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reginaexmachina's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know why it took me forever to read this since I liked the first book enough. While I like the world building going on in this book I wasn't as in love with the characters. I found them interesting but I feel like I was more emotionally attached to the the couple in the first book. Regardless I did enjoy it and look forward to more in the series.
virginiaduan's review against another edition
3.0
Another solid entry in this world! Lots of adventure, romance, and airships - what's not to enjoy and like? I find her resolutions a bit quick, but not entirely unsatisfying. Can't wait for the next one!
sarakate0712's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really loving this world. So unique and fascinating. I was sucked in for the whole story. Audio of this has been pretty good so far.
cranberrytarts's review against another edition
5.0
I love the world Meljean has created with her steampunk series. I have two complaints about this book. 1) it ended. 2) it ended and there aren't any other books in the series that I haven't read.
schomj's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read: Still really enjoyed this one. Archimedes and Yasmeen are adorable. Can't quite give it 5 stars because the pacing gets a bit sloggy towards the end, but knowing how little dollops of information that Brook scatters about will get used in later stories was very fun.
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This series is so much better than the man-tittie covers. I can't want for that trend to end. Anyway, about the actual story...
I liked the world building, especially how instead of the "look at the cool gadget, clothing item or other accoutrement" obsession that mars much of the steampunk I've read, Ms. Brook allows those elements to mostly stay in the background. They're there, but they don't get in the way of the story. I also like how much attention she pays to getting the sociopolitical elements of this alternate world right. It's not just a light glossing over of this reality, but the way the different cultures, alliances, beliefs and languages are portrayed reflect a complete and well thought-out world.
I also liked the characters, both primary and secondary. I liked that Yasmeen and Archimedes are their own people, both in the sense of being fully developed and mature, but also that they're really different from previous romantic leads in the series. It makes me wonder what Ms. Brook has in mind for future installments. I also liked that we have the opportunity to watch Yasmeen and Archimedes fall in love. (There was an early attraction, but no insta-love, no destined mates, no dickhead "alpha" nonsense.)
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This series is so much better than the man-tittie covers. I can't want for that trend to end. Anyway, about the actual story...
I liked the world building, especially how instead of the "look at the cool gadget, clothing item or other accoutrement" obsession that mars much of the steampunk I've read, Ms. Brook allows those elements to mostly stay in the background. They're there, but they don't get in the way of the story. I also like how much attention she pays to getting the sociopolitical elements of this alternate world right. It's not just a light glossing over of this reality, but the way the different cultures, alliances, beliefs and languages are portrayed reflect a complete and well thought-out world.
I also liked the characters, both primary and secondary. I liked that Yasmeen and Archimedes are their own people, both in the sense of being fully developed and mature, but also that they're really different from previous romantic leads in the series. It makes me wonder what Ms. Brook has in mind for future installments. I also liked that we have the opportunity to watch Yasmeen and Archimedes fall in love. (There was an early attraction, but no insta-love, no destined mates, no dickhead "alpha" nonsense.)
missie_bee's review against another edition
3.0
I had really hoped to love this book as much as it's predecessor, The Iron Duke, but, unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the same mark for me.
Determined to seek vengeance against those that destroyed her airship and murdered its crew, Captain Corsair had no intention of letting anyone stand in her away, least of all the man who declares his desire to fall in love with her, Archimedes Fox. But as they embark on a dangerous journey to recover a priceless da Vinci sketch and discover who's responsible for all that she lost, Yasmeen quickly learns that even her heart of steel can bend for love.
Author Meljean Brook really upped the interface of the Iron Seas world in Heart of Steel. It's intensely complex and filled to the brim with intricate and delicate details. Because of that, it's also overwhelming, and I don't think listening to the book on audio was the best way for me to follow along.
While listening to Heart of Steel, there were several times I simply got lost. It became rather tricky to keep up with all the characters and the political intel. Plus, I didn't really feel any chemistry between the title characters, which caused me to lose interest in the story. I think part of the reason was that the narrator was so animated with their voices, a character quirk which I enjoyed The Iron Duke audiobook because it was in small doses, but in Heart of Steel, the characters felt more like caricatures than people capable of passionate emotions and heated encounters.
I really couldn't help but compare the two novels and that was another reason why I didn't enjoy Heart of Steel as much. In The Iron Duke, every moment between Rhys and Mina was wanton, palpable and desperate. The relationship that forms between Yasmeen and Fox felt artificial, and I was disappointed that it lacked sexual tension. Their courtship seemed like is was based on antics rather than desire. Also, I was a bit disappointed that Mina and Rhys didn't make an appearance because I absolutely love them, but was happy to see Eben and Ivy from Here There Be Monsters in a few notable scenes.
I may have to give Heart of Steel another go in a different format to see if my opinion changes, but overall, I do think the world in the Iron Seas is a fun and fascinating one to explore, and I'm looking forward to more tales in this series.
rating: 3.5
http://www.theunreadreader.com/2011/11/audiobook-review-heart-of-steel.html
suzrae73's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't feel it was as good as the first, but did enjoy getting to know Yasmeen better and LOVED Archimedes Fox! Some boring parts that I struggled thru, but ultimately I enjoyed it and looking forward to the next installment.....
lady_logomancer's review against another edition
4.0
Fun little enemies to lovers steampunk
Romp. I loved it.
Romp. I loved it.
see_sadie_read's review
4.0
4.5
Well, we have another winner! I very much enjoyed Yasmeen and Archimedes' story. Yasmeen was a great, strong female lead and Archimedes was like an anti-alpha. The man had some definite subby tendencies that I found adorable.
Though the world-building is as impressive as in the first book, I didn't feel the plot was quite as expansive. Therefore, I wasn't as wowed here as I had been with The Iron Duke (though I still really liked it).
I also thought Yasmeen's attitude toward Archimedes seemed to shift suddenly and without a lot of clear reasons, especially considering how vested she was in not falling in love. Plus, as I've seen frequently in romances, the deeper in love she fell the weepier she became. This especially annoyed me as she was otherwise so...well, not unemotional, as she's passionate and full of emotion, but also not one inclined to the softer emotions. Tears seem drastically out of character.
Despite a few little niggles, I'm in love with this series and hope my local library gets the rest of the series.
Well, we have another winner! I very much enjoyed Yasmeen and Archimedes' story. Yasmeen was a great, strong female lead and Archimedes was like an anti-alpha. The man had some definite subby tendencies that I found adorable.
Though the world-building is as impressive as in the first book, I didn't feel the plot was quite as expansive. Therefore, I wasn't as wowed here as I had been with The Iron Duke (though I still really liked it).
I also thought Yasmeen's attitude toward Archimedes seemed to shift suddenly and without a lot of clear reasons, especially considering how vested she was in not falling in love. Plus, as I've seen frequently in romances, the deeper in love she fell the weepier she became. This especially annoyed me as she was otherwise so...well, not unemotional, as she's passionate and full of emotion, but also not one inclined to the softer emotions. Tears seem drastically out of character.
Despite a few little niggles, I'm in love with this series and hope my local library gets the rest of the series.
laurla's review against another edition
"riding the sheets on a handsome man."
"it is simply difficult to know that i offer nothing at all to the woman i'm falling in love with."
"you offer me nothing? stupid man. you already give me what few men could. it is rare the man who has the confidence to let me be what i am."
"it is simply difficult to know that i offer nothing at all to the woman i'm falling in love with."
"you offer me nothing? stupid man. you already give me what few men could. it is rare the man who has the confidence to let me be what i am."