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elliefufu 's review for:
Touch of Steel
by Kate Cross
Touch of Steel, Clockwork Agents #2, by Kate Cross
Grade: A
“You try to be so hard and tough, but beneath that you are a good man, and no woman can resist that. I don’t care how well-trained or determined she is. You will make her want to please you, to win your trust and the ultimate prize of your heart, and then she’s lost.”
Claire Brooks has been a spy for The Company, an American spy agency, since she was fifteen years old and joined with her brother Robert. Claire, aka The Dove, has betrayed her agency and is out for revenge on the man who killed Robert in a fire. On the hunt Claire is shot and ends up in The Warden’s, the British spy agency, custody where she is shocked to be shown kindness and a chance to get her revenge by switching sides. Claire will do anything to avenge her brother’s death and agrees to accompany Alastair Payne to capture the men involved.
Alastair Payne, Earl of Wolfred, always knew he would be a Warden just like his mother and father were but he never expected to be double crossed by her former mistress and left for dead. Now more robot than man Alastair is determined to show everyone that he is a good spy and won’t let a woman get the best of him again. Until he meets Claire Brooks. Claire is not to be trusted but the more time together Alastair sees deeper into her soul and why she needs revenge. The love affair could ruin them both or cost them their lives but they both know it can only end in heartache.
Touch of Steel is hands down the best steampunk-romance book that I have read in 2012 and maybe ever. The world Kate Cross has created is amazingly complex with spies, double crossings and everyone out to save their way of life. Nothing is this world is perfect and both Claire and Alastair have their share of tragedies and hardships that make them the driven people they are. The blend of the Victorian Age with the autotrons, and wonderful gadgets that Arden comes up with make this a world that I never want to leave.
We meet Alastair in the first book Heart of Brass and he comes full circle in Touch of Steel and I liked him so much better this time around. Alastair wants nothing to do with Claire but he knows how valuable she is at bringing down important people in the company. The more time he spends with her he learns what we readers already know: she’s an amazing woman who fights for what she loves and will do anything for the people close to her. He can’t help falling for her and the adventure they go on is an amazing ride of twists, turns and some very steamy scenes.
Claire is one of my new favorite heroines and she is a badass. She hangs with the boys, is an amazing spy and has a fan made with knives. I want to be her when I grow up so badly. Claire is on a mission and nothing will stop her from reaching her goal except her feelings that develop for Alastair. There is a huge plot twist towards the end of the book and it throws Claire’s world upside down.
I can’t say much more without giving too much away but this book is mind blowing. If you love steampunk as much as I do you must read this series that is only getting better. I can’t wait for the next book because these are now at the top of my Must Read Pile.
Grade: A
“You try to be so hard and tough, but beneath that you are a good man, and no woman can resist that. I don’t care how well-trained or determined she is. You will make her want to please you, to win your trust and the ultimate prize of your heart, and then she’s lost.”
Claire Brooks has been a spy for The Company, an American spy agency, since she was fifteen years old and joined with her brother Robert. Claire, aka The Dove, has betrayed her agency and is out for revenge on the man who killed Robert in a fire. On the hunt Claire is shot and ends up in The Warden’s, the British spy agency, custody where she is shocked to be shown kindness and a chance to get her revenge by switching sides. Claire will do anything to avenge her brother’s death and agrees to accompany Alastair Payne to capture the men involved.
Alastair Payne, Earl of Wolfred, always knew he would be a Warden just like his mother and father were but he never expected to be double crossed by her former mistress and left for dead. Now more robot than man Alastair is determined to show everyone that he is a good spy and won’t let a woman get the best of him again. Until he meets Claire Brooks. Claire is not to be trusted but the more time together Alastair sees deeper into her soul and why she needs revenge. The love affair could ruin them both or cost them their lives but they both know it can only end in heartache.
Touch of Steel is hands down the best steampunk-romance book that I have read in 2012 and maybe ever. The world Kate Cross has created is amazingly complex with spies, double crossings and everyone out to save their way of life. Nothing is this world is perfect and both Claire and Alastair have their share of tragedies and hardships that make them the driven people they are. The blend of the Victorian Age with the autotrons, and wonderful gadgets that Arden comes up with make this a world that I never want to leave.
We meet Alastair in the first book Heart of Brass and he comes full circle in Touch of Steel and I liked him so much better this time around. Alastair wants nothing to do with Claire but he knows how valuable she is at bringing down important people in the company. The more time he spends with her he learns what we readers already know: she’s an amazing woman who fights for what she loves and will do anything for the people close to her. He can’t help falling for her and the adventure they go on is an amazing ride of twists, turns and some very steamy scenes.
Claire is one of my new favorite heroines and she is a badass. She hangs with the boys, is an amazing spy and has a fan made with knives. I want to be her when I grow up so badly. Claire is on a mission and nothing will stop her from reaching her goal except her feelings that develop for Alastair. There is a huge plot twist towards the end of the book and it throws Claire’s world upside down.
I can’t say much more without giving too much away but this book is mind blowing. If you love steampunk as much as I do you must read this series that is only getting better. I can’t wait for the next book because these are now at the top of my Must Read Pile.