite an adventure. ( )