‘Extracted’ (The Lost Imperials #1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler Jolley

5 time-bending stars!

‘Extracted’ is the first in a series of steampunk time-travel novels; the best I’ve ever read!

Authors Ficklin and Jolley seamlessly integrate steampunk inventions, clothing, and accessories into a clear to follow and fast-paced plot.  The main characters and their significant others are developed and complex.  It was a joy to read such fleshed out characters, to understand their motivations and to agree with their thoughts completely.

‘Extracted’ is told through the duel points of view of Lex and Ember, which blend together to provide readers with a more complete picture of the story than either character has on their own.  When the story begins, Lex is a member of the Hallows, and Ember is a student of the Tesla Institute.  They are time travelers, but on opposite sides of the war between the Hallows and the Institute; each group asserting that they protect changes in the time stream from the other. 

Each group has their own method by which they travel through time, clearly explained and easy to understand.  However, both methods lead to each traveler losing their memory on their first trip into the time stream.  When Lex and Ember run into each other, their memories come flooding back and create even more questions than they answer for the reader.

Though there are two additional published books (Prodigal and Riven), and one future release (Absolution) in The Lost Imperials series, ‘Extracted’ does not end on a cliffhanger.  It is clear that the story can now go in any direction, and to any time period, but there is no annoying feeling of absence so often present in cliffhangers.  Excited to spend more time in this universe and with these characters.  Onward to read ‘Prodigal!’

I recommend this page-turner to any reader who enjoys time travel, steampunk, YA and fantasy.

Currently available for only $0.99 on Amazon!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.