Dead Iron

Age of Steam #1

by Devon Monk

In steam age America, men, monsters, machines, and magic battle for the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, bounty hunter Cedar Hunt rides, cursed by lycanthropy and carrying the guilt of his brother's death. Then he's offered hope that his brother may yet survive. All he has to do is find the Holder: a powerful device created by mad devisers-and now in the hands of an ancient Strange who was banished to walk this Earth.

In a land shaped by magic, steam, and iron, where the only things a man can count on are his guns, gears, and grit, Cedar will have to depend on all three if he's going to save his brother and reclaim his soul once and for all...

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Westerns, Fiction, Science Fiction

337 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2011

About the author

Devon Monk is a national best selling writer of urban fantasy. Her series include Ordinary Magic, House Immortal, Allie Beckstrom, Broken Magic and Shame and Terric. She also writes the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story which can be found in her collection: A Cup of Normal, and in various anthologies. She has one husband, two sons, and lives in Oregon. When not writing, Devon is either drinking too much coffee or knitting silly things.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pretty excited to start this book. I liked that the author set the story in a Western environment and that the back cover indicated that the main character would be a guy. I’ve been trying to read more books with guys as the main character. They’re not quite as easy to find in my genres of choice as I would have first assumed. But this book surprised me. To me, Cedar Hunt was not the main character. In reality, there were multiple main characters. Cedar Hunt was not given any more page time than them, and I was disappointed that I was never able to sink into his character and get to know him well.

In my opinion (based on time spent in POV sections) there were at least three main characters. Cedar Hunt, a cursed man who’s determined to hunt for a missing boy, Mae Lindson, a grieving widow out for revenge, and Shard LeFel, the man at the center of all the unrest in the area. In addition to cycling through those main POVs, we also spent time in the heads of multiple other characters. Because of this, I never became substantially invested in any of the characters. I felt a distinct lack of depth, despite finding the plot intriguing.

I found the storyline fascinating, although after finishing the book I find myself with a lot of unanswered questions. Being that this is a series, it’s possible that the author wants to dole those answers out slowly, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. The mix of magic and Steampunk worked very well together. Curses, magic, werewolves, zombies, and the Strange…they were all fascinating. And occasionally really creepy! Mr. Shunt and his freaky ability to stitch himself back together gave me the shivers.

I thought Mae’s storyline about her murdered husband was very tragic. Seeing Jeb’s POV gave their bond a particular poignancy. I think that’s why I resented the author’s subtle attempts to set the foundation for a future relationship between her and Cedar. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t in your face and there’s no actual romance in this book, but the author would throw in a little bit of lingering eye contact and subtle attraction that irritated me. Her husband died two days ago and they had such a soul deep bond that he was forced to be killed multiple times because the bond was so strong it pulled him from death. Trying to forge the seeds of a connection with another man while her husband is barely cold seemed a smack in the face to the bond that they shared.

My favorite characters were Rose Small and the Madder brothers. The Madder brothers were so fierce and wild and a little creepy. Their ability to pop up at just the right time and their habit of bargaining for favors made me intensely curious about what they are. The hints we were given about their connection to LeFel’s home just intensified that. And the way they shake hands—what’s up with that? Rose was impossible not to like. She was stuck in a life where she was unappreciated and thought a little mad. Watching her open herself to other people like herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Although the storyline takes place over a very short amount of time it never felt rushed. It actually felt a little bit slow at times. I’m interested in seeing where the author takes the characters in the second book. My only hope is that she gives her characters a little more depth. While I liked the book it felt more like I was watching a movie play out rather than immersing myself in a book.

Favorite Quote:

"Now, isn't that a pretty thought? Forks of silver, spoons of moonlight. What do you suppose your knives should be made of, Mr. Hunt? Tears?"

Cedar cocked the hammer back on the Walker and aimed it at Alun's head. "Don't know about my knives, but my gun's made of pain."

Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.

[Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s really no other way to sum it up: Dead Iron was weird.

I’ve been dabbling in clockwork & steampunk lately, and Dead Iron comparatively did a great job creating a unique overall atmosphere in line with that theme. As a general rule, I don’t have a lot of patience with bizarre, but it was balanced enough here that I was still able to enjoy the story and appreciate the elements.

The story bounced around between several POVs, and while I liked all the characters, I struggled to find a real connection to any of them. Possibly because their personal conflicts were each so off the wall that it was impossible to focus on anything else (the side characters were even more odd). I needed at least one of them to have a relatable problem, then I would’ve been more invested.

That said, I liked the basic writing (on par with my limited but good experiences with Devon Monk), and appreciated how well the words flowed off the page. Regardless of my preferential issues with story components, the writing was good enough to solidify my resolve to read more from this author.

Overall, I’m left with a few more positive vibes than negatives, but I find myself not eager to dive into the next book (I think I’m worried I’ve seen everything it has to offer already and will just get bored with the rest of it). It was memorable enough that I don’t think I’ll forget key components or characters any time soon, so I might bump it back down the list and start a few others before continuing.

Recommendations: as I mentioned, if you like steampunk and clockwork, this is a great pick. Bonus points if you also like the Wild West, bizarre scenes, and an urban fantasy writing style. It perhaps might have been a bit too weird for my tastes, but if you’re really in the mood for something out of the box, here you go…

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com

Other books you might like:

[AH · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was different.

Matics, Witches, and Weres, oh my!

I like steampunk. I’m always fascinated by the creativity and usefulness of all those wacky steam powered contraptions and gadgets. I’m not too keen on Westerns. I usually don’t seek out that genre, unless there is a sexy cowboy involved. But I digress.

This is a hard book for me to review. I enjoyed it immensely once I got into it, but I recognize that it may not be for everyone. Dead Iron was different from the other books in its genre – no corsets and no airships. At times it felt like I was watching an old Western movie or perhaps an episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle – I kept seeing the bad guy as Snidely Whiplash. But there are also elements of magic, The Strange, a witch, and a werewolf – things I did not expect to see in this book.

There’s a lot going on in this book and I often wondered how the author would put everything together. The author manages to capture the Wild West feel and infuse it with magic and steam powered matics.

The characters fascinated me. I loved Cedar Hunt, the bounty hunter from out East. Cedar is cursed and becomes a werewolf at the full moon. The Madder brothers were quite mysterious. I’m still not sure what they are exactly, except that they want a favor from a few characters. The women in this book are strong, independent and unconventional. Mae Linson was a witch. Rose Small had dreams of becoming a deviser and creating contraptions of her own.

Shard Lefel was an oily character, pure evil. His quest to return home at any cost resulted in the recurring death of Mae’s husband Jeb. Not sure if Jeb was a zombie or what he was exactly, I just felt bad for the man. Shard’s matic creations were frightening creatures powered by steam and other scary things. Shard’s henchman was just as frightening.

This is the first book in Devon Monk’s The Age of Steam series. The next book Tin Swift is scheduled for publication in July 2012. I’m looking forward to reading it when it comes out.

Review posted at Badass Book Reviews .

[Pippa DaCosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly imagined and original tale of magic, curses and steam.

Steampunk isn't a genre I get on particularly well with, but the character of Cedar Hunt intrigued me enough to give this a try.

Let's get something straight. This is fantasy, not steampunk. That cover is gorgeous, but it says nothing about the wonderful fantasy elements that make up the majority of this story.

'One witch, one human, one dead man, would not stand in the way of his immortality, his revenge.'

Dead Iron is a stunning amalgamation of fantasy and steampunk. I'd even go so far as to say this is 85% a fantasy novel, with a steampunk twist. Beautifully written, this author has a poetic way with words, able to weave them in such a way that really gives this world, its dark magic, and the grind of gears such depth.

Cedar Hunt is a cursed and lonely man. Upon every full moon, he chains himself to his hearth to protect those around him from the beast inside. He gets by as a bounty hunter for hire i the small town of Hallelujah, but the guilt of his brother's death and his endless search for a cure to the curse have left him hollow and alone.



The sleepy Wild West town of Hallelujah has its share of interesting folks. A witch, a trio of mining brothers who most definitely are not what they seem, a girl who can see the 'Strange', to name a few. And this town is right in the path of the railroad, driven by the deliciously evil Shard LeFel. LeFel is an ancient 'Strange' cursed to walk this land for centuries, but he's found a way to open the door to the Strange, and the little town of Hallelujah has everything he needs.

When the blacksmith's boy goes missing, taken by the Strange and LeFel, Cedar Hunt vows to find him.

This has everything, lost love, the walking dead, machines (matics) woven together with magic, lycanthropes and a delightful cast of characters that bring it all to life.

Fans of Keri Arthur and Ilona Andrews, (basically urban fantasy fans), will enjoy this. Don't let the steampunk cover put you off. I've bought the rest of the series, and the first book in Devon's UF series too. I can't wait to get stuck in.

[Fangs for the Fantasy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dead Iron falls into the category of paranormal steampunk. I really looked forward to this book when I saw that it was chosen as the book of the month by one of my Goodreads reading groups; however, that excitement quickly turned to dust, and I found myself looking for anything to do other than reading this book. How do you know when a book is bad? When you find yourself thinking after reading a few pages, hnmmmm I suddenly have a desire to clean the kitchen, or a do a load of laundry. Yes, housework is more amusing than this book.

One of the major faults with Monk's work is how convoluted the story is. First we have a werewolf named Cedar Hunt, who is considered an outsider in the small Oregon town of Hallelujah. He has moved to Hallelujah in an attempt to forget his past. Hunt believes that he killed his brother, one night when the wolf's blood lust blocked out his ability to reason. His wife and child are also dead. Out of the blue, Rose Small, the General Store owner's adopted daughter tells him about a missing child named Elbert Gregor, and he decides to hunt him down. Because Rose has told him that she believes that the boogeyman took the child, he decides to pay a visit to the Madder brothers, who seem to have a special skill working with stone. Even though he has no connection with this child, he is willing to owe the Madders a favor in order to secure their help.

If that were not bad enough, we learn that Hunt is a werewolf because he was cursed. When asked what he had done to cause a God to be angry enough to curse him he said, "I walked on the wrong land. Pawnee land. I did no harm other than to be under the wrong go's scrutiny." (pg. 193) He then goes on to say, "Told me there were Strange rising in the land. Told me I was to hunt them. Kill them." Okay, keep in mind that this is the 1800's, and that White settlers and the government are busy slaughtering, raping, and starving Native Americans. It is absolutely problematic that the only time First Nations people are mentioned, is for one of them to choose a White man as their champion. Has Monk ever read a history book or had an actual conversation with a First Nations person? Somehow I doubt it.

Read More

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devon Monk, the author of Dead Iron, is also the author of the Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series, but you’d never know it if her name wasn’t on the cover. Monk pulls off the impressive feat of creating a wholly distinct voice for her new Age of Steam series.

Here, Monk paints a vivid picture of a gritty, grimy Old West. Like the Beckstrom books, this is set in Oregon, but it’s a very different Oregon. The writing invokes all of the senses, so you can almost smell the metal and oil and blood — and you may find yourself slipping into Old West speech patterns after reading.

Steampunk comes in a wide range of moods, from whimsy to horror. Dead Iron is closer to the horror end of the spectrum. Some scenes are skin-crawlingly disturbing, and you’ll have no trouble hating the cruel, smooth-talking villain.

Other than the fantastically dark mood, the greatest strength of Dead Iron is its characters. This is a largely character-driven novel, with Monk taking us deeply into the minds and lives of the kinds of people who might thrive — or suffer — in a West where magic exists alongside steam technology. Cedar Hunt is a werewolf, haunted by the death of his brother. Mae Lindson is a witch whose magic always twists itself into something dark, even when she means well. Rose Small is a shopkeeper’s adopted daughter with a mechanical bent; she dreams of becoming a deviser and making fantastic objects. All three face prejudice in the isolated town of Hallelujah: Cedar because he’s a loner, Mae because she married a black man (and later because of her powers), and Rose because she doesn’t behave as a young lady is supposed to. These three are arrayed against the sinister Shard LeFel and his ghastly assistant, Shunt. Also in the mix are the enigmatic and highly entertaining Madder brothers, whose intentions are at first not clear to the reader, and who still have mysteries yet to explore in future books.

The plot is pretty straightforward; LeFel races against time to perform a terrible ritual, while the white hats (after hesitantly becoming friends with one another) race against time to stop him. For the characters, the plot moves quickly and takes place over just a few short days; for the reader, it can be a little slow since Monk pauses frequently for character study. The character study is so good, though, that it’s hard to object.

The Age of Steam series presents a dark, fascinating world and a cast of unforgettable characters whose next adventure I can’t wait to read. If you’re a reader who loves character-driven stories and are interested in the creepier side of steampunk, definitely give Dead Iron a try.

Written for FantasyLiterature.com

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something about this didn’t grab my attention. Reading more than a few chapters at a time was hard. Yet there wasn’t anything in particular I didn’t like about it. There was a fair amount of action and it was well paced. For whatever reason I was somewhat bored.

This was an interesting twist on steampunk. It was a blend of steampunk and fantasy in the wild west. And this was the first steampunk book I've ever read without a strong romantic element. I really liked the world because it was different.

Multiple POVs were used, and it didn’t work for me. I think the story would have been more entertaining and suspenseful without using so many POV because then I wouldn’t have known what every character was planning and thinking. I like it better when I have to figure out what they’re up to.

[Ranting Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.rantingdragon.com/dead-iro...


The first installment in a new series by Devon Monk (author of the Allie Beckstrom novels), Dead Iron is a wonderfully fresh and intriguing combination of steampunk technology and western action.

In a world running on steam and gears, science has taken the forefront. However, tales of magic still circulate; magic, and something largely regarded as superstition, a mysterious realm tied to the mortal plane: The Strange.

Cedar Hunt, teacher by schooling but bounty hunter by trade, has come to the Oregon frontier carrying both his guilt over his brother’s death and a curse of lycanthropy which transforms his body and mind into that of a wolf’s during the full moon. Mae Lindson, a renegade witch who left her coven due to her unorthodox methods, hunts for her husband’s killer. And Shard LeFel, railroad tycoon come to Hallelujah, Oregon promising a better tomorrow, is not what he seems to be. In fact, he is something Strange, banished to the mortal plane until his death.

When Cedar learns from a trio of brothers that his brother may yet live, no price is too high to pay to find him. In return for the information, he must track down the Holder, a device created by the mad inventors of the Strange. However, the Holder is in the hands of LeFel, who believes it the key to releasing him from the curse of mortality. But to activate the device, LeFel needs three final victims — a child, a cursed man, and a witch — and he already has two of the three in his possession. It is a race against the clock for Cedar to uncover the mystery surrounding Shard LeFel, the town of Hallelujah, and himself.

Intricate cogs and characters
The character work in the novel is absolutely wonderful. For the major players, enough is seen of who they are and what makes them tick (sometimes literally!) that they are believable as actual characters. Yet there are questions left about each, shadows left to explore, that makes one want to continue reading to discover their secrets. A prime example of the fantastic character work is Cedar Hunt. Though he is a bounty hunter, he has his morals — he will not hunt to kill. However, he is quick (though not without his doubts) to toss these morals out when he discovers his brother might still live.

A well-oiled machine
Apart from the characters, the aspect of the novel that really sold it for me was the plot. It had the right mix of fast-paced action coupled with suspense to hold my attention through the the entirety of the book (even though much of my reading was done in the pit at the theatre!). The division of the storyline between the major players is very balanced, and each is engaging. Not only was the plot of the novel tight and concise, it also laid a few foundatoins for series-spanning subplots — a great selling point for me.

Shakes, stirs, and serves
This is a true genre mash-up, and as my first real foray into steampunk novels, Dead Iron delivered, and did it well. While it may seem that the western, steampunk, and fantasy genres are simply smashed together, the three genres have actually been closely interwoven, much like the many tiny gears in a watch or a clock. It is a polished, well-organized world, and I loved every moment of it. And as a setting for a new series, I believe it holds a lot promise; while the reader may see the finished facade and some of the underlying foundations of the world, there are enough aspects left unexplained to pique the curiosity of the reader.

The downside to this is that the world almost overpowers the main plot. Almost, but not quite. For me, a novel is usually more about the characters and how they make it through their given circumstances, and that held true for Dead Iron. However, I did find myself wanting to know more about things happening back East, in China, and the rest of the world, which is where I think the series is probably heading.

Why should you read this book?
It’s something fresh, new, and exciting. Instead of being a steampunk novel with aspects of fantasy and western, it reads more like a fantasy novel with steampunk technology. The characters are engaging, the plot lines are twisty but fairly easy to follow, and the premise is original. This is a fantastic start to a promising new series.

[Bry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such promise. Seriously. A world with a western theme, magic, strange creatures who prowl the night, earth magic, and the walking dead - what's not to like??

But when the POV changes every chapter from one character to another, and is rarely from the perspective of the MAIN CHARACTER, it is seriously hard to ever become invested in that character. Why should I care about their lives, their past, their emotions when I rarely get to see or experience them either through their perspective or even another characters perspective.

The constantly changing perspective makes the writing seem chopping and the plot disjointed. I am not sure who I am supposed to be focused on, be concerned for, or route for. I am not sure how the points connect, the characters are related, or the occurrences important to the overall plot because everything jumps too much.

In the end I realized it is silly for me to keep reading a book that I am not enjoying and is actually just seriously annoying me. So I'm done. I'm sure others are bound to love it. I didn't like Devon Monks other book Magic in the Bone but thought I would give her another chance since she is so highly recommended by the writing team Ilona Andrews. Since I LOVE their books I figured I would try Monk again, but sadly this has sealed thoughts on her. I won't be reading anymore from this author.

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

America was built on blood, sweat, and gears. Is that not the best tagline ever? It’s also a pretty apt description for the story in DEAD IRON. The steam age America that Monk has created for this series is ingenious. The details of this world are revealed layer by layer until the whole setting is laid out is a glorious magic meets machine old West. Specifically the gadgets in DEAD IRON are magnificent both in conception and description, couple that with a motely crew of noble and nefarious characters and the result is a lovingly crafted world that needs just a bit of tinkering to really shine.

The story in DEAD IRON is told through several different point of views, all of them a little Strange. There’s the main character from the description, a werewolf plagued with guilt; a witch desperate to avenge her husband’s murder; a displaced girl who longs to escape her small town life; a man who manages to nearly elude death; and the Strangest of them all, the villain who ties them all together.

The first hundred pages or so are a bit sleepy, despite the lovely writing. It takes a while for the gears to really start turning in this story and all the various POVs to make sense together. I also had a few issues with the backstory, or lack there of. There are so many key incidents that are referred to repeatedly throughout DEAD IRON but only vaguely. The result felt many times like I was reading the second book in the series even though this is the first book. It’s unfortunate because I think that had Monk explained exactly what had happened with Cedar and his brother and the villain and his brother (the most glaring examples) their motivations would have been so much stronger. As it is, I’m left feeling ignorant and not a little frustrated.

Overall, DEAD IRON suffers from a slow start and some crucial missing backstory pieces, but once the story got going, it was full steam ahead. The old west world is harsh and beautiful and the steam devices plentiful and fascinating. Monk’s writing is quite beautiful as well. The next book in the Age of Steam series should be published in 2012.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to rape

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was an interesting mix of genres. An Excellent Steampunk story. A very good supernatural story and a darn good western. Nice plot with some new twists to old ideas. Nice entertaining read with good characters. I look forward to the other books in this trilogy and trying the writer's other series. Definitely give this one a try. Very recommended

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://staffersmusings.blogspot.com/2...

I am fascinated by the necessity those of us interested in genre fiction seem to
have for classification. Cyberpunk, hard sci-fi, space opera, high fantasy, epic fantasy, etc. Oh and the debates that ensue throughout the community when something is misclassified. In any case, there is no doubt what Dead Iron is - steampunk. Unfortunately, for author Devon Monk, it is steampunk reminiscent of Will Smith's Wild Wild West. While a far more successful execution of storytelling it shares a confusion with Smith's flop film about what it's trying to be. This shouldn't be read as a condemnation, rather a point of reference for discussing a book I ultimately I enjoyed.

Cedar Hunt is a man cursed by the Pawnee gods to hunt the Strange. He bears his curse, but is forever tormented by how it twists his humanity. Traveling west, he follows the Strange to a town named Hallelujah that lies in the inexorable path of expanding rail. When a child mysteriously goes missing, Hunt takes on finding him despite the town's mistrust of an outsider. Hunt's quest soon becomes much more as he sets himself against the Strange who would destroy not only Hallelujah but humankind in their entire.

Like any novel of genre fiction the nuance and ambiance the author sets are critical to success. Monk, trying to create fantasy, offers the Strange. The Strange comes from another plane where something akin to demons rule. It spills into the world and taints it. Personified by two characters, Mr. Shunt and Mr. Lefel, it is linked to the expansion of the railway as it paves a way to carry the Strange itself across the land. There is an obvious, if not overt, metaphor here about the expansion of technology and its impact on humanity.

Monk combines the Strange and technology powered by gear and steam with something called glim. Glim is essentially the Strange made tangible. Placed into a construct of metal and oil it brings technology to life or at least supercharges it. Every time glim made an appearance I was reminded of Tim "The Toolman" Taylor from ABC's 90's hit, Home Improvement - more horsepower! I found the gears and steam extremely satisfying, but imbuing them with the Strange felt unnecessary and made inventing somewhat tangental to "magic". It made what I felt like was an alternate reality steampunk novel feel like Final Fantasy. A few times I was sure Monk was moments away from summoning Bahamut.

As for the worldbuilding, Monk does a satisfactory job. Hallelujah is well imagined. It feels right - a frontier town like any other in an old western, replete with blacksmith, banker, storekeeper, town bully, wild eyed dreamer, and hard working black man looked down on by his peers. While it felt authentic, at least as I imagine a western town to be (since all my experience in such comes from Silverado and The Magnificent Seven), it didn't feel particularly original or unique.

Beyond Hallelujah, the world is only hinted at. Airships, universities, unseen technology, and mysterious cabals lurk beyond the mountains in the east. In this I think Monk did a better job. Her world felt far more fleshed out and alive than the town itself. It is unfortunate that we never see this world in Dead Iron, but I am certain more will come in the promised sequels. That said, the novel itself is entirely self contained and should I never read a sequel I wont be worse off for having spent the time reading this one.

It should be noticed that I'm now easily seven paragraphs into his review and I haven't mentioned the plot outside of a brief introduction. Believe it or not, it's intentional. The plot in Dead Iron is good. It's fun, with adequate emotion and action. If it seems a bit abstract at times when Mr. Lefel waxes poetic about the Strange, it quickly finds it's way again. But to me, in a novel like this the plot is of secondary concern (assuming it's adequate, which it is). The success or failure of Monk's first installment in the Age of Steam series, and her subsequent sequels, will be entirely dependent on how readers connect with the world she's created.

For me, it was ok. I believe she would have better served if Dead Iron had been her second installment in the series. The remembrances of Hunt's time among the Pawnee and his days of learning in the east would have been far more compelling of an introduction to Monk's world. Furthermore she could have avoided the strong emphasis on the Strange and glim and instead explored more of the steampunk tradition before turning things on their head with the introduction of "magic". This combination is what seems to lead the book astray as it loses cohesion in trying to be a western, a steampunk novel, and more traditional fantasy all at the same time.

All that said, I enjoyed the book. The characters are warm and alive. I feel confident in recommending the book to fans of the sub genre. I feel even more confident in the fact that the next book in the series will be better than the first.

[Meigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried so hard to like this book, starting it no less than three times. It has such an incredibly awesome cover, for one. For another, it sounds like a fantastic premise. Alas... This third time, I actually made it two-thirds of the way through before I finally gave up on it altogether. Why, you ask?

Nothing. Happens.

"Filler" is the constant word that popped into my head as I struggled through page after page. It was like reading condensed Robert Jordan: overwrought and repetitive descriptions (I kid you not, the author used the words "rage" and "anger" in the same sentence. And in sequence: rage AND anger--erm...they're SYNONYMS), constant repeats of phrases after sentences slightly reworded in (I think) an attempt to 'heighten the impact.' It did: the impact on my skull as the headache started to build. I was forgiving for the first third of the book, as I had been on the previous attempts to read it, but by the midway point I was starting to get seriously annoyed. Instead of any plot progression or actual character development--or even, in a pinch, actual *action*--I was treated to endless pages of dithering. The main character angsts over his curse and the fact that he lost his wife and child and (he believes) killed his brother. He wants to rescue a lost child, but spends so much time wandering around making deals with the local weird-miner-wizard-types (and getting beat up by them, and tied up by them) and fretting some more over his curse (because going out to look for a stolen child when you yourself are a werewolf with no control over your curse AND it's full-moon-time is a GREAT idea...) that, by two-thirds through the book all he has accomplished is to get a magical silver tuning fork and a magical dog collar that kind-of-sort-of keeps him from killing everything in sight when he's a wolf. That's it. Altogether it's perhaps fifty or sixty pages worth.

The rest of it is yet more filler from the secondary characters. The witch angsting over her husband's apparent death. Thw witch angsting over the fact that, with his death, her coven is trying to call her home--because, apparently, she does BAD magic, even though she's a good person. Then there is sort-of-zombie husband who desperately wants to get back to his wife...except that he really wants to tear apart the guy who killed him three times and goes shambling off to do that instead and tears aparts magical steam robots along the way--at least until, so far as I can tell, they tear him apart instead, and nothing really gets resolved. I suppose he was meant to be interesting because (gasp) he's black and his wife is white and it's the late 19th century (which means that, in our universe anyway, the only place in Western society they could legally do that was France). But that is the sum-total of his character development. (Having flipped forward to the end...yeah. He does turn up again--and dies. Again. His wife--who apparently loved him SO much--leaves town with the protagonist at the end. Yeah. Right.) The witch herself is about as interesting as plain boiled oatmeal (except, of course, for being incredibly beautiful and serving as the likely damsel-in-distress). Much is made about her powers initially--ooh, they're so dark--but apparently, the only protection she has is...her wedding vows. Which, apparently, keep dragging her poor husband back into shambling zombiehood as he tries to rescue her. Ugh.

There's a little bit of filler for the local crazy-inventor girl, Rose, who actually had (I thought) the potential to be by far the most interesting character of the bunch. Abandoned as a baby, raised by stereotypical mildly-abusive types, natural gift for steam mechanics and (maybe) magic--and yet she was cagey and fairly practical (unlike anyone else in the book). However, it seemed her only purpose was to give the villain something to drool over (a very little bit), and while a glance at the end suggests she had *some* role to play in the end, the fact that I'd only seen her two or three times over the rest of the book just didn't cut it for me.

And then there's the villain, who is such a cookie-cutter stereotype of "Villain: Type: Fantasy, Evil Wizard/Mad Scientist/Megalomaniac" that I had to stifle a yawn every time he turned up--which was, distressingly, a lot. Almost more than the supposed hero, it felt like. And he was so *boring*. His motivations were old and tired ("I murdered my brother's child so he exiled me to mortality, I'm gonna GET HIM, waah"), his behavior soooo cliched (Kidnap children! Murder husbands to get at their wives for possibly-sexual-or-sexual-metaphorical-reasons! Kill people for fun! Contemplate torture! Internal monologue endlessly about how I'm going to get my revenge on my brother--and the rest of mortal kind, too, and also how very badass I am mwahahahaha!) and his plot so lame that it put the final nail in the coffin for me. Had the other characters been more interesting, less passive, and less thinly spread I might have forgiven the cliche villain. Cliche villains can be fun--but only when their tongue is firmly planted in their cheek.

There were some elements that held such promise. Rose--the crazy-girl-genius--would, I think, have been a far better protagonist, for one. The matics were interesting, albeit vague (it's never established whether all 'matics are magic AND steam-tech, or one or the other depending on who made them). Glim seemed an interesting element to introduce...except that we learn absolutely nothing about it except that it's "rare" and "extremely valuable" and, apparently, is great zombie-fuel. The overall worldbuilding is incredibly vague, and left me more with the feeling that the author decided to do 'fantasy-steampunk-western' without ever actually researching the REAL west. I never got the sense of place or history (alternate or otherwise) that I expect from a well done historical fantasy. Even the fantasy elements felt far too vague and ill-defined: some of the tech described was cool, but was never clear on whether or not it was all tech, or tech-with-magic. Same thing with the magic: you hear from the get-go about the "Strange" and the terrible things they do, and how they snuck into the New World with immigrants--only to be told, a short time later, that "almost nobody" believes the Strange even exist. There's a witch, who comes from a coven--okay, but are witches commonly known? Are they hidden? If they're hidden, are they the only magical community? The Strange are referred to as 'old gods'--and yet the Pawnee 'god' who curses the hero does so specifically for him to hunt the Strange (he prefers to chain himself to a wall, as it happens). All these inconsistensies, vague references, and cloudy details make for a not-very-interesting-overall setting, which in turn dragged down further the weak characterization.

All in all...a huge disappointment, and a reminder to me, once again, to not buy a book just because the cover is damned cool.

[Elf M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devon Monk's Dead Iron: The Age of Steam, #1 is a mash-up urban fantasy-meets-steampunk-meets western. Set in a 19th century Oregon small town facing change as the rail comes closer, Dead Iron is a satisfactorily well-written but by-the-numbers example of how steampunk ought to be written.

In Monk's formulation, the veil between faery and Earth is very thin, and a mysterious, rare substance called glim enables those blessed with the Gift of Artifice to empower marvelous steam-powered "matics" with force and capacity and will. Monk's world features mad agents of The Faery King tracking down a banished prince of faery and his dark magics, a college-professor cursed to be a werewolf by a god of an other-than-faery and now turned bounty hunter, and a witch whose only spells are vows and curses, and a chaotic good zombie. Dead Iron is the kitchen sink.

Monk's prose style is amazing. Every character's voice is utterly unique, and Monk attunes both grammar and vocabulary chapter by chapter to the needs of the point-of-view character: Bounty Hunter Ceder Hunt is lettered and well-mannered, but brutalized by his curse; witch Mae Lindstrom is simple, home-bound, but determined; the zombie's thoughts are stuttering, guttering, but driven by a savage force of will. Monk's language gives every character the room he or she needs to be clear and expressive.

The plot is solid, but predictable. Monk is very good about getting her characters center-stage and setting things in motion. It's steampunk clockwork, and not a piece is out of place as the chess game goes from opening moves to its explosive ending. She pulls new pieces into the plot smoothly and without raising your sense of disbelief, she lays down foreshadowing with skill and experience.

However, the book is not perfect. The heroes are all too damned Good, the villains too damned Evil, the ordinary townspeople too damned Stupid. Dead Iron's morality is pure fairy tale, and none of the main characters really grows much during the course of the book. Each character is led by circumstance and reconcilition with one's existing values, rather than growth and maturity or avarice and decay, from one scene to the next. They're all wonderful people, but that's about it. The book relies on language, likability, and a predictably relentless buildup to the final cinematic confrontation to sell its successor. It works, but just barely.

[audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

At its heart, this novel is two stories: one, a really above-average steampunk Western, and the other a fairly basic dark-fairy fantasy story. And throughout the book there's a kind of tension between the two; as a reader you really feel the *clunk* as one story gives way to the other, back and forth. They're not well wedded, is what.

But that doesn't mean this book's not AWESOME.

Missing werewolves! Mad Welsh brothers! Mountain lairs! Stolen children! Found children! A traveling train-zoo of supernaturally powered steam animals! Two men who cannot be killed but who really want to kill each other! Witches! Not-witches! Non-glamorous werewolfing! Heroines who can ride and shoot! No one in the fridge!

I do have questions about the race/ethnicity issues (you have one Black person in the story and they're dead? Okay, let's discuss that choice) but then again I will always have questions about the race/ethnicity issues.

But there was something on every other page that popped up out of nowhere and proceeded to be extremely excellent at whatever part of the two stories it set its mind to. And all these tiny details, these tiny epic, wonderful things just kept adding to the book, until it was fairly over-flowing with crazy awesomeness. And in the end analysis, that was enough, for me, to keep the two stories balanced and in sync.

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm really starting to think that Steampunk just isn't my genre. Or maybe I just haven't read any really good ones. That hasn't changed since I finished this one.

The writing isn't very great, with far too much tell and not enough show. A simple story gets dragged out over more than 300 pages, when really not much at all happens. I feel that the author was either uncreative or just not very skilled. A lot of frustrating and cliche things happen that just extend the story along. The book is far too dark than it should be, and things just happen inexplicably. It's like she tried to throw in every strange supernatural thing she could, without any rhyme or reason. The whole book feels very amateurish - not just the writing, but the plotting as well. I wonder if the book was written using "discovery writing". If so, the book really needed a good editor. I can't really believe a book like this can get published. The standards for writing must have really fallen in the last decade or so. But I guess that bodes well for me when I finish my novels!

Another series I tried but have no intention of continuing...

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this steampunk adventure for months and I was not disappointed. Really liked the characters. Lots of setup, but also a good story. Liked the worldbuilding and the magic system and the gadgets (gotta have the gadgets!). You've got a man cursed by an Indian god, Strange beings that stalk humans, witches, a zombie, and a girl who is more than she seems.

It's in 3rd person following a handful of characters (both heroes and villains). I've read some books where this effect leads to too many threads and an inability to connect to the characters, but this book did not have that problem. The different POVs propelled the action along, gave me a greater sense of the scope of the world and the magic system, and let me get to know several characters better than I would have in a 1st person narrative. It was a tight story that still leaves a lot of room for more adventures.

I think my favorite character is Rose - hope she'll play an even bigger role next time.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steampunk meets Western meets Fantasy in the opening volume of a unique and immensely intriguing series chockfull of action, magic, mystery and steam-powered marvels. Between bounty hunter Cedar Hunt who bears a dark curse and is haunted by his brother's death, newly widowed witch Mae Lindson who wants revenge on her husband's killer, Shard LeFel, cast out of the immortal realm whence he came and hellbent on finding a way back, a trio of brothers with uncanny abilities and an agenda of their own, and Rose, an orphan girl who is more than she seems and knows herself, there is a wealth of fascinating characters populating these pages. While I found the story a little slow to start, I found myself easily drawn into this world and have every intention of returning to it soon.

[Jennie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't get into this book. I'm almost 150 pages in and find that I just don't particularly like any of the characters (everyone is too mysterious and broody - and there are too many of them. I don't want FOUR points of view, dangit), and the story is taking too long to unfold. There's a lot of hinting at stuff and riding around in the forest and a lot of sitting around thinking about things, and more hinting at stuff and a lot of descriptions of steampunky gadgets, but not enough actual doing anything. And the bad guy is just missing a mustache to twirl. He's evil and wants to rule the world! And he'll threaten to kill babies to do it! Mwahahahahahahahaha!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steampunk can be hit or miss with me but this story was a definite hit. It blended elements of a good old-fashioned western with the marvels of steampunk gadgetry seamlessly. Throw in a supernatural element, a pinch of magic, a dash of a hope of a sweet romance, then top it off with interesting characters and I was hooked.

[Jill Myles]

So...damn. This is a hot cover.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m looking forward to where the path will take me. Aren’t you looking forward to your path, Mr. Hunt?”
- Rose Small (up and coming badass)

Yes Rose, I’m looking forward reading all of your adventures! This blend of steampunk, weird western, and unlikely heroes hit the right balance.

Steady world building, character introduction, and action. It’s a strange world but the story doesn’t suffer info dumps.

This is poised to be an quest action/adventure series and there’s even a little potential romance.

I will definitely be reading book two.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cedar was cursed as a werewolf. He is tasked with finding a missing little boy.
What sounded fairly simple, was a lot to unpack due to the multiple points of views this book had. There's (of course) Cedar, but add Mae (a witch), Rose, Jeb, The Madder Brothers (Alun, Bryn, Cadoc), Shard Lefel, Mr Shunt, you get the point. The world is an interesting one (old west, but with steam). I am happy to note the big bad gets his due, but someone else is still alive leaving a future plot line open for books 2 and 3 (I assume). (And not to forget the Holder).
Not really that interested in continuing.
For Romance-opoly Journey's End moon track

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A true steampunk adventure where humans (and those a little less so) fight to stop a door from opening up to a world full of creatures bent on our destruction.

Opening Sentence: Cedar had stared straight into the killing eyes of rabid wolves, hungry bears, and charging bull elk, but Mrs. Horace Small had them all topped.

The Review:

The steampunk genre has always fascinated me. Fantastical machines and notions that seem to crawl right out of one’s imagination. To be honest, Dead Iron is the first steampunk I have read in a while that doesn’t have any smut in it; romantic interest but no smutish love scenes. I’m not sure whether or not to be sad about that. Barring my love of novel smutitude, I have to say that this was a fantastic read!

Cedar Hunt is a werewolf. No really, he’s a werewolf. He has chosen to hide his true nature and live in a forgotten little town in Oregon called Hallelujah. This is a small minded community where the unusual is looked down upon and strangers are to be feared and rejected. When Cedar decides to get involved with the search for a missing local boy using his special abilities, he finds himself way in over his head. With the help of some unusual helpmates and devices, Cedar and company attempt to stop a very bad man from transforming their world into a playground for the Strange; a hungry and amoral species that feed off of humans.

Cedar’s character is intriguing. He is a man with a strong code of personal ethics and morals. He is also a cursed man; doomed by an ancient god to roam as a werewolf and hunt down the Strange. Though it is in his best interests not to get involved with the locals and their troubles, he still feels the need to help find a little boy that has gone missing from his home. When he realizes that this may be the work of the Strange, he pursues with a single-minded devotion to hunt down and kill what doesn’t belong in this world. Even after he uncovers information concerning his brother’s fate, he does not give up his mission to save the boy. The juxtaposition between beast instinct and human logic makes Cedar a wonderful character.

Mrs. Jeb “Mae” Lindson is another major character in this book. Her story is one filled with magic and love. She is a witch that has magically sealed her life and soul to her husband, Jeb, in such a way that gives a whole new meaning to the term “Until death do us part.” When she feels his death, she is hell bent on revenge. She teams up with Cedar to hunt the person or thing that killed her husband. Her character is very heartfelt. The pain and grief she feels about losing her husband is shown in every action. And while she does find closure, her love for her husband will always live within her heart. These emotions and trials are what help shape and hone the strength of character that Mae exhibits.

The antagonists within this book are amazing. Not only do you have the small town fear of the new and unknown, you have to contend with the Strange which are dangerously new and unknown in a far more global scale. The small mindedness hatred that some of the townsfolk exhibit toward relatively harmless people are in direct contrast to the welcoming of what is apparently a much greater danger to everyone. I really enjoyed the overall social theme that this book described. Illogical fear and loathing can lead a person down a much more dangerous path than the righteous road they believe that they are traveling down.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. The imagery and tension within this novel make it a wonderful read for any steampunk fan. Ms. Monk is well-known for infusing awesomeness in all her work and this new and exciting new series is no exception.

Notable Scene:

The man hadn’t walked away, nor had he hid himself. He had simply disappeared as if her were made of nothing but shadows.

She had seen spirits, and she had seen the things magic could do, but she had never seen such a Strange thing here, in this world, walking in the last light of day. Whoever he was, he had not come calling with gentle intentions.

The edge of the forest and pale evening light were just a few strides away. Light might not stop the man, but escaping the shadows of the forest would make him easier to see.

There. There-she was almost through the trees.

A hand grabbed for her reins, cold as stone and sharp as knives. Mae lifted her gun and fired, just as Prudence reared back.

The Age of Steam Series:

1. Dead Iron

2. Tin Swift

FTC Advisory: Penguin/ROC graciously provided me with a copy of Dead Iron. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. I'm not normally a big fan of historical romances or steampunk, but I am a fan of Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom series, so when I heard about this I knew I had to give it a try. And I'm glad I did. The good experience started with the stunning cover. It's really one of the best I've seen, if I were browsing in a store (sigh, the few left) I would absolutely pick it up to examine it more closely, it's just amazing. The lighting and textures and the way that it really sets the tone for the wild west steampunk book with the strong and sexy hero is just wonderful. The publisher is to be commended for understanding that covers do sell books; I borrow everything from the library now, funds are limited, but all of Devon's books are on my must-buy list because of their stunning covers, as are Patricia Briggs' and a handful of others. It matters. And this one is now at the head of the list. This cover markets the book on many levels and it's a really smart move by Roc.

OK, as for the actual content! I enjoyed the story very much. The best part was the characters. It primarily revolves around three characters, Cedar, the guy on the cover, smart, honest, sad, cursed; Mae, strong, smart, impetuous, angry, a witch whose husband has just been killed (sort of); and Rose, a young adopted woman with a mind of her own despite parents and a town who've tried to squash her spirit into a mold that just doesn't fit her spirit or interests. I kept changing my mind who my favorite was, I liked them all so much, especially the women. It definitely the first book in a series and there is still a lot of getting to know these characters left to be done, it's clear that we've really just scratched the surface at this point, but I just liked them. They were brave and outspoken and competent and quick-witted and just cool. Cedar was still the biggest cipher, strangely enough since he's really the star of the book. We got hints about his past, but no concrete information. We saw what kind of man he is from his actions but we didn't get to see him interact with others much so his personality, if he has a sense of humor, that kind of thing, hasn't come up yet. So I'm looking forward to learning more about him in the next book.

As for the story, it was exciting and creative, a wild mix of urban fantasy, steampunk and tale of the old wild west. When witches, werewolves, exiled elves (maybe?) and other Strange creatures meet up with devisers, matics, and tickers, not to mention guns, cold iron, regular townsfolk and all of their small-minded issues, well, chaos does tend to ensue. I liked the way the three main points of view wove together so that the three seemingly separate stories came together into one cohesive tale. The Madder brothers were a very fun element, both comic relief and added depth as well, kind of dark and dangerous fairy godfathers perhaps? My only complain is that it suffers a bit from being the first book in a series. I think that when I look back later it will be clear that she was introducing the characters in the best way that she could while still telling a complete and exciting story and setting up the next part of the tale as well, but it does leave them a bit under-explored. There's only so much you can do in one book after all and I'm just jumping the gun a bit by anticipating how rich these characters will become when she has a chance to really develop them, since they are already so intriguing. But overall I really enjoyed the book, it was a super fun mix of elements with a great story and characters that you won't be able to resist liking.

By the way, if you'd like to see more covers by the great cover artist, Cliff Nielson, here's a link to some of his work. I bet you already own a few of these, I know I do! http://ow.ly/62V5s

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead Iron was recommended to me by a friend who'd very much enjoyed this series and others by Devon Monk. The book is workmanlike and entertaining, but hardly enthralling.

Our hero, Cedar Hunt, has been cursed with lycanthropy. He's interesting enough, though his tortured mien slips into angsty every now and then, and is only saved from whiny by his tight-lipped, Old West tough-guy personae. Mae Lindson bears the double-scarlet letters of being both a witch and the gringa half of a racially mixed marriage. She's widowed pretty early on in the book (before the end of chapter 2), and spends most of the book wrapped in raging grief and the thirst for vengeance. Her husband is slightly more approachable as a character in spite of being dead, in large part because he refuses to admit that "until death do us part" means your marriage ends when your heart stops beating. Rose Small is an orphaned child with a mysterious past even she doesn't suspect, and which is little explored in this book. Still, her determined optimism, open-mindedness, and innocence makes her the most empathetic and interesting or our main characters. They are aided by a trio of subterranean "Welsh" miners and steam-punk tinkerers called the Madder brothers, who provide logistical support, firepower, and much-needed comic relief, though they themselves fall prey to the tight-and-stiff-lipped Old West tough-guy thing themselves.

They are opposed by the excessively ostentatious Shard LeFel, royal exile of a magical world-next-door. Under the guise of a railroad tycoon, LeFel has been working to build an enchanted door that will allow him to return home. He just needs to murder three specific people in order to open that door.

(As an interesting aside, LeFel is written more like a tragic hero than a villain, facing and overcoming obstacles and setbacks at every turn. Except for his eagerness to murder and manipulate, he'd be easy to mistake for a hero whose goals just happen to oppose those of our main characters.)

The action takes place in the small town of Hallelujah, populated by the most backwards, suspicious, small-minded sheeple-hicks you're likely to ever encounter this side of Hester Prynne's Boston. I'm not shocking or spoiling anything for you when I mention that LeFel whips up the townsfolk into a torch-waving mob that marches on Mae Lindson's home, am I? Didn't think so.

LeFel's minions are largely made up of the Strange, and they darn near make up for any shortcomings in the story. Malevolent spirits driven by disturbing appetites, they seek easy entry into the American continent, and the dead iron rails of LeFel's transcontinental railroad are just the sort of gateway that they need. In the meantime, they require the sorcerous-steampunk amalgamation bodies LeFel can provide in order to have any serious presence in the human world, and they use these bodies to further LeFel's interests, though not always eagerly.

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick up the second book in this series. I just don't feel the burning need to know what happens next, as I do with Kim Harrison's books, nor do I find the world quite as intriguing as I do Sarah Hoyt's current foray into multi-world steampunk-and-sorcery (though I'll readily admit Monk's work is far more steampunky, with it's steam-powered mecha and multi-utility brass-and-crystal shooting goggles. Yes, Virginia, in Monk's work, the goggles, they do do something!). That all said, the setting and the Strange are intriguing, and I'm curious to see what sort of trouble Rose finds for herself, so I imagine I'll pick up book two eventually.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in Devon Monk's new Age of Steam series. Previously I have read Monk's Allie Beckstrom series and enjoyed it. I have mixed feelings about this book. I absolutely adored the world and some of the ideas in this book. Unfortunately the story moved very slow in the beginning and there were so many characters I feel like I never really got to know them all that well.

Cedar Hunt is a cursed man and a bounty hunter. He is hired to find the Holder and in his spare time is trying to track down a four year old boy that went missing from the village. Ends up lots of people want to find the Holder and Cedar will end up pitted against an immortal beings in his search for it. He will also be fighting side by side with witches and a trio of strange brothers. Think of this as Wild West meets steampunk meets traditional fantasy.

The world created in this book is complicated but absolutely awesome. It is very a wild-west frontier setting but with steam devices, witches, immortals, evil magicians, werewolves and the Strange (evil creatures). The way Monk has blended these things together is absolutely awe inspiring. I loved, loved, loved this world and really want to read more about it.

The book has some problems though. It starts very slowly. This is a complicated world and the story is told from 4-5 viewpoints, so it take a long time (too long) to get things going. I had trouble getting through the first part, my mind kept wandering. If you can make it through the first two-thirds of the book though you are in for a crazy wild ride. The pace really picks up in the last third and the book is impossible to put down.

Okay, now let's talk characters. There are some great characters in this book. Cedar Hunt is a great tormented cowboy noble warrior type; loved him. The witch is wonderful too, as are the mysterious three brothers who are devicers and live in tunnels Then there is Rose, the shopkeeper's daughter, she has such wonderful potential. All of these characters have an element of mystery to them and have so much potential to be absolutely awesome. Unfortunately they don't reach that potential in this book. There are just too many viewpoints and characters and because of that we don't really get to engage with any of them really well. Hopefully the next book will address this.

The action scenes are awesome, the idea of glim, and all of the wonderful contraptions are spectacular. The book ends well; I wanted to read more about it but it wasn't a cliffhanger ending.

Overall an okay book. I am a bit conflicted because there is so much potential for awesomeness here. The world is absolutely wonderful, the characters could be wonderful if we got the time to know them better. Unfortunately the first two-thirds of the book is very slow going. The constantly changing viewpoints makes it hard to engage with the characters and really slows the story down; I found myself struggling to get through the beginning of the book and then was absolutely glued to the book for the last third of the story. This book is absolutely unlike Monk's Allie Beckstrom series and I really like what Monk's started here. I am hoping that the next book will focus on less characters and get the story moving quicker; if it does that it will be a spectacular series. Fans of fantasy and steampunk will find a lot in this world to love and should check it out; or at least keep an eye on the series to see if the next book is as awesome as it could be. I will definitely be reading next book and hoping for the best.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I think of Steampunk, I think of Victorian England, men in waist coats and crazy spectacles, women in corsets and steel boots. Why do I think this? Because that is the only type of Steampunk I have read really. And because I had never read anything other, that is what Steampunk was to me. But all that has changed now that I read Dead Iron by Devon Monk.

Dead Iron is the first book in Devon’s Age of Steam series. It takes place in America during the pioneer days. No corsets here. Just mobs that go after witches and praying if people think you’re crazy. And I for one loved the change in scenery and the feel of this book. And I found it to be just enough steampunk. What I mean by that is I didn’t find it overpowered the story, as steampunk often does.

If you notice, I didn’t write a ‘yummy man’ and ‘kick ass chick’ at the beginning of this post. That’s because the way this book is written, there is no single hero and heroine, and there really isn’t a love connection in this book either. There are many little stories in one book and all of these stories intertwine to give you one big story. It never feels muffled. If never feels forced. Even though it takes at least 60 pages to know enough about each character to see where their part of the story is headed, you never feel lost or confused.

I really enjoyed Cedar. Out of all of the characters, he may have been my favorite (he’s on the cover). After ‘knowing him’ just a short while, you want him to have a happy life. He really does deserve one. But there is also Mae. She may actually be my favorite. Her story is heart-wrenching and her love for Jeb… I cried at the end, it was so sad yet beautiful. Then again, I really did like Rose…and the Madden brothers… There are so many wonderfully written characters in this story, and each one receives the attention they deserve. Each gets enough page time that you end up caring about them. Even the villain gets a nice amount of story time. But you don’t root for him. He’s slime and deserves bad things like ingrown toenails.

Even though Steampunk is not my most favorite genre, I gave Dead Iron a try because it was written by Devon. And I’m glad I did. The characters are really well done, but the highlight for me was the writing. Devon wrote this book beautifully. I don’t know of many authors who could have pulled of writing so many plot lines without jumbling them all up. The descriptions were perfect – not too wordy or confusing. And when creating a Steampunk world inside a reader’s mind, the description is key. In this book, it is very visual.

The only reason I rated this book the way I did is because, as I’ve mentioned, Steampunk is not my most favorite genre. And even though the writing was wonderful, I don’t see myself reading this book again someday. But it is definitely worth a try if you are in the mood to read something different and well done.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Neil Gaiman’s short-lived Mr. Hero: The Newmatic Man comic was to meet Alan Moore’s From Hell, the original Wild, Wild West television series (at least for the ambiance of cool private rail cars), and Marvel’s old Werewolf by Night with more than a little Native American garnish? If that doesn’t pique your interest, Dead Iron: The Age of Steam is Deadlands, Doomtown, and Malifaux, classic steampunk western settings for gamers combined with an unsettling mix of Victorian invention (in this case an alternate 19th century U.S.) and horror. It takes the idea of the transcontinental railroad and treats it as though it is the equivalent of supernatural strip mining.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to delineate the cast of characters and some of the twists and turns of the plot without unwittingly unveiling some spoilers. Characters you think are neutral turn out to be compellingly evil and characters you think are bad turn out to be relative good guys (in kind of the Clint Eastwood “Man With No Name” sense). The main protagonist (who has a Native American curse problem) is strong and fascinating, but doesn’t turn out to be nearly as interesting as some of the supporting cast. You know there is going to be a major showdown with the ultimate bad guy toward the end of the novel, but you really aren’t expecting the exact mixture of allies on each side.

The rituals and blood-driven clockwork mechanisms have an unsettling eeriness about them. The clockworks keep it from feeling like any real-world occult ritual, but there is just enough of the pervasive, dark magic portrayed that you feel like somebody is playing the soundtrack to The Exorcist (complete with its subliminal hog slaughter sounds) as you read. At one point, a bad guy spills the blood of an innocent child on a metal box with a clockwork dragonfly inside it. The blood activates the dragonfly so that its wings begin to flap quickly. The entire box is used to perforate the victim’s chest and then, the bad guy turns a key until the wings and heart slow and stop beating. What a strange deliciously wicked death scene (as long as it doesn’t happen in real life)!

Guns, werewolves, magic, railroads, and mysterious young women! What more could you want? Two people claim they can remove a curse. Can they? A watch “heals” magically. Will it lead a character to someone presumed dead? The cursed loner, the brothers who are miners, the merchant’s weird daughter, the widow, and more provide a varied and interesting cast. Best of all, the story is extremely well-paced. For all the changes in point of view between the cast members, it was enough of a page turner that I completed it in two days of commuting. I’ll be watching for other books in what seems to be targeted as a series.