Quickstop Tuesdays Review: Delilah Dusticle [Delilah Dusticle, book 1]

Title:       Delilah Dusticle [Delilah Dusticle, book 1]
Author:   A.J. York
Rating:   ★★★★
Availability: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Smashwords
*E-book copy from author for an honest review

Delilah Dusticle is a cute, short ebook (at 33 pages) that was a breezy read. Being a short story, the pacing is fast although the timeline is broad. However, Jen York manages to convey a very nice story in a few pages, and while not one of my favorites, I liked Delilah.

Delilah Dusticle has special powers, she can completely eradicate dust. With her quiver pouch of special dusters Delilah can run up walls and reaches places others just can’t. As a maid in the Fenchurch-Whittington house Delilah’s unusual skills soon lead to her being promoted to Chief Dust Eradicator and Remover. Until one day a broken heart leads to her powers taking an expected turn.

This is the first in a series of touching and funny stories about Delilah Dusticle. Follow her on a journey of self-discovery, friendship and adventure.

I admit I thought this was a steampunk story, and that Delilah was a robot because she can climb walls but turns out she's all just human. That gave me some confusion, but then again it's a fantasy story, so I guess anything goes. She also has dust coming out of her when she's sad; and while I do liked Delilah Dusticle, I'm so glad a person like this isn't real.

I am impressed that in a few pages, Jen York has managed to portray an admirable young domestic and her journey through her first heartbreak to her recovery, as helped by none other than one who was party to her depression. However, I feel like her reaction to being 'slighted' by her crush was extreme, I mean she goes into a decline, and then she later states it to be just a 'crush'.

The first book in the Delilah Dusticle series ends on a light and optimistic note, which definitely gave me good vibes. If you're looking for a cute, short story, Delilah Dusticle just might fit the bill.

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About the Author

A.J.'s writing mascot, Grumpy.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About me? Well I grew up in the UK, but was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. My childhood influences were a mix of Pippi Longstocking and The Flumps. I have always enjoyed making up characters and their life stories, therefore I jumped at the chance to study theatre at the University of Brighton. I later trained as a drama teacher and I have a Master's degree from Goldsmiths. I have gone back to my roots and I now live in Gothenburg, where I am writing the Delilah Dusticle series. People have told me they love reading my stories and I hope you have fun reading them too!

Things I like? Swedish cinnamon buns, yoga, tea, salt liquorice, sleeping on boats, compassion and other people's creativity. Things I do not like? Okra. The vegetable is also known as ladies fingers, which makes them even less appetising to me. Blah! 

Let me introduce Grumpy Stone. I found him on a beach in my home town in Essex, England.  Grumpy has become my writing mascot and inspiration for the character Grumpy Sponge. He features a lot more in book two. 


**Quickstop Tuesdays is a feature in My Book Musings where I review books/comic books/graphic novels that have less than 200 pages, on Tuesdays.