Ruler of Rats

Rats: Tori #1

by Laura Greenwood

Tori has lived her life in the shadows as a Rat. And now, she wants to make a difference. By completing one task, Tori and her husbands can seal her position as the next Ruler of Rats, and from there she can change the world. All she needs to do, is steal a necklace. A Steampunk Reverse Harem Heist.

Genres: Reverse Harem, Steampunk, Novella

62 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2018

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

If you are looking for a cute short story about one woman and her men as they go on a job together then this is the novella for you. I can easily see why it was in the Corsets and Cogs anthology thanks to Tori's intriguing little outfit that sounds really cute I must say. This group has a nice relationship and work well together giving us a look at the world they live in. Great steampunk novella that I really liked so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tori has lived her life in the shadows as a Rat and dreams of making a difference. By completing one task, Tori and her husbands can seal her position as the next Ruler of Rats, and from there she can change the world. All she needs to do is steal a necklace.

Ruler of Rats is the prequel to a new series debuting later this year; a RH steampunk retelling of the Pied Piper, in which the Piper is a renowned female singer. This novella focuses on the Rats, the unwanted, the lowest sewer-dwelling class of humanity. Tori has big plans for the betterment of Rats and wants to be their next leader. To obtain this position, she and her four husbands are on a mission to steal a necklace, the Everlasting Eye. Danger, love, and ambition rule this short story. It's creative and cute but Tori's thoughts are a bit repetitive. With a few surprises, it does have tons of potential and sets up the series nicely. I like the steampunk feel and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Laura Greenwood]

Rats: Tori is a series of short standalone one shot stories.
1. Ruler of Rats: books2read.com/rulerofrats
2. Collector of Rats: books2read.com/collectorofrats
3. Yuletide of Rats: books2read.com/yuletideofrats
Boxed Set: Rats: Tori: books2read.com/ratstori

You can also join my Goodreads Reader Group for new release alerts, spoiler threads, and more!
==> https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[꧁Persephone꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story - main character is a badass female in charge with ambition. Definitely not a damsel in distress.

[OldBird · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tori is a Rat - human, but a kind of informal underclass in a steampunk society. Her mission is to become the youngest leader of the Rats in history, and to do it she'll need the skills of her four (yes, four) handsome husbands.

The writing's good, but I found that half the story was devoted to Tori not getting distracted (though totally being distracted) by how handsome one or another of the husbands were. Maybe this is just me not caring much for the heavy romance element which overshadowed the action and left me feeling a bit unengaged with what was going on.

The most interesting apesct of it is definately the steampunk world of the Rats and how they fit into an unequal society. It's something that could really stand out from your usual steampunk tale but having such a distinct tone. The hinted at setup for the main series sure sounds like an interesting one, but I'm not certain from this prequel that it's one for me or not.

(Read as part of the Corsets and Cogs anthology which I received a complimentary copy of)

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story introduction to the author's steampunk retake on the Pied Piper story.

Okay, I think I've finally got it. It took me a couple of stories to get into the author's style, but now things are starting to flow for me. There is a simple dry sense of humor that percolates through her stories which helps keeps things from getting too dark. And the characters are always well developed, with more depth revealed in each subsequent story.

As a short story, we don't get lots of time to delve into either the characters or the world, but we get enough to introduce us and whet our appetite for more. And at this, the story succeeds quite well. The story was quick and easy to read with enough intrigue and mayhem that I am now anxious to keep exploring and to see what comes next.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story introduces us to Tori, the future ruler of the Rats, a 'subspecies' of people (according to the ruling nobles) who are seen as not even human, and their very existence is illegal. She and her four husbands are running a mission to retrieve a necklace known as the Everlasting Eye, as her initiation rite to become the next Ruler of Rats. It's an exciting read, full of twists and turns, and a good short story, with a final teaser for the first book in the series - a twist on the Pied Piper, which I'd love to read. If you've already read any of the books in the series (or plan to) I'd definitely recommend reading this book first, or if you just fancy a short story that's a bit different and will give you a little excitement with your breakfast!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori wants to be queen of the rats and for that she needs to steel a necklace. She has four partners, in more than one sense of the word, who she trusts. They begin to embark on the dangerous mission because if successful she can be queen and she is determined to change the social order.

This is a steam punk, reverse harem adventure with a societal implications. The characters are interesting and the narrative goes a long way to allow the reader to get to know Tori and become invested in her success. What I like was the way the social classes where described and examples came to mind about the inequalities within our world. The book was easy to read and hard to put down. It is a short interesting book and if your interested in steam punk you will like it. If you know nothing about steam punk it is a good introduction.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what to expect, but the read was fast passed and I’m not even sure if she even actually accomplished what she wanted (all I can say without spoiling to much). For me it felt like I jumped right in the middle of a scene and just couldn’t connect to the characters, like I do in the other Laura Greenwood’s books.. I did love the detail on the clothing, I could picture Tori’s outfit. Just not sure if the characters changed into Rats, were actually rat people, or just considered a Rat species. I do recommend as a read, cause it was cute, does have an HEA, however know that this is a short read..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short prequel for Laura’s story coming out in the Steam Punk RH analogy later in the year! This book is an intriguing insight into what will come in the next book and I love being introduced to Tori and her husbands. This book introduces us to the amazing and dangerous world Tori lives in and how she wants to make it better. This is just a small taste of who these guys are but it really captivates the reader and leaves you wanting more. I cannot wait for the next book to cover me out and I hope we see lots more of Tori and her husbands. This is a exciting quick read full of action, adventure and a touch of romance. Highly recommended!!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Lena Muo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a short and enjoyable easy read. Tori, is hoping to be leader of the Rats (class of people that are at the bottom of society) and has an agenda to change the world so that the Rats will not be oppressed as they are. She is accompanied by four men, her lovers and protectors, who join her to steal a particular necklace that will make her worthy of Rats leadership.

I'm interested to see her adventures and how she will change the world in the next instalment in the series.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*eArc from Booksprout And purchased it from Amazon*
Laura Greenwood has quickly become one of my top 10 authors. Her reverse harems are some of the best I have read so far. This story is easy to get into, with a good plot and plenty of action. I would have given it 5 stars but it is just too short, which makes it almost impossible to get to know the characters. This is the 1st book of a series so hopefully we can get to know them little by little. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the book after reading it free as a eArc from Booksprout.

[TipseyBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a whole lot of steampunk stories, but I great enjoyed this one. I liked Tori and her husbands, Archie, Baxter, Edwin and Harvey. They are not considered human by the nobles, and have a hard life. Tori is attempting to get the Everlasting Eye and if she succeeds, she will become the Ruler of the Rats. This is a great story, and Tori is a strong MC. I’m looking forward to her future adventures :)

[TipseyBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a whole lot of steampunk stories, but I great enjoyed this one. I liked Tori and her husbands, Archie, Baxter, Edwin and Harvey. They are not considered human by the nobles, and have a hard life. Tori is attempting to get the Everlasting Eye and if she succeeds, she will become the Ruler of the Rats. This is a great story, and Tori is a strong MC. I’m looking forward to her future adventures :)

[Ruby McDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may not have been a long story, but I really enjoyed it. I like that even from what little we got to see into this world that it was different and interesting. I really loved the fact that it focused on an established harem and it wasn't one in the makings. I also enjoyed how smoothly they worked together even when they wanted to argue with each other. Really great read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tori wants to be the youngest to rule the street rats... these are the people rejected because of what they are, deformed in someway.. in this story Tori and her men must break in and steal a piece of jewellery to become the leader... how will they do it... I would of liked more backround on how so found her men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief introduction to the steampunk world down under the city. The people living there are called "rats". They are poor, disfigured, unwanted and abused. Tori and her four husbands are on a mission to change the future for them all. I liked this story and loved the gadgets that her husband, Eddy, made for them. Can't wait for more. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Tori has to do to become the next ruler is steal a necklace - the Everlasting Eye. If only the mission was that simple.
Ruler of Rats is just the beginning of Tori and her husbands story.
I throughly enjoyed this steampunk reverse harem short story, and can’t wait for the next adventures of Tori, Archie, Baxter, Edwin and Harvey.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great prequel to the start of what I believe will be an amazing series. It was a short read where you meet Tori and her husbands. It doesn't give too mini details about them and how they came about but it doesn't take away from what the prequel is about. Quick and enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruler of Rats: A Steampunk Reverse Harem Story by Laura Greenwood is a great story to read. It is a great prequel to start a wonderful series, I am so glad I read this story. It has strong characters and a great story line I can not wait to read what comes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story of shifter rats!! A very nice usual idea for a story, it is fresh and unique. With excitement and danger and Romance, I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope do read more in this series

[Cassandra Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to what I'm sure will be an amazing series. Though only short, the Ruler of Rats really gets us immersed into the current life of a Rat as we follow a mission for Tori and her four men. Can't wait to see where we go in Tamer of Rats!

[Tera Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to a new series about to come out and it was the perfect way for us to get use to the world building and the characters. While short it is just enough to give us a view of some of what is to come. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Ola Adamska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to new series. This story sets the world and place of action for the whole series. It focuses on Rats - lowest class of people, unwanted ones. Tori and her crew want to make her new leader but will they manage?

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tori is a rat shifter with a harem of 4 mates. She is working her way up to be leader of the pack, and they pull off a robbery of a special necklace - I fount this book ok, but a bit slow and hard to get into.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruler of Rats is the prequel to a new series about to come out and it was the perfect way for us to get use to the world building and the characters. While short it is just enough to give us a view of some of what is to come.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wants to make a difference and to do that all she needs to do is to steal a necklace. See if there will be a twist in this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helgaleena Healingline · Rating 4 out of 5]

She keeps her team together out of sheer personal magnetism. Some of them, like her, were not always part of the non-citizen underclass. I look forward to future social upheaval as their rebellion catches up others beyond their personal schemes of enrichment.

[Amanda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read, it's a good introduction to the world and Tori and her 4 husbands. It did get me hooked and ready for the next book.