ARC Review: "Of Silk and Steam" by Bec McMasters

Of Silk and Steam 

by Bec McMasters

London Steampunk #5

Enemies. Allies. Lovers.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina's long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she's hiding something, and he's determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn't expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort… or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.

Bec McMaster’s books helped me to love the steampunk world. A world filled with mechanisms is fascinating enough, but even more enjoyable is the politics and culture surrounding it. Who controls the technology? How is technology a currency? Where is the intersection between technology and humanity? 

Enter into this steampunk world shifters, vampires, humans and other supernaturals in conflict.  The vampires, actually pre-vampire blue bloods, are at the top of the social order because of their super human powers. The leader of the monarchy is a human controlled by a blue blood.  The prince consort is maniacally set on maintaining the hierarchy. 

Characters from previous books – Blade and Honoria, Lena and Will, Jasper and Rosalind, Garrett and Perry, Charlie, Lark, Rip and Esme all make an appearance.  We learn who is actually behind the humanist movement and why they are involved. We reach the culmination of all the books when war breaks out between the blue bloods and everyone else. Everything is at risk. 

Within this complicated world comes complex politics, and the relationship between Leo and Mina could easily be overwhelmed.  However, Bec McMaster has a gift to balance all the elements. Mina and Leo’s relationship is very sexy.  Their encounters crackle with sexual tension.  Because of this stress, the characters are constantly living on the edge. They are forever on the precipice of being discovered or killed.  Yet, it is this pressure that makes their game of seduction so thrilling. In particular, I am struck by a very strong “movie moment” when their eyes meet across a courtyard after each is uncertain whether the other is alive. It is achingly beautiful and what follow is a fierce intimate encounter.

IN A NUTSHELL:

I can’t say enough about this series.  If you want adventure, romance, seduction and intrigue in a steampunk world, you MUST read this series. If you have never read steampunk, read this series to full appreciate this genre.  


Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.