Review: A must read for lovers of the genre
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 8, 2014
I was one of the super lucky people who got this as an ARC. Part I and II were part of said ARC, and since I read gobbled up both parts in one go, I wrote a review for both of them. I simply wouldn't be able the separate the two afterwards.The good news for fans of the series. This is another fabulous addition to an already great series. The "bad"news this will be published as a serial. Which means a lot of waiting time.Because after finishing this my first reaction.. running to amazon pre-ordering part III and then freaking out because it was weeeeeeeeeeeeeks away. So my first thought after reading, maybe I shouldn't have started. Because this left me wanting more- no wait that's not right. It left me needing more.The world building, is superb. If you read any of the previous books let me reassure you your expectations will be met. It is set in the Iron Seas world, in Australia to be exact and Brook adds her brand of fabulous gadgets and monsters. The world is described in detail and her gadgets are imaginative and a delight to this geeky heart.The novel is written from Ariq and Zenobia's POV. The character building is as in the previous books slowly built, layer after layer of more depths is added to all the characters. There are actually quite a few support characters, I love how one sees different angles to them when the POV changes from one MC to the other.The plot is true to Iron Seas form a mix of fantastic action and heart-melting sexy romance. Right from the beginning one is thrown into a whirlwind of action.The romance just taking off at the end of Part II - the dance between Ariq and Zenobia being in full-force pull and push mode. But one is also left with a great amount of questions, a bit of mystery and worry over several characters wellbeing.The pace of this is actually pretty amazing! There are rather beautiful moments of stillness alternated with super-exciting super-fast moments of heart-stopping action. Brook has mastered the art of just giving enough time for those more reflective moments to give the novel beautiful depths and throwing in enough action to keep the readers on their toes.Brook's writing style is descriptive, subtle yet direct, full of depth and simply beautiful. Which is what made her one of my favorite authors in the first place.I think the fabulously of the Iron Seas novels all lie in the incredibly perfect balance between world building, plot and character building.  The Kraken King is another example of Brook's superb knowledge of her craft and talent.This is part of the Iron Seas series but can be read as a stand-alone as well. If you haven't read any of the previous books in the series following the serial is definitely a great way to start it!If your a fan- you won't be disappointed.And the verdict on reading it as a serial?  There was never a real choice...An absolute MUST for lovers of the genre!