katiemayveil's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book! The steampunk aspect and the shifters and vampires, it's oddly relatable?
Emme O'Shea is a wildly popular and successful activist for shifters. She aims to get them equal rights so they don't have to hide who and what they are, but so they can confidently hold jobs and live life just like everyone else.
Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed has always been on the opposite side of Emme, stopping her protests, taking her to jail, at least that's what she sees. When Emme's life is threatened, Oliver is enlisted by his superiors to protect her so that she can safely deliver the key-note address at an international rally for shifters.
As they spend more time together they discover that they are not as different as they first thought. Emme and Oliver see eye-to-eye on many issues, it's only the tactics they use to achieve change that is different.
It all comes to a show-down with vampires, evil step-sisters, oppressed shifters, and the fight for good.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good fantasy, Cinderella, and adventure. Probably best for 16 and older.
Emme O'Shea is a wildly popular and successful activist for shifters. She aims to get them equal rights so they don't have to hide who and what they are, but so they can confidently hold jobs and live life just like everyone else.
Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed has always been on the opposite side of Emme, stopping her protests, taking her to jail, at least that's what she sees. When Emme's life is threatened, Oliver is enlisted by his superiors to protect her so that she can safely deliver the key-note address at an international rally for shifters.
As they spend more time together they discover that they are not as different as they first thought. Emme and Oliver see eye-to-eye on many issues, it's only the tactics they use to achieve change that is different.
It all comes to a show-down with vampires, evil step-sisters, oppressed shifters, and the fight for good.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good fantasy, Cinderella, and adventure. Probably best for 16 and older.
comfortable_with_uncomfortable's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
sarahelainereads's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
okay so... I wrote up an entire, very thoughtful review of this book, and when I tried to post it, something went horribly wrong and now the review is gone. Oh well. I am now less inclined to write the whole thing again but I'll hit on the main points.
This was one the best pleasure-reads I've read in a long time. This quarantine has led me on a wild goose chase for entertainment, and I swear that everything I've been reading has made me want to gouge my eyes out. Is that a side effect of COVID-19? Because if so, I might be contagious. Anyways.
If there's one thing I'm a sucker for, it's fairytale retellings- especially Cinderella, because I'm one of those weirdos who fell deeply in love with the 2015 live action reboot starring Lily James and *swoons* Richard Madden. I totally have a crush on him and I 100% do not regret it.
ANYWAYS. I promise I'm done oogling Prince Charming.
This was the first steampunk novel I've ever read. (I actually had to Google what "steampunk" meant, and let's just say... what I was picturing was not at all accurate). Apparently it's part of a series, but I think the books must share characters, not continued plot lines- I haven't read any of the other books, and I wasn't confused. so hopefully that's comforting.
I adored Emme and Oliver. Honestly, their characters were reminiscent of Wolf and Scarlet from the Lunar Chronicles series. Emme was passionate, brave, and independent. Oliver was very similar to her, but in a quieter way. I thought their chemistry was very well-written!
Also, can I just say how much I loved the subtlety of the Cinderella references? It was not always overtly obvious that the story was a Cinderella retelling (except for the horrible stepsisters, of course) but there were some hidden gems if you were looking for them.
Wow wow wow. I just loved this. The characters were fantastic, the story drew me in from the first page until the last... let's just say, I'll be picking up more steampunk novels in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!!
See Review on Blog
okay so... I wrote up an entire, very thoughtful review of this book, and when I tried to post it, something went horribly wrong and now the review is gone. Oh well. I am now less inclined to write the whole thing again but I'll hit on the main points.
This was one the best pleasure-reads I've read in a long time. This quarantine has led me on a wild goose chase for entertainment, and I swear that everything I've been reading has made me want to gouge my eyes out. Is that a side effect of COVID-19? Because if so, I might be contagious. Anyways.
If there's one thing I'm a sucker for, it's fairytale retellings- especially Cinderella, because I'm one of those weirdos who fell deeply in love with the 2015 live action reboot starring Lily James and *swoons* Richard Madden. I totally have a crush on him and I 100% do not regret it.
ANYWAYS. I promise I'm done oogling Prince Charming.
This was the first steampunk novel I've ever read. (I actually had to Google what "steampunk" meant, and let's just say... what I was picturing was not at all accurate). Apparently it's part of a series, but I think the books must share characters, not continued plot lines- I haven't read any of the other books, and I wasn't confused. so hopefully that's comforting.
I adored Emme and Oliver. Honestly, their characters were reminiscent of Wolf and Scarlet from the Lunar Chronicles series. Emme was passionate, brave, and independent. Oliver was very similar to her, but in a quieter way. I thought their chemistry was very well-written!
Also, can I just say how much I loved the subtlety of the Cinderella references? It was not always overtly obvious that the story was a Cinderella retelling (except for the horrible stepsisters, of course) but there were some hidden gems if you were looking for them.
Wow wow wow. I just loved this. The characters were fantastic, the story drew me in from the first page until the last... let's just say, I'll be picking up more steampunk novels in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!!
See Review on Blog
happyreadingwatching's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This action pack Cinderella retelling was amazing, and the audiobook was fantastic!!
Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by @authornancycampbellallen
Was a book that I consumed & boy was it good! In my opinion, the best one in the series so far. I would even go as far as to say the best book she has written!
Steampunk Proper Romance Series:
📖Beauty and the Clockwork Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖Kiss of the Spindle⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖The Lady in the Coppergate Tower⭐⭐⭐
📖Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Even though you could read this book as a stand alone it's better if you read the others first. That way you could really appreciate the cameos & see how much the friendships have grown. Loved this book, the world, the friendships, the swoon worthy moments, and the way she wrote Cinderella characters!
.
Cinderella Retelling✔
Swoon worthy moments✔
Steampunk✔
Adventure✔
Romance✔
.
Oct. 6th is the new publication date, so next week:)
.
Thank you to @netgalley , @properromanceseries & @shadowmountainpub for an advanced copy! All my thoughts & opinions are my own.
Reread #3 10/05/2020
Reread #4 1/22 Oh my goodness, why is this book and series SO GOOD!!!! Love it!!!❤️❤️❤️
Reread May 2022 ♡♡♡♡♡
Reread August 2023♡♡♡
Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by @authornancycampbellallen
Was a book that I consumed & boy was it good! In my opinion, the best one in the series so far. I would even go as far as to say the best book she has written!
Steampunk Proper Romance Series:
📖Beauty and the Clockwork Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖Kiss of the Spindle⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖The Lady in the Coppergate Tower⭐⭐⭐
📖Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Even though you could read this book as a stand alone it's better if you read the others first. That way you could really appreciate the cameos & see how much the friendships have grown. Loved this book, the world, the friendships, the swoon worthy moments, and the way she wrote Cinderella characters!
.
Cinderella Retelling✔
Swoon worthy moments✔
Steampunk✔
Adventure✔
Romance✔
.
Oct. 6th is the new publication date, so next week:)
.
Thank you to @netgalley , @properromanceseries & @shadowmountainpub for an advanced copy! All my thoughts & opinions are my own.
Reread #3 10/05/2020
Reread #4 1/22 Oh my goodness, why is this book and series SO GOOD!!!! Love it!!!❤️❤️❤️
Reread May 2022 ♡♡♡♡♡
Reread August 2023♡♡♡
_surri_'s review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the unexpected appearance (which caused me to shout "It's GusGus!" to my empty house) of a wonderfully subtle reference in a supporting character. Well done.
mzdeb's review against another edition
3.0
I received a digital ARC from NetGalley.
A good addition to the steampunk romance category. I guess I would've appreciated the book more if I had read the previous three--didn't realize this was part of a series. I laughed visualizing all the times Oliver had to haul Emma off during a protest (when their past history was described, plus one current incident), flinging her over his shoulder. Perhaps a too smooth transition from enemies to lovers, with strange flips trying to create tension that quickly smoothes over. The worldbuilding was consistent, but I'm sure a lot of that was carried over from the first three books. You can figure out pretty early who the culprit is if you think about it for more than a moment. Relatively chaste, of course HEA. I just might have to check the previous books in the series, though!
A good addition to the steampunk romance category. I guess I would've appreciated the book more if I had read the previous three--didn't realize this was part of a series. I laughed visualizing all the times Oliver had to haul Emma off during a protest (when their past history was described, plus one current incident), flinging her over his shoulder. Perhaps a too smooth transition from enemies to lovers, with strange flips trying to create tension that quickly smoothes over. The worldbuilding was consistent, but I'm sure a lot of that was carried over from the first three books. You can figure out pretty early who the culprit is if you think about it for more than a moment. Relatively chaste, of course HEA. I just might have to check the previous books in the series, though!
alexperc_92's review against another edition
4.0
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Review will also be available on *Milky Way of Books*
While I read this book without having read the previous ones I loved the story! Steampunk is a hit or miss with me but combined with the fairytale retelling it was an enjoyable book! While the action felt short and some parts I couldn't understand (mostly due to me not having read the previous books) this was a good read!
I seriously plan to read the other books of the series too!
While I read this book without having read the previous ones I loved the story! Steampunk is a hit or miss with me but combined with the fairytale retelling it was an enjoyable book! While the action felt short and some parts I couldn't understand (mostly due to me not having read the previous books) this was a good read!
I seriously plan to read the other books of the series too!
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
5.0
Guys I freaking LOVED this! The Steampunk fairytale retellings by @authornancycampbellallen have been amazing and this quickly reached the tops of my favorite in the series!! Emme is such a strong female model, as she says, she’s no damsel in distress. She gets it done and only thinks of others. Oliver, while unhappy with the task of being her bodyguard after she’s received many threatening letters, follows her but it’s not all out of duty.
Their enemies to lovers storyline was perfect and felt authentic. They both had to overcome a lot emotionally.
This is part of a series and I loved seeing the other characters, friends of Emme and Oliver, back in here but they truly shined. You can read this as a stand alone but it could be confusing not knowing past events that leads to Emme fighting for shifter rights.
The Cinderella storyline was subtle especially in the beginning but I loved that Allen made it her own.
Thank you to @shadowmountainpub and @netgalley for letting me review. This doesn’t come out until Aug but I will definitely be buying the paperback to complete the series!
Their enemies to lovers storyline was perfect and felt authentic. They both had to overcome a lot emotionally.
This is part of a series and I loved seeing the other characters, friends of Emme and Oliver, back in here but they truly shined. You can read this as a stand alone but it could be confusing not knowing past events that leads to Emme fighting for shifter rights.
The Cinderella storyline was subtle especially in the beginning but I loved that Allen made it her own.
Thank you to @shadowmountainpub and @netgalley for letting me review. This doesn’t come out until Aug but I will definitely be buying the paperback to complete the series!
kristaallysa's review against another edition
4.0
Emmeline O'Shea is an activist fighting to bring voice and acceptance to those left on the edges of society, primarily predatory shifters. Unfortunately, with her line of work, she makes quite a few enemies, those who would rather that society stay the same. After one particularly nasty death threat, Detective Oliver Reed, Emme's nemesis, is assigned to be her body guard. Better watch out though, with the amount of time they're stuck spending together, Emme just might start finding Detective Reed rather tolerable.
This was a cute story. It was very predictable, and not my favorite book of the series. Even so, I still found the read very enjoyable. For some reason, I think good steampunk romances might just be comfort reads for me. I just find them so relaxing and fun to read. Perhaps it's the wittiness and comedy of manners mixed in with elements of fantasy and high society.
This was a cute story. It was very predictable, and not my favorite book of the series. Even so, I still found the read very enjoyable. For some reason, I think good steampunk romances might just be comfort reads for me. I just find them so relaxing and fun to read. Perhaps it's the wittiness and comedy of manners mixed in with elements of fantasy and high society.
bookworm5732's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75