Reviews

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

zezee's review

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

rachel_loves_2_read's review against another edition

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5.0

very good read

I like the enemies to lovers trope and I enjoyed this spin on Cinderella. I hope there are more Books to come.

estherpew's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

thetruthatallhazards's review

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adventurous funny relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

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kelliepalmer's review

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3.0

This book moved a little slowly. I didn’t hate the way Cinderella was retold though. With these steam punk novels, I expect a good mixture of action mixed with romance. This book had way too much conversation, not enough action, and I didn’t feel a grand love connection between Emme and Oliver. The last 30 pages moved quickly with drama and confrontation, but once it was all resolved, it just ended.

lizbeth12's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

a_ab's review

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4.0

Highly entertaining, fast paced and engaging - like most books in this series. And unlike some of the other books - less messy (by which I mean having too many creatures and strange arts/practices, and not enough clarity in laws of all kinds and world building) and more focused on a single matter. This might make it my favorite book in the series. We still have the shape shifters and vampires and psychics and aura-seers and flying ships and automations, but they're on the fringes of the narrative, not distracting from it. The center of the story is all about the fight for fair rights, and it's a very relatable clear story line.

ashleejuanita's review

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3.0

A fun take on Cinderella

witandsin's review

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4.0

4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

A heroine determined to fight for what’s right. A hero assigned to protect her. Danger, romance, and a clock ticking down to midnight all blend together wonderfully in Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts. I adored this action-packed steampunk romance and its stellar characters, clever inventions, and oh-so-addictive world.

I can’t imagine Emme not winning anyone over. She’s courageous, kind, and determined to fight for what is right, no matter the personal cost. As Spokeswoman for the International Shifter Rights Organization she has the opportunity to give the closing speech right before the end of a summit where legislation to protect shifters is up for a vote. Only someone is determined she not live to make that speech. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, Emme’s nemesis and the man who has arrested her more than once. Oliver agrees with Emme’s mission – he’s a good, logical person and his best friend is a predatory shifter, after all – it’s her disruptive ways he doesn’t agree with. No matter how often they’ve come into conflict, the simmering attraction between Emme and Oliver cannot be denied. So when he’s assigned to be her bodyguard and make sure she gets to Scotland in once piece, neither of them can hide their feelings any longer. Their romance seems to be fated (especially since their closest friends are all paired up) so I didn’t mind that they fell in love rather quickly; it goes with the Cinderella theme.

What I found most interesting about Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is how well Emme and Oliver worked together. They may have been adversaries in the past, but they both want the same thing. And to get to Scotland, they must overcome obstacles at every corner. Between Emme’s evil stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, death threats, kidnappings, and more, I wasn’t sure at times how our protagonists would make it. Thankfully they have allies old and new who add warmth and depth to the world. Fans of the series will delight in seeing past couples play supporting roles and there is a new character I found totally endearing who fills several Cinderella roles.

Though Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts has many nods to a beloved fairytale, it does fully stand on its own. I do recommend reading at least the first book in the series (Beauty and the Clockwork Beast) before starting Emme and Oliver’s book. You should be familiar with the wonderful world Nancy Campbell Allen has built before jumping headfirst into a story of steampunk, shifters, vampires, and more that does not offer a primer. I’ve adored every book in this series and this one does not disappoint. My only quibble is that there is a lot going on in this book and a few things felt rushed because so much was packed in (namely the storyline involving Oliver’s brother). Even with that issue, I enjoyed this story overall. I adore the way Nancy Campbell Allen blends fairytale and steampunk to create a world that is wholly unique. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

thecleanreadbookclub's review

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5.0

Have you ever noticed how movie sequels are rarely followed up by an equally amazing sequel? You won't have to worry about that AT ALL with Nancy Campbell Allen’s Steampunk Proper Romance series.

This is book four in the series and while you can read it as a stand alone I very strongly recommend that you read the others in the series first. Start with Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, Kiss of a Spindle, The Lady in the Coppergate Tower and finally Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts.

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is a Cinderella retelling with an amazing steampunk twist filled with shape shifters, vampires and so much intrigue. Our main character, Emme receives a death threat and is put under the protective care of Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two are well acquainted with each other through Emme’s activist pursuits and Oliver’s job to keep the riots at bay. This enemies to lovers trope is everything and more! The storyline pace is perfectly on point, the retelling is so fun and creative that it leaves you guessing what will happen next. The supporting characters are excellent and I was a little sad that it ended… However, I have a feeling we will be getting a book 5 in the future. Please bless that I’m correct because this sets up for another amazing story concept!!!

Every book in this series is a perfect fall read. It’s not so scary you won't be able to sleep for weeks, but has enough intrigue that it's perfect when the air turns crisp and ghouls and witches make appearances! This series makes my 5 star and re-read worthy list and I always take the time to read them this time of year!