Review: Fantastic Steampunk Tale
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2014
The events in this novella occur between Kiss of Steel and Heart of Iron.  I wish I had read this story before reading Heart of Iron, and I would recommend that anyone who hasn’t read Heart of Iron read Tarnished Knight first.  There is a lovely prequel included which fills you in on some of Will and Lila’s interactions before you get to their story as well.  The story centers on John “Rip” Doolan, one of Blade’s men who was attacked by the vampire in Kiss of Steel and was given the craving virus to save his life.  Rip had been slowly working on a relationship with Blade’s housekeeper Esme before he was infected, and now he is afraid he won’t be able to control his craving and will hurt her.  His withdrawal from her and their easy companionship is devastating to Esme and she tries to find a way to get through to him.  They can’t seem to communicate, and there are misunderstandings on both sides.  With Blade and Will’s help, this couple might need a little push here and there to finally get it all figured out.  Along the way there is danger from a new villain in town, and much satisfaction in the foiling of his evil plans.  I love this wonderful, gritty steampunk London and look forward to many more adventures in this setting.