Review: Short with a moderate amount of steam ("of the human variety") and just a bit of steampunk
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 21, 2010
Miss Pandora Bramble thinks that she has missed her only chance of gathering the evidence she needs to restore her father's honor, and that there is no hope of ever again finding a way back onto the airship, Daedulus. But fate steps in to give Pandora another shot when a customer with a broken spyglass turns out to be not only the handsome airman who foiled Pandora's plans and stole a kiss, but he is also the airship's captain. So when Captain Theolonius Hatch, entranced by Pandora's spirit and intelligence, begins his pursuit of Pandora, she only thinks to use him to get back on board the ship. Soon, however, Pandora finds herself falling for the dashing Theo and lamenting her need to sacrifice her own happiness and betray his trust in order to redeem her father.Miss Bramble and the Leviathan fits right in with my newIron Dukeinspired Steampunk kick, though the steampunk element here is mostly in the background (airships, horseless carriages and a mechanical owl) and serves as a framework for the romance without overwhelming it. Theo's courtship of Pandora moves quickly, and there is a good steamy build up of attraction in this short story romance but readers uncomfortable with on screen sex will be happy to know that the consummation is a 'fade to black'.Both of the leading characters here are extremely likable, and the handsome, forward Theolonius Hatch who is so taken with the unusual, intelligent and outspoken Miss Bramble is perfect hero material. His fascination with, and his willingness to accept the unconventional Pandora along with  his struggle to behave honorably despite his attraction to her are quite appealing.  Pandora is equally wonderful. She is capable, strong and determined, but there is a bit of pathos attached to the young woman who bears the burden of being the `adult' in her relationship with her father with little hope of a life of her own.My only nits with the story were that, it was very short - I would have happily read more - and, I would have loved to have been given a glimpse of Theo's thoughts right before he grabs Pandora and kisses her thoroughly within minutes of meeting her - considering the mores of the era, what was he thinking when he decided to take such liberties?But nits aside, I really enjoyed Miss Bramble and the Leviathan, which is by pure coincidence my second book by author Kristen Painter, I've also read her more classic fantasy romance,Heart Of Fire. In both cases I have loved her unusual heroines and have found her writing to be entertaining, so I am seriously considering hunting down her third (unconnected) book,All Fired Up, and will certainly be keeping an eye out for her new urban fantasy series which is to be published by Orbit sometime next year.