Elle explores her powers as the Oracle and Marsh finds himself bored and alone. Since he's no longer a Warlock, life seems less exciting, so when Commisioner Willoughby of the London Metropolitan police asks him to help solve a strange mystery, Marsh is glad to help out. Only this mystery is dangerous, and Marsh finds himself losing his heart and gaining a clockwork device in its place that leaves him a zombie. He's not the only zombie, though. A plague of the creatures sweeps through London and now Elle must team up with the Nightwalker Loisa Beladodia to save the city and find Marsh's heart and put it back in his chest before it's too late.

I do so love the steampunk genre. Book two in Liesel Schwarz's The Chronicles of Light and Shadow series, A CLOCKWORK HEART follows the first book seamlessly, bringing our favorite characters back for a second round of adventures. We have our main character, Elle, who is still strong as ever and coming into her own with her new powers as an Oracle, and a mystery and beat the clock adventure to save her husband, Marsh.

My favorite aspect of this book was the new machine hearted characters based on zombies. They provided a wonderful and creepy visual. Readers of steampunk, especially with paranormal elements, or fans of Cherie Priest's The Clockwork Century and Gail Carriger's The Parasol Protectorate, will do good to check out this fun series.