Review of Of Gilded Flesh

[kandscreeley]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Of Gilded Flesh" by Gordon Gravley.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Josef Kronecker is a clockmaker, but he's so much more. Having once attended medical school, he creates mechanical appendages for those in need. At a party where mechanical figurines are on display (birds that fly, ballerinas that dance, and cats that purr), Josef meets a mysterious woman named Klara. Knowing very little about her, he's infatuated. Josef, though, has a mechanical secret of his own. If Klara learns about it, she may very well use it to her advantage, which might end up costing Josef his life. Who is Klara? Will Josef be able to keep his secret?

Of Gilded Flesh by Gordon Gravley is a science fiction story of around 185 pages. Though it has some science fiction elements, it doesn't fit solidly into any one genre. I would tend to classify it more as other fiction. The story is told in the present tense from the third-person perspective and is character-driven. Taking place in the eighteenth century, it has a unique perspective that isn't too old fashioned.

Some stories are so magical they capture your attention from the start. It doesn't matter if they are science fiction, mystery, or drama; you're enraptured from start to finish. This was one such book. Because of this, it could appeal to a wide audience, not just lovers of science fiction.

The author has a way with words that makes the story come to life. This was my favorite aspect of the book. Consider this description from page 27. "Galileo, owner of the meows, greets Anna with purrs loud enough to rival a shop full of clocks." In case you're unsure, Galileo is a cat.

The characters were realistic. From those that you know from the start are going to be trouble to those that have such an extraordinarily kind heart that you know they'll be taken advantage of to those that you love to hate, there's a bit of every personality. It's an interesting sampling of humanity. This, again, shows the author's writing prowess.

While there were a few grammatical errors, they were minimal. My only complaint was the words in italics. Appearing in a different font, these words were smaller than all the rest. While merely a stylistic choice, it was annoying; I would recommend a different font for readability. It didn't, however, interfere with my enjoyment of the book. It was an engaging read from start to finish.

Because of this, I rate Of Gilded Flesh 4 out of 4 stars. There is some mention of abuse, but the details are vague. There is also some sexual content, much of which is left to the reader's imagination. I recommend the book to adult readers looking for a unique read who enjoy interesting characters set in an older period with a more modern feel. If the subject of abuse is triggering to you, I would skip this story.

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Of Gilded Flesh
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[Poojitha Borra]

The world seems quite befitting to my taste. I am intrigued to read. Great review, by the way.

[Raluca_Mihaila]

Wow, what an interesting review! Thank you so much for your recommendation, and I really must read this book!

[Ella Ernestine]

Great review! Seems right down my street, will definitely give it a read!

[Daniel Emmanuel 4]

Wow what a nice story , probably one of the best . Loved how Josef and Klara handled things.

[sharon titus]

This book seems like an interesting read. I would definitely give it a try. Thank you for your hard work.

[marta baglioni]

This review really makes me want to read the book. I'll add it to my shelf!

[Benaron]

Nice review! I'm definitely interested in giving this book a read. Books that make things easy to visualize in the mind's eye, such as this one, certainly have a step up from other books.

[Urvashi Tripathi]

Your review is making me to pick this book soon. I want to know if Josef will be able to hide his secret from Klara till the end. I liked the cover design too. Thank you for the amazing review.

[kandscreeley]

The world seems quite befitting to my taste. I am intrigued to read. Great review, by the way.

I hope you enjoy the book. It was interesting.

[kandscreeley]

Great review! Seems right down my street, will definitely give it a read!

I hope you enjoy! Happy reading.

[kandscreeley]

Wow what a nice story , probably one of the best . Loved how Josef and Klara handled things.

Yes, it's interesting. There's a bit of romance included as well. Enjoy!

[kandscreeley]

This book seems like an interesting read. I would definitely give it a try. Thank you for your hard work.

I hope that you enjoy it. It's a different kind of tale. Thanks for commenting.

[kandscreeley]

This review really makes me want to read the book. I'll add it to my shelf!

I haven't read anything quite like it. I hope you enjoy this unique tome!

[kandscreeley]

Nice review! I'm definitely interested in giving this book a read. Books that make things easy to visualize in the mind's eye, such as this one, certainly have a step up from other books.

Yes, you're right about that. The story is different from so many others as well. I hope you enjoy!