The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1) by Meljean Brook

Jan 13, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it really liked it

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

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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Jan 07, 2011 unknown rated it liked it

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

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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Jan 11, 2011 karen rated it liked it

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 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.

come to my blog! ...more

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Apr 05, 2010 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: steampunk and fantasy romance fans

Shelves: steampunk, robot-cyborg-artificial-enhanced-hu, police-federal-agent-law-enforcemen, paranormal-romance, asian-hero-or-heroine, enslaved, science-fiction-romance, favorites, zombie, prejudice

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 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. ...more

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Oct 25, 2010 Felicia rated it really liked it

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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Aug 02, 2010 Catherine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: steampunk, romance, excellent, series, first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, to-buy, bad-childhood, crime-police-mystery-private-invest, rape-abuse, england

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 11, 2011 Mir rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, adventure

This book was both lots of fun and quite disappointing.

The alternate history of a Mongol-dominated England with mind-controlling nanoagents, steampunk body grafts, and forced social reorganization was original and fascinating. Brook worked the steampunk elements into the story and the lives of the characters in a more intimate and plot-effecting way, and she also showed how the political and scientific changes common to this genre would not be superficial window-dressing on the same old Victori This book was both lots of fun and quite disappointing.

The alternate history of a Mongol-dominated England with mind-controlling nanoagents, steampunk body grafts, and forced social reorganization was original and fascinating. Brook worked the steampunk elements into the story and the lives of the characters in a more intimate and plot-effecting way, and she also showed how the political and scientific changes common to this genre would not be superficial window-dressing on the same old Victorian-stereotype world but would cause changes in gender roles, family relations, local and world economies, international diplomacy, religious practice -- this is some fascinating territory for exploration she is setting up here.

And then. Then. Instead of developing all this really awesome material, she decided to write a romance. And not even a good romance. A generic romance. The same disgusting, sexist, rapey “romance” people have been writing for decades. A woman who seems strong and independent but is afraid of her emotions and desires. An ultra-alpha-male man who overpowers her and forces himself on her, because no doesn’t mean no, especially if women are saying no for practical reasons like not wanting lose their jobs and reputations. But because this is a romance the reader knows the two main characters are Meant To Be so it doesn’t count as rape. And we know they are in love even though they pretty much just think about and have lots of un-hot sex. Because in Romancelandia being really horny for a particular person proves that person is your One True Love. Even if you don’t like them.

I don’t want to go on an anti-romance rant here. I have no issue with stories including romance as an element. I even think the romantic pairing here could have been good, especially if Brook had spent more pages fleshing out Rhys’ personality instead or his, er, flesh. His character here seemed, not precisely two-dimensional, but one-sided. We see his aggression, his controlling nature, his sense of responsibility – the elements anyone meeting him would identify. Even when we get the story from his point of view, there aren’t a lot of other personality traits. And that made it hard to see him and Mina falling in love. Rather than instant lust followed by standard romance-genre manipulations and throbbings, I would have enjoyed a process where in the course of fighting zombies and solving mysteries, two people learned to respect one another and fell in love.

This uninspired, unoriginal romance story was especially disappointing because it took away time from a story and a world that I really did want to hear more about. There were several elements that could have been explored more fully, and some fairly important inconsistencies that should have been worked out. For instance, if marriage hasn’t been the norm for generations, and most people don’t live in nuclear families, why is it that it would ruin Mina’s reputation to have people know that she had a lover? Brook actually states at one point early on that most women live in small groups with their kids and support themselves and one another, so obviously they must be taking lovers. I felt that Brook wanted think about ways in which society could be different and explore how mores are artificial – and then at the same time she wanted to stick with hoary old tried-and-true romance themes even when they didn’t make sense. I wish she had used the page space spent describing sex to instead develop how society had changed or why the Horde made giant sharks or giving more details about the Ivory Market. Or even working out some of the kinks in the plot!
...more

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May 14, 2018 mark monday rated it liked it

Shelves: romantica, fog-and-gears

London freed by the former pirate "The Iron Duke" is still a London chock-full of resentment, violence, economic insecurity, destroyed body parts replaced by machinery, and racism against half-breeds descended from the city's former masters, the Mongolians known as The Horde. Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth is one of those luckless, product of - and later, victim of - the ability of the Horde to make their pet English do as they pleased, sexually and otherwise. Inspector Wentworth has a lot t London freed by the former pirate "The Iron Duke" is still a London chock-full of resentment, violence, economic insecurity, destroyed body parts replaced by machinery, and racism against half-breeds descended from the city's former masters, the Mongolians known as The Horde. Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth is one of those luckless, product of - and later, victim of - the ability of the Horde to make their pet English do as they pleased, sexually and otherwise. Inspector Wentworth has a lot to deal with: everyday contempt from Londoners still angry over their former servitude, a noble family in dire financial straits, a body dropped from a zeppelin onto the Iron Duke's estate, and a beloved younger brother lost or kidnapped. Perhaps her biggest problem, one she won't admit even to herself: she has a hankering for that Iron Dick.

Overall this was surprisingly impressive, despite its laughable cover and designation as some sort of Steampunk Romance (not that I have anything against Steampunk or Romance). Meljean Brook is a really talented writer and the world she constructs is almost dizzying in its complexity and layers of history. But the story never feels cluttered. This alternate England is deeply, richly imagined - so much so that it could have been too much. Brook's imagination is a fertile one, and in the hands of a lesser author, the story could have been easily overwhelmed by all of the creativity on display. But her smooth, exciting narrative and deliberate parsing out of details give her book an appealing suppleness. This is an easy world to get lost in!

The romantic elements are key - this being a romance novel, after all, and despite all of the fun, strange worldbuilding - and those scenes ended up being either the most tedious or some of the more striking parts of the novel. Fortunately, the romance improves over the course of the story.

To the former: Mina's constant perception of the Iron Duke as one very bad and very untrustworthy dude becomes very very tiresome, very very quickly. It really gets ridiculous and it just goes on and on. Eyes were rolled, very hard. The Duke's instant obsession with Mina alternates between creepily aggressive and amusingly sweet and soft; despite that schizophrenia, overall he was not a particularly interesting character.

But to the latter: the reader soon learns that Mina's hesitation around intimacy is coming from her experience with intimacy being forced upon her. (And it turns out that that is something she has in common with her paramour.) Rape and its emotional aftermath are topics that deserve to be treated with delicacy and empathy; I really respected Brook's skill and care when dealing with such things. She made those past traumas central to her two protagonists' psyches and profound influences on their sexual behavior, yet she also made sure that the impact of those traumas could be overcome. Good job, author. ...more

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Sep 18, 2010 AH rated it it was amazing

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

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 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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Sep 06, 2010 Ridley rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Lovers of sci fi, alternate history and steampunk.

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

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 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. ...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Jeaniene Frost rated it it was amazing

I almost didn't try this because steampunk usually isn't my thing, but this is a great book.

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Jun 28, 2010 Alisha rated it it was amazing

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 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. ^__^

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Apr 04, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it it was amazing

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 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. ...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Eh?Eh! rated it liked it

Shelves: rbrs, goodreaders-made-me, babble-added

Rbrs #9

This was a shock. I kind of liked this one! It's a decently written action book and for more than half the pages it has a real plot, mostly. There are phrases that make me think "steampunk," like this nifty one: ...they ran into the street, past a long vehicle that clipped along on dozens of narrow legs like a centipede, the seats loaded with children and guarded by hard-eyed nuns armed with scimitars. I guess there isn't too much that's steampunk about that sentence, but I like it.

Meljea Rbrs #9

This was a shock. I kind of liked this one! It's a decently written action book and for more than half the pages it has a real plot, mostly. There are phrases that make me think "steampunk," like this nifty one: ...they ran into the street, past a long vehicle that clipped along on dozens of narrow legs like a centipede, the seats loaded with children and guarded by hard-eyed nuns armed with scimitars. I guess there isn't too much that's steampunk about that sentence, but I like it.

Meljean's world-building is scattered throughout the book, a little frustrating because I couldn't pick it up easily by skimming and had to actually read it (and many things were confusing until the background explanation caught up), but not all dumbed down. She doesn't make the mistake of trying to get too detailed with the science and screwing things up, although this also seemed to introduce holes. It's pretty convoluted...I think the gist is that over 200 years ago the leader of the Asian Horde/Mongols requested a delegation of European scientists to visit. These scientists were seized and forced to create things for war, including nanobots (yes yes, big stretch, but this is a place where she skips explanation) that were placed in sugar for years as a preliminary measure. Before the Horde invaded, these nanobots were activated and radio waves were used to control everyone who had eaten that sugar. Fast forward about 200 years, the Iron Duke was able to destroy the radio tower and the Horde was overthrown in England (another explanation skip, one that's confusing instead of maybe unnecessary, why wasn't he affected by the radio signal? different frequency, but how? did natural reproduction affect the nanobots? was he able to alter them somehow?). Nine years after that revolution, the nation is still dealing with recovery from that time, the return of those who had fled to America and their wealth (and lack of suffering), the nanobots that are still present in everyone and provide benefits but also the fear that control may be re-established, and prejudice against those with Asian features. Oh, and in nations where the Horde cleaned out the people and wanted to prevent uprisings, instead of salting the earth they salted the people with another kind of nanobot that turned them into zombies.

Aaaaaand then our story starts. Sheesh. The background was more interesting than the main couple.

The story starts out fairly simple but involving, a murder mystery that turns out to be bigger than expected. The world-building, again, fun and quite interesting. Unfortunately, just past the halfway mark, she seems to have gotten into a panic about the relatively slow development of the romance part of the story and just inserts sexytimes without much reason. They way the Iron Duke plots to get the woman? Dumb. The actual sexytimes? Egads, why is it always unwilling and then she can't keep away from him? Dumb. There are numerous side characters who are introduced as if they'll be important but then removed - they're in they're out. And then the climax. Dumb.

Blah, maybe I didn't like it, now that I think about it. The first half wasn't bad, or maybe my standards are greatly lowered when I tackle an RBRS selection (admittedly they're not what I'd select for myself, but we're reading them anyway in a group). Just thinking about the romance though, the "romance," makes me dislike it more. ...more

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Jan 17, 2011 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: paranormal and whatever romance fans

Shelves: d-oh, reviewed-2011, could-have-been-sooo-much-better, i-am-disappoint, buddy-or-group-read, meh-just-ok, rotten-stinky-walking-dead, steam-funk, like-a-sir, romance-steampunk

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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Sep 14, 2010 Penny Watson rated it really liked it

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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Jun 25, 2018 Holly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-read, steampunk

This was my very first steampunk novel and I liked it! It's a fun mixture of historical fiction and fantasy without being too distracting to the plot itself. However, for this book specifically there were so many secondary characters that I had trouble keeping them straight. But I just kind of went with it and in the end I found the story to be fun, if a bit confusing at times. I'll read more by this author and this genre in general.

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Mar 18, 2015 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ass-kicking-chicks, read-2015, absolute-favorites, adult-content, fantasy, listened-to-audiobook, finished-series, steampunk

God, I love steampunk! If you have never read steampunk before, let this one be your first!
description

Steampunk has such amazing components in it anyway, but Meljean Brook's The Iron Duke steps it up like 500 notches. I loved the originality and the humor. But just a heads up: It's steampunk romance...so expect a bit of bow chicka wow wow. I have only read young-adult steampunk up to this point, so I thought the addition of adult romance was a lot of fun. To date, this is my favorite steampunk novel I hav ...more

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Sep 18, 2010 Fani *loves angst* rated it liked it

Shelves: steampunk, overrated-just-for-me, lethal-hero, controversial-theme-or-act, lust-at-first-sight, rude-mc-indulgent-hero, 2010-books, because-my-friends-loved-it, from-opposite-tracks, eye-rolling-feast

I'm not writing a review for this one; I'm just going to mention a couple of things that "bugged" me:

1. This was more adventure than romance at least for the first 2/3 of the book. And despite the fact that it's focused on the suspense/action, two out of four battles against the vilains took place in no more than a paragraph. Totally anti-climatic.

2. This was my first steampunk and I think it may be my last. For the first 150 pages I got sick of reading about people with hammers instead of legs, I'm not writing a review for this one; I'm just going to mention a couple of things that "bugged" me:

1. This was more adventure than romance at least for the first 2/3 of the book. And despite the fact that it's focused on the suspense/action, two out of four battles against the vilains took place in no more than a paragraph. Totally anti-climatic.

2. This was my first steampunk and I think it may be my last. For the first 150 pages I got sick of reading about people with hammers instead of legs, mechanical lungs that needed extended tubes in their shoulders to work, pincers instead of hands and so on. The icing on the cake were the zombies that are described as mindless, vicious and highly infecting. Thankfully, the second part of the book on the airship was lighter and devoid of too many mental images like those.

3. The hero is described as cold and tortured in the beginning of the book. Well, I definitely didn't see it at least where the heroine was concerned. He touches her and he's immediately a goner. Puddle in her feet, lapdog in her arms. He will do anything to have her (although it's not love, he just wants to 'shag' he, but he's never felt so strongly for anyone else, et cetera et cetera). I'm sure many readers love the posessive/obsessive hero who is willing to cut his wrists and bleed himself dry so the heroine won't die of thirst, but for me this is sappy; sweet and sappy. I know however that most people love this kind of hero, so what's a minus for me is probably a plus for others.

4. I didn't particularly like the heroine or could understand all her actions and decisions. Again, this has only to do with my personal likes and dislikes rather than something particular in her behavior except for the fact that I thought she teased him and at the same time repelled him for more than was necessary.

As it's obvious, the reasons I didn't particularly enjoy it are purely personal; it was just not my cup of tea in too many areas. On the contrary, it was well written, fast paced (even though I didn't particularly like it, I was never bored) and had a couple of very interesting secondary characters. Will I go on with the rest of the series? Not likely but it's not out of the question either. ...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Audrey rated it it was amazing

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

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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Jan 06, 2011 Lightreads rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, romance, historical, mystery, science-fiction

Detective Inspector investigates a murder and uncovers a treasonous plot and fucks a pirate/duke/war hero/nanotechnology superman a lot in alt history England, also zombies.

I feel somewhat betrayed. I was promised terrible books on the level of Skye O’Whatsit and that one where the hero’s name is actually Fulk, and then you hand me this. And I found it inexplicably charming! I mean, it’s a weird post catastrophe England with functioning prosthetics and airships (and apparently vibrators), and it Detective Inspector investigates a murder and uncovers a treasonous plot and fucks a pirate/duke/war hero/nanotechnology superman a lot in alt history England, also zombies.

I feel somewhat betrayed. I was promised terrible books on the level of Skye O’Whatsit and that one where the hero’s name is actually Fulk, and then you hand me this. And I found it inexplicably charming! I mean, it’s a weird post catastrophe England with functioning prosthetics and airships (and apparently vibrators), and it’s all murder! plot! Africa! Random kraken! Sea battle! Orgasms!

The romance, though. It’s of that reluctant woman/determined man type, where he is absolutely and unquestioningly certain that he will have her, in whatever capacity he wants her at that moment. Vagina entitlement, you know? In his case, very literal. Which also comes with that approach to sex where penetration is the absolute end, and nothing else really counts or satisfies. Reading these sorts of romances always feels uncomfortable in the way staring down the barrel of other people’s kinks does. Particularly when it’s an outgrown kink of mine, shed when I developed a taste for relationships of equality and nontraditional power dynamics etc. And by “outgrown” I mean “since I was eleven.” This one is trying to get at the kink under a glossy wrapping of modern sensibilities (less rapiness), and I think in doing so it made the kink very uncomfortable and the modern gloss very awkward.

Still. I did like our heroine, who dealt with the postwar racial prejudice directed at her in ways that were not very deep, but believable. And she wasn’t plucky, she was competent. The hero didn’t like her because she’s different from all those other boringly submissive misses (thus condemning women for being what generations of men demanded that they be), he just likes her. I do too; I’m just confused about why she likes him. I think what I’m complaining of here is what I always complain of in romances: I realize attraction is often inexplicable, but I would like to get a sense of how these people fit together, psychologically, and how they grow into each other above and beyond the groin shorthand.

Also, I cannot believe we made it through that entire book without one single iron penis joke.
...more

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Jun 20, 2011 MISS VAIN rated it it was amazing

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 wait ...more

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May 01, 2011 willaful rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: angsty-goodness, a-matter-of-class, unusual-heroine, out-of-the-ordinary, hero-is-a-mountain, tortured-heroine, free-to-be-a-family, 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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May 30, 2018 Maraya21 (The Reading Dragon) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: botm, read-in-2018, unapologetic-romance-readers

💮 Another nomination of mine for the May BotM, this time for the Theme slot which was "Steampunk", over at the URR™ that actually won! Two out of two! 💮

1.5 Stars

Horrible.

Before you start with the "You read it wrong" & the "You clearly didn't understand it" let me be crystal clear: I understood everything. Every. Single. Thing. I just didn't like them. There were a couple of stuff I liked but those constitute 4% of the book.

Yes it crossed my mind that my intense dislike might be because I a ...more

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Dec 08, 2017 Ursula rated it really liked it

Shelves: independent-woman, fabulous-hero, adorable-heroine, adorable-hero, super-sexual-tension, alpha-hero, favourites, great-sex-scenes, steam-punk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A thrilling 4.5 stars.
I was not sure how I would go with this one. Just a heads-up: there was a scene that might be termed dub-con, (view spoiler) and I normally run screaming from these scenes, but it somehow worked for me. It may not work for everyone.
Some terrific world-building by the author and I was completely riveted so that I could not put the book down, especially the last quarter or so. Kick-arse action all the way!
It all takes plac A thrilling 4.5 stars.
I was not sure how I would go with this one. Just a heads-up: there was a scene that might be termed dub-con, (view spoiler) and I normally run screaming from these scenes, but it somehow worked for me. It may not work for everyone.
Some terrific world-building by the author and I was completely riveted so that I could not put the book down, especially the last quarter or so. Kick-arse action all the way!
It all takes place in a steam punk world where a nation simply called the Horde conquered England but has now been defeated and kicked out. Complex ideas of nanotech and mech tech (combined with airships and some zombies, even) make for some intense focus in order to understand it all, but it was worth it.

The two MCs are great- Mina is the police inspector and of mixed race, Rhys is an adventurer and pirate/merchant turned duke (Hereditary titles were reclaimed after the enemy was vanquished.) She is intelligent, tough and fiercely independent. He is commanding and forceful, but truly wishes only to make her happy. He is incredibly selfless in this regard. Both are damaged and traumatised in their own way.
The failure to communicate their feelings became a tad annoying towards the end (view spoiler) but it was a lovely, emotional finish.

Not sure if I will read on, as the next books don't sound so great to me - not my type of heroes/heroines (I am a bit traditional, I admit!)- but so glad I read this one!

Just heard the audio (March 2018): fabulous! This book is such a great story, the world-building wonderful. The MCs are difficult characters, so they had to work hard for their HEA. Loved the audio book, really brought it to life. I now understand why you might want to become a sailor on a tall ship. The scenes involving the navy totally gripped me when listening, and I saw everything in my mind's eye. I really do love this book. And I love the duke- what a guy. And Mina- her family, everything. I probably should make it 5 stars! ...more

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Jul 23, 2014 Jo rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: All romance fans

Shelves: mine, re-read-soon, 4-5-stars, feel-good-read, books-i-love, gr2015

Just as amazing as the first time I read it.

Absolutely brilliant!

I had no idea that steampunk was such a wonderful genre. The world created in this book was amazing! There’s the nanoagents, which are bugs that the Horde hid in tea and sugar, which almost everyone in England ingested, and by which the Horde controlled everyone until the Iron Duke freed them from the Horde. You have people with mechanical body parts, then there’s the ratcatchers, which are modified alley cats, their bone

Just as amazing as the first time I read it.

Absolutely brilliant!

I had no idea that steampunk was such a wonderful genre. The world created in this book was amazing! There’s the nanoagents, which are bugs that the Horde hid in tea and sugar, which almost everyone in England ingested, and by which the Horde controlled everyone until the Iron Duke freed them from the Horde. You have people with mechanical body parts, then there’s the ratcatchers, which are modified alley cats, their bones replaced with steel. And the zombies. I have not yet read a book with zombies, and I thoroughly enjoyed them in this novel. I love Meljean Brook’s writing. She described this world so perfectly that I could imagine everything in detail.

Mina is a detective inspector, and because of the way she was conceived she is treated like dirt by the population. However, she doesn’t let this get her down, and continues to be a great detective. I really liked Mina, and I loved her attitude and how she didn’t let anyone walk over her.

Then there is Rhys, the Iron Duke. Oh, how I loved him. I loved how he was with Mina, how instantly fascinated he was with her, and how attracted he was to her.

He’d never needed anything as much as he needed her. Self-preservation warned him to push her away. He couldn’t stand the thought of it, only wanted to bring her in closer. But if she didn’t come to need him in return, then away or close, it wouldn’t matter—either one would destroy him.

The chemistry between Mina and Rhys was absolutely wonderful. Their relationship was slow building, because of Mina’s past experience under the control of the Horde she was very afraid of her feelings towards Rhys. I loved how Rhys pursued Mina, and he never gave up, no matter how hard she tried to push him away. Both were so good at hiding their true feelings for one other, showing indifference when the exact opposite was true.

This book was absolutely wonderful, and I can’t wait to continue with this series. I will definitely be reading many more steampunk books!

...more

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Sep 18, 2010 Katyana rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Katyana by: Catherine

Shelves: fantasy, steampunktastic, favorites, historical, ass-kicking-women, romance, redeemed-criminals, zombies, alt-history

Wow wow wow! I reallllllllly loved this book.

Mina was amazing. Strong, brave, loyal, and amazingly good-spirited, given everything she had to deal with. And Rhys... I really loved him. It is hard to find the words. A reluctant hero, a guy who pulled himself up out of the horrible life he had as a child, but yet still managed to be a good man.

Both of these characters are people who don't handle emotions well. I don't want to get into the reasons why (except to assure you all that it is well done Wow wow wow! I reallllllllly loved this book.

Mina was amazing. Strong, brave, loyal, and amazingly good-spirited, given everything she had to deal with. And Rhys... I really loved him. It is hard to find the words. A reluctant hero, a guy who pulled himself up out of the horrible life he had as a child, but yet still managed to be a good man.

Both of these characters are people who don't handle emotions well. I don't want to get into the reasons why (except to assure you all that it is well done and believable), because the way the author feeds the reveals and the backstories is just too artfully done; I refuse to spoil anything. But watching these two discover this tremendous affection for each other is honestly beautiful. At times it is heartbreaking.

And the plot itself is well constructed. The world is a wonderful one to romp in, and the Black Guard arc is fabulous.

Let's talk for a moment about steampunk.

I love the gadgetry of it. I love the look of it. But in books, though I enjoy the hell out of it, I generally find it to be pretty clunky. Don't get me wrong, I have read some fabulous steampunk books. But personally, I have a very visual imagination. So when I am reading steampunk books, the reading itself is very stop/start - I am always pausing to puzzle out how something would look, or work, or sound. All the description the author puts in, with these amazingly cool gadgets, generally has to coalesce in my head and form a picture.

I can't tell you why this wasn't the case for this book, but it wasn't. For whatever reason, the images "on screen" in my head just flowed like water. It wasn't stop/start at all. The author really did a tremendous job with it in this book. All the fun of steampunk, without the clunky bits on the page.

If I were to offer ANY criticism at all, I would just briefly whine that we didn't get another chapter or so at the end of the book. The resolution between Mina and Rhys happened LITERALLY in the last 3 pages, and there was just not enough time (for me) to revel in the joy as they finally understood each other. But did that diminish my enjoyment of the book? Not at all.

This book was really fantastic, and overall I am just terribly excited for this entire series. I can't wait to see where it goes next! ...more

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Dec 05, 2010 Anne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2011, trashy-romance-novel, braaaaaains-zombies, sci-fi, steampunk

When I first saw this book I thought it looked cool, but figured that it would just be another fluffyish Paranormal Romance kind of read. Whoa, was I ever wrong! I doubt that I can even do an adequate job describing this book. It was great on so many levels that I really wouldn't know where to start, so I'm not going to bother trying. I will say that the description on the back of the book did nothing to prepare me for all of the juicy awesomeness that was inside.

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Jan 22, 2011 Jasmine rated it really liked it

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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Sep 06, 2010 Laura rated it it was amazing

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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The Iron Duke

(The Iron Seas #1)

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