Hey Addicts! I've got a Review today, of MJ Fletcher's The Doorknob Society. This is the first in his series that brings a mix on fantasy, Harry Potter style magic with a great dose of steampunk influence. Sounds like quite a mesh up, huh? I wasn't sure about it at first, but read on to see what my final thoughts are on the book!

BOOK BLURB

MY REVIEW:

The Doorknob Society by M.J. Fletcher starts off with a bang that grabbed and held my attention! Chloe Masters is in the middle of breaking into a French gov. office because she and her father's passports had been seized. Chloe always knew her magician father had a secret, but when she gets cornered by French gov. agents and bad guys she doesn't even realize are are hunting her, she realizes her fathers disappearing through a door act is not trick. And she too has the ability to go from one place to another-almost anywhere in the world. From there her and her father get dropped back to her grandparents home in the states and fall right into a dangerous fight for their lives.
Enter Michael Slade.
A teenage boy-hot of course-wielding a steampunk/light saber version of Thor's magic hammer. And guess what: he saves her life! Chloe's hero.
They stop the bad guys-for that moment at least- and Chloe learns of a whole new world that exists all over the world. A world the mother-who abandoned her-is possible hiding in, somewhere.
The world built in this series is one that and Harry Potter fans will sink their golden snitch grabby hands into.

As much as I love Harry Potter and everything it has inspired, I have to say, my 2nd biggest problem with this book was it took too much from the amazing world of H.P. From the whole new magic/Diagon Alley with a steampunk twist (hidden behind a magic wall of cogs/ magic tech and brick) that leads to the crazy cool magic city and shops as well as an exclusive school only for those with magic. We even have the "houses"; and Chloe manages to put together a group of friends--and 1 young detective inspector- who I think is on her side-that covers at least 1 member from each of the 5 "societies" (cough**houses**)
Chloe was a character that I loved at times and was annoyed with at times. I love how she is willing to take charge and lead her group--even thought her plans always end up going horribly wrong. But they are always entertaining and decently well written. I can see the fights happening, which is a hard thing to do.
I was pleasantly surprised by the romance in this book. Slade was a great beta like hero, and still totally kick butt in a fight. I did get frustrated with Chloe because of her yo-yo feelings that seemed to come and go at times and what she felt for both Slade and the other "love interest" James Nightshade. As much as I liked it--the instant attraction layered over with a sudden hate was "insta" in a bad way for me. It felt forced, especially when she didn't really have reason to hate James so much right off the bat. But the scene near the end--in the closet, while they're trying to save her father--- ooohhhh baby! made me rethink my stance on Chloe/Slade. But again, another way Chloe's indecision and ease of switching to another guy bugs me. By the end I felt like she had decided to toy with James's feelings- almost kind of callously.
The pacing of The Doorknob Society was great and fast paced and rarely slowed down. The plot was also well built and played out. The end of the book wrapped up all major plot lines and left enough open and started to take you into the next book of the series.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who love H.P. and fantasy series. It really has a little of everything that I think could appeal to a wide audience!
Over all- a well done book, and a series I will continue to read.