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cjcharding's review against another edition
4.25
3.25/5đ¶ïž, MF, Historical PNR/UF, steampunk, vampires and werewolves, Victorian England, part of a series, Libby ebook
My first foray into Steampunk romance and I really enjoy it. This was a mash up between paranormal and urban fantasy (vampires and werewolves), Victorian England historical romance (skirts and swords and cravats) with a dash of science fiction (steam powered machinery, mechanically enhanced humans and robots). I really liked the FMC, she was tough and smart but also stubborn, overworked and jaded. She was badass and fought her own battles, but also knew when to take a helping hand when she needed it. The MMC was a misunderstood bad guy with a heart of gold, but with a ridiculous name. I do wish he articulated a bit more why he loved the FMC beyond her being âspecialâ. I enjoyed not only the romance in this book but also the mystery, adventure aspects of this book. There was a lot of action and world building to keep the story moving.
The romance was a slow burn with great payoff. You could really sense the couple learning to trust each other and build their connection. The only thing that bugged me a bit was the writing out of the cockney accent (dropped Hâs and apostrophes everywhere) - I found it got a little tiresome but could get over it. Plus, the beginning was a bit slow and it took a bit to get into the story, but once it got going I couldnât put the book down. I really enjoyed this world and will definitely continue the series.
My first foray into Steampunk romance and I really enjoy it. This was a mash up between paranormal and urban fantasy (vampires and werewolves), Victorian England historical romance (skirts and swords and cravats) with a dash of science fiction (steam powered machinery, mechanically enhanced humans and robots). I really liked the FMC, she was tough and smart but also stubborn, overworked and jaded. She was badass and fought her own battles, but also knew when to take a helping hand when she needed it. The MMC was a misunderstood bad guy with a heart of gold, but with a ridiculous name. I do wish he articulated a bit more why he loved the FMC beyond her being âspecialâ. I enjoyed not only the romance in this book but also the mystery, adventure aspects of this book. There was a lot of action and world building to keep the story moving.
The romance was a slow burn with great payoff. You could really sense the couple learning to trust each other and build their connection. The only thing that bugged me a bit was the writing out of the cockney accent (dropped Hâs and apostrophes everywhere) - I found it got a little tiresome but could get over it. Plus, the beginning was a bit slow and it took a bit to get into the story, but once it got going I couldnât put the book down. I really enjoyed this world and will definitely continue the series.
vilvery's review against another edition
3.0
VÀlskriven och bra romance (egentligen paranormal med romantiska/erotiska inslag men tillrÀckligt mycket av en romance-bok för att kallas romance i min vÀrld). Jag uppskattar att den yttre handlingen Àr genomtÀnkt och kreativ och att den finns till för sin egen skull, inte bara som en ursÀkt för att föra kÀrleksparet samman. Jag har aldrig lÀst steampunk tidigare och tycker att det Àr spÀnnande och charmigt med steampunk-relaterade detaljer. McMaster skildrar det viktorianska Europa som ett trovÀrdigt alternate universe med snygga vinkar till verkliga historiska förhÄllanden. Vampyrer och McMasters egna (?) blue bloods Àr mÀsterligt hanterade. Varulvar har aldrig fascinerat mig men fungerar ocksÄ bra ihop med övrig lore.
KÀrlekshistorien följer, som ofta i denna genre, en tydlig formula och Àr överlag vÀl uppbyggd. PÄ det stora hela stegras den i lagom takt men det finns en kortare mittenpassage i boken dÀr jag förlorar intresset lite och tycker att för mycket av dynamiken gÄr pÄ tomgÄng. Det tar sig dock snabbt igen och romanen Àr överhuvudtaget vÀldigt vÀl balanserad.
Att det trots detta inte blir ett högre betyg beror frÀmst pÄ att jag inte riktigt faller för karaktÀrerna till hundra procent. Jag blir inte tillrÀckligt förÀlskad i Blade och jag kÀnner inte tillrÀckligt mycket med Honoria. Vad det beror pÄ kan jag inte riktigt svara pÄ, jag blir bara inte riktigt hooked. Can't win 'em all, antar jag. Jag planerar ÀndÄ att fortsÀtta med nÀsta del ocksÄ, frÀmst för att jag Àr nyfiken pÄ att fÄ se mer av vÀrlden och för att jag vill veta vad McMaster har för planer för sina blue bloods och varulvar.
KÀrlekshistorien följer, som ofta i denna genre, en tydlig formula och Àr överlag vÀl uppbyggd. PÄ det stora hela stegras den i lagom takt men det finns en kortare mittenpassage i boken dÀr jag förlorar intresset lite och tycker att för mycket av dynamiken gÄr pÄ tomgÄng. Det tar sig dock snabbt igen och romanen Àr överhuvudtaget vÀldigt vÀl balanserad.
Att det trots detta inte blir ett högre betyg beror frÀmst pÄ att jag inte riktigt faller för karaktÀrerna till hundra procent. Jag blir inte tillrÀckligt förÀlskad i Blade och jag kÀnner inte tillrÀckligt mycket med Honoria. Vad det beror pÄ kan jag inte riktigt svara pÄ, jag blir bara inte riktigt hooked. Can't win 'em all, antar jag. Jag planerar ÀndÄ att fortsÀtta med nÀsta del ocksÄ, frÀmst för att jag Àr nyfiken pÄ att fÄ se mer av vÀrlden och för att jag vill veta vad McMaster har för planer för sina blue bloods och varulvar.
firefly8041's review against another edition
3.0
2.5. Really liked it at the start, but it got really boring, and I prefer my steampunk without erotica elements. Having the Cockney accent written out all the time got annoying, too.
raine_rki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
peytonm's review against another edition
3.0
Steampunk with vampires and werewolves! The power imbalance between Honoria and Blade wasn't my favorite, but I powered through. Their chemistry was good, and the action scenes were well-written. The world building was pretty cool, and I want to know more about the queen and prince consort.
spiringvenus's review against another edition
4.0
Iâd like to continue reading the series!
Things I liked:
Things I liked:
- Steampunk twist on paranormal. Very interesting world!
- Honoria is strong and makes smart decisions consistently
- Pacing was great- I wanted to keep reading so stayed up too late đč
- Blade had flaws and fine points and I can understand his appeal
- Found family is entertaining too. Leo. Esme. Charlie. Will. Lena. Lark. Etc.
- Excellent balance of spice and plot.
Things I didnt like:
The vampire reveal felt weird because Honoria said her dadâs body washed up. Like how? I have questions. - Lenaâs character shifts from childish and bratty to mature and wise a little too quickly
sigal91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
fiesta123's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drorraifnesher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5