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ceridwenanne's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This whole series is fun, pulpy steampunk vampire bollocks, and all the better because the alt-history actually makes sense, given how the "craving virus" works: the upper classes are literal blood-sucking parasites. Which I'm into.
Anyway, I listened to this working on some home improvement nonsense, and Dukes Are Forever definitely sticks the landing of the whole series. I mean, yeah, the romantic plot with Malloryn and Adele is a little over-determined, but a whole lot of people get to have their Boss Fights, and in satisfying ways.
Anyway, I listened to this working on some home improvement nonsense, and Dukes Are Forever definitely sticks the landing of the whole series. I mean, yeah, the romantic plot with Malloryn and Adele is a little over-determined, but a whole lot of people get to have their Boss Fights, and in satisfying ways.
avid_reader_96's review against another edition
4.0
This book didn't not disappoint. I was beyond pleased to get an inside look into The Duke of Malloryn and the chemistry between him and Adele was off the charts. I do agree with another reviewer that Balfour's end was a bit anticlimactic but that's partly due to me not wanting this series to end. I've loved almost every book in this series and could see myself venturing into the author's other pieces of work. Farewell, London, for now.
roobie's review against another edition
3.0
⭐3.5 stars⭐
No Rogue left behind.
It means something to them. It means something to you. It means something to me.
Stop thinking of it as a weakness, and start thinking of it as a strength.
No Rogue left behind.
It means something to them. It means something to you. It means something to me.
Stop thinking of it as a weakness, and start thinking of it as a strength.
sarahcars's review against another edition
5.0
I'd been looking forward to Malloryn's book since he first appeared on page earlier in the series, and it did not disappoint. Ugh do we love a dumb, noble man willing to sacrifice himself for good. And heroines who are set up to seem boring or fluffy but turn out to have much more to them once we get to know them better? I love
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
3.0
Finally we get a look into Malloryn’s internal dialogue and emotional struggles after he’s returned from his month-long torture in Russia. Is the love of his Company of Rogues enough to cushion him as he heals from the physical and psychological damage? Or does he need a more intimate confident to reveal his true self?
Enter his bride, Adele.
This story examines what level of trust and patience is required to heal from PTSD. And how, when you’ve built a support network, it’s okay to lean on them when you’re struggling. How love gives you something to fight for, not a weakness that exposes your vulnerabilities. How love keeps you human even in the most inhumane circumstances. Malloryn has to confront the role he played in the events unfolding, whether he has become the monster he is trying to take down, and how far he has allowed the conflict to destroy the best parts of himself.
Adele is incredibly intelligent and matches Malloryn for her ability to strategically think, a spymaster in her own right who has had years to navigate the world of the thrall. As the leader of the circle of roses, I wish the author had explored this aspect of her more in-depth as it wasn’t well appreciated in the narrative. Along with that, Malloryn was “surprised” by how intelligent and astute she was, which is not common in steampunk worlds and set my teeth on edge. One of the aspects of steampunk literature that I love above all is that the women are expected to be competent, which turns patriarchal bias on its head. So I was disappointed to find that patriarchal note in this narrative.
They kept saying he finally found his match, but there is little evidence that makes Adele stand out against the other characters like Ingrid and Gemma. If they had made her a spymaster in her own right- with her own network, skill sets, and agents in the thrall world- she would have actually been his equal. Instead they kept the thralls as “adornments” with no apparent agency. Plus, I have never read a story of a female spymaster, they are always males. I hate it when authors have an opportunity to fully embody feminism in a character and then pull back right before they cross the finish line, almost like they don’t fully understand what that equality of minds could look like.
Also, it breaks the pattern: book 1-tracker with tracker, book 2- mechanical intelligence with detailed oriented intelligence, book 3- assassin with assassin, book 4- thief with thief. Wouldn’t it then make sense that book 5 would be spymaster and spymaster?
McMaster could have emphasized that Adele was a human spymaster in a world where the other spymasters are blue bloods or dhampir. And she could have kept that Malloryn and Adele would be unaware of each other since Malloryn doesn’t indulge in the thrall world. Adele would have been looking a different objective, but could have seen how her objective intersected with Malloryn arch nemesis. So many elements that could have been explored to make this a richer conclusion to the series!
The other discordant aspect of this narrative was the style of the intimate scenes which involved tying hands so the other could have “their way” with the other, surrendering, and submitting. This just seemed strange given Adele’s trauma of being forcefully held down and bloodlet, leading her to lead the thrall world. Also strange for Malloryn who just spent a month in manacles hoist above his head, suspended by the ceiling. That style of intimacy would be hugely triggering given her back story and his recent torture. That’s not how trauma works. I felt like the author could have capitalized on Adele’s traumatic history in the thrall world to help Malloryn heal from his traumatic experiences, especially with intimacy.
While it was a good conclusion of the series where all the villains gets their comeuppance and redemption is found for our beloved spymaster, the discordant elements offset it where it could have been absolutely brilliant.
I would have liked one last book that is the Queen’s story, casting her as the crux of this whole world and how she navigates the politics and her spymasters.
Enter his bride, Adele.
This story examines what level of trust and patience is required to heal from PTSD. And how, when you’ve built a support network, it’s okay to lean on them when you’re struggling. How love gives you something to fight for, not a weakness that exposes your vulnerabilities. How love keeps you human even in the most inhumane circumstances. Malloryn has to confront the role he played in the events unfolding, whether he has become the monster he is trying to take down, and how far he has allowed the conflict to destroy the best parts of himself.
Adele is incredibly intelligent and matches Malloryn for her ability to strategically think, a spymaster in her own right who has had years to navigate the world of the thrall. As the leader of the circle of roses, I wish the author had explored this aspect of her more in-depth as it wasn’t well appreciated in the narrative. Along with that, Malloryn was “surprised” by how intelligent and astute she was, which is not common in steampunk worlds and set my teeth on edge. One of the aspects of steampunk literature that I love above all is that the women are expected to be competent, which turns patriarchal bias on its head. So I was disappointed to find that patriarchal note in this narrative.
They kept saying he finally found his match, but there is little evidence that makes Adele stand out against the other characters like Ingrid and Gemma. If they had made her a spymaster in her own right- with her own network, skill sets, and agents in the thrall world- she would have actually been his equal. Instead they kept the thralls as “adornments” with no apparent agency. Plus, I have never read a story of a female spymaster, they are always males. I hate it when authors have an opportunity to fully embody feminism in a character and then pull back right before they cross the finish line, almost like they don’t fully understand what that equality of minds could look like.
Also, it breaks the pattern: book 1-tracker with tracker, book 2- mechanical intelligence with detailed oriented intelligence, book 3- assassin with assassin, book 4- thief with thief. Wouldn’t it then make sense that book 5 would be spymaster and spymaster?
McMaster could have emphasized that Adele was a human spymaster in a world where the other spymasters are blue bloods or dhampir. And she could have kept that Malloryn and Adele would be unaware of each other since Malloryn doesn’t indulge in the thrall world. Adele would have been looking a different objective, but could have seen how her objective intersected with Malloryn arch nemesis. So many elements that could have been explored to make this a richer conclusion to the series!
The other discordant aspect of this narrative was the style of the intimate scenes which involved tying hands so the other could have “their way” with the other, surrendering, and submitting. This just seemed strange given Adele’s trauma of being forcefully held down and bloodlet, leading her to lead the thrall world. Also strange for Malloryn who just spent a month in manacles hoist above his head, suspended by the ceiling. That style of intimacy would be hugely triggering given her back story and his recent torture. That’s not how trauma works. I felt like the author could have capitalized on Adele’s traumatic history in the thrall world to help Malloryn heal from his traumatic experiences, especially with intimacy.
While it was a good conclusion of the series where all the villains gets their comeuppance and redemption is found for our beloved spymaster, the discordant elements offset it where it could have been absolutely brilliant.
I would have liked one last book that is the Queen’s story, casting her as the crux of this whole world and how she navigates the politics and her spymasters.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Dukes Are Forever
4.5 Stars
In the aftermath of their forced marriage, Auvry Cavill, Duke of Malloryn, suspects that his bride, Adele Hamilton, may be in league with his enemies. To prove his suspicions one way or the other, he decides to engage in the unthinkable - the seduction of his wife.
Malloryn and Adele long-awaited showdown more than lives up to expectations. Their banter and chemistry have been a highlight of the previous installments, and their love/hate relationship continues to play out with each giving as good as they get. Seeing Malloryn engage with the one woman who can bring him to his knees is immensely satisfying.
The resolution to the ongoing Blueblood Conspiracy has some intense and exciting moments. Nevertheless, much of the action has already played out in earlier books, and as such, it is the romance that truly shines.
In sum, an excellent conclusion to the arc. There is one final epilogue novella to complete the series.
4.5 Stars
In the aftermath of their forced marriage, Auvry Cavill, Duke of Malloryn, suspects that his bride, Adele Hamilton, may be in league with his enemies. To prove his suspicions one way or the other, he decides to engage in the unthinkable - the seduction of his wife.
Malloryn and Adele long-awaited showdown more than lives up to expectations. Their banter and chemistry have been a highlight of the previous installments, and their love/hate relationship continues to play out with each giving as good as they get. Seeing Malloryn engage with the one woman who can bring him to his knees is immensely satisfying.
The resolution to the ongoing Blueblood Conspiracy has some intense and exciting moments. Nevertheless, much of the action has already played out in earlier books, and as such, it is the romance that truly shines.
In sum, an excellent conclusion to the arc. There is one final epilogue novella to complete the series.
alisonb's review against another edition
5.0
So good! This story was all that I would have hoped it would be, and Malloryn and Adele were amazing!
unapologetic_romantic's review
5.0
You Malloryn are my favourite.
All these books have been working their way towards unraveling your secrets and I love it! You are one badass motherfucker.
All these books have been working their way towards unraveling your secrets and I love it! You are one badass motherfucker.
emlaal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.5