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erikajay's review
1.0
I don’t know what happened with this book. I read the previous books on this series and really enjoyed them, but this book felt like it was rushed through.
The plot is barely there. This is really the insta-love story between our main characters, which I thought was hiring. I was initially really excited because I love a good enemies to lovers story, but it happened wayyy to quickly.
The plot is barely there. This is really the insta-love story between our main characters, which I thought was hiring. I was initially really excited because I love a good enemies to lovers story, but it happened wayyy to quickly.
lynguy1's review
5.0
BRASS CARRIAGES AND GLASS HEARTS by Nancy Campbell Allen is the fourth book in the Steampunk Proper Romance series. This is the first book that I have read in this genre and by this author, but it certainly will not be my last. Each book in this series has a steampunk version of a retelling of a fairy tale. In this case it is loosely based around the story of Cinderella. It is set in a world with steam-driven carriages and airships as well as shifters, vampires and humans.
Emmeline O’Shea wants to change the world and is a strong voice for societal reform. She is selected to give the final speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s Summit in Scotland. With death threats, her nemesis Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, a step-father, two step-sisters, a preoccupied mother, unknown enemies and political indecision, the path forward is certain to be exciting.
I was immediately captivated by Emmeline and Oliver. Their characters are compelling, felt real, and were three-dimensional. Their motivations seemed believable and had well-drawn and appropriate emotion. The secondary characters enhanced the story rather than overwhelming it. The internal and external conflicts were well defined, organic and believable; arising out of characterization and circumstance. The stakes were high and the tension made this a page turner for me.
The prose was well-written, entertaining and engaging. The plot was clever, suspenseful, fun, enjoyable and entertaining. The ending was satisfying. Overall, I was drawn into this tale immediately and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was appealing, enjoyable, entertaining, humorous as times, and thought-provoking. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy clean romantic suspense set in a steampunk world with a paranormal aspect and loosely based on a fairy tale.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Nancy Campbell Allen for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Emmeline O’Shea wants to change the world and is a strong voice for societal reform. She is selected to give the final speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s Summit in Scotland. With death threats, her nemesis Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, a step-father, two step-sisters, a preoccupied mother, unknown enemies and political indecision, the path forward is certain to be exciting.
I was immediately captivated by Emmeline and Oliver. Their characters are compelling, felt real, and were three-dimensional. Their motivations seemed believable and had well-drawn and appropriate emotion. The secondary characters enhanced the story rather than overwhelming it. The internal and external conflicts were well defined, organic and believable; arising out of characterization and circumstance. The stakes were high and the tension made this a page turner for me.
The prose was well-written, entertaining and engaging. The plot was clever, suspenseful, fun, enjoyable and entertaining. The ending was satisfying. Overall, I was drawn into this tale immediately and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was appealing, enjoyable, entertaining, humorous as times, and thought-provoking. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy clean romantic suspense set in a steampunk world with a paranormal aspect and loosely based on a fairy tale.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Nancy Campbell Allen for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
kimberly88's review
4.0
Loved returning to this series! Recommended if you like clean romance and fairy tale retellings. RTC closer to release.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital arc.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital arc.
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was a fun read. The whole series has been a blast. I love a good retelling, and when you add steampunk into the mix, how can I resist?
This was probably my least favorite in the series, but in no way was it bad. I loved that Emme and Oliver finally got their happily ever after, and I enjoyed getting to see the previous characters. It was neat seeing what they were up to now. I did feel like the pacing was a little uneven at times, which made for a slower read than I expected. And while I felt like we got to know Emme really well, Oliver wasn't quite as fleshed-out and three-dimensional as her.
I loved all the nods to Cinderella. I thought the first part was a little light on the retelling aspect and I was beginning to wonder when the fairy tale parts were gonna show up. But they did eventually appear, and I thought they were cleverly done. (I loved Gus Gus!)
If you're a fan of steampunk, or just wanting to give it a try, I definitely recommend this series. I'd say start with book one, though. This one could probably technically stand alone, but there's a lot of backstory that would be missed out on. Plus, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast is one of my all-time favorite retellings.
This was a fun read. The whole series has been a blast. I love a good retelling, and when you add steampunk into the mix, how can I resist?
This was probably my least favorite in the series, but in no way was it bad. I loved that Emme and Oliver finally got their happily ever after, and I enjoyed getting to see the previous characters. It was neat seeing what they were up to now. I did feel like the pacing was a little uneven at times, which made for a slower read than I expected. And while I felt like we got to know Emme really well, Oliver wasn't quite as fleshed-out and three-dimensional as her.
I loved all the nods to Cinderella. I thought the first part was a little light on the retelling aspect and I was beginning to wonder when the fairy tale parts were gonna show up. But they did eventually appear, and I thought they were cleverly done. (I loved Gus Gus!)
If you're a fan of steampunk, or just wanting to give it a try, I definitely recommend this series. I'd say start with book one, though. This one could probably technically stand alone, but there's a lot of backstory that would be missed out on. Plus, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast is one of my all-time favorite retellings.
_camk_'s review
3.0
I wouldn't say this it is a Cinderella retelling. There is a sprinkle of it here and there and actually stating it's a retelling gives the plot away.
+The plot moves well. There is a balance between action and static scenes.
-It just felt just a little lacking. The romance started well but as it got deeper fell a little flat.
+The plot moves well. There is a balance between action and static scenes.
-It just felt just a little lacking. The romance started well but as it got deeper fell a little flat.
elizpeace's review
3.0
When I saw steampunk and a retelling, I immediately said, “yes please.” Little did I know that it was part of a series, number 4, in fact. I would suggest that anyone probably wants to start at the beginning, as characters from the earlier books make an appearance, and it would help with understanding the background and world building.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book. It was a fun, easy read. Nothing challenging or requiring massive thinking, but a perfectly enjoyable afternoon read.
It should be noted that I think “retelling” is a bit of a stretch for this book. Besides a parent remarrying, and inheriting some not-so-nice siblings, I don’t think Emme was shoved into a basement and forced to clean up after her new siblings/parent. She was independent, had her own profession, and didn’t seem to give to whits about that pesky step-sister.
The inclusion of Gus was a cute touch, as well as her missing shoe, though the latter, really unnecessary.
The villain was easy to guess, but it didn’t change my opinion of the book, as I was just enjoying it for what it was. I will likely try to read the earlier books in the series.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book. It was a fun, easy read. Nothing challenging or requiring massive thinking, but a perfectly enjoyable afternoon read.
It should be noted that I think “retelling” is a bit of a stretch for this book. Besides a parent remarrying, and inheriting some not-so-nice siblings, I don’t think Emme was shoved into a basement and forced to clean up after her new siblings/parent. She was independent, had her own profession, and didn’t seem to give to whits about that pesky step-sister.
The inclusion of Gus was a cute touch, as well as her missing shoe, though the latter, really unnecessary.
The villain was easy to guess, but it didn’t change my opinion of the book, as I was just enjoying it for what it was. I will likely try to read the earlier books in the series.
hugbandit7's review
4.0
I have found that Steampunk books can be quite interesting. I'm not sure what it is about the setting but it feels like a combination of new and old technology, inventions, and the like.
I have read a couple of the books in this series and have enjoyed the books and this one was no different. There are a few things that liken it to Cinderella, but I feel like it is very loosely based on that fairy tale. But that is not a fault, just an observation of mine.
The story that is told is one that could fit our world today - it is about not shunning a part of society and one woman's fight for their rights. I'm talking about shifters, humans that shift into animal form a few nights a month. Most are not violent, but as we know, a few bad apples tend to ruin it for everyone. Emme is their spokeswoman and is fighting for their rights, much to the chagrin of her family. She is definitely not a proper lady by their standards, but that is what makes her a good advocate for the shifters. It isn't until she receives a notice to back off that the police take things seriously. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. This isn't their first encounter with each other and I think they each felt something for each other but have never acted upon those feelings. It takes some harrowing situations for them to admit to each other that perhaps there is something there in the romance field.
This also has an air of mystery about it because there are secrets unknown to Emme that put her in danger. There is also a wide range of characters, some loveable, some not so much. My favorite character is Gus. There is more to Gus than what meets the eye but I don't want to spoil that surprise for anyone so you'll have to read the book.
Others have said to read the other books in this series before this one, even though it is a standalone novel. I have read one of the others but really don't remember much that might tie to this book. The curse of reading so much! I think this book reads fine as a standalone, but if you like steampunk novels you will want to read all of the books in her series!
We give this book 4 paws up and look forward to reading more of her works.
I have read a couple of the books in this series and have enjoyed the books and this one was no different. There are a few things that liken it to Cinderella, but I feel like it is very loosely based on that fairy tale. But that is not a fault, just an observation of mine.
The story that is told is one that could fit our world today - it is about not shunning a part of society and one woman's fight for their rights. I'm talking about shifters, humans that shift into animal form a few nights a month. Most are not violent, but as we know, a few bad apples tend to ruin it for everyone. Emme is their spokeswoman and is fighting for their rights, much to the chagrin of her family. She is definitely not a proper lady by their standards, but that is what makes her a good advocate for the shifters. It isn't until she receives a notice to back off that the police take things seriously. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. This isn't their first encounter with each other and I think they each felt something for each other but have never acted upon those feelings. It takes some harrowing situations for them to admit to each other that perhaps there is something there in the romance field.
This also has an air of mystery about it because there are secrets unknown to Emme that put her in danger. There is also a wide range of characters, some loveable, some not so much. My favorite character is Gus. There is more to Gus than what meets the eye but I don't want to spoil that surprise for anyone so you'll have to read the book.
Others have said to read the other books in this series before this one, even though it is a standalone novel. I have read one of the others but really don't remember much that might tie to this book. The curse of reading so much! I think this book reads fine as a standalone, but if you like steampunk novels you will want to read all of the books in her series!
We give this book 4 paws up and look forward to reading more of her works.
pixxyhex's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75