Meljean Brook - Demon Angel

Half-demon, half-human, Lillith is bound by a bargain with the devil and forbidden to feel pleasure. She draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation, Heaven's own Sir Hugh Castleford. Once a knight and now a Guardian, Hugh's purpose has always been to thwart Lillith, even as he battles treacherous hunger for her. When a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to humans and Guardians angel and demon are forced to fight together against evil and against a passionate desire for each other.

Comment: I had this book in the pile since 2010, a time when I was still very much invested in paranormal romance, and I thought the premise to be captivating.

Hugh and Lilith have been in opposed sides of a war between Heaven and Hell for centuries but deep down they both want something out of the other. Lilith wants to defeat Hugh and he wants to somehow redeem her. It seems their battle will be never ending, at least until a mutual threat makes it necessary for them to join forces. Will such an alliance be the way they needed to finally learn more about one another and see what has always been in front of them?

I have read several books by this author, from her other series, and have liked all those stories. I was also, at a time, eager to read the Guardians series, in which this Demon Angel is included, and even more so when it seemed there were many installments to look for. Still, despite getting this book before the others, somehow I got to them first and this one stayed behind. And stayed....

Now, sixteen years later, I've finally decided to start it. Sadly, it ended up being a DNF because I just could not get into the story. Not surprising, as often happens in a situation like this, time and my personal taste have evolved and I no longer feel the patience to read this genre as I used to. I mean, I still like PNR but now the story has to be something extra for me to want to immerse myself in such a new world. Had I read this back then I might have liked it, but now I simply don't feel the vibe.

I've read 110 pages and they were all of Lilith and Hugh on a cat and mouse game, kind of, and while the possibilities seemed intriguing, I just didn't want to read the huge amount of pages left (my paperback edition had more than 400 total) to see them get their HEA. So, I've stopped and glimpsed the end. I think the writing is competent and captivating, but the characters didn't convince me, not in the way they were being developed.

This author published her last book under this name in 2014. She has voiced how difficult it has been to find motivation and eagerness to write the stories fans were waiting for in the ongoing series she had. After that she has written other things under a pseudonym, which I have not read. Perhaps she will never return to these worlds, but her stories are always incredible, that's a fact. It's just my poor timing that cannot appreciate this Demon Angel.

Grade: DNF

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Meljean Brook - The Kraken King

A former smuggler and thief, Ariq—better known as the Kraken King—doesn’t know what to make of the clever, mysterious woman he rescues from an airship besieged by marauders. Unsure if she’s a spy or a pawn in someone else’s game, Ariq isn’t about to let her out of his sight until he finds out…
After escaping her fourth kidnapping attempt in a year, Zenobia Fox has learned to vigilantly guard her identity. While her brother Archimedes is notorious for his exploits, Zenobia has had no adventures to call her own—besides the stories she writes.
But when she jumps at the chance to escape to the wilds of Australia and acquire research for her next story, Zenobia quickly discovers that the voyage will be far more adventurous than any fiction she could put to paper…

Comment: Another book for the alphabet challenge, where we match the letters of the alphabet with titles from books we read. This time it's the letter K.

I'm a fan of this series and I was really glad this book finally came out complete. This story was first released as a serial, but I don't think I could enjoy it that much on that format, so I waited even more to have everything completed and then I'd read it. As soon as I saw the complete edition available, I bought it and I finally found the time to read it, and it was worth the wait.

This is Zenobia's story. She's the sister of Archimedes, from book #2. She is a writer that, based on her brother's adventures, managed to create a hero and stories that sell quite well. However, people interested in money and getting her brother would kidnap her, which isn't something Zenobia liked, despite her hunger for adventure. When the opportunity arises for her to travel to Australia as a company to a friend, she doesn't think twice.

Things don't go well until the end and on the way Zenobia meets the famous Kraken King, a man her brother knew was relentless. But Zenobia only sees a man, someone interesting, fascinating...

The book is quite big because it has all the serial installments into one volume. I don't mind it and I think that, those who read it in the serial format had to have a great willpower not to despair for the next one because some chapters ended on almost cliffhanger moments. In terms of plot, I can't find it faulty because the author's imagination, ideas and skill are there for everyone to see and marvel how someone can think of so many details and elements to create a whole world, but so different from what we know.

The plot is actually easy to follow, but it's one of those cases that, having read the previous books would give the reader a certain background knowledge that explains many little things, in particular character related. This doesn't mean a new reader won't get the plot, but I think it's much better savored if there's a previous knowledge. So, the plot follows Zenobia as she ravels with her friend Helene to Australia and on the way their airship is attacked, everyone has to flee and the rescue is done by the Kraken King. Of course, nothing is as simple as that and on the way to safety they all meet dangers and challenges and once again we can marvel at the author's imagination in creating things so unique, it's amazing.

The plot focuses on a lot of things, namely what it means to everyone why some happenings take place. This allows us to see into most of the character's personalities, their motivations, ways of thinking, honor and inner character. I think it's a clever and witty way of showing character depth and development. The romance is included on this growing up, because the main couple has to deal with their own issues on it and what it means to those around them. I think this romance is a study on personal and group opinions mattering to one's happiness. Thankfully, all ends well.

I liked this book. I had a good time with it and it was quite balanced. I liked seeing the characters' interaction, even when things seemed to go a hard path. But all in all, this was a great voyage, the writing was easy and had many moments where the characters would think about what was happening and this allows the reader to compare things within the plot, which adds another layer of understanding to some scenes. I liked it.

All in all, another great installment. I'm a fan of this steampunk series and I can't wait for the next one, which I hope ms Brook won't take too long in writing and publishing.

Grade: 8/10

Short stories: Lara Adrian / Meljean Brook

 
Determined to solve a string of brutal slayings in London, vampire warrior Mathias Rowan is forced to seek the help of Nova, a fiery tattoo artist who ignites an unexpected, yet undeniable, passion in the grim Order enforcer.
Nova’s shadowy connections and dark talents may be Mathias’s best hope of unmasking a treacherous enemy . . . but falling for a woman with her dangerous past will risk both their hearts and their lives.

  

For a year and a half, Olivia Martin has tried to forget Erik Gulbrandr, the glacial man who’d scorched her mouth with a single kiss. But when Olivia finds herself snowbound with Erik on the winter solstice, she discovers that the man who set her body aflame is cursed by abominable needs — and a desire that might destroy them both...





Comment: These two short stories were part of the final reads of September. I wanted small stories to wrap up my month before starting bigger books, leaving them for October.
Both stories are paranormal and have a HEA, both have a seriously too fast love development, but the similarities end there. Still, I enjoyed reading them, and I think both had what it would take to make them successful as bigger books.

Marked by Midnight is set on the vampire world of the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian. The story features a recurrent character, Matthias, and how, due to a mission, he meets Nova, a tattoo artist who might be the last person to have seen a dead someone with strange tattoos. 
The story is really short, only 90 pages, and the author took the time to set up, to create an aura around the characters and in particular, Nova's. Of course, some things are inferred, especially for those who have read other books from the series. The book can be read as a stand alone but it gains a lot from previous knowledge if the reader has done so.
The romance is the loser here, because not only does it happens fast, but it ends up too perfect. Personally I wouldn't have minded this to be more of a set up perhaps, and in the future a full length story. I think the author was clever in the whole environment feel but clearly, the romance was really lacking, so a just barely there grade.
Grade: 5/10

Frozen is a stand alone novella, written by Meljean Brooke, which I got thanks to Hilcia! Thank you again!
The story is written in a contemporary setting and features a pair of co workers who seemed to hit if off but after a kiss, Eric was rude and never treated Olivia well again. Time has passed and Olivia is asked to deliver papers to Eric at his house before Christmas holidays on her way home. However, Olivia isn't happy about it because she knows he will be rude and is even more appalled when he seems sick which makes her feel guilty to leave him. Apparently it's what he wants but when she tries to leave, her jeep is destroyed. That's when she learns about the curse Eric suffers and how she was the one who made it happen.
The story has a great world build and several suspense moments. The romance is slower to develop but it's noticed better because they have met before, so it doesn't have the feel of insta-love. Still, the way they solve things and finally admit their feelings just because of the happenings at the time seemed rather like an excuse and for plot purposes.
The plot itself is well recognized and seen in these types of stories and genre, I liked the steps taken to find a solution and I liked how the characters seemed to slowly got to know each other better and their reasons and pasts. The end wasn't completely perfect and it had the issues about fastness like I mentioned, but overall, it was entertaining and had its romantic moments; also the chemistry was a strong point too.
Grade: 7/10

-> All in all, two interesting novellas, workable tools which would have been well used if the stories were to be full length and captivating characters. I think the best part is to embrace and enjoy the authors' abilities to write well and in a way that is solid and structured and with a certain goal.
Sure, both could have been better, but together they work just fine for their purpose.

Meljean Brook - Riveted

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland's inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical--and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.
Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika's secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them--and generating lots of steam... 

Comment: The third book in the Iron Seas series, it's the story of Annika, a young woman looking for her sister, and David, a man who wants to find out where his mother lived before marrying his father so he can pay homage to her by leaving a memento in the place she came from and which she loved. This book is the following one in the successful steampunk series by this author.

The book tells the story of Annika, a woman working in airships because it allows her to travel from place to place and she tries to look for her sister everywhere, because she made it her mission. She feels guilty over the reason her sister left their home and wants to find her and tell her she can return. Annika has a secret though. Her family isn't conventional and live in a place of myths, somewhere she would do anything to keep safe.

David is a man who survived many losses, specially his parents and some parts of his body. He now has a grafted eye, legs and one hand and he can't seem to find any happiness and no one would look at him without pity or repulse. His mother saved hid life and died and she requested him one last thing before dying and he wants to honor that by going to the place where she lived before marrying his father, somewhere she loved and considered her home. With Annika, they will travel there together, they will see themselves in the middle of a madman's mission and will find that they never thought they would....love.

David is the kind of hero we love in books. He's got the perfect dosage of strength, courage, determination, shyness, insecurity and personality that appeal the most to the reader. I loved David. I loved what he was and what he thought and what he felt he was. I think the author has created one of the most amazingly perfect heroes in fiction, even with all his physical differences. How can he be so wonderful I don't even know how to explain but he is. I wanted him to be happy, I cried when he told Annika about how his mother died saving him and how others were repulsed by him and I just wanted him to be real so I could defend him too! I loved how he started falling for Annika and how she would see him for what he was, for his inner beauty. Seriously, the romance in this book is great and Annika is a great protagonist, but David is....perfection.

David wants to know where his mother came from. He knows it's somewhere in Iceland, a place full of myths and volcanoes, and as he's a volcanist, he knows he won't have a better chance to finally perform his task when he gets a contract to go there do some research. During the travel, he meets Annika and she looks appealing to him but for a while there neither admitted they thought of the other romantically. When that was discussed they both started to fall in love, they talked and eventually they became a couple. I can't forget some scenes with them, specially near the end when things look bad for them but their love drives them through it.

The story has many elements that are interesting, the volcanoes, the scientific research one can do and what it means, how sexuality is seen in the world created, what one would do for love, why should someone honor a promise, if it's better to have a different family than no family whatsoever, many interesting subjects to think about and that enrich the storyline. I think even without the romance, this book would be worth the reading, the author has a real talent to imagine the story and to put it together.

I loved the book. I don't know what I can say about it to make you want to read it. But it's a wonderful story, very well written, and David....he's worth it all. I loved their HEA and how happy and in love they were. The happy ending everyone in the world should get.

This is the kind of book that we keep with us, even after the last page is read. I can't barely wait for the next book in this series. I recommend it without any doubts.

Meljean Brook - Heart of Steel

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn't interested in the Lady Corsair -- he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she's no easy conquest.
When da Vinci's sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco -- and straight into their enemy's hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart...

Comment: Here I am, trying to keep reading series in order to finish them. I loved the first book in the Iron Seas series and I was instantly captivated by the author's imagination in her creation of such a world.

This is the story of Yasmeen, she's the captain of an airship and she has the reputation of being fierce and independent. She's fair but demanding. She doesn't take attacks on her ship or her person or even her ability to be captain. In the previous book he threw our hero from her airship into a zombie area just because he dared to try to steal her leadership of the airship. But deep down, she's loyal and a protector of those she cares about.

Archimedes Fox is the hero of many books of adventures written by his sister. he puts himself in dangerous situation not only to find material to her books but mostly to fund his life and pay off debts. He meets Yasmeen and thinks she might be someone he could fall in love with.

In this book he returns to her airship and starts a sequence of events that change their lives and their feelings for each other.

Ohhh I loved this book!!! It's such a great story, one of those you keep reading, and don't want it to end. I couldn't put it down, I even at my meals with it by my side - not very handy, but I really wanted to read more.

The world created by the author is something wonderful, full of details and little clues and makes the whole thing more believable and interesting. So often, in books, we find ourselves interested in the romance and the rest is just there, but not with this book, this world, everything makes sense and I'm genuinely curious to know more about the occupations, the reasons behind the attacks, the way things changed, why some things happened and how, I mean, everything is truly interesting, catching and makes me curious and eager to know more. I guess part of it is the author's talent to write, but if the story wasn't as well structured, so well based and thought, then it wouldn't feel as right too.

The romance was so sweet, it was charged with sexual tension and I've seen so many times that wonderful love stories often have more sexy scenes than explicit ones and it sure makes the love more true if we see them thinking about or acting with or watching the other before. It gives the romance a certain air of durability, it makes it look like it didn't happen that fast, although it did and makes the reader ore comfortable and eager to see them together. I wish many authors would learn this.

Anyway, I loved it. I liked how Yasmeen learned to trust someone, learned he was there by her side and there was strength in being with the right person. Archimedes learned true love demands more from someone but it's worth it. And even better were the scenes where one would consider the other and do things, even small ones, apparently innocent, and it would mean the world, it's a great way to show the strength of their feelings.

The book was really good.

Even better, my edition has the novella "Tethered" included and in this one we see the couple even more in love and dedicated to each other. It's a novella full f adventure, many clues about incoming things and the proof the couple is in love and happy. Like always, so many little scenes make the reader happy too because it's so obvious the real affection between the main characters. And the story is strong and captivating,  I loved seeing so many new details about what it means to live in such a world.

I totally recommend this book.

Can't wait for the next one and already read in the author's site her plans to upcoming books in the series and I can say I'm really excited about them!

Meljean Brook - The Iron Duke

Seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas, where nanotech is fused with Victorian sensibilities -- and steam. After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power -- and fear -- of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession. Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist. But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans -- and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Comment: I absolutely loved this book!
I mean, I knew it was good because others said so, but I didn't know I would love it so much. It was such fun to read this story... it really was.
This book tells us the story of Mina, she's a young woman in a different reality, a steampunk world where a terrible villain, the Horde, has managed to infect everyone with their nano agents and thus control the population. The Horde is from Asia, or what we understand as Asia so everything connected to them is perceived as the enemy. The Iron Duke is the one an who destroyed the Horde control in London, and with that he gave freedom to the people again, making him an instant hero.
In this new reality the author created, the world is divided in different continents and I was pleased to see there's a Lusitania (Portuguese people are the current lusitanians in a way), the author surely wrote fiction about this one if she considers it a world potency in her fiction story lol
This story starts with Mina, as a police Inspector, going to the Iron Duke's house to investigate a murder and from then on the Duke pursues her and helps and on the way they both discover things about each other and of course, they fall in love. The main couple is amazing and I was very curious about them and their past because of the way the author would give small clues here and there about each one. The there are some secondary characters I really liked and I'm curious to know more about them too.
What I really loved were the small details that seem so outrageous to be considered interesting but at the same time give life to the story. I loved how the author has filed up her world with so many things, so many new rules but still managed to give it a certain air that makes it so likable to read about. Plus the characters aren't as cold as one might expect, I loved all the emotions described, presented, exploited in this book.
I don't know how to correctly explain why I loved this so much, why all the little things and the overall story intrigued me so much or why I still think about some scenes, but the truth is, I loved it and can't wait to read more. I'm really happy to have read it. The story itself is interesting and we follow the story wanting to now who did what an how. But the richness of the book is truly in the details, I assure you.
It's marvelous to read a book always with that feeling of I need to know more! and I did and it was great, I recommend it to everyone. It's a great world, full of details that leave the reader eager and fascinated.