Heart of Iron London Steampunk Book 2
by Bec McMaster
- Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 7, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1402270305
- ISBN-13: 978-1402270307
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Book Description
Release date: May 7, 2013
"Deftly blends elements of Steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results...darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy."—Booklist Starred Review for Kiss of Steel
In the mist-shrouded streets of London's dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires, and a clockwork army are one step away from battle...
No One to Trust
Dangerous. Unpredictable. That's how people know the hulking Will Carver. And those who don't like pretty words just call him The Beat. No matter how hard Will works to suppress his werewulfen side, certain things drive him beyond all control. And saucy Miss Lena Todd tops the list.
Lena makes the perfect spy against the ruling Echelon blue bloods. No one suspects that under the appearance of flirtatious debutante lies a heart of iron. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't wrap around her finger and the one man whose kiss she can never forget. He's supposed to be protecting her, but he might just be her biggest threat yet...
Review:
Lena is a young woman caught between worlds. Her scientist father died leaving the family in debt. They moved from the aristocratic side of London to Whitechapel Rookery where the working class struggles. While Honoria works her chemical experiments, Lena builds clockwork mechanical toys. Lena did not want to remain in the lower classes so she is living with her Guardian on the edges of the Echelon, the ruling vampire blue bloods. Her position is precarious without a blood protector and more and more she feels she doesn’t belong in either society world.
Will is a werewulfen in a city that has basically banned all of his kind. The only other werewulfen are caged slaves or side-shows. He is unpredictable, even among his friends, and it has taken him years to learn to keep his nature in control – sometimes barely. He is fascinated by the beautiful and intelligent Lena who once had a bit of a crush on him. But he knows that he can have no relations or future with a human.
Lena has become a courier of messages for a rebel group, the Humanists, humans and mechanists (those with metal enhancements) who are seeking release from the oppression by the Echelon and the government-owned blood draining factories. Although she originally thought the communications were mostly innocent it appears that they are being used by a violent faction of the subversive group. Her continued co-operation and participation in their efforts is now being coerced by blackmailed threats to injure her family.
Will serves as Lena’s bodyguard but she even manages to slip away from him and keep secrets. What he does know is that she is in danger. He will fight through mechanical monsters, and jeopardize his own freedom by risking the liaison position with the foreign werewulfen; a position that he has been appointed to by the Prince.
As the days tick down to a precarious peace conference, Lena becomes deathly ill. Will is devastated as danger presses in.
I really enjoyed the mechanical elements and especially the intensity of the danger in the plot. The characters are strong, well developed and there is also intensity in the forbidden attraction between Lena and Will. Be forewarned that the sexual interaction is on the hot side but I skimmed through that and still enjoyed the story. This is a good story for those who like intrigue, steampunk and conflicted romance.
I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.
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I thought it was interesting that Bec is contracted for three books right now; however, she has ideas to expand the series should readers—and her publisher—be interested. I'm all for that, I hope she gets to write all the stories she wants to. :D
ReplyDeletethe author likes to hike
ReplyDeleteBec has a big family that includes two step-sisters, a step-brother, a half-sister, a half-brother!
ReplyDeleteBEC SKYDIVED IN NORWAY. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteBec lives in Australia and her favorite quote is "Dreamers who only dream, never have their dreams come true".
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that she once skydived in Norway and decided to bungee jump in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she lived in Australia. I also cry in movies, even disney movies. My kids make fun of me all the time. Comercials have been know to get to me too :)
ReplyDeleteJolene A
her favourite quote is: ‘Dreamers who only dream, never have their dreams come true.’
ReplyDeletetiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I really liked that some of the authors favorite movies were Pitch Black and Gladiator. I love those types of movies! All the action and violence is my type of thing. I also liked her favorite quote: ‘Dreamers who only dream, never have their dreams come true.’
ReplyDelete