The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1) in Exclusive Author-Editor Chat featuring author Meljean Brook and editor Cindy Hwang

Jul 06, 2011 Lisa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

(originally reviewed on starmetal oak book blog)

I loved this book! I don't think I burned through a book this fast in a long, long time! I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with Brook's ability to create romantic suspense between her characters. Yes, the book is mostly romance but there is so much more to enjoy as well. The world is some kind of steampunk world where Europe was devastated by the Horde not long before. There's everything you could want in this steampunk novel: zombies, goggles (originally reviewed on starmetal oak book blog)

I loved this book! I don't think I burned through a book this fast in a long, long time! I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with Brook's ability to create romantic suspense between her characters. Yes, the book is mostly romance but there is so much more to enjoy as well. The world is some kind of steampunk world where Europe was devastated by the Horde not long before. There's everything you could want in this steampunk novel: zombies, goggles, crazy mechanical items, and airships. And boy, do I mean airships. I think if there was an add at the back of this book to purchase your very own airship, I would have called it in right then.

Another great part of this book is the characters. The protagonist, Mina, is a inspector who solves crimes by her own insight and wit. I just loved her. She's a flawed character dealing with her own experience with the Horde occupation of England but still manages to be awesome at her job and her relationships with her family. Another character I enjoyed was Yasmeen, the caption of the airship Lady Corsair. We never got enough of her, I think, but I heard she's in the second book and I'm looking forward to that.

There's very little I didn't like. The only thing that really bothered me was Rhys' (Mina's love interest) preoccupation with possessing things (including Mina). He just seemed to think in that zone so much when he thought about her, that I questioned really want he wanted (did he love her?). Things are resolved by the end, but throughout the story this sometimes jarred my enjoyment of the budding romance.

I would definitely recommend The Iron Duke to anyone interested in paranormal romance or steampunk. It's really a great book even if you're just into the steampunk. The romance itself is very, very steamy. Even if you're not hugely into romance I'd say try this one out, because that's how I was before I picked this up and now I'm hooked. I'll definitely be reading more of Brook soon. ...more

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Aug 02, 2011 TheRachelMonster rated it liked it · review of another edition

I read a lot of urban fantasy/romance novels, and figured fantasy wasn't too far off from steampunk, so I decided to give it a go.

This was my first experience where steampunk is concerned, and I have to admit it was a good one. I'd like to say that is was totally creative and unique, but maybe it's not. I don't know; I don't have much to compare it to. Still, I thought the world building was great. I'd give it 4.5 stars--not 5, because there was almost too much information. Admittedly, it took I read a lot of urban fantasy/romance novels, and figured fantasy wasn't too far off from steampunk, so I decided to give it a go.

This was my first experience where steampunk is concerned, and I have to admit it was a good one. I'd like to say that is was totally creative and unique, but maybe it's not. I don't know; I don't have much to compare it to. Still, I thought the world building was great. I'd give it 4.5 stars--not 5, because there was almost too much information. Admittedly, it took me a little longer than I would have liked to understand what the Horde was or how it shaped this alternate England, but eventually I was able to wrap my head around it.

Like this alternate world, I felt the characters were also well-developed. Mina, the co-protagonist, was my favorite character. She's strong, witty, resourceful, independent, but she has her flaws as well. I did like the Duke, even though he sometimes seemed bipolar, and was ridiculously pushy in an I WILL OWN YOU, I TAKE CARE OF WHAT'S MINE kind of way. Despite that being practically the go-to mantra of typical male leads in most romance novels (well, the one's I've read, anyways), he still made for an intriguing, entertaining character. I also had a that's-so-friggen-genius shit fit when it was revealed that (view spoiler).Oh yes, Brook, I see what you did there.

The reason this is roughly a 3.5-4 star book for me is this: the internal struggles Mina--and to some entent, the Duke--go through; As well as the miscommunication. It frustrated the hell out of me. This is nothing new in my experience. I've read similar struggles/simply-in-denial/miscommunication in other romances. It seems a tragic, unrelenting theme that the hero and/or heroine, who is so strong and determined when it comes to everything else, seem to completely forget who they are when they must confront their feelings. I have a love/hate relationship with this. When it comes to characters being so overly oblivious, and constantly in denial or misinterrupting things, it physically pains me. There was practically an overload of external conflict that I felt their relationship shouldn't have needed to constantly be one. Yeah, sure, maybe it makes for a better story. Whatever. But in this instance I wanted to yell some sense into these two. I mean, for once, can someone just own up to their feelings and admit, "Hey, you know what? I ~~wanna bone you~~ love you. Maybe you don't love me back, and even if you did there's a chance we wouldn't work out, and I'm scared, but I don't care. Imma say it to say it. I.LOVE.YOU. So there." Okay, perhaps a little bit more eloquently than that, but yeah.

It was a good read, but it could have been better. If you like steampunk or urban fantasy and just want to test deeper waters, and maybe even have a weak spot for frustrating romances, I'd definitely recommend this book. ...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Visionary Druid rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

First foray in Steampunk and Meljean Brooks.

On page 36 - tad slow starting but in no way is it the author's faults. There is a good chunk of world building and history to understand, expertly insinuated in the story line.

I do have to give Meljean kudas on the sheer brillence and imagination on the world she created. Sure one had to assimilate the jargon, the newness of the world with their contraptions.

Once you got past that hurtle, the story line blooms infront of the eyes and the pace picks ...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Darreth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance-urban-fantasy

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed reading this novel. It took me a little time to understand the world that was being built, but once I did I truly enjoyed the adventure and the building of the relationship.

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Jul 19, 2011 Karen Harbur rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was my first foray into Steam Punk, I was not disappointed. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars was that some parts of the story felt rushed. I will definitely read the next in the series, I think the series has potential and the characters were well written.

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Mar 20, 2013 Cindy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, romance, fantasy, steam-punk

Steam punk series with protected sex.

If you like steam punk/alterate universe stories, this one's wonderful! MB is a talented author.
Mina is a tough, but vulnerable detective. The Iron Duke ( Rhys) isn't just known by that name for the iron gates around his house.
This is a murder mystery that takes them from London, to the sky, to the high seas. Enjoy! ...more

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