From the Bookshelf of What's the Name of That Book???…

The Dark Unwinding (The Dark Unwinding, #1)

Sharon Cameron

Why we're reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...…more
[close] https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Jun 08, 2012 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bea

<3 to infinity. Loved the language here. And the atmosphere.

Full review:

Katharine Tullman does not want to send her uncle to an asylum anymore than she wants to please her horrible aunt by doing so. Unfortunately Katharine very rarely gets to do anything near what she wants--not if she ever hopes to secure even the smallest bit of independence for herself.

When Katharine arrives at her uncle's estate she soon realizes that dealing with her uncle is not going to be as cut and dry as she had hoped. <3 to infinity. Loved the language here. And the atmosphere.

Full review:

Katharine Tullman does not want to send her uncle to an asylum anymore than she wants to please her horrible aunt by doing so. Unfortunately Katharine very rarely gets to do anything near what she wants--not if she ever hopes to secure even the smallest bit of independence for herself.

When Katharine arrives at her uncle's estate she soon realizes that dealing with her uncle is not going to be as cut and dry as she had hoped. Instead of a lunatic she finds her uncle is an incredibly gifted but eccentric inventor. Instead of a ramshackle estate near ruin she finds a village filled with workers rescued from London workhouses.

As Katharine explores the estate and learns more about her uncle, matters become more complicated as she is taken in my a handsome apprentice and an ambitious student. Soon, she realizes she is starting to care about her uncle and his household more than she can afford to given rising questions of her own future. And her own sanity.

With mysteries all around her and far more at stake than she can imagine, Katharine will have to decide who to trust and who to protect in The Dark Unwinding (2012) by Sharon Cameron.

The Dark Unwinding is Cameron's first novel.

In a delightful blend of suspense, steampunk and historical drama, Cameron has created a delightful world with compelling characters and a plot filled with twists and excitements. The story perfectly captures the wonder of Uncle Tullman's estate and the urgency felt by everyone who wants to keep it safe.

The question of Katharine's own sanity and the mysteries surrounding the estate add another satisfying dimension to the story. Best of all Cameron's writing is wonderful throughout giving each character a unique voice and bringing them to life. The beautiful prose elevates what could have been a sensational action story into something more as Katharine is forced to confront of her own principles and grow as a character as her priorities (and loyalties) change.

The Dark Unwinding is a marvelous book that will linger with readers. The undercurrent of suspense and mystery make it a perfect read for a dark winter night.

Possible Pairings: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Thone of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan, The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2012* ...more

Like · see review

Jun 24, 2012 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: old-reads, mt-bookpile-2011-2015

A young woman, dependent on her aunt for housing and food, is sent off to the wilds of England to declare an uncle (guilty of wasting the family fortune) incompetent. Of course he lives in one of those bizarre houses, filled with odd rooms and dark passages, not to mention angry, silent servants. Katherine is not at all prepared for what she finds: a very childlike uncle with a mind filled with math and engines and designs, employing nearly 900 people to run an estate that creates... it's not qu A young woman, dependent on her aunt for housing and food, is sent off to the wilds of England to declare an uncle (guilty of wasting the family fortune) incompetent. Of course he lives in one of those bizarre houses, filled with odd rooms and dark passages, not to mention angry, silent servants. Katherine is not at all prepared for what she finds: a very childlike uncle with a mind filled with math and engines and designs, employing nearly 900 people to run an estate that creates... it's not quite clear what, but porcelain is among the products. (apparently this is based somewhat on Welbeck Abbey)

Katherine soon realizes that her job is not going to be that easy and grants a 30 day respite before returning to London and her aunt, and the declaration of her uncle's incompetency. Uncle Tully takes to Katherine, calling her "Simon's child" (her father was one of his brothers), allowing her to help wind his clocks and inventions, showing her the workroom and even going on a day's outing. She also starts to become friends with Lane, her uncle's dogsbody, Lucy, her "ladies maid", Ben, a soon-to-be-teacher, and Davy, a mute boy rescued (like virtually everyone on the estate) from the London workhouses. It's not just the oddness of the estate that intrigues her - though rollerskating in the underground ballroom is a highlight - it's also her occasional nighttime nightmarish episodes. She isn't drinking, but for some reason she has these bizarre out-of-body, out-of-mind experiences at night.

The 30 days pass, and Katherine needs to make a decision. However, there's someone on the estate who has decided what that decision should be and will do almost anything to ensure it goes the way they want. It's at this point that the book takes an even more Gothic turn, changing from a vaguely humorous exploration of this strange world towards a more horror novel.

That the majority of the characters are late teens-early twenties is probably why this is being sold as a YA book; however, the Victorian Era setting means that they behave in a far more adult manner than today's teens. I could see this appealing far more to older students rather than the 12-16 crowd.

ARC provided by publisher. ...more

Like · see review