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clairedrinkstea's Reviews (1.09k)
I really enjoy the Iron Seas books and this one is no exception. In fact I declare it my favourite thus far!
I waited for the complete collection rather than reading them in the original 8 part serial releases as I was looking forward to Zenobia's story and really wanted to crack through it rather than wait for the next part and I was not disappointed!!
You don't need to read the other three novels and short stories prior to this one however there are a few characters (the lead, Zenobia Fox for example) who have appeared in the Iron Seas series already. Being a stickler for reading books in order I would suggest you do so. Saying that The Kraken King is a great gateway book to the Iron Seas series and to Steampunk novels in general.
Zenobia Fox, author of her brother's (Archamedies Fox) and Captain Corsair's (her sister-in-law) adventure tails, is off to Australia as her friends companion. She was only supposed to witness adventure from a distance to inspire future stories however Zenobia attracts danger and she is quickly caught up in marauder attacks, political intrigue, ransom demands, kidnapping and torture all the while falling in love with a strong ex-rebel military commander now Governor of a settlement, Ariq, also known as The Kraken King.
There is a great mix of action, wit, exposition, romance and humour surrounded by a well developed history. Meljean Brook's alternative history mixed with the Steampunk scientific and technological advancements are thorough and very different to other novels within this genre which is reason enough for me to recommend the Iron Seas series. I also love how Meljean Brooks does not over-explain the history as too much exposition can take away from the story and often when it is done the reader can be made to feel dumb. Instead it is drip fed or presented in a way to suggest that this is the world, this is the history, this is how and why things are done and they way things are, you as the outsider/reader must deal with it - I love that!
The characters are well developed - yes they are extraordinary (they wouldn't have stories written about them if they weren't) but also flawed individuals. These flaws add to the dynamic of the building relationship between Zenobia and Ariq as well as side characters such as Helene and Taka. Mara and Cooper, Zenobia's bodyguards make nice additions to the cast and I enjoyed their part and would like to read a story of how they got together.
I enjoyed Zenobia and Ariq's building relationship and had my fingers crossed from the beginning - you genuinely want them to be together and be happy. The are very much a couple who work and thrive on each other's differences. Their relationship did not burden the story and the marauder attack problem and subsequent issues arising from it is in no way impeded by the romance aspect of the book. They instead work hand-in-hand as story and plot devices.
I love this book. I love this series.
I waited for the complete collection rather than reading them in the original 8 part serial releases as I was looking forward to Zenobia's story and really wanted to crack through it rather than wait for the next part and I was not disappointed!!
You don't need to read the other three novels and short stories prior to this one however there are a few characters (the lead, Zenobia Fox for example) who have appeared in the Iron Seas series already. Being a stickler for reading books in order I would suggest you do so. Saying that The Kraken King is a great gateway book to the Iron Seas series and to Steampunk novels in general.
Zenobia Fox, author of her brother's (Archamedies Fox) and Captain Corsair's (her sister-in-law) adventure tails, is off to Australia as her friends companion. She was only supposed to witness adventure from a distance to inspire future stories however Zenobia attracts danger and she is quickly caught up in marauder attacks, political intrigue, ransom demands, kidnapping and torture all the while falling in love with a strong ex-rebel military commander now Governor of a settlement, Ariq, also known as The Kraken King.
There is a great mix of action, wit, exposition, romance and humour surrounded by a well developed history. Meljean Brook's alternative history mixed with the Steampunk scientific and technological advancements are thorough and very different to other novels within this genre which is reason enough for me to recommend the Iron Seas series. I also love how Meljean Brooks does not over-explain the history as too much exposition can take away from the story and often when it is done the reader can be made to feel dumb. Instead it is drip fed or presented in a way to suggest that this is the world, this is the history, this is how and why things are done and they way things are, you as the outsider/reader must deal with it - I love that!
The characters are well developed - yes they are extraordinary (they wouldn't have stories written about them if they weren't) but also flawed individuals. These flaws add to the dynamic of the building relationship between Zenobia and Ariq as well as side characters such as Helene and Taka. Mara and Cooper, Zenobia's bodyguards make nice additions to the cast and I enjoyed their part and would like to read a story of how they got together.
I enjoyed Zenobia and Ariq's building relationship and had my fingers crossed from the beginning - you genuinely want them to be together and be happy. The are very much a couple who work and thrive on each other's differences. Their relationship did not burden the story and the marauder attack problem and subsequent issues arising from it is in no way impeded by the romance aspect of the book. They instead work hand-in-hand as story and plot devices.
I love this book. I love this series.
In a word... Disappointed.
This, for me, is the third miss by Miss Frost in a row.
I honestly don't know why Vlad loves Lelai. She's so annoying. Nothing that has occurred throughout this series has ever given me any indication as to way the biggest, badass Vampire would fall for her.
"I came closer, wondering what he'd been like before the brutalities of his life had hardened him into the complex, lethal man I'd fallen in love with. Did he have any happy memories from his childhood?".... HELLO!! This is Vlad the Impaler! His childhood sucked!!
The chapters were short and seemed to lack detail. Don't get me wrong I don't need to read about torture in intimate detail but as a massive driving force within this narrative it was barely touched upon.
I'm also disappointed this is not the last in the series. Though I LOVE Vlad and welcome him in any book, it means yet again we have to hear from Leila. The new element meaning fourth book is on the cards could have been wrapped up in this book and the new bad guy was forced.
Vlad saves the series and the supporting characters help though I'm getting mighty tired of the one track story for Marty, Hugh and Gretchen. Maximus as with the second instalment is one-dimensional however there is a redeeming scene near the end. I would love for Ian (front the other Night Huntress books) to take Maximus on a wild night out to blow of the cobwebs and realise how Lelia isn't really a catch.
This, for me, is the third miss by Miss Frost in a row.
I honestly don't know why Vlad loves Lelai. She's so annoying. Nothing that has occurred throughout this series has ever given me any indication as to way the biggest, badass Vampire would fall for her.
"I came closer, wondering what he'd been like before the brutalities of his life had hardened him into the complex, lethal man I'd fallen in love with. Did he have any happy memories from his childhood?".... HELLO!! This is Vlad the Impaler! His childhood sucked!!
The chapters were short and seemed to lack detail. Don't get me wrong I don't need to read about torture in intimate detail but as a massive driving force within this narrative it was barely touched upon.
I'm also disappointed this is not the last in the series. Though I LOVE Vlad and welcome him in any book, it means yet again we have to hear from Leila. The new element meaning fourth book is on the cards could have been wrapped up in this book and the new bad guy was forced.
Vlad saves the series and the supporting characters help though I'm getting mighty tired of the one track story for Marty, Hugh and Gretchen. Maximus as with the second instalment is one-dimensional however there is a redeeming scene near the end. I would love for Ian (front the other Night Huntress books) to take Maximus on a wild night out to blow of the cobwebs and realise how Lelia isn't really a catch.
Not the usual standard of Tessa Dare.
Not the usual level of comedy which let the story down. The narrative was repetitive and the protagonists one dimensional. Analogies were overly fluffy and served nothing to the story.
Lucy is selfish, silly and ignorant. Jeramy is a horn dog and comes off like a cardboard cutout. I can understand a sexual attraction but struggled with their emotions toward each other and how they developed. Lucy so quickly changed her devotion from Toby to Jeramy I got whiplash! Jeremy's requisite secret seemed forced as it was expected of a Regency hero to have one and very obvious (which isn't a bad thing, just a point to note)
Lucy would have understood that she'd have to take on the duties of a countess and her protestations and silly antics to assert her tomboy 'independent' ways were slapstick, selfish and needless. Jeramy had an abrupt change of character once Lucy's hand had been secured. The setup for this had been made by Lucy's brother, Henry, advising that Jeramy may seem cold on holiday with they but he was worse in society.
It's amazing how much these two need to work on their communication, but then it would have been a very short story! Once they talk and Lucy grows up the story improves. On the plus side, the sexual tension was done well and the sex scenes steamy and raw.
Not the usual level of comedy which let the story down. The narrative was repetitive and the protagonists one dimensional. Analogies were overly fluffy and served nothing to the story.
Lucy is selfish, silly and ignorant. Jeramy is a horn dog and comes off like a cardboard cutout. I can understand a sexual attraction but struggled with their emotions toward each other and how they developed. Lucy so quickly changed her devotion from Toby to Jeramy I got whiplash! Jeremy's requisite secret seemed forced as it was expected of a Regency hero to have one and very obvious (which isn't a bad thing, just a point to note)
Lucy would have understood that she'd have to take on the duties of a countess and her protestations and silly antics to assert her tomboy 'independent' ways were slapstick, selfish and needless. Jeramy had an abrupt change of character once Lucy's hand had been secured. The setup for this had been made by Lucy's brother, Henry, advising that Jeramy may seem cold on holiday with they but he was worse in society.
It's amazing how much these two need to work on their communication, but then it would have been a very short story! Once they talk and Lucy grows up the story improves. On the plus side, the sexual tension was done well and the sex scenes steamy and raw.
Excellent! Loved it!
Ilona Andrews really knows how to write a gritty magic filled book with strong characters and fantastic, original premise.
Nevada has a huge sense of family honour and pride with a strong moral compass that plays nicely against Mad Rogan's seeming cold calculated tenaciousness.
Mad Rogan is painted as this mad, bad scarily powerful and distraction force with two silver spoons - one in his mouth, the other up his ass - however small aspects of his actions and the revelations in the epilogue show otherwise, making future instalments of this series very enticing.
Together Nevada and Rogan are very hot. Professionally they are effective and scary good as they go after narcissistic playboy and all round but job Adam Pierce.
Adam killed a security guard and severely hurt that guards family whilst robbing a bank. Nevada is tasked but the parent company of her family PI firm to go after him and return Adam to his House. She is chosen not because they think she will succeed but as a pretence due to her firms high success record but to fail and for the parent company to so shrug it off and say "we tried...".
HOWEVER.... Adam being this shirtless, psycho, pyromaniac killer is looking to burn down Houston. Not what his House expected! As you would expect things escalate dramatically quickly!!
The re-writing of history to include magic in the world is interesting - an elixir developed in the 1800s unlocks various magical abilities in varying strengths. This is different to the other two series' by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series where magic and tech come
in in waves or The Edge series where the world is divided) and the concept is good.
Having 'Houses' in this world as not one being Family but very rich, very powerful, very influential
Institutions is also a nice twist.
Nevada's family are intrinsic and nice side characters. The affection and duty Nevada holds for them is drives her. I like her cousins Bern and think Leon will be fantastic when he grows up. My favourite though is her Grandmother... I loved Grandma Frida. Not the traditional apron wearer but wrenching wielding warrior! I would love a story from her heyday, I can image it being epic!
As a side note, and this is purely directed at the Publishers (as I know the authors have no say) but I hate the cover! It's dreadful! Thankfully I have the e-reader version so I don't have to look at it. But hey, if that's the worst thing I can say about this book - I'm on to a winner.
Ilona Andrews really knows how to write a gritty magic filled book with strong characters and fantastic, original premise.
Nevada has a huge sense of family honour and pride with a strong moral compass that plays nicely against Mad Rogan's seeming cold calculated tenaciousness.
Mad Rogan is painted as this mad, bad scarily powerful and distraction force with two silver spoons - one in his mouth, the other up his ass - however small aspects of his actions and the revelations in the epilogue show otherwise, making future instalments of this series very enticing.
Together Nevada and Rogan are very hot. Professionally they are effective and scary good as they go after narcissistic playboy and all round but job Adam Pierce.
Adam killed a security guard and severely hurt that guards family whilst robbing a bank. Nevada is tasked but the parent company of her family PI firm to go after him and return Adam to his House. She is chosen not because they think she will succeed but as a pretence due to her firms high success record but to fail and for the parent company to so shrug it off and say "we tried...".
HOWEVER.... Adam being this shirtless, psycho, pyromaniac killer is looking to burn down Houston. Not what his House expected! As you would expect things escalate dramatically quickly!!
The re-writing of history to include magic in the world is interesting - an elixir developed in the 1800s unlocks various magical abilities in varying strengths. This is different to the other two series' by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series where magic and tech come
in in waves or The Edge series where the world is divided) and the concept is good.
Having 'Houses' in this world as not one being Family but very rich, very powerful, very influential
Institutions is also a nice twist.
Nevada's family are intrinsic and nice side characters. The affection and duty Nevada holds for them is drives her. I like her cousins Bern and think Leon will be fantastic when he grows up. My favourite though is her Grandmother... I loved Grandma Frida. Not the traditional apron wearer but wrenching wielding warrior! I would love a story from her heyday, I can image it being epic!
As a side note, and this is purely directed at the Publishers (as I know the authors have no say) but I hate the cover! It's dreadful! Thankfully I have the e-reader version so I don't have to look at it. But hey, if that's the worst thing I can say about this book - I'm on to a winner.
