Eterna and Omega by Leanna Renee Hieber

Series: Eterna Files #2
336 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 8/9/16
Source: From publisher for review

Battle is joined as British and American paranormal investigators clash in an exciting gaslamp fantasy. 

Leanna Renee Hieber's gaslamp fantasy series continues and the action ramps up in Eterna and Omega.

In New York City, fearing the dangers of the Eterna Compound--supposedly the key to immortality--Clara Templeton buries information vital to its creation. The ghost of her clandestine lover is desperate to tell her she is wrong, but though she is a clairvoyant, she cannot hear him.
In London, Harold Spire plans to send his team of assassins, magicians, mediums, and other rogue talents to New York City, in an attempt to obtain Eterna for Her Royal Majesty, Queen Victoria. He stays behind to help Scotland Yard track down a network of body snatchers and occultists, but he'll miss his second-in-command, Rose Everhart, whose gentle exterior masks a steel spine.

Rose's skepticism about the supernatural has been shattered since she joined Spire's Omega Branch. Meeting Clara is like looking into a strange mirror: both women are orphans, each is concealing a paranormal ability, and each has a powerful and attractive guardian who has secrets of his own.
The hidden occult power that menaces both England and America continues to grow. Far from being dangerous, Eterna may hold the key to humanity's salvation.

My thoughts:

I liked the first book but did not love it. It was enough for me to want to read this one. So, when I got it in the mail, I immediately picked it up. Unfortunately it took me a while to get though it. Heavy on description, it slowed down the flow of the book considerably. It drew me out of the book instead of in it. It had some of the same problems as the first book for me, but I remember slipping to parts of the book. I really didn't get there until the end in this one.

I do love the worldbuilding in this series and also the characters. It feels as if the language, although appropriate, seems too flowery. I also love the idea behind the plot and the various organizations that surround our characters. There is a budding love story that you want but it bittersweet from the last book. I actually didn't know how I wanted that to go until the end. It makes sense and makes sense as to why it is taking so long. Their relationship really hasn't been explored in any depth and to have a romance now would be too premature. As for the paranormal aspects, I did enjoy how those things were explained and handled. It's like the bones of the story are solid, but the tendons holding things together are just too thick.

I give this book 3 stars. I have a feeling it will be like the last book that you will either love or hate it. I didn't love it but didn't hate it by any means. I think it is interesting and I would suggest you try the first book first (it should be read in order anyway) to see if it is the series for you. I would say that those that like fantasy, alternate history with paranormal aspects might give it a go.