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Felicia's Reviews > The Iron Duke
The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1)
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I enjoyed it a LOT, just one thing brought it down from 5 stars, which I will specify at the end. (BTW Has VERY racy scenes as a warning to the non-smutty lovers, but that wasn't my -1 star point haha)
I would give worldbuilding: 5 stars. The first chapter is a bit confusing, but the world that is spun out over the novel is ENDLESSLY interesting, one of the few books that has made me read SLOWLY to see what all the steampunk stuff really is about. FASCINATING history with the Horde and the nanobugs, I just cannot sing praises enough about the rich playground the author has invented here. Looking forward to MANY more books in this world.
Heroine: 5 stars. LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS CHARACTER! I thought the worldbuilding lent itself to the creation of a very rich character, one that deals with ostracism and race in a way that is so understanding, so interesting SO NOT CLICHED. I really thought this character could be one that arcs over book after book without settling down with a guy, she was that strong. For a very romance book, it's a relief and a pleasure. I was rooting for her all the way pretty much.
Hero: 3 stars :( UHHHHHG. Ok, he was hot sometimes, but honest to god the word "Shag" just rubbed me the wrong way, IN ADDITION he was kinda a bully and just tried to force the heroine to do what he wanted in a way that felt almost predatorial. Now, some of this was because of his backstory, but no one else really called him out on his bullying, not even the heroine most of the time. If you read my reviews I'm not a big fan of "YOU MY WOMAN" men, so this might be my peeve, but I had to express some reservation for the record.
ANYWAY, loved the book, if you're into the racy steampunk/scifi/fantasy/historical romance genre, this will be a hit for you :) Looking forward to the next!
I would give worldbuilding: 5 stars. The first chapter is a bit confusing, but the world that is spun out over the novel is ENDLESSLY interesting, one of the few books that has made me read SLOWLY to see what all the steampunk stuff really is about. FASCINATING history with the Horde and the nanobugs, I just cannot sing praises enough about the rich playground the author has invented here. Looking forward to MANY more books in this world.
Heroine: 5 stars. LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS CHARACTER! I thought the worldbuilding lent itself to the creation of a very rich character, one that deals with ostracism and race in a way that is so understanding, so interesting SO NOT CLICHED. I really thought this character could be one that arcs over book after book without settling down with a guy, she was that strong. For a very romance book, it's a relief and a pleasure. I was rooting for her all the way pretty much.
Hero: 3 stars :( UHHHHHG. Ok, he was hot sometimes, but honest to god the word "Shag" just rubbed me the wrong way, IN ADDITION he was kinda a bully and just tried to force the heroine to do what he wanted in a way that felt almost predatorial. Now, some of this was because of his backstory, but no one else really called him out on his bullying, not even the heroine most of the time. If you read my reviews I'm not a big fan of "YOU MY WOMAN" men, so this might be my peeve, but I had to express some reservation for the record.
ANYWAY, loved the book, if you're into the racy steampunk/scifi/fantasy/historical romance genre, this will be a hit for you :) Looking forward to the next!
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Reading Progress
October 25, 2010
–
Started Reading
October 25, 2010
– Shelved
October 25, 2010
– Shelved as:
steampunk
October 25, 2010
– Shelved as:
vaginal-urban-fantasy
October 25, 2010
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-12 of 12 (12 new)
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Agree completely with your review. The hero was the main flaw of the book.
Agree with all of the above, but I wouldn't say "borderline" rape or "almost" predatorial. He had kind of redeemed himself for me with his character arc, but then he went crazy again in the last few pages. I really loved the world-building and Mina's character, but I hate how everyone gave him a pass for stalking, pressuring, and threatening a woman until she succumbed. Ew. Still, I'm glad I read it. Thanks for the tip!
(little spoiler) I feel that when he overstepped himself, he either self corrected, and we saw that he regretted it, or she corrected him well, especially after that first racier scene. Nothing says BAD DOG! like a tranquilizer dart, and a nap on the floor.(less)
Ive added this to my to read list from your review Felicia, it looks a really interesting read, being english I love the fact that the iron duke saved england from the horde, sad but thats me lol. 5 stars for the heroine hooked me too I always love a strong and interesting lead female in books, I dont like the sound of some of the heroes ideas of how to be with women, I hope the heroine teaches him a few things!
I also have added this in my 'too read' bucket, but I shall remain conspicuously silent for the time being. Gotta finish and digest before I discuss. That said, I have already started and I am enjoying the bits and pieces I have taken in so far. I'm stuck between Demon Angel and starting Iron Duke. I like Mejean's style!
Agreed. I thought the Duke was kind of a douche. She can do better...
I JUST finished Demon Angel last night when I logged in and saw this was another Meljean novel I thought UGH and YAY at the same time. They are so long! lol
Im very nearly finished reading the Iron duke and I very much agree with felicias review, I loved the world itself im a big fan of escapism and this smacks of it to me, It took em a while to get into the world so Ive tried not to rush through the book too much to allow myself to get used to the world. I loved Mina as a character she was strong and kick ass, stubborn/determined, she knew what she wanted and what she didnt and even if she wanted something (like rhys) she thought about things realistically and thought about consequences.There were times with rhys that I was like omg hot! mm mm mmm! then other times I wanted to shoot him and not necessarily with an opium dart lol because that whole I must have you/possess you you are mine thing bugs the hell out of me.
I definitley want to read more in this series and would like to know more about yasmeen and scarsdale and also a little more of the ginger giant bless his loyal and protective socks :P
I'm currently in the middle of this book and plan to finish it this weekend so I can watch the Hangout, but Rhys constantly gets on my nerves. I don't find bullies sexy at all... a bit disappointing as this is my first romance novel, but hopefully he'll redeem himself later in the book. I'm still willing to finish it to find out; the steampunk culture is certainly keeping me interested!
Wow, I am on my second read through of Iron Duke. I have taken to highlighting many of the sections. It's given me a much more complex understanding of The Frenzy, Mina's mother, and even some mild...ugghh...dare I say it...compassion for Rhys. He's still a wanker though-until about page 200 something. Yet he still get's under my skin. So putting the highlighted parts together really combined a truly amazing world and fusing the character's motivations and history, at least to me, more clearly. Rhy's is crazy hot for Mina, and awkward for a man of such power. She is just such a conflicted, quivering and often (later on) smoldering combination of feeling and unfeeling, unaware initially of her extremely attractive sexuality. Yet she is the 'Iron Fist' not the 'Silk Glove'. Plus, I even found myself truly liking even the most unlikable side-characters. Soulless is messing my head up though. I won't say anything. Just, wow. Can't wait until the 28th!
I have to ABSOLUTELY agree with your review Felicia! Rhys was the big downside of the book. He was still very hot and, you know, bad temper isn't always a flaw in my opinion, but the forced sex and the word "shag" in almost every single sentence ... He could have a tiny bit more polite or poetic. So yeah 4/5 stars ! Definitely a good book and amazing world!
I did enjoy the world a lot too. The bugs thing was very reminiscent of Stephenson's Diamond Age.