From the Bookshelf of 2015 Snagged @ The Library Challenge…

Heart of Iron (London Steampunk, #2)

Bec McMaster

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May 04, 2015 Bj rated it really liked it

Shelves: audible-tantor-downpour-library, library-loan, arc, 2016, audiobooks, steampunk, 4-stars

4 "Verwolfen" Stars for the story and narration!

This is my third dalliance with steampunk romance and I'm still loving the hybrid between a historical, paranormal and a science-fiction romance in an alternate version of the 19th Century British Victorian era. Steampunk romance combines many of my favorite romance sub-genres which keeps me thoroughly entertained with both the world building and the dynamic characters. Moreover, in Heart of Iron, we get a look at a new type of paranormal being, th 4 "Verwolfen" Stars for the story and narration!

This is my third dalliance with steampunk romance and I'm still loving the hybrid between a historical, paranormal and a science-fiction romance in an alternate version of the 19th Century British Victorian era. Steampunk romance combines many of my favorite romance sub-genres which keeps me thoroughly entertained with both the world building and the dynamic characters. Moreover, in Heart of Iron, we get a look at a new type of paranormal being, the verwolfen (which appears to be something of a mix between a werewolf and a highlander/berserker with unnatural brute strength).

Please note though that this series should be read in order, as the underlying world continues to evolve over each sequential read. That said, the romance is completely contained within this book, so from a romance perspective it could be read as a stand-alone, though for maximum enjoyment of the political arc that spans the series, I suggest that you read or listen to Kiss of Steel first.

Lena Todd, the heroine of this story, is the sister of Honoria, the heroine of the first book. Lena, a human and the younger of the two sisters, has left the home of Honoria and Blade, fleeing what she believes is unrequited love for Will Carver, Blade's best friend and right-hand man.

Instead, Lena takes residence with her half-brother, Leo Barrons (though the Echelon does not know this secret connection), where she becomes a debutante looking for a thrall contract--(a Blueblood protector who provides sanctuary in exchange for blood). But looks can be deceiving and Lena's interests in the Blue Bloods and the Echelon has a more clandestine rationale as well--she's a humanist (a revolutionary group that wants to overthrow the rule of the BlueBloods) and has agreed to enlist her services to help their cause.

However, Will is definitely not immune to Lena's charms. It's just that as a verwulfen he has the loupe--a contagious disease--which means he will never be able to consummate his desires for Lena without potentially turning her into a verwulfen (the transformation of which is extremely painful and many humans never survive the transition).

However, when Will is given an opportunity to free other verwulfen's like himself (verwulfen's were typically taken as slaves and used for fight to death style MMA entertainment by the Bluebloods), by working with the Bluebloods, Will is reunited with the woman he could never forget. And when he learns of her secret political intentions, never mind a nefarious Blueblood who has his sights on making Lena his, Will determines to make sure Lena is safe, no matter the cost. But can there possibly be a happy future for a human and verwulfen?

Alison Larkin provides an adept narration for the large cast in Heart of Iron. While I have to say that Ms. Larkin's choice for the various characters may not be my absolute favorite, she does do the story justice. In that regard, Ms. Larkin provides an appropriately accented voice for these British characters, from the high society Bluebloods, like Leo Barrons, to the lower class, rookeries' residing members, which include Will and Blade, providing authenticity to the story that Ms. McMaster pens and providing the ability to differentiate between the classes by just Ms. Larkin's voice.

Ms. Larkin also does a good job at pacing her delivery for easy understanding and heightening of the effect of the various action and suspense scenes.

All in all, Heart of Iron advances the suspense arc of the London Steampunk series and provides a heart-felt story. Being a fan of the underdog, I particularly was sympathetic to Will's difficult lot in life, and was rooting for him to get his HEA. Now I can't wait to continue on with book 3 in this series, My Lady Quicksilver.

Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Nov 20, 2013 Stacey marked it as to-read

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