Oh MAN. It's been a while since I dipped my toes into the Iron Seas world and HOO-BOY I had forgotten how sticky and complicated some of the situationOh MAN. It's been a while since I dipped my toes into the Iron Seas world and HOO-BOY I had forgotten how sticky and complicated some of the situations these folks get into could be.
This time around we have an airship, a lady looking for her sister, a man trying to find his mother's people, and a handful of VEYR BAD MEN who have no conscience whatsoever.
Let's start with Annika and David. They're both a bit out of step with those around them. Which isn't a bad thing, mind you, but it's left a mark of both of them in different ways. David is wryly resigned to the looks and fear his prosthetics cause in people. He's sort of drawn into himself (if that makes sense) because of these reactions and only has a handful of friends he trusts.
Annika, on the other hand, is...well, she's quirky. She speaks her mind and makes friend, but she's aware she's not quite like those around her. Part of that is from her upbringing on the island, but she was even a little different from the people in her village. (As an aside, her sister's "teasing" about Annika's lack of bravery gave me a sour lemon face. Annika always took it as gentle teasing until she realized that maybe her sister actually thought that of her and that sort of broke my heart.) Leaving the island and heading out into the world might have been one of the harder things Annika had ever done, but it gave her the chance to spread her wings and figure out who she was.
It also put her in the path of some big adventures. Like being attacked by pirates and falling for a man who might put her people at risk and doing what she could do to right injustices. David's belief in her and her bravery when she felt like she'd never been brave at all helped her in a big way.
A whole lot of danger, an experiment with big repercussions, mechanical creatures, fractured friendships, a very bad man who does very bad things, and two people who have to fight for their happily ever after. YESSSSSSS.
I always lament that I haven't caught up entirely on this series when I read one of these stories and/or books. I MUST REMEDY THIS. Because zombies miI always lament that I haven't caught up entirely on this series when I read one of these stories and/or books. I MUST REMEDY THIS. Because zombies mixed with scary nanites mixed with AWESOME characters make me all weak in the knees. And the worldbuilding... *swoon* There's just SO MUCH going on in this world that it's VERY easy to get sucked into it. Which is fantastic.
This story packs a wallop. No joke. It gives you a fairly pointed overview of the zombie badness while keeping you engaged with the characters and their issues. Those issues, by the by, aren't little. Elizabeth and Caius are dealing with a morally reprehensible plot, matters of trust, and being brave enough to bare their souls to one another and admit that *maybe* there might be something more than dislike between them. Something like HAWT SEX. Steampunk sexiness... *heart eyes*
Oh, Newberry! Such a sweet, lug of a guy. And here we get to see him muck up his personal life in a rather spectacular fashion. I really enjoy the IroOh, Newberry! Such a sweet, lug of a guy. And here we get to see him muck up his personal life in a rather spectacular fashion. I really enjoy the Iron Seas world and how Meljean Brook brings the lovable constable to life. As a plus, we get some of Mina's uncensored observations and see how Newberry steps up as Mina's protector. Quick, sweet, a little dangerous, and a lot of fun. *thumbs up*
No lie, Bhrava Saruth is a DELIGHT. He's just so unrelentingly upbeat and optimistic. All the guy wants is belly rubs and for people to appreciate theNo lie, Bhrava Saruth is a DELIGHT. He's just so unrelentingly upbeat and optimistic. All the guy wants is belly rubs and for people to appreciate the magnificence that is Bhrava Saruth. Sure, sure, he might think he's a god and he might spend an appreciable amount of time trying to woo followers to his side, but he's just so genuinely happy while doing so.
This isn't exactly Bhrava Saruth's story, though. This is Taylina's story with a heaping side of that cunning gold dragon. When invaders attack her peaceful island, Taylina sets out to find a way to stop them. She's not a warrior or a leader, but she has plenty of determination and she's smart enough to see that having a wily dragon on their side (despite his claims of being a god) might be exactly what her people need to save themselves. *thumbs up*
Heh. There's never a dull moment for Ridge and his crew. Ridge would probably disagree with that statement seeing as his promotion to general leaves hHeh. There's never a dull moment for Ridge and his crew. Ridge would probably disagree with that statement seeing as his promotion to general leaves him MUCH less time to get in the air and a day in the air is what constitutes the "never a dull moment" for him. That said, Ridge, Sardelle, and the others are dealing with kidnapping attempts (not against the king, this time), a wedding in the works, Ridge's mother coming to terms with magic being real, and a whole lot of people who are interested in attending the wedding of the season.
So, yeah. I stand by the never a dull moment thing.
On top of all that other stuff, Bhrava Saruth, the most glorious dragon ever, is determined to have a temple built for him. After all, how can a dragon god go about procuring new worshippers without somewhere for them to gather and do all that worshipping? So Ridge is using his charm and quick talking to find land and convince the king to donate it to the cause, plus get a few people to help build said temple.
We get a whole lot of familiar faces, a fair share of dangerous moments, some thrilling aerial acrobatics, and a wedding that is everything you'd expect it to be for Ridge and Sardelle.
Another quickie with Ridge and his people...except this time it's Therrik he's teaming up with and we all know how Ridge and Therrik have a tendency tAnother quickie with Ridge and his people...except this time it's Therrik he's teaming up with and we all know how Ridge and Therrik have a tendency to get on one another's nerves. In other words, lots of snarking, lots of uncomplimentary thoughts toward the other, and lots of fun and Ridge and Therrik unexpectedly end up taking down some minor thieves after a few mishaps. GOOD STUFF!...more
*rubs hands together* Okay. So Ridge is missing after his battle against Morishtomaric and, given the state of his crashed flyer, pretty much everyone*rubs hands together* Okay. So Ridge is missing after his battle against Morishtomaric and, given the state of his crashed flyer, pretty much everyone thinks he's dead. Except, as you might expect, Sardelle. She's not willing to give up on the big guy. And since there wasn't a body...well, she's willing to continue searching.
While Sardelle and Jaxi (along with Therrik) are trekking around the mountains looking for Sardelle's pilot, the rest of the crew are...dealing with things. Things like a bounty on Tolemek's head and an incursion to, err, cause some havoc for the Cofah emperor. To say things are a little dangerous and a lot complicated (for both Sardelle and the other group) might be understating it. They're dealing with rogue magic users, resigned soulblades, a princess on the run, and swamp creatures. Lots and lots of swamp creatures.
That said, there are also dragons. Dragons who are teaming up with the Cofah. Dragons who are disdainful of pretty much everything. And Bhrava Saruth, the dragon who is convinced he's a benevolent god. No lie, I like that irreverent gold dragon and his delight in pretty much everything.
Cas is in a pretty bad place here and she's punishing herself for her unwilling part in the death of one of her squad. As in, she's withdrawn from herCas is in a pretty bad place here and she's punishing herself for her unwilling part in the death of one of her squad. As in, she's withdrawn from her friends and teammates and resigned her commission. She's a mess, but she can't refuse when the king asks her to help Ridge on a mission. Mostly because she doesn't want anyone else to carry the burden of what the sword made her do if it chooses to flare up again.
So she's on the mission, but her head's in a bad place. There's a dragon (not Phel!) causing havoc in the countryside. Times are dangerous and she and the others have to think on the fly to try to thwart said dragon and try to keep it from destroying pretty much everything.
While Cas is coming to terms with the past, Ridge is being his usual daring self, Sardelle is trying to mentor Tylie, Therrik is ...uhh, well, scowling, I suppose. I mean, the guy is like a concentrated ball of anger. He grates against pretty much everyone and is absolutely fine being the way he is. To be fair, a person should absolutely accept themself and be comfortable with who and what they are. So, you know, there's that.
Anywho. A wild mid-air fight and the (potential) loss of someone everyone (except Therrik) holds dear. Dragons! They're kind of fight-y, aren't they?
Not going to lie, Angulus getting tongue-tied around Kaika and worrying about whether she'd find him boring (when compared to, say, Ridge who routinelNot going to lie, Angulus getting tongue-tied around Kaika and worrying about whether she'd find him boring (when compared to, say, Ridge who routinely flies into glorious battle and pulls miraculous defeats of the enemy out of thin air) is pretty great. The guy's a king, used to leading and engaging on a big level, and yet one saucy soldier throws him for a loop.
On Kaika's end, she's kind of clueless about Angulus's feelings. Mostly because he's a king and she's very much not part of his circle. Yet...YET, he likes her. He likes her propensity for causing a little chaos and he likes that she checks out his butt. Which is VERY MUCH a thing Kaika does.
An unexpected mission that ends up fraught with danger, a hidden surprise, an endearingly awkward king, and a whole lot of upheaval that looks like it might cause some repercussions down the line. *thumbs up*
We're back with Ridge, Sardelle and crew and...they have a lot on their hands. A missing king, a lot of shady orders of questionable origin, Ridge's mWe're back with Ridge, Sardelle and crew and...they have a lot on their hands. A missing king, a lot of shady orders of questionable origin, Ridge's muscle-bound nemesis in charge of things, and just a whole lot of danger for everyone in general.
Given that Ridge and those with him left things in a bit of a hurry and are currently considered enemies of the state (or close enough, I guess), NATURALLY they head straight back into the middle of it all to help. Because chaotic plans seem to work for these guys.
It helps to have a sorceress and a soul blade on their side AND a couple of individuals who excel at creating diversions (of the explosive variety). In other words, their plan is risky and fraught with danger, but none of them are willing to walk away with the fate of the kingdom on the line.
A little aerial dog fighting, an unexpected new power rising up at a very inconvenient time, Jaxi's meddling in, well, everything, a little creative explosive placing, and more than a few very close calls. It's a dark, dangerous time for the Iskandians and Ridge and crew are running headfirst into trouble trying to stop it where they can. GOOD STUFF!
Oh, Basilard. His people have shunned him for fighting to survive and the lady he wants to forge a connection to...isn't interested. The guy's a gem aOh, Basilard. His people have shunned him for fighting to survive and the lady he wants to forge a connection to...isn't interested. The guy's a gem and he keeps hitting every bump in the road imaginable when he reaches for a little happiness.
On the plus side, he does have Amaranthe, Sicarius, and Maldynado (heh! That guy and his hats!) in his corner and they can be kind of ferocious when it comes to having their friends' backs.
Still, Basilard is dealing with a lot and a blight that could threaten his people just throws another log on the fire. Being sort of unwanted even when you're trying to fix a widespread problem has to sting. Being hunted and hassled by people who want you to fail is even more bothersome. And having a tracker who's probably a spy along for the journey and who he's starting to develop a friendship/feelings for is problematic, too.
Yup, the crew is caught up in their usual shenanigans. Sicarius is doing his thing. Amaranthe is coming up with slightly crazy plans. And Maldynado is...surprisingly astute at times. You know, when he's not wearing one of his hats.
Danger, mayhem, explosions, and one surprisingly sweet former-pit fighter who will do what he needs to do to protect his people. It's always fun to spend time with this group and I'm kinda sad to see it end. *thumbs up*
Heh. I always get a kick out of Alexia and Conall butting heads (it only gets funnier the longer and more involved they get), so I thoroughly enjoyed Heh. I always get a kick out of Alexia and Conall butting heads (it only gets funnier the longer and more involved they get), so I thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience their first encounter. You know, where Conall is shockingly blunt and Alexia is understandably unswayed by his charms. Or so it seems.
A little skulduggery, a practical application of a hedgehog, surprisingly large and sometimes brutal werewolves, and one preternatural who's become used to being overlooked. MAN, I like these two and their motley (excluding Lyall, of course) crew (both known and those skulking behind the scenes). *thumbs up*
You'd have thought Amaranthe and Sicarius would get a little down time after overthrowing a corrupt empire and helping install a new republic in its pYou'd have thought Amaranthe and Sicarius would get a little down time after overthrowing a corrupt empire and helping install a new republic in its place. And, yes, they did get *some* down time, but weirdness and assassination attempts don't take vacation and soon they're on their way back to the capital to help in the way they help best.
Okay, that might have been a slight exaggeration. Rias needs his submarine back to investigate a certain invasive plant that's menacing the nearby lake and Amaranthe and Sicarius just happen to be in the right place at the right time to lend a helping hand on a few other endeavors.
I genuinely love watching Sicarius trying to figure out how to be more regular and less assassin-y. Especially when it comes to Amaranthe. His early training messed up his social radar and he has to learn when it's appropriate to be affectionate and when his intimidating scowl should be put in play. Amaranthe is a good sport about it, though, and she's ALWAYS happy to point out when a touch or joke would help lighten the mood. (Not that Sicarius is often lighthearted, but, well, you probably get the point.)
The gang is a little scattered, but they all come together and lend their particular brand of helpfulness (some are admittedly more helpful than others) to the situation. A little levity, a lot of danger, and uprisings of both plant and human nature keep them ALL on their toes.
MAN, I like these guys and their can-do attitude toward thwarting the bad guys.
MAN, I like gruff, grumbly Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings. Besides his glorious name, he's just a big ball of simmering grumpiness whMAN, I like gruff, grumbly Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings. Besides his glorious name, he's just a big ball of simmering grumpiness who desperately needs the people and things he pushes away the hardest. Poor guy.
Fortunately for him, his alpha and pack understand him and give him space to be himself. Until, you know, he actively starts working on sabotaging his potential happiness. Then they step in and show him the error of his ways.
Faith is...well, she's an excellent foil for Channing. She's not afraid of him the way some would be and she's American enough to speak her mind in a most forthright manner (something that intrigues Channing in a big way) and she's...I dunno. I just like them together. They grump and growl and play off one another nicely.
And when Channing finds out why she's in London looking for a werewolf husband, he unflinchingly offers his support and a (broad) shoulder to cry on and I JUST LOVE THAT.
MAN, I like these werewolves and all the instinct and protocol and pack they have to deal with on a daily basis.
Wonderfully arrogant cyborgs and the ladies who put their gears in a twist (although sometimes the ladies are cyborgs themselves, but that's another sWonderfully arrogant cyborgs and the ladies who put their gears in a twist (although sometimes the ladies are cyborgs themselves, but that's another story for another day) are the THING I've been craving. Jwls certainly has the arrogant part down. To be fair, he does have some stellar upgrades and, by most of the universes' standards, Earthlings are kind of backward. Not to mention, the planet is in the far end of nowhere, so not many people (augmented or otherwise) go there.
Basically, in the eyes of the universes, Earthlings aren't just backwards, they're country-bumpkin backwards with no clue what's past their atmosphere.
I have to say, that doesn't stop Jwls from liking what he sees when he abducts Aggie (for her own good) and stashes her away on his spaceship. Aggie, being an enterprising Earthling, does her best to drive Jwls crazy and freeze up his gears every chance she gets. Jwls, being an arrogant cyborg, doesn't realize how effectively Aggie's inserted herself into his space until he is faced with giving her up.
Cyborgs, man. They never see the big fall coming. *thumbs up*
Sicarius under the control of someone who delights in mayhem and viscera is...not a good thing. Not at all. The poor guy's finally figuring out that hSicarius under the control of someone who delights in mayhem and viscera is...not a good thing. Not at all. The poor guy's finally figuring out that he's more than just a straight up killer and he's being forced to do some very awful things all over again. Might I just add, his regret over what he did while under the influence made me cheer. Sicarius plays his cards close to the vest, so when he opens up and shares it's momentous.
I can only believe Amaranthe thinks the same. Which is a little funny, because Amaranthe deals with things by deflection and humor. Which isn't to say she's as emotionally battened down as Sicarius, but STILL.
Anywho. Things are moving toward their inevitable end. I say inevitable because something has to give at some point, for good or bad. The city's practically under siege, Sicarius is causing mayhem, Forge is chaos and blood. Then there's the matter of Sespian's claim to the throne. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE.
I am immensely pleased with how things played out for this crew. They fought against incredible odds and somehow came out on top. Well, for the most part. Things might not have turned out precisely how they expected or planned, but they ended up changing things in a big way.
Even better: It's not quite the end of their adventures. Yessssss.
Holy WOW, what a rollercoaster. (And in the interest of full disclosure, I dove straight into FiBII as soon as I finished this one [yes, even before wHoly WOW, what a rollercoaster. (And in the interest of full disclosure, I dove straight into FiBII as soon as I finished this one [yes, even before writing this review, which I RARELY allow myself to do FOR REASONS] because I NEEDED to know how things turned out. OMG. NEEDED.)
So. Things are looking bleak for Amaranthe's team. Amanranthe's daring plan (the current of many) has them splitting up to work on multiple fronts. Which...I can understand why it was done, but the team's strength comes from their, err, togetherness. So, you know, splitting up puts them in danger in SO MANY WAYS.
Especially when something bad happens and Sicarius thinks the worst and goes off the rails in a big way. To be fair, though, that's kind of what one expects a former royal assassin to do when his world (seemingly) falls apart.
But let's not get carried away. Amaranthe is being crafty. Sicarius is brooding. The rest of the team (with an addition or two) are trying to figure out how to win a war they never wanted to fight with a minimum of casualties.
And that ending! GLORIOUS. (seriously, though, STRAIGHT into FiBII. Do not pass go, etc, etc.)
I'm just going to go on record as saying Sicarius showing emotion about ANYTHING, but especially Amaranthe (and around Amaranthe, I guess) makes me GII'm just going to go on record as saying Sicarius showing emotion about ANYTHING, but especially Amaranthe (and around Amaranthe, I guess) makes me GIDDY. Apparently, a stone faced assassin finding his softer side is my thing, man. My thing.
Plus, the fact he's still Sicarius even when he's feeling those softer emotions is fantastic. He's still practically superhuman in some of the things he can do and he's a little socially off. I don't know what it is that delights me so much, but he fills me with happiness.
Even when he's killing people. Which might seem weird, but it's literally the thing he was trained to do since childhood and I can appreciate a person utilizing their gifts and training to the extent he does.
On to of Sicarius and Amaranthe giving me a happy, Yara is finally starting to melt a little around Maldynado. Or at least see he's not quite as foolish as he pretends to be. YAY!
A little danger. A little making out in smoke stacks. A little alone time under the stars. This is what I'm here for. Yesssss.
Whoa. Okay, a lot happens in this book (honestly, a lot happens in EVERY book in this series, so this shouldn't be shocking in the least, but AMARANTHWhoa. Okay, a lot happens in this book (honestly, a lot happens in EVERY book in this series, so this shouldn't be shocking in the least, but AMARANTHE! OH NOES!) and things are getting STICKY for the crew.
On the downside, Amaranthe has fallen into the hands of a very bad group of people. Which, as you can imagine, splinters their group when Sicarius heads out to find her. The plus side in all this? We get to spend a little more time with everybody's favorite playboy, Maldynado! Not that Maldynado's thrilled with being left in charge, but a rogue's gotta do what a rogue's gotta do. Especially when it's a scary assassin giving you your orders.
Anywho. Amaranthe is in a bad place, Sicarius is using his skills to track her. Maldynado is grudgingly donning the mantle of leader and Sespian is...well, he's still in danger. Which puts everybody on edge.
For the record, it's been a while since I read the first three books in this series (SERIOUSLY, where does the time go, guys? WHERE?) and I was soooooFor the record, it's been a while since I read the first three books in this series (SERIOUSLY, where does the time go, guys? WHERE?) and I was soooooo ready for some wacky Amaranthe and Sicarius shenanigans. Not that Sicarius is wacky or into shenanigans. He's all business all the time. But Amaranthe? OH, YEAH. She comes up with some fantastically off the wall ideas and I am all over that.
So. First off, planning a heist on the emperor's behalf that can't be known or thwarted by his royal associates since it involves KIDNAPPING THE EMPEROR HIMSELF seems like a recipe for disaster. Not only will Amaranthe and crew be going up against the ones holding the emperor in thrall, but also the emperor's well-trained bodyguards and guards.
Yeah. Yeeeeeaaaaah. I've said it before, but Amaranthe wouldn't be Amaranthe if she didn't step in the line of fire to thwart injustice whenever she sees it.
On the plus side, Sicarius is invested in the emperor's well-being. Which bodes well for whatever crazy plan Amaranthe comes up with on the fly. On the downside, Sicarius is REALLY invested in the emperor's well-being and Amaranthe's plans have a tendency to go sideways and that has the stoic assassin going a little growly at times.
On the other plus side, Sicarius is finally starting to show Amaranthe she means something to him. Years and years of conditioning are hard to break, you know! He's not used to all this human interaction and stuff.
As with the other books, the action's non-stop and the craziness just keeps on firing on all cylinders. And I love it!
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