Scan barcode
noisydeadlines's review against another edition
3.0
Steampunk alternate Victorian era in a world with dirigibles, nanoagents, mechanical flesh, zombies. I think I still like the first book better. However, this one has a strong lead female character who is an experienced badass captain of an Airship. Yasmeen, captain of Lady Corsair, and Archimedes Fox, adventurer, go out on a journey to search for a treasured sketch from Leonardo da Vinci. There is also revenge but that wasn't too clear to me. Good fighting sequences with zombies, but in the end, I didn't get who/what they were fighting against really.
P.S.: That cover is terrible. Yasmeen should be in it.
P.S.: That cover is terrible. Yasmeen should be in it.
karenmusic's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE IT! Much more fun than The Iron Duke. Archimedes' letters are a wonderful opening and the lightheartedness of the book carries well. It's steam punk that doesn't take itself too seriously.
macthekat's review against another edition
4.0
such wonderful world building really original. great pacing and great romance
sincerelymendacious's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
theladyinreds's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing.
A steampunk pirate adventure novel with revenge plots, treasure-hunting expeditions, international political intrigue, and a steady and thoughtful romance backing the whole thing up.
I really liked the [b:The Iron Duke|7864587|The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1)|Meljean Brook|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312522759s/7864587.jpg|11022865], but I didn't love it. This sequel felt less heavy than the previous book and I just loved how unique and strong the two main characters were.
Man, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for more novellas and novels in this series.
A steampunk pirate adventure novel with revenge plots, treasure-hunting expeditions, international political intrigue, and a steady and thoughtful romance backing the whole thing up.
I really liked the [b:The Iron Duke|7864587|The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1)|Meljean Brook|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312522759s/7864587.jpg|11022865], but I didn't love it. This sequel felt less heavy than the previous book and I just loved how unique and strong the two main characters were.
Man, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for more novellas and novels in this series.
mfred's review against another edition
2.0
Was it just me, or did anyone else think there was no conflict in this story?
- It is revealed, through backstory, that at one point Archimedes was unable to have feelings, and so we understand, by being told about it, why Archimedes wanted to fall in love. Which he does, because he decided to do it. Uh, yeah. Good follow-through, dude.
- Yasmeen decides she will sacrifice Archimedes the minute he betrays or embarrasses her, but he doesn't, so she doesn't. And so she gradually falls in love with the guy who is always good to her.
- And, SPOILER ALERT: The bad guy is reasonable and so he just gives up at the end because it's the right thing to do. So, that's nice?
I have complained umpteen times about kickass heroines that never actually kick ass. And while Brook never sacrifices Yasmeen's kickass-ed-ness for the sake of the love story, I don't think she ever really put either character on the line either. They just kept suiting each other! They are the ulimate well suited couple! Yasmeen is afraid of Archimedes betraying or undermining her power and position? He intuitively understands and acts beta. Archimedes wants to adventure on and on, forever? Yasmeen won't stop him because she does too! And so, I felt, the whole story went, until our heroes ride off into the sunset together.
For an adventure story set in alterna-steampunk Europe filled with zombies and menacing nanotechnology, I never once felt like anyone was truly in any danger-- either emotional or physical. And to finally get to the last grand adventure, when Yasmeen and Archimedes are set to confront the Big Bad, and have him decide to abdicate his power because he is just so reasonable was just... so underwhelming! And a little undermining of all of the adventuring it took to get to there.
So, points for Yasmeen staying Yasmeen. But I can't say this book really moved me, especially compared to the emotional powerhouse that was The Iron Duke.
- It is revealed, through backstory, that at one point Archimedes was unable to have feelings, and so we understand, by being told about it, why Archimedes wanted to fall in love. Which he does, because he decided to do it. Uh, yeah. Good follow-through, dude.
- Yasmeen decides she will sacrifice Archimedes the minute he betrays or embarrasses her, but he doesn't, so she doesn't. And so she gradually falls in love with the guy who is always good to her.
- And, SPOILER ALERT: The bad guy is reasonable and so he just gives up at the end because it's the right thing to do. So, that's nice?
I have complained umpteen times about kickass heroines that never actually kick ass. And while Brook never sacrifices Yasmeen's kickass-ed-ness for the sake of the love story, I don't think she ever really put either character on the line either. They just kept suiting each other! They are the ulimate well suited couple! Yasmeen is afraid of Archimedes betraying or undermining her power and position? He intuitively understands and acts beta. Archimedes wants to adventure on and on, forever? Yasmeen won't stop him because she does too! And so, I felt, the whole story went, until our heroes ride off into the sunset together.
For an adventure story set in alterna-steampunk Europe filled with zombies and menacing nanotechnology, I never once felt like anyone was truly in any danger-- either emotional or physical. And to finally get to the last grand adventure, when Yasmeen and Archimedes are set to confront the Big Bad, and have him decide to abdicate his power because he is just so reasonable was just... so underwhelming! And a little undermining of all of the adventuring it took to get to there.
So, points for Yasmeen staying Yasmeen. But I can't say this book really moved me, especially compared to the emotional powerhouse that was The Iron Duke.
madhamster's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating alternate history / steampunk world. In this instance, the romance is between an adventurer and a pirate - both strong-willed, free-spirited, and with pasts.
threerings's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and was initially disappointed that this book isn't about the same characters as the first one. It focuses on two minor characters from the first book: Yasmeen, known as Lady Corsair the mercenary captain; and famed adventurer Archimedes Fox. Although I had liked them both well enough in the first book, it wasn't like I thought, "Hey, I want to read a whole book about them!"
But I ended up really liking this book. The romance that develops between the two of them is really appealing to me. Archimedes has decided to fall in love with Yasmeen and get his heart broken, just to have had that experience. Meanwhile Yasmeen has the titular "heart of steel" and doesn't believe herself capable of love, though she's all for sex. Except Archimedes refuses to sleep with her because he wants to wait until he's truly in love with her. It's sort of a unique dynamic that became very satisfying to me.
There's also plenty of pirate-y action, seeking of vengeance and that kind of thing. This series is pretty well balanced between the action and the character stuff. The world was expanded a bit and most of the book takes place in the Near East and West Africa, so it's nice to get away from stereotypical steampunk England. However it would be very difficult to understand this work based solely on this book because the whole history of the Horde occupation goes pretty much unexplained. So although this book really stands alone from the first one, I think it's required to read that one first.
But I ended up really liking this book. The romance that develops between the two of them is really appealing to me. Archimedes has decided to fall in love with Yasmeen and get his heart broken, just to have had that experience. Meanwhile Yasmeen has the titular "heart of steel" and doesn't believe herself capable of love, though she's all for sex. Except Archimedes refuses to sleep with her because he wants to wait until he's truly in love with her. It's sort of a unique dynamic that became very satisfying to me.
There's also plenty of pirate-y action, seeking of vengeance and that kind of thing. This series is pretty well balanced between the action and the character stuff. The world was expanded a bit and most of the book takes place in the Near East and West Africa, so it's nice to get away from stereotypical steampunk England. However it would be very difficult to understand this work based solely on this book because the whole history of the Horde occupation goes pretty much unexplained. So although this book really stands alone from the first one, I think it's required to read that one first.
craftyhilary's review against another edition
4.0
Supporting characters from The Iron Duke get their own story. A fine yarn, full of adventure, politics, mechanical contraptions, and zombies. Not as complex emotionally, perhaps, but still enjoyable. Also, FYI, less steamy.
kathulhu's review against another edition
4.0
Great second book in the series, but I miss Mina and Rhys! Guess I'll just have to pick up the next one.