A review by missie_bee
Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

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