themadnessofsam's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
I had to read the book because of the supposed homage to CS Lewis and Edgar Allen Poe… it’s not like either of those authors. But an entertaining read nonetheless.
isalaur's review
fast-paced
5.0
I have read everything else by this author except this series. I’m not big on historical fiction and not really a steampunk fan. I had tried this book earlier and just couldn’t get into it. I’m not sure what changed but I gobbled it up this time!
I love these two characters. This is a wonderful introductory book with just enough detail about the setting and the characters to get one intrigued. While not a genre that would normally interest me or hold my attention, I love this author’s writing and the characters she creates. I think that’s what has enabled me to get through the elements that would normally not hold my interest…knowing what kind of payoff there is going to be in loving these characters.
I’m ready to dig into book two immediately!
I love these two characters. This is a wonderful introductory book with just enough detail about the setting and the characters to get one intrigued. While not a genre that would normally interest me or hold my attention, I love this author’s writing and the characters she creates. I think that’s what has enabled me to get through the elements that would normally not hold my interest…knowing what kind of payoff there is going to be in loving these characters.
I’m ready to dig into book two immediately!
pmejiane_14's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
intheblackout's review against another edition
4.0
Around 2011 I was really into the idea of Steampunk. I read a couple that I enjoyed like [b:Dearly, Departed|10048874|Dearly, Departed (Gone With the Respiration, #1)|Lia Habel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358273477l/10048874._SY75_.jpg|10281793] and [b:Soulless|6381205|Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)|Gail Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1314020848l/6381205._SY75_.jpg|6569140], but I never really got into the sub-genre.
However, it's clear I'm still interested as I really enjoyed [b:The Engineer|48612064|The Engineer (Magic & Steam, #1)|C.S. Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580730108l/48612064._SY75_.jpg|73948280].
The novella follows Special Agent Gillian Hamilton as he hunts down the murderous maniac known as the Tinkerer. Along the way Gillian meets Gunner the Deadly, a robinhood-esque outlaw. They're both hunting the same man, so they call a truce for the time being. But as the two work together, they develop feelings for each other that complicates things.
The sequel [b:The Gangster|48612089|The Gangster (Magic & Steam #2)|C.S. Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592405724l/48612089._SY75_.jpg|73948320] is a full length novel, so I'm looking forward to more of Gillian and Gunnar!
However, it's clear I'm still interested as I really enjoyed [b:The Engineer|48612064|The Engineer (Magic & Steam, #1)|C.S. Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580730108l/48612064._SY75_.jpg|73948280].
The novella follows Special Agent Gillian Hamilton as he hunts down the murderous maniac known as the Tinkerer. Along the way Gillian meets Gunner the Deadly, a robinhood-esque outlaw. They're both hunting the same man, so they call a truce for the time being. But as the two work together, they develop feelings for each other that complicates things.
The sequel [b:The Gangster|48612089|The Gangster (Magic & Steam #2)|C.S. Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592405724l/48612089._SY75_.jpg|73948320] is a full length novel, so I'm looking forward to more of Gillian and Gunnar!
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I had fun reading this story. The Engineer has an awesome mix of genres it's a steampunk novel with magic set in the past with a MM romance. And it was awesome. The main character Special Agent Gillian Hamilton is a magic caster and works for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam. He is sent to track down a dangerous man called the tinkerer, but this turns out to be more effort than one man can handle. He eventually teams up with Gunner the Deadly, a wanted outlaw who is after the tinkerer for his own reasons. And there is a mutual attraction between Gunner and Gillian.
While The Engineer is clearly only the start of this story I like how it reads as a complete story. It starts the romance of Gillian and Gunner and ends that on a hopeful note. The danger of the tinkerer gets wrapped up within the story as well. It's fast paced, but not rushed. I really enjoyed reading this one. The western style setting was great and combined with the steampunk and magic elements made for a great background for the story.
I liked Gillian as a main character, he seemed capable and I liked his talent with magic. I also appreciated that he adjusts his opinion of Gunner when it becomes clear he isn't as bad as he thought. I also like how human he feels with how he freely admits to himself to being lonely and hoping his connection with Gunner might lead to more. Gunner himself stays a bit more of a mystery, but I think that worked well here. I like how we get some insight into his character mostly thanks to what other characters say about him and also how he acts himself.
These two made for a great team. It's a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe, but they quite quickly change from enemies to reluctant allies and then lovers as this is a shorter read. Nevertheless it felt believable enough. Their mutual attraction was clear and I like how while they share a bed in this book it's also clear this only the start of their feelings and romance. It's clear there are some feelings on both sides and I look forward to seeing how that develops into more in the next book.
I liked how we learn a bit about how magic works as the story progresses and I really liked the descriptions of Gillian's magic use. It's easy to visualize what his elemental powers might look like and it makes for some epic battle moves. The western setting worked well for this setting and I liked the steampunk vibe. There are some exciting steampunk creations from their enemy. As well as guns that can shoot magic bullets.
To summarize: I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's a fun past paced read with a great mix of genres, it has a western historical setting, steampunk and magic as well as a mm romance. There is plenty of action as Gillian and Gunner team up to try and stop a madman tinkerer. And there is some steam as well as Gillian and Gunner give in to their mutual attraction. I liked Gillian and Gunner and thought the author did a good job giving us a feel for their personalities. Their mutual contraction slowly turns to more and sets the stage for their romance, which be hopefully see develop more in the next book. I liked the western setting and the combination of steampunk and magic. All aspects are well done and I liked how we get to see some awesome elemental magic as well as some cool steampunk creations. All in a great read and I already bought book 2.
While The Engineer is clearly only the start of this story I like how it reads as a complete story. It starts the romance of Gillian and Gunner and ends that on a hopeful note. The danger of the tinkerer gets wrapped up within the story as well. It's fast paced, but not rushed. I really enjoyed reading this one. The western style setting was great and combined with the steampunk and magic elements made for a great background for the story.
I liked Gillian as a main character, he seemed capable and I liked his talent with magic. I also appreciated that he adjusts his opinion of Gunner when it becomes clear he isn't as bad as he thought. I also like how human he feels with how he freely admits to himself to being lonely and hoping his connection with Gunner might lead to more. Gunner himself stays a bit more of a mystery, but I think that worked well here. I like how we get some insight into his character mostly thanks to what other characters say about him and also how he acts himself.
These two made for a great team. It's a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe, but they quite quickly change from enemies to reluctant allies and then lovers as this is a shorter read. Nevertheless it felt believable enough. Their mutual attraction was clear and I like how while they share a bed in this book it's also clear this only the start of their feelings and romance. It's clear there are some feelings on both sides and I look forward to seeing how that develops into more in the next book.
I liked how we learn a bit about how magic works as the story progresses and I really liked the descriptions of Gillian's magic use. It's easy to visualize what his elemental powers might look like and it makes for some epic battle moves. The western setting worked well for this setting and I liked the steampunk vibe. There are some exciting steampunk creations from their enemy. As well as guns that can shoot magic bullets.
To summarize: I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's a fun past paced read with a great mix of genres, it has a western historical setting, steampunk and magic as well as a mm romance. There is plenty of action as Gillian and Gunner team up to try and stop a madman tinkerer. And there is some steam as well as Gillian and Gunner give in to their mutual attraction. I liked Gillian and Gunner and thought the author did a good job giving us a feel for their personalities. Their mutual contraction slowly turns to more and sets the stage for their romance, which be hopefully see develop more in the next book. I liked the western setting and the combination of steampunk and magic. All aspects are well done and I liked how we get to see some awesome elemental magic as well as some cool steampunk creations. All in a great read and I already bought book 2.
cheri_champagne's review
Update: I've given this one another go, and I just can't get into it. There's just not enough world building for me to be immersed in it.
***
I had difficulty with this one. Might warrant another read.
***
I had difficulty with this one. Might warrant another read.
suflet's review
5.0
I super enjoyed this! This was the beginning of a series but had a satisfying and sweet HFN ending such that I am both a) happy that I read it now rather than waiting for the rest of the series and b) really looking forward to the sequel.
toshi21's review
5.0
I loved this little novella by C.S Poe. It was full of everything I wanted in novel set in a steampunk world.
There is a richness in detail and characters. You can feel the lightning and smell the ozone as Hamilton fights alongside Gunner.
You ache as Hamilton wrestles with his emotions and his need for contact while maintaining his distance.
Gunner is a good foil to Hamilton’s fussiness as he calmly deals with both the bad guy and Hamilton’s quirks.
The action is delightful and the banter is spot on.
and I have to say, I adore the ending. It’s my favourite kind.
But I do need the second book.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
There is a richness in detail and characters. You can feel the lightning and smell the ozone as Hamilton fights alongside Gunner.
You ache as Hamilton wrestles with his emotions and his need for contact while maintaining his distance.
Gunner is a good foil to Hamilton’s fussiness as he calmly deals with both the bad guy and Hamilton’s quirks.
The action is delightful and the banter is spot on.
and I have to say, I adore the ending. It’s my favourite kind.
But I do need the second book.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
bel017's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
I loved the world building. I've been reading a lot of books in realistic settings lately and it was so good to sink into this magic--steampunk--Wild West place. What there was of a plot was fine, though a bit confusedthey just accept that the train thing is going to implode and they can therefore bunk off to have sex, what if it was going to explode? That made no sense . I enjoyed the narrative voice.
I just didn't love the characters. I didn't see the attraction between them, I didn't like the way power and consent were handled. The whole sex scene was awkward in a bad way, and didn't make sense within the plot. I would have much preferredGunner to be hoping Gillian was gay and flirting and giving hints rather than 'I can tell you're gay, the end'. In addition to astounding gaydar, he is tougher, taller, unafraid to kill, street-smart, and sexually experienced--other than a sliver of legitimate power, and having to use machines rather than magic, he has all the power between them. And that is not addressed. Since that legitimate power and magic give Gillian power in the world, not in their relationship. Also, Gunner can tell Gillian has never been kissed but goes from kissing to attempting to sodomise him in the time it takes to walk into a small room. Great that he respected that Gillian said no, but he shouldn't have had to say no in the first place.
I just didn't love the characters. I didn't see the attraction between them, I didn't like the way power and consent were handled. The whole sex scene was awkward in a bad way, and didn't make sense within the plot. I would have much preferred
miloblue's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0