Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, #1) in My Vampire Book Obsession

Nov 05, 2012 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, ebook, ebook-m, steampunk, 2012

This was a great historical romance. Honoria was an interesting female lead. I like how it emphasized how cruel and harsh it was for woman in that time period. Society basically made it impossible for woman to avoid becoming a prostitute. It's a sad truth. It was bad for women to work or have a profession. By protecting women society made them become part of a work force that it frowned upon.

I loved Honoria's determination to take care of her family and protect them. She knew when to fold and w This was a great historical romance. Honoria was an interesting female lead. I like how it emphasized how cruel and harsh it was for woman in that time period. Society basically made it impossible for woman to avoid becoming a prostitute. It's a sad truth. It was bad for women to work or have a profession. By protecting women society made them become part of a work force that it frowned upon.

I loved Honoria's determination to take care of her family and protect them. She knew when to fold and when to push on. Blade was the perfect counterpart for her. Shockingly he wasn't the typical mysterious male. It soon become clear that he was a compassionate and respectful lead. The way he treated Honoria was wonderful. Normally by the time the PNR ends I feel like the woman should have slapped the guy and told him where the crap to shove it. Instead I felt like Honoria was in the wrong most of the time, but I understood where she was coming from.

The quality of the writing was wonderful and I could see the world in my minds eye. Sadly the world building wasn't what I had hoped for. The time period felt real, but the steampunk themes where underdeveloped. The society with vampires and werewolves was so well thought out and developed with an alternative history that I was baffled how badly the technology was lacking. There are robots and a few “steampunk” things. But they were never described. What did the robots look like? How did they tick exactly? It was vague and it seemed like more of the technology was randomly talked about then actually present in the book.

Overall as a romance it was great. The society of vampires was well realized. But I felt like this could have been just another Victorian with a vampire twist than a steampunk. Hopefully the next book addresses this issue. At this point the Steampunk felt like a gimmick to lure in fans. However, I loved the setup and character Kiss of Steel introduced and I want to see them in their own stories. Not to mention I want to see a revolution in this London/Britain. Down with the blue bloods! Not to mention I want to see how other male leads will be. It was so wonderful to have a male lead who wasn't a total jerk.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor, standard romance/sex scene, some frank thoughts/discussions about prostitution as a career choice and such. Some darker themes, but overall pretty standard.

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers. ...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Lisa - (Aussie Girl) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-ever-reads, paranormal-urban-fantasy, paranormal-historical-steampunk

A refreshing and imaginative fusion of steampunk,vampire and historical romance by new Australian author, Bec McMaster. In an alternate 19th century version of London the seven houses of the Echelon of Blue Bloods, blood drinking aristocracy rule London under the Prince-Regent and his human Queen. The seedy underbelly of London in Whitechapel is the territory of Blade a rogue Blue Blood, lethal, cockney and dangerously appealing to one Honoria Todd who must take shelter in his dominion. Thus set ...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Barbara ★ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2015, h-h-abused-tortured, x-set-in-europe-uk-england, paranormal-vampires, x-set-in-europe, zzz-cover-building, paranormal-shifter-wolf, urban-fantasy, steampunk, zz-cover-grey

I really liked this series starter and will most definitely be continuing. I loved Honoria Todd's stubbornness and pride even in her circumstances, she stuck to her guns regardless. And Blade. A good guy pretending to be a bad guy just to survive in the Rookery. Vampires, werewolves, blue-bloods with the vampire virus, steampunk elements. What more could you ask for? ...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Dawn (Kat N Hat) marked it as did-not-finish

Not bad, but I started it for a group read that no one else read with me so I lost interest. I was confused by the teminoligy and plot anyway. It was a library book I just let go back.

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Sep 30, 2018 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, with-reservations, series, paranormal, demons, mystery, ebook

Exciting paranormal steampunk romance featuring a responsible eldest sister trying to provide for her younger sister and brother. Honoraria Todd pretends that she is still a lady so she can teach speech at a finishing school, but when she loses her job, in desperation she turns to Blade, the Devil of Whitechapel, for aid and protection. (view spoiler) ...more

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