It’s a quick read, it’ll suck you in, and the characters, magic, and mystery vibe make this book well worth the read. So if you’re looking for a great weekend read, this book is well worth it. However, it was explored gradually and with a delicate touch that neither shied away from the subject nor made it gratuitous, but rather made her character richer and drove parts of the plot.

It’s pretty clear from early on that she’s been sexually abused in at least one instance. Three: One of the things I really admired about this book was the delicate hand in which Leo’s difficult past is explored. She was solid, dependable, and kind but also had no qualms about making a fuss to do what was right. I personally identified more with Leo, and her being a solid character without a lot of emotional highs and lows. The characters were vastly different from one another and yet both were relatable. It was another close relationship that was both realistic but not fraught with ridiculous drama. It was one of those friends to lovers sort of romances, and the male character was so sweet and kind that he was absolutely admirable while not being “perfect.” He was a good guy, and I miss seeing that in literature sometimes. There was no love triangle, no angst, but there was clear romantic tension. There were three things that made this book stand out to me. There, she makes friends with the owner’s grandson, and when a tragedy shakes the theater, they end up needing to find the mythical “heart” of the theater, which could hold great power. She ends up working for a theater for the sake of her sister’s hopes and dreams of being a dancer. This gives her an advantage over others’ knacks, and because of that, others try to prey on her abilities, while some fear her. While she cannot control them, she can influence what they feel. She can give another person courage or make them fear.

The main character, Leo, has the impressive knack of manipulating peoples emotions. This book has a clear steampunk feel, but there is also magic, where people are expected to each have a magical ability called a “knack.” So, like magic with steampunk characteristics. (The other one I really enjoyed for its depth of subject matter and characters was Spice Bringer.)Īll right, back to Heart of the Curiosity.

Some resonate with me more than others, and I really found this one to be one of her best. A romantic slow burn, a sweet, clean romance, with action, adventure, and a Sherlock Holmes quality feel, this book is so worth it.Įvery book that I read by Burke is really a great novel.

Heart of the Curiosity by H.L. Burke