Noir The Illumination Paradox (Book 2) by Jacqueline Garlick

Although Noir is the second book in this series, I jumped into the book and caught up on the characters and plot very quickly.

Ms. Garlick has created a believable world, very much steampunk with a touch of post-apocalyptic destruction: murky air unfit to breathe, water unfit to drink, and a despotic ruler. For paranormal fans, the vapors that create ghouls and things that go bump in the wood also add to the world building.

There's a lost prince, a girl destined to save the world, two desperate women trying manipulate others for power, and a truly motley set of side-kicks (and they are actually from a freak show).

Ms. Garlick creates many moments with the characters, where the reader feels the connection each has to another. There's a chance to laugh, to cry, to feel jealousy, and to build friendships.

This book is well crafted, but most of it was one escape attempt after another. The amazing spaces they escaped from, and the unlikely ways they made their escapes were well thought out, but it was a series of escapes from beginning to end.

I would recommend this book, but there is a very strong romance story where our main characters take their relationship all the way. For my audience, I would probably keep this book as a "behind my desk" book with that caveat. I really enjoyed this book, and I would read the third book in the series.