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43rd out of 167 books
—
487 voters
Heart of Brass (Clockwork Agents #1)
by
Kate Cross
Arden is an undercover agent for one of the most powerful organizations of this steam powered world—the Wardens of the Realm—a group with extraordinary abilities, dedicated to protecting England against evil.
Arden Grey enjoys a life most women in 1898 London can’t even dream of: She has the social status, wealth, and independence of a countess. She also has the ability to...more
Arden Grey enjoys a life most women in 1898 London can’t even dream of: She has the social status, wealth, and independence of a countess. She also has the ability to...more
Mass Market Paperback, 371 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by Signet Eclipse
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เคท ครอสไม่ใช่นักเขียนหน้าใหม่ เธอคือร่างแปลงของนักเขียนที่มีประสบการณ์โชกโชน หนึ่งในนามปากกาที่เธอใช้เยอะที่สุด (แต่ตอนนี้ไม่ได้ใช้แล้ว) ก็คือ แคธลีน สมิท ซึ่งเขียนเรื่องแนวย้อนยุคเป็นหลัก ความรู้สึกที่เรามีต่อนักเขียนคนนี้ก็คือ เธอเป็นนักเขียนที่ไล่ตามกระแส นั่นคือไม่ว่ากระแสเรื่องแนวไหนมาแรง เธอก็จะเกาะกระแสแล้วเขียนเรื่องแนวนั้นด้วย ไม่ว่าจะเป็นย้อนยุค, แวมไพร์, แฟนตาซีในเมือง, YA, หรือกระทั่งสตีมพังค์
ดังนั้นเมื่อหยิบเล่มนี้ขึ้นมาอ่าน เราไม่คาดหวังมากนัก เธอเป็นนักเขียนที่อยู่ในระดับที่อ่านฆ...more
ดังนั้นเมื่อหยิบเล่มนี้ขึ้นมาอ่าน เราไม่คาดหวังมากนัก เธอเป็นนักเขียนที่อยู่ในระดับที่อ่านฆ...more
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A fascinating steampunk spy novel complete with a heartwarming reunion.
Opening Sentence: “You shouldn’t go in there, ma’am. ‘Tis no place for a lady.”
The Review:
You know, as I have stated before, I am still fairly new to the genre of steampunk as a whole, and so apparently is my spell check. But the more I read of it, the more I like it. And the costumes look so fun!
In the city of London in the Age of Steam (so says page one) there resides a...more
Quick & Dirty: A fascinating steampunk spy novel complete with a heartwarming reunion.
Opening Sentence: “You shouldn’t go in there, ma’am. ‘Tis no place for a lady.”
The Review:
You know, as I have stated before, I am still fairly new to the genre of steampunk as a whole, and so apparently is my spell check. But the more I read of it, the more I like it. And the costumes look so fun!
In the city of London in the Age of Steam (so says page one) there resides a...more
Although her husband has been missing for 7 years, Arden Grey - inventor, secret agent for the Crown, and consultant to Scotland Yard, refuses to quit hoping that he is still alive. Yet she wonders if she's lost her sanity when she catches a glimpse of his face while she is leaving the scene of a murder investigation.
Five is a Company assassin who has never failed in an assignment - until today, there is just something about the woman he's supposed to kill that gave him pause and he let the opp...more
Five is a Company assassin who has never failed in an assignment - until today, there is just something about the woman he's supposed to kill that gave him pause and he let the opp...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
"Arden, you are my life. I don't want anything else." (370)
Lots to like about this steampunk romance, but lots to frustrate, too.
Likes: strong, nuanced characters who reveal more layers as the story progresses; second-chance relationship; fun inventions to cure female "hysteria"; a romantic relationship purportedly focused on the equality of the partners
Frustrations: underdeveloped world-building (just what is the Company, and why is it opposed to the Wardens of the Realm?); two suspense plotli...more
Lots to like about this steampunk romance, but lots to frustrate, too.
Likes: strong, nuanced characters who reveal more layers as the story progresses; second-chance relationship; fun inventions to cure female "hysteria"; a romantic relationship purportedly focused on the equality of the partners
Frustrations: underdeveloped world-building (just what is the Company, and why is it opposed to the Wardens of the Realm?); two suspense plotli...more
A delightful and entertaining read that combines historical scenarios, romance, mystery, and some sci-fi stuff. It is a new literary excursion for me into the steam punk world and one that has already hooked me. It is also about the struggles of 19th century women to obtain respect as medical professionals, while doing the grunt work of a medical examiner in circumstances that weren't very wholesome--without freezing compartments for bodies, and such. It also features some very graphic descripti...more
Recommended for the 18+ crowd.
Cross expands on characters mentioned in her teen steampunk series, but without making the books dependent on each other, which I thought was an excellent twist.
I LOVED the story line, wonderfully thought out and both sweet and exciting, I can't wait for the new one in Dec. The only reason I didn't rate this book higher is because of the amount of sexual content, a bit more than I like, especially outside of romance novels where I expect to encounter it. The romanc...more
Cross expands on characters mentioned in her teen steampunk series, but without making the books dependent on each other, which I thought was an excellent twist.
I LOVED the story line, wonderfully thought out and both sweet and exciting, I can't wait for the new one in Dec. The only reason I didn't rate this book higher is because of the amount of sexual content, a bit more than I like, especially outside of romance novels where I expect to encounter it. The romanc...more
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Another new series from Kate Cross, this time featuring the Clockwork Agents who are the Wardens of the Realm. Arden Grey, Lady Huntley is waiting from her husband, Lucas, Lord Huntley to return from his mission for the W.O.R. He has been missing for seven years. Arden wears a chain from her nose to her ear for each year, Luke has been gone. She has spent her time becoming a agent in her own right, as well as inventing all kinds of marvelous machinery. Then Luke appears on the streets of London,...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2012/05/review-...
Favorite Quote: “She drove him to distraction, frustrated him, amazed him, and made him what to do better.“
Arden Grey, Countess Huntley, has everything a woman of the 19th century could want. Wealth, status, and independence. Everything except her husband. The Earl of Huntley disappeared seven years ago while on a mission for a secret government agency called the Wardens. Arden knows her husband is still alive and has never given up ho...more
Favorite Quote: “She drove him to distraction, frustrated him, amazed him, and made him what to do better.“
Arden Grey, Countess Huntley, has everything a woman of the 19th century could want. Wealth, status, and independence. Everything except her husband. The Earl of Huntley disappeared seven years ago while on a mission for a secret government agency called the Wardens. Arden knows her husband is still alive and has never given up ho...more
Steam punk fiction is the newest and most fun genre of romance novels on the market (in my humble opinion). This is the first book in a new series by Kate Cross. It was great fun getting to know Arden and watching Luke get to know his wife again. I thoroughly enjoyed the gadgets that are a cross between new and old technology.
My favorite part of steam punk fiction is the fact that the women are strong, smart, sassy, and capable of taking care of themselves. But, even though they are fiercely ind...more
My favorite part of steam punk fiction is the fact that the women are strong, smart, sassy, and capable of taking care of themselves. But, even though they are fiercely ind...more
the steampunk element of the book is amazing! lots of inventions that definetly took me by surprised at what they can do. the heroine was great! she had courage and most definetly portrayed the opposite of a lady. liked the fact that she depended on alcohol. the mystery was good too. i kept changing my mind on who could be the traitor of the W.O.R and the Debutante Killer.
the only thing that was a bit disappointing was in how they captured the bad guy. i thought either she or he or both would c...more
the only thing that was a bit disappointing was in how they captured the bad guy. i thought either she or he or both would c...more
Interestingly enough, this book opened almost the same way that The Perfect Poison did, which since I was reading this while listening to that caused a little confusion. They very quickly distinguished themselves however. Heart of Brass is, unsurprisingly, a steampunk romance novel. I’d say it has about as much of a mix of romance and mystery/thriller as The Perfect Poison does. It is also the first in a planned series.
Almost seven years ago Luke Grey, Lord Huntley, left his young wife, Arden,...more
Almost seven years ago Luke Grey, Lord Huntley, left his young wife, Arden,...more
This book was fantastic. I've already re-read it a handful of times. I love the character of Arden, even though she was so stubborn it drive me crazy at times. Ms. Cross writes extremely evocatively, there were times when my heart was in my throat as I waited for what would happen next. I love how Lucas came back into her life, and I loved how it wasn't like, "here he is, he's back, life is wonderful again" There was a period of transition and you saw clearly how both Arden and Lucas struggled w...more
I'll admit that I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up Heart of Brass. I knew it was steampunk and that it was first in a new series, but beyond that I didn't have any real expectations. As it turns out, I ended up getting good suspense, a romance that I liked, and interesting leads. The secondary characters could have been fleshed out more, and the plot pacing felt a bit off on occasion, but this definitely seems like a series worth following.
This is a partial review. You can find...more
This is a partial review. You can find...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 06, 2013
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
steampunk or romance fans
Shelves:
steampunk
This was such a pleasant surprise! I was hooked from the start! Arden's husband has been presumed dead for 7 years, but she soon learns he has been captured by an enemy, had all his memories wiped out.. and oh yeah, he is sent to kill her! And thus begins a beautiful love story!
It's really special when an author can make you feel like there has been a whole history with this couple, and suddenly all you want is to see them find their way back to each other. We may not have seen them fall in love...more
It's really special when an author can make you feel like there has been a whole history with this couple, and suddenly all you want is to see them find their way back to each other. We may not have seen them fall in love...more
I'm really starting to like steampunk. The more books I read in this genre, the more I like it. It's just so different from the books I normally read, that's probably the reason why I like it so much.
I loved the wonderful steampunk world and all of the fascinating gadgets Kate Cross created in Heart of Brass. One of my favorite gadgets was the helmet that records a person's memories, I thought that one was brilliant!
I adored Arden in this book, she was such a smart and strong heroine. I can't...more
I loved the wonderful steampunk world and all of the fascinating gadgets Kate Cross created in Heart of Brass. One of my favorite gadgets was the helmet that records a person's memories, I thought that one was brilliant!
I adored Arden in this book, she was such a smart and strong heroine. I can't...more
After reading God Save The Queen by the same author under a different pen name Kate Locke, I was expecting something just as spectacular.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Heart of Brass is a weak romance novel with a tiny bit of steampunk, and it's such a pity as well, peeps!
Arden could have been an awesome heroine. She makes fantastic mechanical inventions, she even invented a vibrating ring for women which sells like hot cakes, she assists Scotland Yard in murder investigations with the help...more
Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Heart of Brass is a weak romance novel with a tiny bit of steampunk, and it's such a pity as well, peeps!
Arden could have been an awesome heroine. She makes fantastic mechanical inventions, she even invented a vibrating ring for women which sells like hot cakes, she assists Scotland Yard in murder investigations with the help...more
I very much enjoyed this book. It was sweet, sexy, and had great Steampunk elements. I very much look forward to the sequel.
Recommended & Honorable Mention
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes
Gore: Yes
Rape: No
Magic: Steampunk elemants that aren't quite science, but not quite magic.
Drugs: Alcohol
Star Categories
Romance: 4.5 Stars
Action: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Writing: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel---*-------Badass
The Female lead in this is smart, resourceful, and a bit...more
Recommended & Honorable Mention
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes
Gore: Yes
Rape: No
Magic: Steampunk elemants that aren't quite science, but not quite magic.
Drugs: Alcohol
Star Categories
Romance: 4.5 Stars
Action: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Writing: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel---*-------Badass
The Female lead in this is smart, resourceful, and a bit...more
This book was ok, but lacked a bit of zip. The steampunk element never felt deeply integrated into the story--like one simple revision would scrub off all the steampunk elements.
I also felt that Luke's memory returned a bit easily for how long he was immersed in his other life. Seven years is a long time to be made to be someone else, and I felt the transformation just started too easily.
I also felt that Luke's memory returned a bit easily for how long he was immersed in his other life. Seven years is a long time to be made to be someone else, and I felt the transformation just started too easily.
This was interesting. This is only my second attempt to reading steampunk and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I feel that this could have been written as a historical romance and been just as good.
In this story a woman gets the her husband back after he's been gone for seven years. He may not remember her at first, since he's been sent to kill her, but the bond that ties them together is strong.
In this story a woman gets the her husband back after he's been gone for seven years. He may not remember her at first, since he's been sent to kill her, but the bond that ties them together is strong.
If a steampunk romance is supposed to be clunky then I've given this a false rating. The idea of a steam punk series is au courant but this is a book that grinds it's cogs, too much detail about machines in poor descriptves & not enough detail as to why there are rival factions fighting.
I was slightly intrigued with my first attempt at a Steam Punk Romance...but it seemed to plod along and finally at about 1/3 into it, I just stopped caring and could't finish. neither the dialogue, the "villain", nor the characters seemed to grab me.
I just felt like the plot dragged on forever. Combined with the fact that none of the characters were really dynamic or interesting at the very least.. it just wasn't a good read for me.
3.5 stars- New steampunk series. Interesting concept and pretty good world building.
Lucas and Arden
Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Lucas and Arden
Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
I loved this book!! And they actually talked through their misunderstandings instead of flouncing off dramatically. Cant wait for the next one! (hope they have a few cameo paragraphs if not chapters!)
Loved this book! It was an enchanting foray into the world of SteamPunk! I can't wait to read more.
This is the first of a series. It is Steampunk genre but also a romance.
I really enjoyed this book!! I can't wait for the next one!!
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