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amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This has been on my To-Be-Read List for a long time, and it did not disappoint. In fact, I gained more than I anticipated with it. I wasn't expecting such a unique supernatural element to it, especially when it came to Cedar's story. The world building is stellar and highly unique to the steampunk genre. As usual, the characters are spectacular. I honestly can't pick a favourite. Cedar, Mae, Rose, and the Madder brothers are fantastic and I could read about their adventures all day every day. The villains were positively wicked and it was tense reading about what they planned to do to the poor main characters. Monk's writing is absolutely beautiful in its construction––terrific dialogue, fabulous flow, and invigorating descriptions. While at first I thought big secrets were being revealed too early, every element lead up to a kick-ass finale and an epilogue that begs for more books. I had such a good time reading this book, it has all the elements that I love in a steampunk story: Unique magic relating to metal and gears, instantly loveable characters and hate-able villains, hardcore action, and awesome world-building. Definitely something to check out if you like steampunk, westerns, and one hell of a fun story!
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a good seven or eight chapters before I really started to be drawn in to the story, but after that reading was much easier and more enjoyable. The viewpoint shifted from Cedar, to Mae, to Jeb, to Rose, to Shard LeFel, to Mr. Shunt. I think my favorite characters are the Madder brothers, Rose, and Cedar. There doesn't really seem to be any real indication of possible romance in this book, but maybe in the second or third book there will be something. I don't know; I could see a few different options for later. I probably won't get around to reading Cold Copper for a little while, but eventually I'll finish the trilogy.
rvmama's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first Devon Monk book and I really liked it! Interesting world, characters and plot. Really looking forward to the next book.
nuttkayc's review against another edition
3.0
I like steampunk, but I think this was too much of the wild west flavoured steampunk. It's okay. But I'm not tempted to read any further.
adowling's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first steam punk book and I loved it. Normally the third person books that jump from the pov of characters drives me insane but Devon Monk did not disappointment in least, well written. I loved the main character Cedar and his curse by the gods. Mae is an interesting character as well in the way in which she works magic. The Madder brothers are a mystery that I can't wait to read more about. Bring on the Age of Steam Ms Monk!
vikingwolf's review against another edition
I bought this book on the basis of having enjoyed another series by Devon Monk, even though this whole steampunk thing doesn't greatly appeal to me. Well I wish I had listened to my instincts as I really couldn't find anything in this book that I liked. The characters were dull and cold and not that interesting. The plot did not grab me. I just wasn't really interested in continuing with it so it was abandoned.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
My thoughts:
Steampunk Western, could it be more fun, I think not ;) What other can I say than that steampunk fits really well there.
In this America we meet Cedar Hunt, he is cursed to become a wolf during the moon and then he hunts the Strange. Most folks do not believe in the Strange, but they are out there causing mischief. They are those things you only have nightmares about and then try to forget, and they follow the railway across the land. Cedar is a very conflicted man who hates his curse and he does not spend a lot of time around other people. But then I always did like mysterious brooding men.
The book is about a missing child. A man who wants revenge and is willing to kill many for it. A mysterious device that has been turned dark. A witch looking for her husband. A young woman who is a bit strange. 3 brothers mining the mountains and dark things that go bump in the night. All these things and people are connected and form the story. And in the middle we have Cedar who just wants to lift his curse and mourn his brother. It turns into a great story but I shall not tell you all. Bit by bit things fall into place as we learn who the bad guy is and what he wants and why everyone is connected. It is like those matics they build in this world, piece by piece. It is a land of steam in the end. Steam and magic together even if most do not believe in the latter.
I like how she mixed all these things. Old magic, new technology pieced together and the Wild West. It just seems to come together so nicely and I do like my steampunk world with a bit of magic and beings from tales of old.
Conclusion:
A good start to this steampunk series. And it did make me wonder what is coming next. Now I can't go and spoil things for you so I will not say anything more. But I do wonder ;) I enjoyed it and I will be interested to see what she comes up with next for Cedar.
Rating:
Good
Steampunk Western, could it be more fun, I think not ;) What other can I say than that steampunk fits really well there.
In this America we meet Cedar Hunt, he is cursed to become a wolf during the moon and then he hunts the Strange. Most folks do not believe in the Strange, but they are out there causing mischief. They are those things you only have nightmares about and then try to forget, and they follow the railway across the land. Cedar is a very conflicted man who hates his curse and he does not spend a lot of time around other people. But then I always did like mysterious brooding men.
The book is about a missing child. A man who wants revenge and is willing to kill many for it. A mysterious device that has been turned dark. A witch looking for her husband. A young woman who is a bit strange. 3 brothers mining the mountains and dark things that go bump in the night. All these things and people are connected and form the story. And in the middle we have Cedar who just wants to lift his curse and mourn his brother. It turns into a great story but I shall not tell you all. Bit by bit things fall into place as we learn who the bad guy is and what he wants and why everyone is connected. It is like those matics they build in this world, piece by piece. It is a land of steam in the end. Steam and magic together even if most do not believe in the latter.
I like how she mixed all these things. Old magic, new technology pieced together and the Wild West. It just seems to come together so nicely and I do like my steampunk world with a bit of magic and beings from tales of old.
Conclusion:
A good start to this steampunk series. And it did make me wonder what is coming next. Now I can't go and spoil things for you so I will not say anything more. But I do wonder ;) I enjoyed it and I will be interested to see what she comes up with next for Cedar.
Rating:
Good
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I don't know who here as watched the TV shows 'Wild, Wild West' or 'Briscoe County, Jr' (starring my *boyfriend*, Bruce Campbell), but, for me, reading this book was like watching a supremely excellent episode of one of those shows. I now have my favorite style of steampunk and it is written by the highly fab Devon Monk (http://www.devonmonk.com/).
I know others prefer their steampunk set in Victorian times or other alternate history and I've read and highly dug them, but this is now my favorite.
There's the rustic of the Wild West with the saloons and general store, stables and blacksmith. And there's the mystery of the paranormal and the things that steam and iron make things go forward or go boom. It's a very hypnotic combo. I really cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
A big bowl of rough and tumble diamonds.....
I know others prefer their steampunk set in Victorian times or other alternate history and I've read and highly dug them, but this is now my favorite.
There's the rustic of the Wild West with the saloons and general store, stables and blacksmith. And there's the mystery of the paranormal and the things that steam and iron make things go forward or go boom. It's a very hypnotic combo. I really cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
A big bowl of rough and tumble diamonds.....
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
Steampunk can be hit or miss with me but this story was a definite hit. It blended elements of a good old-fashioned western with the marvels of steampunk gadgetry seamlessly. Throw in a supernatural element, a pinch of magic, a dash of a hope of a sweet romance, then top it off with interesting characters and I was hooked.
hlizmarie's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book and it has plenty of interesting characters but it never clicked. I think in another frame of mind or mood I would enjoy it but it's just not working for me right now. Maybe I'll come back to it someday...