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suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for the worldbuilding - it's fantastic
3 stars for the romance - it's OK.
Worldbuilding is something I hold in highest regard, and Meljean Brook has it down to a science in this series. It's an odd steampunky world, mixed with zombies, nano-tech, airships (and sea ships), pirates and politicos. There are still different countries and political systems in play (it's based on our past political systems, back in the day).
This book (the second in the series) actually has Lady Corsair as the main character/protag (well, at least as a duet with Archimedes Fox). She was the character in the first book I liked the most, so I was happy that she was featured in the next novel.
Archimedes Fox, adventurer (and main character in his sister's very popular books), has a secret past and a debt to pay, and is determined to fall in love with the mysterious and amazing Lady Corsair (that he met in the first book).
Lady Corsair has a debt to pay after some shenanigans involving her own ship, and she partners up with Archimedes to try to engage in some heists and some political intrigue.
Also romance and other stuff along the way. This is definitely a world and character driven romance, not erotica at all (with just a couple of kinda-steamy brief scenes).
While I want to be disappointed in the lack of smuttery, I adore the world building and have been completely hooked by this series.
3 stars for the romance - it's OK.
Worldbuilding is something I hold in highest regard, and Meljean Brook has it down to a science in this series. It's an odd steampunky world, mixed with zombies, nano-tech, airships (and sea ships), pirates and politicos. There are still different countries and political systems in play (it's based on our past political systems, back in the day).
This book (the second in the series) actually has Lady Corsair as the main character/protag (well, at least as a duet with Archimedes Fox). She was the character in the first book I liked the most, so I was happy that she was featured in the next novel.
Archimedes Fox, adventurer (and main character in his sister's very popular books), has a secret past and a debt to pay, and is determined to fall in love with the mysterious and amazing Lady Corsair (that he met in the first book).
Lady Corsair has a debt to pay after some shenanigans involving her own ship, and she partners up with Archimedes to try to engage in some heists and some political intrigue.
Also romance and other stuff along the way. This is definitely a world and character driven romance, not erotica at all (with just a couple of kinda-steamy brief scenes).
While I want to be disappointed in the lack of smuttery, I adore the world building and have been completely hooked by this series.
amyreadsandsails's review
5.0
Best of a very good series. I die thinking about Archimedes. He’s cinnamon roll, charming, and so, so in love with Jasmin. Ugh. So good.
porgs's review against another edition
4.0
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see such a dominant and kick-ass heroine be paired with someone strong but doesn't mind being submissive. Meljean achieved a perfect balance with Yasmeen and Archimedes.
tashas_books's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this but the end felt rushed and anticlimactic, like the author was running out of pages and tied everything up as quickly and easily as she could.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, I just did not like it as much as book 1. In that aspect I felt rather disappointed.
I still liked the steampunk angle, the zombies and the adventure. But this time I felt the romance was lacking, I actually never felt that Yasmeen and Archimedes liked each other. I felt no sexual tension, it was more that he said how much he wanted her but I did not feel it. What I did feel was her heart of steel and how she did not want or need a man in her life. That I got. And when she did fall, yes I am saying it again, I did not see it.
The book was still good, do not get me wrong. Steampunk rocks, Yasmeen was cool in her tough shell, Archimedes is a true adventurer and hey it has zombies. One has to like that.
But in the end I just wish I had liked it as much as I liked book 1. I hope book 3 will be better because I'd like more.
I still liked the steampunk angle, the zombies and the adventure. But this time I felt the romance was lacking, I actually never felt that Yasmeen and Archimedes liked each other. I felt no sexual tension, it was more that he said how much he wanted her but I did not feel it. What I did feel was her heart of steel and how she did not want or need a man in her life. That I got. And when she did fall, yes I am saying it again, I did not see it.
The book was still good, do not get me wrong. Steampunk rocks, Yasmeen was cool in her tough shell, Archimedes is a true adventurer and hey it has zombies. One has to like that.
But in the end I just wish I had liked it as much as I liked book 1. I hope book 3 will be better because I'd like more.
winterreader40's review against another edition
5.0
Captain Corsair and Mr. Fox are incredibly charming to follow through this story, looking forward to the follow up short story.
nevclue's review against another edition
4.0
Steampunk Indian Jones with a badass lady mercenary captain! The two leads, Yasmeen (badass captain) and Archimedes (Indy with colorful waistcoats), are a delight and have a wonderful dynamic not usually seen in romance books. Yasmeen is understandably concerned about maintaining her authority and has been burned in the past by the fragility of the male ego. Archimedes however thinks she's the best and has no interest in undermining her, because it's much better to go on insane zombie-infested hunts for lost treasure and in his downtime back her up.
hexijosh's review against another edition
3.0
So yes, it's true. I have read another lady romance novel. Damn you, Felicia Day!
Heart of Steel is a follow-up to The Iron Duke, however it's not an exact continuation. This time we get to follow the adventure of two characters from the first book who vastly out-shone our previous protagonists. Archemedes Fox, the famous adventurer, returns in pursuit of two things: the lost artifacts of Leonardo Da Vinci and Yasmeen, the bad ass captain of the airship Lady Corsair.
Though I really enjoyed the first book, the only reason I chose to continue the series was because I found out Mina and Rhys, the characters of focus in Iron Duke, weren't featured in this story whatsoever. It's not that I didn't like them, I just didn't find anything all too endearing about either of them. It was Yasmeen that I fell in love with, so I jumped at the chance to read more about her. (Still waiting for a whole book about Scarsdale.)
There's plenty of adventure going on in Heart of Steel and it (fortunately) doesn't get too ridiculous with the sex. In fact, physical elements take a backseat to actual character development. Shock!
The plot gets a bit muddy halfway through, and for a while I wasn't sure who the hell the antagonist was or what their goal was. It was pretty circuitous, if you ask me. In fact, the whole murderous plot seems to wrap itself up neatly in the last two chapters. I'm noticing a trend in Meljean Brook's writing when it comes to that. Though thankfully there are no blatant (near-literal) deus ex machina saving the day this time around.
If you're a steampunk fan or new to the genre, this is shaping up to be a great series to get involved in. Especially since there are two novellas and a third entry on the way. It's definitely a 3.5 for me, as I enjoyed it far more than Iron Duke.
HURRY UP WITH MORE SCARSDALE, MELJEAN!
Heart of Steel is a follow-up to The Iron Duke, however it's not an exact continuation. This time we get to follow the adventure of two characters from the first book who vastly out-shone our previous protagonists. Archemedes Fox, the famous adventurer, returns in pursuit of two things: the lost artifacts of Leonardo Da Vinci and Yasmeen, the bad ass captain of the airship Lady Corsair.
Though I really enjoyed the first book, the only reason I chose to continue the series was because I found out Mina and Rhys, the characters of focus in Iron Duke, weren't featured in this story whatsoever. It's not that I didn't like them, I just didn't find anything all too endearing about either of them. It was Yasmeen that I fell in love with, so I jumped at the chance to read more about her. (Still waiting for a whole book about Scarsdale.)
There's plenty of adventure going on in Heart of Steel and it (fortunately) doesn't get too ridiculous with the sex. In fact, physical elements take a backseat to actual character development. Shock!
The plot gets a bit muddy halfway through, and for a while I wasn't sure who the hell the antagonist was or what their goal was. It was pretty circuitous, if you ask me. In fact, the whole murderous plot seems to wrap itself up neatly in the last two chapters. I'm noticing a trend in Meljean Brook's writing when it comes to that. Though thankfully there are no blatant (near-literal) deus ex machina saving the day this time around.
If you're a steampunk fan or new to the genre, this is shaping up to be a great series to get involved in. Especially since there are two novellas and a third entry on the way. It's definitely a 3.5 for me, as I enjoyed it far more than Iron Duke.
HURRY UP WITH MORE SCARSDALE, MELJEAN!
leabookjoy's review against another edition
4.0
4,5
A second book even better than the previous one, 2005 starts very well =)
Her last meeting with the famous adventurer Archimedes Fox having ended badly enough for him, Yasmeen, the famous captain of the Lady Corsair, has one last thing to do before flying to new adventures: going to see the sister of Archimedes Fox to tell her the news of the likely death of her brother and negotiate a percentage on the sale of the famous Leonardo da Vinci's sketch she stole from Fox before his fall. Except that Fox is far from being dead and the famous sketch he found is becoming more and more popular ...
I totally LOVE this second book !! The story is great, the characters are captivating (if I had like a little less the Iron Duke and Mina, I absolutely loved Yasmeen and Fox !! Their humor, their little fights etc etc ... AWESOME =)) and the universe is just fantastic (the Horde legends are beautiful and this book allows us to further explore this civilization that we had seen before only through the eyes of English people =))
In short, a MUST-READ !!!
A second book even better than the previous one, 2005 starts very well =)
Her last meeting with the famous adventurer Archimedes Fox having ended badly enough for him, Yasmeen, the famous captain of the Lady Corsair, has one last thing to do before flying to new adventures: going to see the sister of Archimedes Fox to tell her the news of the likely death of her brother and negotiate a percentage on the sale of the famous Leonardo da Vinci's sketch she stole from Fox before his fall. Except that Fox is far from being dead and the famous sketch he found is becoming more and more popular ...
I totally LOVE this second book !! The story is great, the characters are captivating (if I had like a little less the Iron Duke and Mina, I absolutely loved Yasmeen and Fox !! Their humor, their little fights etc etc ... AWESOME =)) and the universe is just fantastic (the Horde legends are beautiful and this book allows us to further explore this civilization that we had seen before only through the eyes of English people =))
In short, a MUST-READ !!!
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
5.0
No one does world building like Meljean Brook, it's complicated, complex and above all addictive. I forgot about the sheer depth of this new world history and feel like I should have re-read the Iron Duke just before this to refresh my memory.
Yasmeen is a beautifully strong heroine, she's an inspiration to read and I was so ridiculously happy to see this characterisation stay steady throughout the book. Her perfect pairing of Archimedes Fox only adds to the enjoyment of the novel as they swashbuckle their way around the world.
Yasmeen is a beautifully strong heroine, she's an inspiration to read and I was so ridiculously happy to see this characterisation stay steady throughout the book. Her perfect pairing of Archimedes Fox only adds to the enjoyment of the novel as they swashbuckle their way around the world.