The Iron Seas series is exactly my kind of shizzam. It’s a buttload of plot, a healthy dose of characterizationion and then just the most delicious hint of sexy times – all grilled in some really fantastic world-building. It’s almost like Brook is writing these books just for me! The reason is that I struggle with normal romance novels – I need romance novels that don’t feel like romance novels because they’re too busy being awesome sci-fi or fantasy etc with some sex in it. This is exactly what Brook does. Sure there’s sex, and Iron Seas, the first book in this series is far more romance-y than the next two – but, more than that, they’re just plain great Steampunk. It’s almost enough to make me bow down and her feet and beg her to never stop.
To begin with, this book takes places in a different part of the same Steampunk driven world from The Iron Duke and Heart of Steel. But the great thing about this series is that Brook just keep shaking it up! She takes you everywhere and with so many great new characters. For me, Captain Corsair is my true literary love, so Annika had big ass-kicking boots to fill. She took a little while to warm on me, and whilst she can never replace Captain Corsair in my heart, she held her own. Her relationship with David was lovely, sweet and beautiful.
Riveted is a bit of a divergence from Brook’s other novels. It takes the plot a long time to kick into gear. The first half is solidly centered on Annika and David developing a mutual relationship and trust. There’s very little action or plot in that regard. Then the tension and action is ramped up a notch in the second half, and it’s back to dodging bullets and mechanical monstrosities. AKA business as usual in Iron Seas world.
The writing was, as usual with Brook, solid and well-constructed. The plot progressed well with some interesting twists that I didn’t see coming. But as usual, it was the characters, relationships and world that really makes this novel. While reading the Iron Seas series, Brook will take you to every corner of it and introduce so many wonderful marvels. The world, politics, locations and peoples are so fabulously complex and intriguing that it keeps you wrapped up in the continuing story.
Annika’s home town was one of the things that truly made me fall in love with this novel. The normality of their circumstances, the brilliant and respectful way Brook represented it and wove it into the novel, it was all brilliant. I love this series and I can’t wait to see what Brook does next!
*A Copy of Riveted was provided for me by the author. No favours, money or gifts were exchanged though I readily offered them for a chance to read this early. My review and opinion remains unaffected.
LeliaTaylor
I’ve never –GASP!– read anything by Meljean Brook but you’ve enticed me. Do you think it’s important to start at the beginning of the series? (I don’t always and it doesn’t usually bother me.) Or should I start with something else by her?
KatKennedy
@LeliaTaylor Well, whilst I loved Mina – Iron Duke was only a good book for me. But the next one, Heart of Steal? Be still my beating heart! And, no, just pick up any one of the main three. They’re not connected BUT the world building is really complex and complicated. So if you want a good grounding in the history of the world and its composition – read Iron duke first.
Mary BookSwarm
I completely agree–this series is definitely my shizzum, too (though I’m making an educated guess as to what that really means…heh). I’m working my way through another book BUT this one is NEXT!! Can’t wait to meet me some new characters and dive back into this world. Did you read the novella with Mina and the Iron Duke? Very good, too (of course).
KatKennedy
@Mary BookSwarm I haven’t yet but I’m going to!
parajunkee
I want this book — want want want want want. Now I want it more more more more more. I had too much coffee this morning.
Realm of Fiction
Great review, Kat. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I like the sound of this series. I’ll have to take a look at the first book!
Sarah saz101
<em>”I need romance novels that don’t feel like romance novels because they’re too busy being awesome sci-fi or fantasy etc with some sex in it.”</em>
OK, seriously, I’m not gonna lie, I’m a sucker. I love romance that’s just… romance. Historical romance and all its tropes and etc… but… oh goodness, when it meets the description you gave? I DIE.
THIS SOUNDS SO EFFING GOOD. SO glad you loved… and… uh… maybe I want it 😀
readerlee
Loved the first two in the series….CAN’T WAIT to dig into this one!!
readerlee
Loved the first two in the series….CAN’T WAIT to dig into this one!!
Samantha S
Yes! Everything you said in this review! I love all the books set in this universe. The world building is fantastic. It’s damn good steam punk.
Have you read the Kraken King yet?