Reviews

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen

themaritimereader14's review against another edition

4.0

This was a solid addition to the series and I loved Hazel and Sam and their adventure in this book. Now I want to re-read the other two books. I get the feeling there will be a fourth...fingers crossed?!

Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

labyrinth_witch's review against another edition

4.0

An interesting steampunk retelling of the Repunzel fairytale. That Repunzel is not a commonly reinterpreted tale in and of itself piqued my curiosity. Campbell was able to keep the structure and classic elements of the original fairytale while expanding its possibilities with the steampunk elements of submarines, mages, magicks, automatons, Tesla coils, and more.

The characters first appear in the first book of the series, and I continue to love Campbell’s focus on creating independent and clever women who think for themselves and act on their own behalf without compromising on their interdependence and compassion for those around them. Often I see the main characters making choices that I would make myself, which is refreshing. In addition, she creates complimentary male leads that are also human with character flaws, and learn to work in tandem with their female leads for an equitable relationship.

My main critique would be that the climax was short-lived, and Campbell could have developed her antagonist a little more and generates more emotion around that storyline.

However, it’s a quick and enjoyable read. I enjoy the suspense of trying to figure out was sort of “creature” the antagonist is and what kind of hidden powers the protagonists have. Would definitely recommend to teenagers would need an example of a healthy, respectful romantic relationship. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys romance but is tired of graphic sex scenes and wants the sexual tension of equals.

deshie5055's review against another edition

5.0

From start to finish this is a book you won’t want to put down. Back into the world of steampunk vampires and other paranormal creatures, Nacy Campbell Allen revamps the classic Repunzle tale into something delightfully sinister. If you are looking for romance, suspense, mystery and a dash of magic this book delivers it all!

carleneslibrary's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I almost DNFed this but I pushed through. I don't know why but this series doesn't hit for me. The writing is fine, the plot and characters are fine, it's just not interesting to me and this book especially isn't pulling me in, whereas the first two did. I've read steampunk before and loved it and I've read other books by this author before and loved them.

I will say the main difference between the first two books and this one was the romance was not to my taste. Fro m the start of the book, both Sam and Hazel already had feelings for each other and it was just a matter of the two of them needing to reveal it in time. Where is the romance in that? I want to watch them fall in love! 


Ultimately I think its just a personal preference issue and this book wasn't for me.

katiemayveil's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This steampunk retelling of the story of Rapunzel includes romance, mystery, and danger. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wished there were more to read!
Hazel Hughes is the main character. She is a talented nurse who is plagued by a recurring dream that has gotten increasingly more troubling. Sam McInnes is her employer and a prestigious doctor who has pioneered medical advancements and who is sought out by the most eligible single ladies of London. When Hazel is approached by a long lost relative, Sam is determined to accompany her on an unexpected trip to ensure that no harm comes her way. After journeying in an enormous submarine, trying to solve a mystery regarding Hazel's ladies maid, and figuring out a family mystery, Hazel and Sam's relationship is deepening and becoming something more than what it was.
Nancy Campbell Allen has crafted yet another steampunk romance that will enthrall readers and keep them interested until the last page.

comfortable_with_uncomfortable's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious slow-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

3.25

brittaninaylor's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

happyreadingwatching's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-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

3.0

 To fully enjoy and understand this world, I highly recommend reading the first two! Beauty and the Clock Work Beast and Kiss of A Spindle. 
This one is a  brothers grimm Rapanzel retelling. This one took a little longer to read due to the fact I read at night, and this one "properly" scared me. (see what I did there...) 
 I spook easily, so take that as you will. 

This book was truly a ride. It had me guessing because it wasn't a prouper romance! This book was a mystery, thriller with a dash of romance. 
I did enjoy the romance and would have really enjoyed having seen more of it. 

Eugene (the robot) was my favorite character in this story. I just loved him! The  sassniess & and wit. Eugene was the comical relief through the story.

Recommend to be read around Halloween or fall time🎃

I wouldn't recommend this one to young readers due to the darker elements in it. 
This one was not my favorite of the series, but I'm still happy I read it and will continue with the series! 

Looking forward to book 4, it's going to be a Cinderella retelling!


Content
Mild violence 
Mild Romance 
Language (one bad word)
Some dark elements

3rd Read 9-19-20
I love the main characters and the romance. If I'm honest, the plot was not my favorite. It's a little dark for my taste. I reread this one to prep for book 4 :)

4th read 1/2022 
I liked it a little more this reread 📖💜

5th Reread May 2022

6th reread Aug 2023

brokenrecord's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars.  I liked this, but a little less than the first two.  I think it's mainly just that, while I thought the romance was sweet, it wasn't the type of romance that I'm normally super into.  Their friendship had already basically developed prior to the start of the book, and Hazel knows she's in love with Sam, and Sam clearly has some sort of feelings for her even if he hasn't admitted them to himself, but he realizes them very early on in their journey, and there's a little flirtation, but the main thing keeping them apart is just timing of stuff relating to events on the submarine and the mystery plot. 

Even after they kiss, they're mostly focused on the mystery/plot without much time/focus on their burgeoning relationship, and then in the end they get married, the end.

  There just isn't a whole lot of development or change in their relationship throughout the book which is the part of romance plots that I typically gravitate towards, so this one didn't really do it for me, even though I liked both Sam and Hazel a lot and thought they were sweet together.  

I did find the mystery interesting, possibly the most interesting of the series, although it's been about a year since I read the first two, and I don't fully remember what went on in those.  I definitely didn't guess exactly what was going on with Marit and the count and all of that. 

I will say that I didn't fully get the point of Renton attacking Sally other than to give Sam and Hazel a reason to doubt the count and be suspicious of the situation, but I thought they already WERE a bit wary of everything, so idk if it was super necessary?

 

Anyways, I still enjoyed reading this, even if the romance wasn't the type I typically go for, and I enjoyed seeing Hazel and Sam work together as a team.  I'm guessing there'll be another book with Oliver/Emme as the main pairing (probably Cinderella-related given the couple references to her step-family?), and I really enjoy this series and the setting and the characters, so I'll be happy to read it if that's the case.

petrichor_pages's review against another edition

2.0

It's sad when I was way more interested in a side character's exploits than in the hero or heroine. I found myself hoping that Eugene was going to be a romantic lead or something because I just was not into Sam and Hazel and no amount of trying helped. I think it's because I found the plot very stagnant until they actually got to Romania, and then the plot was WILD. Hazel and Sam were both hopelessly naive and the plot with the resurrection just absolutely lost me.

I think that more established fans of Nancy Campbell Allen will appreciate this installment, and I have no doubt I will read the next one. However, I do hope that the series goes back to the steampunk fairytale roots in the next installment.