The Shadow Revolution: Crown & Key

By: Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith

Narrated by: Nicholas Guy Smith

A thrilling new Victorian-era urban fantasy for fans of Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, the Showtime series Penny Dreadful, and the Sherlock Holmes movies featuring Robert Downey, Jr.

They are the realm’s last, best defense against supernatural evil. But they’re going to need a lot more silver.

As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts. Among them are the roguish Simon Archer, who conceals his powers as a spell-casting scribe behind the smooth veneer of a dashing playboy; his layabout mentor, Nick Barker, who prefers a good pub to thrilling heroics; and the self-possessed alchemist Kate Anstruther, who is equally at home in a ballroom as she is on a battlefield.

After a lycanthrope targets Kate’s vulnerable younger sister, the three join forces with fierce Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane—but quickly discover they’re dealing with a threat far greater than anything they ever imagined.

Praise for The Shadow Revolution

“Team Griffith creates a number of really compelling characters whose exploits will keep readers glued to the pages! Terrific!”—RT Book Reviews

“A fast-paced, action-filled dark fantasy that is just sheer fun to read . . . The Shadow Revolution kicks off the Crown & Key series in spectacular fashion!”—Fresh Fiction

“Werewolves, mad science, and plenty of smiting. Pass the popcorn.”—Emma Jane Holloway, author of The Baskerville Affair series

"A thrilling read! Clay and Susan Griffith have crafted a gritty, action-packed Victorian-era fantasy world full of dark creatures, mystery, and magic—a must read for steampunk fans!”—Shawntelle Madison, author of the Coveted series

“What happens when you kick off a new urban fantasy series with a fantastic setting and unique characters, and you throw in some dangerous, supernatural creatures, evil madmen, murder and mayhem? You get a kick-ass book to read. . . . I want more, please!”—Book Swoon

“If summer blockbuster action movies existed back in the Victorian era, they would look a lot like The Shadow Revolution. This book doesn’t mess around. . . . Highly recommended.”—The BiblioSanctum

“One hell of a read . . . [With] unforgettable characters and magic around every bend, this truly was a breath of fresh air.”—My Guilty Obsession

“The story is pretty fast-paced, the mystery intriguing and refreshingly surprising, and the action thrilling. [The Shadow Revolution] pulls you in and barely lets you up for air, and I love the intensity of that kind of storytelling.”—Refracted Light

“So good that I won’t be surprised if this book series is opted to be a TV show or movie with an accompanying video game! Great storytelling, great plot and most of all great book!”—Marienela

Critic reviews

“Team Griffith creates a number of really compelling characters whose exploits will keep readers glued to the pages! Terrific!”—RT Book Reviews

“A fast-paced, action-filled dark fantasy that is just sheer fun to read . . . The Shadow Revolution kicks off the Crown & Key series in spectacular fashion!”—Fresh Fiction

“Werewolves, mad science, and plenty of smiting. Pass the popcorn.”—Emma Jane Holloway, author of The Baskerville Affair series

"A thrilling read! Clay and Susan Griffith have crafted a gritty, action-packed Victorian-era fantasy world full of dark creatures, mystery, and magic—a must read for steampunk fans!”—Shawntelle Madison, author of the Coveted series

“What happens when you kick off a new urban fantasy series with a fantastic setting and unique characters, and you throw in some dangerous, supernatural creatures, evil madmen, murder and mayhem? You get a kick-ass book to read. . . . I want more, please!”—Book Swoon

“If summer blockbuster action movies existed back in the Victorian era, they would look a lot like The Shadow Revolution. This book doesn’t mess around. . . . Highly recommended.”—The BiblioSanctum

“One hell of a read . . . [With] unforgettable characters and magic around every bend, this truly was a breath of fresh air.”—My Guilty Obsession

“The story is pretty fast-paced, the mystery intriguing and refreshingly surprising, and the action thrilling. [The Shadow Revolution] pulls you in and barely lets you up for air, and I love the intensity of that kind of storytelling.”—Refracted Light

“So good that I won’t be surprised if this book series is opted to be a TV show or movie with an accompanying video game! Great storytelling, great plot and most of all great book!”—Marienela

Not what I was expecting.

Admittedly this book is a little different listen than I'm used to. My supernatural fiction tastes usually run more towards Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" and Mike Carey's Felix Castor series. The action scenes in this listen are descriptive and fun, but too few and far between. In those long lulls between excitement the book is mired in pedantic Victorian gentile etiquette. It's mind numbing for a person listening more for the supernatural action aspects, rather than a tribute to the fastidious "gentlemanly arts" followed by the disciples of Beau Brummell. The performance was entertaining, with good variance for the different characters. Overall it was just not what I was hoping for.

Steampunk meets Sherlock

I love the gadgets. I love the relationship Simon and Nick. Simon is a playboy and Nick is the mentor who is the undercover guy who gets dirty to find the answers. Their relationship is fine until Simon is nudged into a more lofty purpose in life. Nick does not feel a connection to the moral obligation to put one's self in a dangerous position for the good of humanity.

Of course a lovely lady who can out wit and fight the men makes it difficult for Simon to remain unconcern about the fate of men. Many magically disturbances are happening in this Victorian London. This brings many other characters in the story. A very smart and imaginative inventor. A Scottish brute of a Werewolf hunter. A faithful servant. And a Vallkyrie Werewolf the evil nemesis.

There is the snappy dialogue between the characters and enough bullets and magic to make it exciting. I am a huge fan of Gail Carriger's Alexa Tarrabotti series. If you are a fan of her books then this is right there for your must read list.

A must read for steanpunkers

Urban fantasy and later 19th century mixed well.

Loved the book, both based on the material, which is similar to a 19th(later-mid to late) century English version of Iron Druid Chronicles. However my closest example of the storyline and environment can best be found on the Showtime TV show Penny Dreadful. I loved the steam powered motorcycle ahead of its time.

Enjoyable, I'm hooked

I thought the story started out a little slow but soon found it quite enjoyable. Loved the characters and am anxious the see where the next adventure leads. Books 2 and 3 are already queued up.

Hard to put down

A moving store and looking forward to the next one in the series. I would suggest this book to everyone entrusted in magic and werewolf’s. Well worth the time to listen to this tale.