Title: The Laird of Duncairn
Author: Craig Comer
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

The year is 1882 Scotland, and the auld alliance betwixt king and fey has long been forgotten. Men of science, backed by barons of industry, push the boundaries of technology. When Sir Walter Conrad discovers a new energy source, one that could topple nations and revolutionize society, the race to dominate its ownership begins. But the excavation and use of this energy source will have dire consequences for both humans and fey. For an ancient enemy stirs, awakened by Sir Walter’s discovery.

Outcast half-fey Effie of Glen Coe is the Empire’s only hope at averting the oncoming disaster. Effie finds herself embroiled in the conflict, investigating the eldritch evil spreading throughout the Highlands. As she struggles against the greed of mighty lords and to escape the clutches of the queen’s minions, her comfortable world is shattered. Racing to thwart the growing menace, she realizes the only thing that can save them all is a truce no one wants.

In The Laird of Duncairn, the reader is transported to the setting of Scotland in 1882. The alliance between the humans and the fey has long been forgotten, and scientistis are pushing the boundaries of technology. Sir Walter Conrad discovers  a new energy source that could revolutionize society… But excavating this source will have dire consequences, for both humans and fey, as an ancient enemy stirs, awakened by what Sir Walter discovered.

Effie, an outcast half-fey, is the Empire’s only hope. But the enemy isn’t the only thing she has to fight if she wants herself and the rest of the world, to survive.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s unique. The setting is historical, but it’s also an alternate world, where we have both humans and fey. Despite that, it reads a lot like an epic fantasy novel, but with some steampunk elements added in that I really enjoy. I also liked the explenation of the fey lore, and how it was all tied up with the steampunk side of the story and fantasy side.

The writing was excellent, and the details the author added in didn’t just make the time period, but the whole world come to life.

Effie is an amazing character. I loved following her journey and seeing her change and grow. The book also has a lot of side characters which is pretty common for fantasy books, but here they all had distinct personalities, and I liked that. They didn’t feel like cardboard figures, but felt like actual people with feelings and emotions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy novel, especially if you like reading about the fey and fey lore.