The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1)

Jan 24, 2011 Ceridwen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: drunk-book-reviews, for-teh-ladies, rbrs, steampunk, zombies, pirates

So, first off, this is drunk book review, so swearing and general incoherence is going to be an issue. If you want a more cogent review you should check out others, like Elizabeth's or Lightread's or Kat's. It's possible I'll make those into links, but not likely. We'll see.

The alternate history in this book is pretty amazing. So amazing that I I spent a lot of time ignoring the weird rape fantasy stuff that was going on in the foreground. I totally didn't intent to start talking about the rape...more So, first off, this is drunk book review, so swearing and general incoherence is going to be an issue. If you want a more cogent review you should check out others, like Elizabeth's or Lightread's or Kat's. It's possible I'll make those into links, but not likely. We'll see.

The alternate history in this book is pretty amazing. So amazing that I I spent a lot of time ignoring the weird rape fantasy stuff that was going on in the foreground. I totally didn't intent to start talking about the rape stuff this early, but I think it's probably so integral to the plot that it's hard to ignore. Two hundred years earlier to the actions of this book, an imperialist power, the Mongol Horde, took over England using nanoagnents, which made the population of England into docile slaves. Periodically, the Horde would make everyone all sex crazy, in order to increase the population, called the Frenzies. Two hundred years of this, and you would thing the population would be pretty mixed race. Apparently not. Our protagonist, a woman named Mina, is the result of a Frenzy. Her mother is petty nobility and her father Horde. She puts up with a lot of crap for this, because she has Asian features. Lots of people with Asian features were murdered in the Revolution that happened when the Horde control was ended, but I'm still back at thinking that so many people would be part-Asian that it would be a non-issue. Still, whatever. I didn't write this book.

Anyway, Mina is now an inspector in the police force. Some of this book is a bloody wonderful exploration of race and gender and socio-political fucking whatnot, and then part of it is completely insane. The main man, the Iron Duke, vacillates between being some sort of evil raping fuck-stick and a sensitive New Age guy, heretofore to be referred to as a SNAG, and it's in the vacillation that I have a problem.

Okay. Let me try to break it down. Mina meets the Iron Duke when someone has tossed a dead body from a dirigible into his estate. I am all fucking in here; this is fun, and then it gets super fun and starts running around a really hard London, with real political motivations for what people are doing. But. But still the “love story” keeps intruding. At mid-book, when our principles had bolted down on a dirigible and started in with the sex, I was fucking irritated as shit. Godamn it, lovers, get out of the way of the plot! You are ruining a perfectly reasonable alt history with your throbbings and groins!

I got over the sex stuff a bit when I realized it was about coming to terms with rape, in some ways. Both Mina and the Iron Duke have problems with histories of sexual violence. Mina was overtaken during a Frenzy. making her consent a non-issue. But she's still really shaky with her sexual feelings, and that seems fair and real. She was with a female friend at the time, which is treated slightly pruriently, but not entirely so. The Duke was sold into sexual slavery, and my only problem with the characterization is that the customers were female. No. Not to be an asshole here, but generally people who want to fuck 14 year old boys are men. But for some reason buggery would make him less of and alpha male, so we are not to speak of this. Fine.

UM SPOILERS MAYBE

Anyway, they sort of work out the domination/consent thing, and then, at the very end, it goes totally rape-y. Totally rape-y. Like, literally no means yes. I don't even like using the word literally, but that's what happened here. She said no, and then he stuck his Iron Cock inside her and she was all LOLbabiesmarriage. Um, whut? This whole book is so tricky because of the romance part, because I'm weirded out by the marriage thing that Mina's mother has going on. And weirded out by the ownership and rape angle in the central couple. WTF?

Um, okay, back to the marriage thing. Mina's mother blinded herself when she found out she had a Horde-baby, which kills me a little. But two decades later, the family seems to work, mostly. Mina's mother is crusader for marriage, which has mostly dropped off as an institution under Horde control. She's trying to make marriage an option again, in a way that makes me itch all over my body. Mina brings up some salient criticisms, like that her parents are pretty exceptional in that they love each other and accepted a baby onto their lives born of rape, but that that is not always the case. But, um, what?

Still, whatever, there's something totally readable here. The world-building is totally awesome, and it kills me that I can't love this more that I can. I'm still freaked out. I hope in the next book there is less rape-y weirdness and I will be all in. Fuck yeah.

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Jan 17, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kat-s-book-reviews, romance-romance-romance, should-have-been-bad

This is the third novel I've read belabelled Steampunk and so far it is the best.

Unlike Clare's rendition of Clockwork Angel, Brook's The Iron Duke doesn't nervously flirt with Steampunk but wantonly embraces it like a Steampunk addict chasing after its next hit.

Similarly to Carriger's Soulless, The Iron Duke is heavy on romance though with far more satisfying love scenes and lacking in the supernatural, paranormal element.

No, Brook understands Steampunk and she executed it well, creating a worl...more

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Sep 19, 2010 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, romance, series, first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, to-buy, bad-childhood, crime-police-mystery-private-invest, england, excellent, fantasy-paranormal-sci-fi, historical, halfbreed, read-2010, rape-abuse, zombie, adventure

I won this ARC in a contest at Dear Author.

I have a confession to make... I was afraid to read this book. I have a serious love affair with this author's Guardian series. I mean, how many of my Goodreads friends did I nag into reading it lately? Five? I know they finally broke down and read it just to shut me up, but that's okay, because they loved it anyway and I got more people to talk about it with. So, I was afraid something would happen and I wouldn't be able to get into the new series and...more

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Jan 18, 2011 karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-that-bodice-ripper-group

zombies. kraken. pirates. automatons. marriage reform. nanotech. mongols. just another classic steampunk romance, right? or maybe not - this is my first one.

it was crazy - none of the other bodice rippers wanted to read the shapeshifter romance!! come on guys!!shapeshifters!!! romance!!! i am so curious about the mechanics of it, but i am not going to read one without the protective cloak of the rest of the rippers.

so -steampunk...

i mean, honestly, there wasn't anything wrong with this book; i...more zombies. kraken. pirates. automatons. marriage reform. nanotech. mongols. just another classic steampunk romance, right? or maybe not - this is my first one.

it was crazy - none of the other bodice rippers wanted to read the shapeshifter romance!! come on guys!!shapeshifters!!! romance!!! i am so curious about the mechanics of it, but i am not going to read one without the protective cloak of the rest of the rippers.

so -steampunk...

i mean, honestly, there wasn't anything wrong with this book; it replicated a lot of the typical romance conventions and fell into the same booby-traps (which is totally not the right word, but i got to say "booby") - two strong-willed people like this shouldn't really spend this much time running away from each other, legitimate reasons or no. sex should not be this complicated. in this book, racial and gender issues were legitimate roadblocks, but between the two of them they had guns and money and a title and and self-confidence and an iron freaking skeleton - these two should not have anything standing in the way of whatever they want. these are the kind of people who tell other people the way things are going to be, not sheep people who are slaves to silly societal norms. i mean, i personally would not have put up with his sexual pushiness, but she seems okay with occasionally being pushed up against a wall and getting the physical equivalent of "you mean yes when you say no, right??" so to each his own.

but he is such a schizophrenic male lead. sometimes he is a calculating pushy rapist, sometimes he is all secret philanthropy and delicate treatment of the feelings of others.but who needs consistency? who reads to reconcile conflicting personality traits?? shes got a burning knot, he's got a hot ridge of flesh - these crazy kids were made to clench and twine and growl and clutch and rub!! we are in romance country, it doesn't need to make sense or have any real-world applications!

and her - she can save kids from monsters but she can't figure out how to get laid?? this world is kind of awesome; i would much rather have had the conflict be external (zombie, war, monsters) than internal "noooo don't put your mouth on my vagina, it makes me too craaaaazy". i mean, there is plenty of external conflict, i just think her sexual resistance was (while explained adequately) retarted and less interesting than zombies.

but the rest of it was pretty fun. i should probably read more fantasy, so i can get those muscles honed, because it took me more time than i care to admit to get myself situated in this world. i had to go back and reread several pages over and over, and it wasn't her fault, it was me - there were so many details that i had trouble cementing them in this here swiss-cheese brain.

so, for a bodice ripper read, it was better than most.
i like reading things i would never read otherwise - it makes me (a) broad.(less)

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May 23, 2012 AH rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-in-series, historical, zzxread-jan-2011, romance, steampunk, zombies, favorites, won, own, signed-copy

Hordes! Buggers! Bounders! Frenzy, oh my!

What a world. It took a while for me to understand this extremely imaginative world, but I enjoyed every moment of this book.

The Iron Duke portrays an alternative history in a very different Europe. The Horde controls people through nanotechnology. People, especially those living in polluted London, are infected with these agents because they have healing properties. When certain radio frequencies are transmitted, the infected people, known as the Bugger...more Hordes! Buggers! Bounders! Frenzy, oh my!

What a world. It took a while for me to understand this extremely imaginative world, but I enjoyed every moment of this book.

The Iron Duke portrays an alternative history in a very different Europe. The Horde controls people through nanotechnology. People, especially those living in polluted London, are infected with these agents because they have healing properties. When certain radio frequencies are transmitted, the infected people, known as the Buggers go into a Frenzy.

This is a world full of imaginative contraptions and genetically/mechanically altered creatures and zombies, too! There are airships, mechanical carts, mechanical page turners, even mechanical sex toys. Mechanically altered people exist as well, reminiscent of Star Trek’s Borg.

Our story begins when a man is dropped from an airship on to The Iron Duke’s house. Inspector Mina Wentworth is dispatched to investigate the crime. The Iron Duke, also known as Rhys Traheaern, is immediately attracted to Mina. Rhys arranges to use his former pirate contacts in order to help Mina solve the crime.

Rhys uses this opportunity to get closer to Mina, the woman he wants to shag. The romance aspect is not spectacular, but there are some hot and heavy moments.

I really enjoyed the author’s sense of humor. There were some really funny lines and some very clever pillow talk.

Did I mention that there are sea monsters in this book? “Release the Kraken!” A most memorable scene with a very large, mechanically enhanced sea monster kept me at the edge of my seat.

I loved the secondary characters, especially Yasmeen, The Lady Corsair. Airship pilot, mercenary, I hope that there are more stories planned for her – just her acrobatics alone were spectacular.

So there you have it – a book with zombies, sea monsters, Borg-like people, all sorts of mechanical gadgets. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Update May 23, 2012 - The Iron Duke is now on the Badass Book Reviews' Best Badass Zombie Books List. Check it out!
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Jan 27, 2011 Caris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance, zombies

All my life, I thought I liked pirates. I thought I found the romantic visions of them (stealing from the rich, burying treasure) appealing, as well as the more true-to-life accounts of the mutinies and murders. The romanticism of pirates, to me, made pirate romances seem romantic. But, as it turns out, pirate romances make me feel kind of ill.

Raping and pillaging is great when it is fictional and former never actually happens, but pirates in romances always have to stop themselves from raping....more All my life, I thought I liked pirates. I thought I found the romantic visions of them (stealing from the rich, burying treasure) appealing, as well as the more true-to-life accounts of the mutinies and murders. The romanticism of pirates, to me, made pirate romances seem romantic. But, as it turns out, pirate romances make me feel kind of ill.

Raping and pillaging is great when it is fictional and former never actually happens, but pirates in romances always have to stop themselves from raping. Which would be fine, I guess, if the reader wasn’t privy to their every thought. How do you become sympathetic to a character who wants to sodomize a woman just to humiliate her (Skye O’Malley), wants to have sex with a woman against her will (Pleasuring the Pirate), or wants to possess her like an object (The Iron Duke)? Somebody’s priorities are fucked up and it’s either me or them. Because I’m me, I think it’s them.

I’ll move on from there, though, because this is nothing new. I’ve bitched about it before, but I felt it deserved some more attention. Let’s chat about the steampunk thing, which I’ve also bitched about before. I don’t care for it. When I first learned about it, I was stoked. It sounded really cool: an alternate reality where industry and invention took a different route. But in practice, I found it lacking. There’s so much Star Wars with all of the giant walking machines that I can’t make myself believe it. And the authors spend too much time reinventing modern products using gears and steam. And I, though I realize I’m probably in the minority, don’t find goggles sexy.

But none of that’s new, either. How about zombies? Zombies can be well done, as I learned in my reading last year. But here they’re not. They’re boring. The way they’re created is kinda cool, with nanoagents being the catalyst for infection. But that’s about it. Otherwise, they bite and lumber and infest. Whatever. They fill in plot gaps, is what I think. “Hey, this story is fucking boring! I know, I’ll add some walking cliches! Everybody likes those!”

Authors: If you’re not going to do something original and cool with zombies, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the store.

But, Caris, there’s giant monsters! Kraken and sharks! Fucking big ones!

Yes, yes. I know they’re there in theory, but please point them out to me. Do you mean those four pages with the kraken and practically non-existent sharks? I’m calling shenanigans on that shit. Talk about build-up without payoff. Surely dispatching a sea monster can take a few more pages. Has Moby Dick really fallen that far out of style? Of have we abandoned him for super-weak, lame ass monsters and just stolen the power in his name for use in the nasty bits?

The nasty bits. You’ve read sixty pages of them, you’ve read them all. One thing I can say, though, is this one has more satisfying nasty bits, if that’s what you’re looking for. There’s no beating around the bush here. We’ve got genuine lamb skin sheaths, and plenty of vanilla copulation. Enjoy.

That’s it, I guess. This book is a compilation of everything that has ever been done before. For that, it can receive no more or less than a solid “C” rating. It was middle of the road, it was lackluster, but it’ll allow you to graduate to the eighth grade. Congratulations, you’re mediocre.(less)

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Jan 25, 2011 Joel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, book-club, feeling-randy-book-club, clockworks, sci-fi-fantasy, squid-friendly, kindle

Dear dad,

I know you follow and read my goodreads reviews, which I appreciate, really, but I just wanted to let you know that while this is a sci-fi/alternate history book that is pretty interesting in a lot of ways it is also a romance novel that I read for a book club and it has lots of VERY EXPLICIT sex parts that I might mention, explicitly, in this review. So it is ok if you don't want to read this one.

Sincerely, your son

The Iron Dukes sits at the intersection of everywhere and nowhere in...more

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Oct 08, 2010 Ridley rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of sci fi, alternate history and steampunk.

Shelves: 4-star, paranormal, read-2010, ebook

A few hundred years before the novel opens, the Asian Horde took over much of the Western world with a mix of force and superior technology. Lacking any navy of merit, they had to be a bit creative in their attack on Britain, choosing to smuggle nanoagents into the cheap sugar and tea they exported to the island nation. As the people ate and drank, they unwittingly infected themselves with tiny bits of self-replicating machinery. While the "bugs" made people stronger, hastened healing and allowe...more A few hundred years before the novel opens, the Asian Horde took over much of the Western world with a mix of force and superior technology. Lacking any navy of merit, they had to be a bit creative in their attack on Britain, choosing to smuggle nanoagents into the cheap sugar and tea they exported to the island nation. As the people ate and drank, they unwittingly infected themselves with tiny bits of self-replicating machinery. While the "bugs" made people stronger, hastened healing and allowed a wide range of prosthetic enhancements, the downside was that the Horde could control the infected via a radio frequency transmitted by a tall tower in London.

The story takes place nine years after Rhys Trahaearn, now known as the Iron Duke, blows up the tower, freeing all of Britain from Horde control. After a bloody revolution where a mad populace attacked the Horde and each other in a fury borne of a lifetime of tight control suddenly ended, Britain is at a crossroads. The descendants of the wealthy Brits who fled England before they were infected have returned, creating tension between the infected "buggers" and the uninfected "bounders" as to who has more right to Britain. Does it belong to the people who spent the past few hundred years hiding out in Manhattan City in the New World, or to those who endured and overcame Horde rule, but will always be susceptible to control because of their bugs?

In the midst of this heady drama, a body literally lands on the Iron Duke's front steps and Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth is called in to investigate. Born after a "Frenzy," where a Horde signal causes all buggers to copulate with each other, she's the half-breed daughter of a English countess and a Horde member who was at the state dinner her mother was attending. Though her parents are noble and she's a distinguished member of the Metropolitan Police force, she encounters constant abuse due to her Asian features. As a result, she's a bit like Eve Dallas - a big squishy ball of insecurities well hidden under a granite facade. Through the love of her supportive family and a singular dedication to her work, she gets by in a world she feels completely apart from.

Working on the mystery of the body tossed onto the Iron Duke's steps tests her resolve. As a former pirate, Rhys is accustomed to taking whatever it is her desires, and he decides that Mina will be his latest acquisition. As they fly and sail around England, Europe and Africa unraveling the murder mystery and uncovering a doomsday plot that endangers all the buggers in Britain, the two also are working to figure each other out. Rhys is determined to have her, and Mina is determined to resist him, lest everything she or her family has worked for go up in smoke in the subsequent mockery of the Iron Duke taking up with a "Jade whore."

The world-building was superbly done, creating a full, complex world and divulging it at a natural pace throughout the book. All of the secondary characters were fully-fleshed out, providing bits of humor, drama, action and everything in-between when the plot required it but without feeling convenient. The action keeps a steady, energetic pace throughout the book, making it a hard book to put down at times. Brook has created a stunning steampunk setting that's creative and expansive while remaining entirely accessible. There are easily drawn parallels to our own world and the messy politics of today without anything being obvious, sanctimonious or preachy. It's complex enough a world to let you forge your own theories of what is afoot, and approachable enough that you'd want to do so.

While I loved the steampunk aspects quite a bit, the romance didn't move me. There was just something about the romance that left me kinda cold. I almost resented the breaks in the action plot and half-skimmed the sex. Their emotions towards each other felt a bit forced, so I felt like a voyeur watching them together. The sex didn't seem to be resolving a tension between them - anguish over memories of a past Frenzy notwithstanding - and so it felt gratuitous.

Part of the issue might have been that I didn't feel I really knew Rhys or Mina. I loved them as catalysts for the action - Rhys the alpha, protecting what he considers his and Mina the fighter, always trying to forge order from chaos - but didn't get a good feel for them as humans. I was told that Rhys "respected the hell out of" Mina, but I was never really shown why. What made her so special to him? What about Rhys tempted Mina? I needed to see more talking, vulnerability and emotional intimacy between them. As it was, I was told they were hot for each other, and I watched them bone, and that was the romance.

As a romance, it lacks a certain something. As a straight sci-fi, I think I'd have loved this book unreservedly. The world she's created and the secondary characters she populated it with are absolutely spellbinding. For all its faults, it was still a hard book to put down. I'm certainly itching to read the sequel a year from now.(less)

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Mar 04, 2012 MISS VAIN rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Steampunk Romance lovers

Recommended to MISS VAIN by: Cat Russell, Jamie

"You may continue to call me inspector,"
"And you may call me Rhys.""I won't."
"Even when I'm in your bed?"
Mina dropped her hand to her gun.

"I agree. That was too brazen." he leaned in toward her, taking up too much space she could hardly draw. Breath. "I should have said my bed, yes?"

Who knew Steampunk, Zombies, Kraken, a feisty detective and a brazenly golden earring wearing gorgeous pirate could make for such an exciting and sexy read? Well I sure didn't! I should have never waited so long...more

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May 07, 2012 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: paranormal and whatever romance fans

Shelves: like-a-sir, buddy-or-group-read, rotten-stinky-walking-dead, d-oh, punks-who-are-into-steam, reviewed-2011, i-am-disappoint, romance-steampunk, could-have-been-sooo-much-better

Why does Germany get to have a cool cover???

@our cover: Dude! Put a shirt on!

I really have a problem with these typical shirtless dude covers. Could you get shallower than that? Buy a book just ‘cause a hot dude is on the cover. Book porn, that’s what this is…

My first thoughts when starting the book were (in this exact order):

A life without sugar!!! The horrooor!!!!

Pirates *droools*

Tahaeram or whatever wtf is that name?? I can’t even remember it! Why didn’t they call him Bob? That would be easy...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: hem-steppers-and-bodice-rippers, 2011, in-by-of-england, in-of-africa, reviewed, victorians-and-wannabes, vamps-and-other-mythical-beasts, fantasy-sci-fi, lost-in-the-steampunk-supermarket, rbrs

I haven't loved a (urban) fantasy/steampunk/sci-fi/alternate history book in months, maybe longer. I haven't even liked one! I was beginning to think that all this time on goodreads, with the great recommendations and the discussions of Big-Fucking-Deal-books was turning me into a book snob of the worst sort and I would never enjoy a well plotted, alternate-something-fantasy story again. I didn't even like the latest Bujold book!

But then, through a series of events that are entirely my fault, I...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Angela James rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, steampunk, my-faves, 2011, reread

Short review: this book rocked my world. Meljean has written a well-developed world with incredible steampunk technology and details, as well as characters and relationships that go beyond the surface. The only drawback to this book? There's not another ready for me to read RIGHT NOW!

Side note: it's not necessary to have read the novella Here There Be Monsters, which is in the anthology Burning Up, first, but you're going to want to read it after you read this book, just so you can revisit the...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, 2012, hem-steppers-and-bodice-rippers, in-by-of-england, in-by-of-the-americas, lost-in-the-steampunk-supermarket

What I do like about romance novels is the belief that hurt people get better. That, somehow, people can change with a little love. I love that people start off broken and in the end they may actually have all their pieces taped back together. The difference between that and the marriage plot is the latter suggests that the reason the people are broken is because they aren't married yet. The woman is fixed (or saved) by marriage there. Marriage, in this sense, is just a giant band-aid, and I, fo...more What I do like about romance novels is the belief that hurt people get better. That, somehow, people can change with a little love. I love that people start off broken and in the end they may actually have all their pieces taped back together. The difference between that and the marriage plot is the latter suggests that the reason the people are broken is because they aren't married yet. The woman is fixed (or saved) by marriage there. Marriage, in this sense, is just a giant band-aid, and I, for one, can't help but thinking ahead to the day when the band-aid has been worn too long, been through a few showers, gotten all muddy while doing yard work or something, and is beginning to smell. That's just not a good scene and with a lot of the romance novels I read, that is exactly what's coming for these characters because band-aids and surgical staples are two different things. Characters who really needed major surgery somehow just get band-aids and we're supposed to pretend that it's not going to peel off next week. I can't do that.

This book, though, this book is a brilliant tale of the broken pieces and how they get put back together. I actually read it again after being annoyed at the ending the first time because Brook's sequel is so good. More broken dolls to play with! And look how they get all better. And -- Wait! Ken! Are you sure you should be doing that to Barbie? I don't think she is supposed to bend like that. I digress --

Here we are in the land of misfit toys (e.g. Post Horde-Occupied England) and everyone is broken. They have had their families torn apart and, literally, they have been torn apart. They have arms and legs and even teeth replaced by metal pieces that were directed there by their former rulers. And in a terrifying and clever cultural criticism, Brook points out that after the occupation is over and people have their own choice in the matter, they may still choose it because it is a capitalist economy after all, and having a sewing machine instead of a natural hand will allow you to compete better in the industrial age market. So not just a lot of broken people but a broken society as well. A complex, multi-layered society of soot and smog and work and industrial machines and disease. Just living there is hazardous to your health unless you are augmented by the machines. There's a reason that the highest status profession in this society is to be a blacksmith (one who can build and maintain the machines).

Delving into that society, we find the same racism that exists in our own, parallel society. We're not all in this together; we've created heroes and scape goats. Mina, our heroine, is on the receiving end of that anger and bitterness. Then our hero, the Iron Duke, is the hero in all the old fashioned meaning of the term. He won the war. He freed the land from occupation. He feeds people. He takes care of them. But he's not the poster child that the new society wants him to be. This is something else I like in this book; Brook's examination of the difference between the real person and what the propaganda makes him out to be. The Iron Duke has anger issues stemming from a backstory that is dark, seriously dark. One that even Dickens wouldn't have touched. The issues aren't just with individuals or the society, they're with both. In a wonderful bit of irony, the hero of this New England is really a former anarchist, mixed with the discipline of a naval officer. I kind of love that, too. There's so many possibilities to explore there.

Mina and her Iron Duke are great to watch and this time when I read it I was a lot more forgiving of the still-too-long interlude of them having a lot of sex. The annoying part of the romance novel is that somehow sex is the solution. If you trust someone enough to have great orgasms with them, well then, that means you're healed of whatever you were broken by. That's pretty much bullshit and we all know it. But Brook does a lot more in these scenes than just the descriptions of the Iron Cock and rather than skimming them I looked at what she was trying to say about just exactly what Iron Duke and Mina needed to have healed. And, I'll concede, after reading a lot of really bad sex scenes at this point, reading these is almost a relief (except at the end). They aren't stupid and no one is likely to be rushed to the hospital with infection afterward.

Do I think she succeeded in the novel? Mostly. The ending is still weak. Sure, I loved the criticism of the military industrial complex (view spoiler) but the big reconciliation is still awfully gross. I'm all for passion, guys, but, please, get a room. That Mina wasn't totally put off by it made me question if she really was the wonderful character I had thought she was.

So I'm still holding back a star, despite all I love about this book, because of the ending, but, wow, there really is a lot to love. (less)

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Aug 22, 2011 Audrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-sci-fi-or-otherworldly, nom-nom-nom-nom-nom-nom-favorites, historical

This book rocks my socks.

Action. Adventure. Mystery. Humor. Romance. Sexytimes. Fiercely determined and protective hero. Smart, loyal and courageous heroine. Wonderful secondary characters. NIFTY GADGETS.

Seriously, this book has it all.

This was my first steampunk read, and I loved it for all of the wonderful things I mentioned above. I found myself at work, glancing at the clock and looking forward to getting home so I could finish this book. The first 5-10 pages kind of throw you right into the...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Laura the Highland Hussy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book amazed me. I was reading an anthology called Burning Up and in it was a story called Here There Be Monsters and wow, did that writing rock my socks! I was a bit confused on a few points, but was so wow'd by the world and the characters that I immediately read The Iron Duke.

The world-building is complex, and intricate, and really really interesting. I think that the characters were really well-done, and I loved their romance. There was one scene where my eyebrows shot up, but I think it...more

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Oct 21, 2011 willaful rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angsty-goodness, free-to-be-a-family, hero-is-a-mountain, unusual-heroine, tortured-heroine, out-of-the-ordinary, other-side-of-tracks-or-misalliance, multiracial-multiethnic

I enjoyed this a lot, yet I still don’t feel like I really get steampunk. The worldbuilding seems largely based on “this is wicked cool and/or scary” rather than on a logical chain of events. I never did get how, in this obviously very sexist world, women get to be on the police force.

The book’s biggest strength is its heroine. Mina is brave, determined, caring, yet also vulnerable -- everything you would want in a cop, or a heroine. I found myself just a bit disappointed in Rhys, a fairly stand...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, cillian-murphy, sexy-times

I have never done steampunk before and I don’t know if I will ever go back there again, it seemed a bit grimey.

No not that “Grimey”
More like this

With all the pollution, dirt and I did not quite get the rules of fashion either. Do the ladies wear pants or gowns? Is Mina a rule breaker for wearing pants ??? Did everything have ruffles?
Anyways there were zombies, airships/balloons and Krakens why the Hell am I asking about ruffles?? These components make for a very interesting and exciting ro...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Honeywell rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 22, 2011 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 144-books-in-2010, august-2009, read-in-2010, re-read-in-2010, september-2010, 2011-out-do-yourself, 211-books-in-2011, march-2011, re-read-in-2011

Re-read 3/11 - Same reaction this re-read. I love the book, but the ending left me wanting more (and not necessarily in a good way). Cripes, is the next book out YET?

______________

Re-read 9/10 - I decided to do a quick skim-through of this novel before writing a full review for it, and ended up re-reading cover-to-cover. It was even better the second time.

I was more disappointed in the ending this time around. I think because I wasn't ready for the story to end. I wanted more; More Mina and Rh...more

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Oct 14, 2010 Alisha rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: romance fans who like multi-setting adventure. oh, and those that don't mind zombies. ^_^

Shelves: favorites

Initial reaction: This book was exquisite. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. :o)

All I want to know is, what kind of peyote was this woman smoking when she dreamt up this amazing world? ^__^ It is proving exceedingly difficult for me to adequately express what it is about this book that makes me love it so. In fact, I can almost guarantee I won't be pleased with this review. ^_^ But I'll make mention of a couple thoughts in broad strokes.

...beginning with the world. Brooks' world(building) was...more Initial reaction: This book was exquisite. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. :o)

All I want to know is, what kind of peyote was this woman smoking when she dreamt up this amazing world? ^__^ It is proving exceedingly difficult for me to adequately express what it is about this book that makes me love it so. In fact, I can almost guarantee I won't be pleased with this review. ^_^ But I'll make mention of a couple thoughts in broad strokes.

...beginning with the world. Brooks' world(building) was perhaps my favorite aspect. The story begins much as I'd expect some Austenian-like historical novel to do; at a ball and amongst the polite society of England. But almost immediately, Brook starts to "pan out the frame" so to speak, revealing bits of curious descriptions until we realize that while this world is familiar, it's altered most considerably.

To call it simply "steampunk" does not do enough to capture it all, either. At one point I thought to myself that the book had a somewhat post-apocalyptic feel to it. Also that there were serious machinations about race, culture, identity and human nature. Many steampunk books can be fun and fantastical, and though this book presents such a characteristic (in great style, mind you), there's something quite grim and horrifying, as well.

I love that Brook clearly put much deep thought into the history behind the Iron Seas world; it actually plays quite considerably into the motivations of individuals and group entities. Not many books of this subgenre do so: things simply are because they are (which is not inherently a bad thing, btw). I visited Brook's website and found a short writeup on what actual historical events were altered to arrive at the universe in this book. I appreciated the consideration, and am impressed by the relevance it has in so many aspects of the story.

Now, the cast of characters. They are perhaps what brought out much of that aforementioned "fun and fantastical" nature. Every last one of the main cast displayed a beautiful range of emotions and personality. Each one did or said something that at one point made me chuckle, and at another point made me sad. In short, the supporting cast was superbly compelling.

The main couple is fantastic. I can't really put into words the extent of my adoration for Rhys and Mina, both separated and when interacting. I felt that the progression of the romance was well-paced and complemented the main storyline very well. And that's all I'll say to that end. Trust me when I say that--if you've yet to read the book--you'll want to discover both characters for yourself, and learn about their complexities in context.

Okay, as predicted I'm already fed up with my review. So I'll sum up: I found this world to be so different, so exhilarating, so chilling. I would recommend this book to just about every PnR junkie I know...especially those who can appreciate 1) some complexity in their storyline and 2) extensive worldbuilding. And zombies. ^_^

P.S. - Apparently the second book of the series will follow one of the minor characters from The Iron Duke (starts with a Y- and ends with an -asmeen) ^_^). I already have it at the very top of my 2011 to-read list. ^__^

(less)

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Oct 27, 2010 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, vaginal-urban-fantasy

I enjoyed it a LOT, just one thing brought it down from 5 stars, which I will specify at the end. (BTW Has VERY racy scenes as a warning to the non-smutty lovers, but that wasn't my -1 star point haha)

I would give worldbuilding: 5 stars. The first chapter is a bit confusing, but the world that is spun out over the novel is ENDLESSLY interesting, one of the few books that has made me read SLOWLY to see what all the steampunk stuff really is about. FASCINATING history with the Horde and the nanobu...more

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Dec 07, 2011 Jill Myles rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio

Audio was amazeballs. It took me a little time to get used to the narrator's accent, because she speaks very fast, and I am very Southern. But I loved it and was so sad when it ended. The audio was stellar. Just stellar.

8 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2011 Alyson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, paranormal, steampunk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The romance community went nuts over this thing, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I very much wanted to love it, but it's left me feeling cold, and quite a bit creeped-out by the hero.

The world-building here is pretty good, though confusing at times (come to think of it, I think I'd have preferred the story of this world rather than this romance). The world, however, doesn't ever quite feel real. The elements are all there, but a lot of it just feels like props and oooh-shiny stuff to fill it ou...more The romance community went nuts over this thing, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I very much wanted to love it, but it's left me feeling cold, and quite a bit creeped-out by the hero.

The world-building here is pretty good, though confusing at times (come to think of it, I think I'd have preferred the story of this world rather than this romance). The world, however, doesn't ever quite feel real. The elements are all there, but a lot of it just feels like props and oooh-shiny stuff to fill it out, rather than serving a real purpose. I think more of the backstory would've been necessary to get a feel for why a lot of the things in this world exist. Or why things in this world happen. What, exactly, was the Horde's grand plan? They sucked all of the resources out of Europe, filled it with zombies, and then... what? What was their goal? Because I never really got an understanding of that beyond "they're evil and wanted to control the English!"

Where this book really falls apart is in the characterizations. Our heroine, Mina, is well-drawn. She's intelligent and emotionally strong. Unfortunately, everyone else just feels like they're there to read lines to her. Scarsdale sometimes uses language that made me think he's a bit of an upper-crust dandy, but mostly he's just The Drunk Guy, with very little distinguishing personality. The same goes for Yasmeen (ooo, she eats hummus!) and Hale (she... uh... well, she's in charge of the police!). Baxter, Andrew, even Newberry are all just sort of . . . there. Reading lines and continuing the story, but not really showing any personality. The biggest problem is that this lack of personality occurs in the hero, Rhys, who is one creepy mofo.

Our Iron Duke made me very uncomfortable. He, too, is incredibly cardboard, without a lot of depth, and his entire approach toward Mina is that he knows better than she as to what she really wants. Telling a woman you're going to get her into your bed whether she wants it or not isn't sexy; it's gross. And telling her that, yeah, sure you'll do what she wants--IF she sleeps with you? Well, that made me shudder. More distressingly were Mina's reactions to these come-ons (and I use that term loosely): the impression I had of her character by the time ol' Dukey started sexually harassing her was that she wouldn't stand for someone speaking to her like that. She'd brushed off racist slurs against her in the past, but I thought that if someone continued to aggravate her over and over again, she'd respond fairly strongly. Only, she didn't. She may have turned him down time and time again (take a hint, dude!), but she never reacted strongly enough to really shut him down. Granted this is a romance, and she really IS interested in him, but that brings us around to a situation where she's saying no but really meaning yes, and that's even more disturbing.

So, yeah, this had potential and quite frankly, I'm very disappointed that it just didn't work for me. I wanted, so badly, to like it. But I guess I'll be sticking to M.K Hobson for my steampunk-y romantic needs.(less)

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Mar 14, 2011 Suz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr, steampunk, urban-fantasy

4.5

What a wonderful start to a very rich and multi-layered new steampunk world! The book read like an urban fantasy story for the first half of the book, setting up the world and the lore and the alternative history. The second half of the book was full of action, adventure, swash buckling, air shipping, automata using, bad guy beating, all obstacle over coming romance.

At first the hero was difficult to like, but as the world filled out and my connection with the society, which was healing from...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, favorites, romance, arcs, dropbox

Based on Abigail's advice, I started with the anthology Burning Up. Meljean's contribution, my first experience in the world of the Horde, was immediately riveting. The Iron Duke itself is a meaty, satisfying book that I couldn't put down. Brook does a phenomenal job developing both the world and her characters. While I know it will be awhile before readers have an opportunity to pick up another in this series, I look forwared to filling the time between now and then recommending this book to ot...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Penny Watson rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

I was not prepared for this book.

My expectation for a steampunk romance was based on The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. Those books are light-hearted fun, filled with kooky inventions and a no-nonsense heroine. The steampunk part of Carriger's world provides an entertaining and funky backdrop for the story. The humor is very tongue-in-cheek, right up my alley.

The Iron Duke couldn't be more different. While Carriger's world is political, it's also quit...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: steampunk and fantasy romance fans

Shelves: steampunk, robot-cyborg-artificial-enhanced-hu, paranormal-romance, science-fiction-romance, zombie, owned-copy, dhasg-january-2011-read, uf-winter-challenge-2011, favorites, hero-to-die-for, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, heroine-i-adore, kickbutt-heroine, neovictorian, police-federal-agent-law-enforcemen, pirate, possessive-and-or-jealous-hero, hero-in-pursuit, prejudice, character-multi-ethnic-heritage, asian-hero-or-heroine, interracial-romance, enslaved, abused, tough-as-nails-heroes, alternate-history, detective-private-eye-sleuth, hot-and-steamy-romance, irish-welsh-or-celtic-hero, 2011-reading, irr-challenge-1-2011

I have to hand it to Meljean Brook. She created a wonderfully-detailed and fantastical world in this book. If a reader is wondering what 'steampunk' is, I will definitely point them towards this book. I was very impressed how she integrated nanotechnology into her world-building, and the nanotech fit very well in this universe. There are some aspects that seem rather dystopian, despite the fact that this is a Victorian-like setting. The use of robotic technology has some great applications, but...more I have to hand it to Meljean Brook. She created a wonderfully-detailed and fantastical world in this book. If a reader is wondering what 'steampunk' is, I will definitely point them towards this book. I was very impressed how she integrated nanotechnology into her world-building, and the nanotech fit very well in this universe. There are some aspects that seem rather dystopian, despite the fact that this is a Victorian-like setting. The use of robotic technology has some great applications, but some are rather horrific. In this story, a large degree of the world, particularly Europe and associated continents, has been subjugated by the Horde, which I intepreted to be the Mongols (as in Genghis Khan). Many of the major cities of Europe are under occupation or have been razed to ruins. Zombies roam the unoccupied territories, humans who were infected by nanobots that caused them to become vicious, cannibalistic monsters. However, many regular humans are infected with nanobots that enhance them in many positive, and some negative ways. The problem is that the Horde can control those humans, called buggers, with radio signals. In this world, the Horde are hated and despised, which creates a lot of problems for the heroine, Mina. She is the product of a Horde "frenzy" in which control of her mother's body (via control of the nanobots by radio signals) was overtaken by the Horde, and she engaged in a Horde orgy, resorting in Mina. She was so horrified at the sight of her half-Horde baby that she gouged her eyes out. Yeah, right away, I knew this story was going to be kind of dark.

I was very impressed with the meticulous world-building and attention to detail in this story. In addition, there are several major players who all want a say in the future of England, and the rest of the world, grabbing any kind of power or edge they can to gain that. This book has everything: mechanically-enhanced humans and animals, pirates, zombies, giant sea monsters, airships, you name it. However, it was so well-done, it never came off as over-the-top. While this book probably wouldn't work for straight romance fans, or even some fantasy/science fiction fans, I loved it, because I got a kick out of how imaginative and unique this Victorian world was. Despite my enjoyment, this wasn't an easy read for me. I often had to reread certain passages to make sure I was getting a clear understanding (that's not due to Ms. Brook's fault, but to my inexperience in reading a lot of science fiction-type literature and not having a head for political intrigue storylines). That's okay, because I wanted to get a full grasp of this book, and it certainly enhanced my enjoyment.

In my opinion, Ms. Brook didn't let her romance fans down. The love story between Rhys and Mina is equally important. I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Iron Duke when I started this book. When he showed up, I was not disappointed. He's a very unique character, which some aspects that I had not encountered in a hero thus far. I loved his vitality, his ruthless nature, his determination. Mina has a pull on him that compels him throughout this book. He is the kind of man who will move mountains to get his woman, which definitely works for me. Even outside of that, I respected him for his strength in enduring a very rough past, his determination to do what was necessary and to protect others. He might have seemed self-absorbed (he put importance on protecting what was his, whether it was his ship, the sailors, on it, or his properties and subjects as the Iron Duke). He didn't really like the ceremony of being a Duke, but he took the responsibility seriously, because that was the kind of man he was. He wasn't a smooth, refined character, which is fine with me. When he considers his feelings for Mina, they are described in a very rough way, but the emotions behind them are pure, and he definitely shows his love for her, not just physical infatuation.

As for Mina, I couldn't have liked her more as a heroine. She's tough, really tough. But she's not hard or frustrating. Any armor she has, I can't fault her for it. Because of her heritage as half-Horde, she is despised by many in London. They try to attack and harm her physically, so she has to have a bodyguard at all times, the hulking but gentle Constable Newberry. Those who don't hate her, fear her because her features remind them of the Horde. This aspect of the story hit home with me. Prejudice of any kind always does. Being judged by your features, your heritage, the color of your skin is wrong. Even if there are many of your heritage who are bad, that doesn't mean that you are. Because of being a woman and half-Horde, Mina has to work four times as hard just to be respected for her abilities as a Detective Inspector, and she's not afraid to do that. Rhys determined pursuit is a huge problem for her. She knows that their involvement is just going to cause more fodder for the distrust and lack of respect that the public holds for her. Even if she's very attracted to him, and he reaches her carefully guarded heart.

The relationship between Rhys and Mina develops very well. They start out as untrusting allies, with a reluctant attraction. As the story progresses, they come to respect and understand each other, and the love blossoms between them naturally. And their passion is red-hot. Rhys is a primal, demanding lover. However, he doesn't force Mina. Understanding what her issues are about being in control of her passions, he patiently works past those issues, and it's a beautiful thing to read. He won't be the kind of guy who whispers sweet, elegant words in a woman's ear. But he shows and tells a woman how much she means to him in simple, but effective ways. That definitely speaks to me. As for as Rhys and Mina getting their HEA, just being in love wasn't enough. They had to deal with the issues that they faced with their enemies, and the society they lived in. Although the romantic in me loves when a couple can easily surmount obstacles and be together, the realistic knows that's not always a simple thing. I like that Ms. Brook didn't allow their problems to just blow away in a puff of smoke because Mina was a "great person" and Rhys was the powerful "Iron Duke." However, I was completely satisfied with the romantic conclusion in this story, which I am very glad to say.

My experience with steampunk is fairly limited, but I love the ideas and the concepts of this genre of fantasy/science fiction. I highly recommend this novel to a reader who wants to experience this genre. Although this is not a simple world, there's a very fascinating world here that Ms. Brook created. The complex textures--Victorian setting, science fiction, fantasy, pulp fiction, adventure, romance, seafaring/pirate elements--just made this an even better read for me. This was a thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing book, and I will be looking out for the forthcoming books in the Iron Seas series with great expectation.(less)

52 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-want-to-have-babies-with-the-book

My review of The Iron Duke won’t do enough of justice. The entire time I read, my jaw was dropped in amazement. The Iron Duke has wowed me in some many ways. Meljean Brook is an author I’m loyal to, through and through. It’s a great feeling to have started with an author since the beginning of their writing career and watch them evolve and continue to astound with every single book they’ve written. The Iron Duke is mind-blowing in such a way that it may just turn the romance genre on its ear, in...more My review of The Iron Duke won’t do enough of justice. The entire time I read, my jaw was dropped in amazement. The Iron Duke has wowed me in some many ways. Meljean Brook is an author I’m loyal to, through and through. It’s a great feeling to have started with an author since the beginning of their writing career and watch them evolve and continue to astound with every single book they’ve written. The Iron Duke is mind-blowing in such a way that it may just turn the romance genre on its ear, including the Steampunk genre that still has many readers scratching their heads in confusion because they just can’t understand it.

The plot of The Iron Duke is one of the most complex I’ve read in a long time. The last author who made my head spin in such a way was Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy. Bishop’s books have such intricate world-building, where it’s nearly impossible to explain it all. The same applies here with The Iron Duke. What I can tell you is that the world Meljean has created is a very scary and uncomfortable place, and one I wouldn’t want to live in. For the past two-hundred years, the Horde has ruled most of Europe, very much like a terrorist organization that sends fear into the hearts of many, including England. The Horde has far reaching hands, but those who were lucky enough to escape parts of Europe, mainly England, to America, are now slowly returning back to the land they left behind. The reason the British fell to the Horde was that the Horde hid things called nanogents, invisible bugs, into tea and sugar where they traded it very cheaply. Then the Horde the activated the bugs. This gave them control over the British. Can you just imagine, with a touch of a button, where someone has the power to make your body do whatever it wants? Or suppress your emotions where you don’t have the freedom to feel the way you want to? The Horde is able to do all this and so much more. And then one man rose up and went on a suicide mission to end the Horde’s slavery. Nine years ago, The Iron Duke, known as Rhys Tarhaearn, former pirate captain and recently titled Duke of Anglesey flew his ship into the Horde’s controlling tower, ending the Horde’s reign over England and becoming their national hero.

Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth knows the Iron Duke’s reputation very well. Mina’s parents are poor even with their Lord and Lady title, and their daughter is ridiculed and spit upon because Mina was conceived during a state function the Horde held where all the peers of the realm were required to attend. The Horde planned a Frenzy, forcing the guest to engage in sexual acts with anyone and anybody. Mina was the outcome and has Horde blood running through her veins. But an important fact to bear in mind is that Mina loves her parents and visa-versa. They protect and care for one another deeply.

Mina finds purpose in her job as an inspector, even though her latest investigation leads her straight to the Iron Duke’s doorsteps. A body has been dropped from an airship, and is some sort of warning against the duke. The Duke wants to handle matters himself, and away from the police, including “handling” Mina in his own special way. Mina refuses to succumb to the Iron Duke’s regard toward her, but has no choice but to let him join her on the investigation because what he wants, he gets.

Someone is building an invention, a weapon the Horde would use, if they could to take over England again. Mina has a personal stake in the case when her younger brother, who’s training aboard Rhys’s former air ship, which is used by the British Navy, has been hijacked and the crew held for ransom. Now Mina has to rescue her brother and try to save England at the same time.

Mina won’t be alone on this mission. Rhys will come with her, using not only his brains and former skill as a pirate, but along with a few trusted friends such as the Lady Yasmeen Corsair, the captain of her own airship, and Rhys’s close friend Scarsdale, a drunk who is afraid of heights, but has a man’s back during a fight. Mina has so much to lose because Rhys has targeted her for his own. He has laid claim to Mina, and the price he’s asking is too high for her to accept. Rhys is not one to take no for an answer, and soon he’s cutting away at Mina’s resolve where she wants to give into the desires The Iron Duke is offering regardless of the consequences.

Everyone so often I’ll have a call to action telling people to buy a book and drop any other book they’re reading at the moment. Here I am again with that call for The Iron Duke. There are not enough adjectives to describe what a wonderful experience I had while reading The Iron Duke. This is one book that makes me want to applaud because it’s so damn good. Meljean brings forth the steam, and I’m not just talking about the steam from the airships and machines within these pages. The things that come out of Rhys’s mouth in regards to what he wants to do to Mina, and then does to her, had me blushing. Hello? Me, your pervy KB blushing over a love scene? That takes immense skill from an author to be able to make me have such a reaction. The amount of times Rhys gives pleasure to Mina, and the way it’s describe in graphic detail, will make you melt into a pile of goo. This is one relationship that’s incredibly passionate and straight up sex on a stick. Something very important to keep in mind is that Mina is no pushover when it comes to Rhys. Poor Rhys never stood a chance with Mina. She is his salvation, and soon his reason for breathing.

There’s a combination of swashbuckling fights that brings to mind the 1935 movie, Captain Blood, ravenous, crazed zombies, and enough science fiction and fantasy to make you agog because Meljean makes it work so well together when it shouldn’t.

While reading The Iron Duke, I couldn’t stop thinking about the 1984 movie, The Terminator. There are many subtle instances of that movie within the story, mainly because of what the Horde made people become. The Iron Duke can be taken somewhat in the literal sense when it comes to Rhys, but make no mistake; he’s not a mindless machine, but very much a man who feels. If James Cameron ever got his hands on The Iron Duke, that movie would be a blockbuster of epic proportions.

If you don’t read The Iron Duke, you’re making a big mistake. The Iron Duke may be one of the most influential books published this year that I’ve read. Meljean, I applaud you, and invoke my phrase I use sparingly where, “I want to have babies” with The Iron Duke, and if I could, would roll around with it to soak up its excellence.(less)

21 likes · like · see review

Aug 25, 2012 Sayuri_x rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, best-of-2010, october-2010, 2012, aug-2012, re-read

Review to follow but I have to say one thing.

This is the book, this is the series, that is going to make Meljean Brook a superstar.

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 24, 2011 Jasmine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: american

I'm going to give this book more stars than it deserves, probably because mostly i thought I was going to completely hate it and I didn't, plus it lead me to want to ignore a new genre, but more on that later.

Weird things people get to learn about me that relate to this book:

1. I'm a prude

Yes, yes I know, I'm a prude who has read a large portion of the french erotica writers, has a good knowledge of the early history of pornography (70s-80s my knowledge ends before I was born), and has no prob...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Vaginal Fantasy H...: * VF04: The Iron Duke Discussion	29	371	Aug 29, 2012 06:09am
Vaginal Fantasy H...: Not my normal genre	10	129	Jun 08, 2012 06:01am
Diários Steampunk: Episódio 2 - The Iron Duke	7	11	Jun 06, 2012 08:13am
Diários Steampunk: The Iron Duke	12	26	Jun 04, 2012 09:12am

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