Review: Rating: 4/5 stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 30, 2014
Homecoming by Cecilia Robert(Book #0.5: Cloaked Devices Series)Source: AuthorRating: 4/5 starsI like big cats and I cannot lie . . .yep, I went there.  Now down to business . . .  .Homecoming is a short and sweet introduction to the Cloaked Devices series by Cecilia Robert and I have to say, I quite enjoyed this steampunk read.  Levian has lost his mate and for the last five years has spent a considerable amount of time and effort searching for her.  Sera is the missing half of his soul and with no explanation she simply vanished before they could complete the mating ceremony.  This makes for a very, very cranky shape-shifting panther.  GGGGRRR . . . . .At just seventeen years old, Sera saw her whole life flash before her eyes in one horrifying moment when the wrong man (or is he?) stood up to claim her during the union ceremony.  Hugely embarrassed and harboring a secret sure to bring shame on her family, Sera runs before the mating ceremony is complete and her life begins even more of a disaster than it already is.  Since that time, Sera has managed to keep herself hidden and make a very successful life for herself as a professor and book shop owner in Varselles – the City of Outcasts.  Oh, and she has managed to collect yet another big secret.And then one day, Levian gets word of a Sera sighting and he is off to finally claim his mate.  After gathering his best-friend Uriel and his twin brother and complete man-whore, Tegue the group is off to Varselles to collect one mate.  Though he expects a fight, Levian is shocked to find that Sera is not only willing to come home with him but to also complete the mating ceremony.  But, before that can happen, Sera has to collect a few final items that must go home with her.  One of those items might just be a final volume of a set of books that when used in the right way can pretty much the end the world as everyone knows it.  Yikes!!!The Bottom Line: I am a pretty big fan of strong characters and Sera, Levian and, Tegue all fit the bill for me.  In the years since her escape, Sera has really matured and become quite the tough girl – she knows her mind and how to assert herself.  Levian is one driven man and his desire and determination are significant plusses – it doesn’t hurt that his panther growls when he gets angry or excited.  And then, there is Tegue, the one character I really didn’t want to like but damn it all to Hell, I had to change my mind.  Add to the strong characters, the world-ending books and the wonderful descriptions of a steampunk world and you have a recipe for awesome.  I have to say, I think I may just have changed my mind about the whole steampunk genre.  Well done Cecilia Robert, well done!