I mentioned The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook over on Oddshots but I want to post about it here as well - because I adored this book!It's the first full-length book in Meljean's new Iron Seas series. There was also a fantastic novella "Here There Be Monsters" in the Burning Up anthology. (Both stand alone, so you can read them in any order.)
The Iron Duke is one of my favorite reads for this year. I picked it up and literally couldn't put it down. It's set in a wonderfully realized world and has an amazing overarching plot, but Rhys and Mina's love story is the center of the book. Both beautifully drawn characters, these two have the most sizzling chemistry.
Quite simply, I loved, loved, loved it!
If you want to read some detailed reviews, Meljean has links to several over on her blog.
Now your turn! What've you been reading and loving lately?
34 comments :
Finished Alpha by Rachel Vincent and The Hawk by Monica Mccarty. Different genres, but both were superb.
Although I couldn't get into Meljean's Guardian series, I might give this one a go.
I really wonder - how do you manage the time to read? 3 (not simple plots too) books a year plus short stories, you are an amazingly fast writer (and reader too). :)
I read and loved Patricia Briggs' Masques (new edition) and am looking forward to her Wolfsbane. That started me off on a reread of some of her books. After I finish Raven's Strike, I have The Iron Duke on my pile to read next!
Like you, read & loved The Iron Duke.
Dark & Stormy Knights anthology rocked.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett was excellent.
And Cara McKenna's Willing Victim was so hot I almost burned my fingers.
I'm catching up on the remainder of the Shelly Laurenston's I haven't read. The later one's are better, and longer... but the earlier one's are still fun.
I have read Mejean's anthology in Burning up and enjoyed it. I have enjoyed other of her "shorts" and been disappointed in the long versions so I admit, this time, I am requesting it from the library. Which if I enjoy it as much as the anthology... we'll see.
The other I enjoy is Jennifer Estep. Just finished Venom... LOVE that series.
Tuesday I downloaded Lora Leigh's Styx's Storm. I stayed up late last night to finish it. I liked it. I didn't love it as much as Mercury's War or Lion's Heat, but I still liked it.
Next up on the reader is The Iron Duke.
Lisa J
I started Lora Leigh's Styx's Storm today, just before leaving for work; I only have about 30 pages read.
Finished Alpha by Racel Vincent and Taken by Midnight by Lara Adrian. Both books were really good. This weekend I am going to read Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks and Styx's Storm by Lora Leigh
Like you... read and LOVED The Iron Duke.
and like Lisa & Diane - sat down and devoured Styx's Storm - Breeds are my guilty pleasure. I did actually like this one a bit more than the last couple.
Now I'm starting Fearless Desires by Stacey Espino.
This week I read "Midnight Rising" - Lara Adrian (the best one so far). Now I am reading "Industrial Magic" - Kelley Armstrong ( I love her books)
Read Lora Leigh's Styx's Storm this week. Didn't like it too much, and I'm starting to question myself why I'm still reading the series, but ah well.
Just finished reading The Fire Lord's Lover by Kathryne Kennedy. Elves and Georgian England's a good combination. :)
I'm planning to read The Iron Duke as soon as the library finishes processing it!
I picked up Crave by JR Ward the other day maybe I'll get to it soon. Iron Duke is definitely on my wish list!
I'm going to be spending my weekend with Mercedes Lackey's newest Valdemar book, Intrigues.
Also have Harvest Moon to read.
The family has been warned I'm spending my weekend off in another world ;P
I had never read steam punk until i read "Here There Be Monsters" in the Burning Up book. And i loved it. I received "The iron Duke" as a late birthday present and loved it.
I also read Styx's Storm. I need a bigger book case. I'm running out of room.
Have a great weekend
I picked up the Burning Up anthology from the library today - can't wait to read Here There Be Monsters and Whisper of Sin :)
Currently drowning in books. Am hoping to finish Warhost of Vastmark (Janny Wurts) and Rapscallion this weekend (along with the aforementioned novellas :) and start Kushiel's Dart next week!
I have been reading Hawkswood- the Diabolical Englishmen. Non-fiction about the free companies in Italy, with Hawkswood beeing a red thread.
Seeing all these raving reviews makes me annoyed, since my copy haven't arrived yet. sigh.
Loved the Iron Duke as well, hope everyone reads it as well. Read Under The Northern Lights by Vivian Arend the print release of a couple of her Granite Wolves ebooks. Just starting Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast and it is good so far.
Going to start The Iron Duke today, can't wait!
After that will be The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter.
I just finished one of the free downloads from kobo books, Sweet Release. It was old skool romance fun. I've been on a historical romance kick lately, but now have the last Bone Island book.
I started re-reading my Tairen Soul collection (C.L. Wilson) in (breathless) anticipation of the final book later this month. I'll probably be slowing reading those until the release date.
Well, just finished your contribution to 'Burning Up', Nalini and loved it!
I'm currently reading Tessa Dare's 'Three Nights With a Scoundrel' and it's great!
Next up is Janet Evanovich's newest Stephanie Plum adventure, 'Sizzling Sixteen'. Can't wait to see what trouble our intrepid heroine has got into next. And maybe getting to see Ranger without his clothes on, hehe.
Oh, I have The Iron Duke here ready to read.
I think I will be going to bed with Meljean tomorrow night!!!
Hehe!!
Valerie
in Germany
I read The Iron Duke, too. I preordered it and it was delivered automatically to my Kindle on release day. Isn't that the coolest thing? Anyway, I utterly adored it. The worldbuilding was astoundingly good--the world was very much integral to the plot, so all things steampunk were revealed in the laying out of the conflicts and characters, not just random info-dumps that didn't have much to do with anything. The world Meljean gave us was so much more than a backdrop. I loved it.
Rhys and Mina were amazing, both separately and together, and I loved the ending. Loved it, loved it, LOVED IT.
I also loved that Meljean's version of steampunk was very different than the paranormal romance and urban fantasy I like to read, but it was still very much fantasy, still a world that is totally out of the realm of actual reality (that's why I rarely ever read contemporary or historical).
I think I may review ot on Amazon. Five stars, for sure.
Now, I'm reading Crave by JR Ward. Fallen angels, ex-special ops, and a rich lawyer with a heart, oh my!
I am reading "Kill me twice" by Roxanne St.Clair. It's a good book, I am nearly finished and I didn't know who is the bad guy till the end!
Just finished Running Scared by Shannon K Butcher. Now I'm starting Bring on the Night, book 3 in Jeri Smith-Ready's WVMP Radio series. The first two had some hilarious moments, so I'm looking forward to a few good laughs.
Just finished Yasmine Galenorn's Witchling. Not a big fan. Now reading Let The Right One In.
I've pre-ordered Meljean's Iron Duke. Can't WAIT until November...
I just finished JR Ward's Crave last night - was OK but I'm wondering if it's goingt o take a few books for me to gel with the characters a bit more. I also finished Lara Adrian's Taken by Midnight a couple days ago - I LOVED it. Didn't think I would like it so much but it surprised me. I'm about to pick up Styx's Storm today.
I just started with Bayou Moon from Ilona Andrews. Great read so far!!
Hey Val, I'll be in bed with you and Meljean laer tonight, lol. Just got Iron Duke, and got into the series reading her story in Burning Up.
First, I'm finishing up reading Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn, fourth in her Lady Jane Grey series. Liking it a lot so far, as I've enjoyed the whole series. A little trouble in paradise right now for Brisbin and Jane, the honeymoon is over.
I am reading Shadowmarch from Tad Williams. I like the book so far, but I am missing the love story a bit...
I just got done reading The Iron Duke last night and it was AMAZING! The world that Meljean created was awesome in its creativity and spunk. However, it was the two main characters that make this story worth reading. Rhys and Mina's connection was so wonderful and heart-wrenchingly (sp??) sad at times, you couldn't help but keep reading to find out if they got their HEA. Definitely a keeper!
Half-way through The Iron Duke, going back to finish in a few minutes. Not even done and it's a keeper. Meljean certainly understands steampunk, and the two lead characters are wonderful together.
I'm reading Christine Feehan's mind game and then going to read Styx's Storm by Lora Leigh.
I am reading the Vampire Academy series and am very impressed. The world building is quite interesting and although it's ostensibly YA lit, it has a much more mature feel. Not predictable and very intriguing.
Just finished The Iron Duke. Thank you so much of the recommendation. I loved it! I can't wait to explore more of Brook's steampunk world
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