Review: Intriguing Steampunk Story With Immensely Likable Characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 11, 2013
I've not read many steampunk stories but found this one immensely engaging due to its very likable characters and vivid depictions of the blending of the future with the past that defines the steampunk genre.  This story is full of action-packed sequences with bits of mysticism that profoundly affects the outcome of the story.  Throw in a memorable cast of secondary characters that point to an exciting future for this series and you end up with an entertaining read.Jessie has loved Luke since she was young and was devastated when she thought him dead.  Along with the loss of her brother and father she's now alone and having to fend for herself against those who hate her for her Indian heritage.  There's soon other men after her for the secrets only her father knew and Luke returns from the dead to protect her.  She's no wilting flower and resents him for his help while fighting her attraction for him that never stopped.  As they fight side by side to uncover long held secrets their journey towards a HEA takes unexpected rocky twists and turns that constantly put their lives in jeopardy.  After a gutwrenching event, their long awaited HEA is made even more satisfying.Luke went off to war and ended up working for the government.  He has the scars and mechanical leg as a remembrance, along with his undying love for Jessie.  He knows he broke her heart and spends the rest of the story trying to make his betrayal up to her.  As they travel cross country he slowly wins over her family as they put her welfare in his hands.  As he comes near death numerous times she realizes she can't live without him any longer which makes an event that happens late in the story even more heartbreaking.They're an entertaining couple equal in their physical strengths so both can count on the other in times of danger.  There's lots of witty verbal banter between them that's playful and belies their sexual tension.  Their trek cross country was a bit too drawn out and made the story feel draggy after a fast-paced beginning.  After a tragic event late in the story, things were a bit too drawn out as well followed by a hastily wrapped denouement.  All in all this was a good story with memorable characters that I'd love to revisit.