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ironskin's review against another edition
3.75
Love this series and have had a soft spot for Leo all along.
Nice to see it finish up and looking forward to the next generation series
Nice to see it finish up and looking forward to the next generation series
sarm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
avid_reader_96's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't finish Forged by Desire. I just felt that the chemistry between Garrett and Perry was off, one-sided even. Of Silk and Steam was way better. The chemistry between Leo and Mina was off the charts. Mina pushed him away but not to the the extent Perry did with Garrett, which made the relationship seem one-sided.
I adored this series and felt like this was a nice ending. I can't wait to start the spin-off and hopefully read Charlie and Lark's HEA.
I adored this series and felt like this was a nice ending. I can't wait to start the spin-off and hopefully read Charlie and Lark's HEA.
lattedragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Another home run for Bec McMaster and her sexy steampunk series! Perfect for anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers romances and exciting action scenes.
This book delved more into conspiracy than some of the previous stories but I still found it to be quite enjoyable. McMaster is clearly has fun writing these books because she places her characters in dire situations where everything can go wrong (and often does, leading to more tension).
Mina is a great main character with a strong will and trust issues, so seeing her transition into a vulnerable woman is quite refreshing. Leo definitely has charm and swagger, and while I’d been a little distant to him in other books, I definitely found myself swooning in this one.
The chemistry between them and the romance they share is one of the hottest in the series. McMaster is incredibly bold and creates some scenes that get the pulse pounding as much as the action scenes do.
I honestly have had such a great time reading these books and while I’m sad this section of the series has come to a close, I will absolutely be picking up the spinoffs. This series has been fun, romantic, and exciting, and just what I needed this year!
This book delved more into conspiracy than some of the previous stories but I still found it to be quite enjoyable. McMaster is clearly has fun writing these books because she places her characters in dire situations where everything can go wrong (and often does, leading to more tension).
Mina is a great main character with a strong will and trust issues, so seeing her transition into a vulnerable woman is quite refreshing. Leo definitely has charm and swagger, and while I’d been a little distant to him in other books, I definitely found myself swooning in this one.
The chemistry between them and the romance they share is one of the hottest in the series. McMaster is incredibly bold and creates some scenes that get the pulse pounding as much as the action scenes do.
I honestly have had such a great time reading these books and while I’m sad this section of the series has come to a close, I will absolutely be picking up the spinoffs. This series has been fun, romantic, and exciting, and just what I needed this year!
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
ARC courtesy of NetGalley
How can you not like a book that opens with "The first time Leo Barrons saw her, she'd just run a man through with her sword"? With book #5 in her London Steampunk series, Bec McMaster finally tells the story of Leo, half-brother to the heroines of book 1 & 2, books in which Leo does not come off as all that nice. But in this book, he's Mr. Charm itself, a nice foil to this book's heroine, ice queen Aramina (Mina) Duvall, the only female blue-blood (i.e. vampire) in the London aristocracy. Mina, who is playing a double game, appearing to support the Prince Regent while secretly plotting against him with the Queen, has reason to hate Leo: his father killed hers (the reason for which is never really explained very clearly here). But Leo can't help being drawn to the always-in-control Mina, and their lives become entangled when a secret Leo divulged to win Mina's trust ends up coming to the attention of the Regent, who demands Leo's life as a result. Kidnapping, derring-do on roofs of London, smoldering attraction, and, when the two finally realize they are woking on the same side, blossoming love ensue.
Not too big a fan of kick-ass women who secretly yearn for men with whom they can be weak (even if only for a moment), because their kick-ass work is just soo hard. And the idea of surrendering to a guy = freedom (3235), even when psychologically the author has made a strong case for why our heroine has hid her vulnerable side from everyone for so long, also not so much.
McMaster combines such language here, though, with an equality discourse, one that both asserts that Leo admires Mina's strengths, and that her vulnerability is matched by his:
"What could any man ever give me? I'm the head of my House, a woman on the Council. What man wouldn't try to take that from me?"
"Not all men are created equally. Maybe you should find one who isn't threatened by your achievements. Someone who finds such accomplishments to be part of the fascination" (1151)
"And suddenly, she wanted to drive him beyond control, to prove that he was just as much hers as she was his" (3262)
"Surrender goes both ways, my love" (3280)
"He owned her. The most terrifying thing in the world one. But he could only own her if she allowed it, and she held that power in her hands" (4090)
Will we ever get a book where a hero wants to be weak, and have a heroine support him, if only just for a moment? Or must our heroes always be above weakness?
How can you not like a book that opens with "The first time Leo Barrons saw her, she'd just run a man through with her sword"? With book #5 in her London Steampunk series, Bec McMaster finally tells the story of Leo, half-brother to the heroines of book 1 & 2, books in which Leo does not come off as all that nice. But in this book, he's Mr. Charm itself, a nice foil to this book's heroine, ice queen Aramina (Mina) Duvall, the only female blue-blood (i.e. vampire) in the London aristocracy. Mina, who is playing a double game, appearing to support the Prince Regent while secretly plotting against him with the Queen, has reason to hate Leo: his father killed hers (the reason for which is never really explained very clearly here). But Leo can't help being drawn to the always-in-control Mina, and their lives become entangled when a secret Leo divulged to win Mina's trust ends up coming to the attention of the Regent, who demands Leo's life as a result. Kidnapping, derring-do on roofs of London, smoldering attraction, and, when the two finally realize they are woking on the same side, blossoming love ensue.
Not too big a fan of kick-ass women who secretly yearn for men with whom they can be weak (even if only for a moment), because their kick-ass work is just soo hard. And the idea of surrendering to a guy = freedom (3235), even when psychologically the author has made a strong case for why our heroine has hid her vulnerable side from everyone for so long, also not so much.
McMaster combines such language here, though, with an equality discourse, one that both asserts that Leo admires Mina's strengths, and that her vulnerability is matched by his:
"What could any man ever give me? I'm the head of my House, a woman on the Council. What man wouldn't try to take that from me?"
"Not all men are created equally. Maybe you should find one who isn't threatened by your achievements. Someone who finds such accomplishments to be part of the fascination" (1151)
"And suddenly, she wanted to drive him beyond control, to prove that he was just as much hers as she was his" (3262)
"Surrender goes both ways, my love" (3280)
"He owned her. The most terrifying thing in the world one. But he could only own her if she allowed it, and she held that power in her hands" (4090)
Will we ever get a book where a hero wants to be weak, and have a heroine support him, if only just for a moment? Or must our heroes always be above weakness?
bluestockings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so sad to see the end of the London Steampunk series! It has wildly surpassed my expectations and I enjoyed this final installment almost as much as the previous books.
I have to admit after having two (and a half!) Nighthawk focused books I greatly missed that angle! I would love to read detective steampunk novels about the Nighthawks... I really enjoyed all the quirky people working there plus the detective dynamic.
But I digress! This book picks back up with Leo Barrons - Honoria and Lena's half brother bringing their group back into the focus. They have been plotting with the other characters from the first four novels to overthrow the mad Prince Consort.
Lady Aramina, nicknamed Mina, has also been in these novels and seems sympathetic to the previous heroines. I had suspicions about her goals and they are all revealed in this novel.
Mina and Leo have a rivalry because Mina believes Leo's father murdered her father. Well Mina dislikes Leo and he wants to jump her bones after being impressed by her swordsmanship.
I did not enjoy their courtship as much as others - but I think they made a great pair once they started working together. I also liked them a lot individually. I enjoyed seeing the previous characters come back and seeing a very satisfying conclusion of the overall storyline.
I have to admit after having two (and a half!) Nighthawk focused books I greatly missed that angle! I would love to read detective steampunk novels about the Nighthawks... I really enjoyed all the quirky people working there plus the detective dynamic.
But I digress! This book picks back up with Leo Barrons - Honoria and Lena's half brother bringing their group back into the focus. They have been plotting with the other characters from the first four novels to overthrow the mad Prince Consort.
Lady Aramina, nicknamed Mina, has also been in these novels and seems sympathetic to the previous heroines. I had suspicions about her goals and they are all revealed in this novel.
Mina and Leo have a rivalry because Mina believes Leo's father murdered her father
Spoiler
without proof and he's not actually his real fatherI did not enjoy their courtship as much as others - but I think they made a great pair once they started working together. I also liked them a lot individually. I enjoyed seeing the previous characters come back and seeing a very satisfying conclusion of the overall storyline.