Review: Fabulous start
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2014
Meljean Brook has taken her popular Iron Seas series which is a gritty steampunk and expanded it to give her readers a taste of the exploits got up to by Zenobia Fox. She's a heroine who finally gets to step up in this new series of adventures set in a romantic almost Victorian world full of pirates, unusual technology and monsters! An alternative reality that leaps off the page to pull the reader into a rip roaring adventure that never lets up!Zenobia is so sick of being tied to her brother Archimedes apron strings and further more she is beyond fed up with the all too frequent kidnapping attempts that she's faced. No what she needs is to get away and find inspiration to write her next novel. Traveling by airship with her friend Helene seems safe enough until they are attacked mid air by marauders!  Zenobias leap to safety doesn't quite go according to plan though and she's rescued by Ariq who turns out to be both a former smuggler and thief! He's also unfortunately known as The Kraken King so telling him her real identity might not be the most sensible thing to do. Zenobia doesn't want to fall into the hands of her brothers enemies but Ariqs hands? What a way to go!The world created by this author is without a doubt top notch! Even those who would not normally read steampunk cannot fail it be blindsided by this. It's such a vibrant picture painted by Ms Brook. We are taken on a journey with Zenobia, such a well brought up young lady and yet she is full of mischief ,quick wit and her sheer enthusiasm for life and all it's mysteries is contagious. She is a very loyal friend and her reasons for traveling with Helene are pulling her in a direction that might not necessarily be safe. As for Ariq? Well he's certainly not backwards in coming forwards! There's no way any one would mistake him for a shy guy! Yet he is also clearly much more than just a romantic lead and there's depth still to be uncovered , fiercely protective and brave.I'm not a huge fan of short novellas as sometimes it can be an expensive way to purchase a book but this author has planned seven or eight instalments which will hopefully all be of a good length. By her own admission Ms Brooks tends to overwrite so that's a plus point for the reader hopefully bringing longer instalments making it a series and not just one novel broken up.  So did I enjoy reading this and will I read more? A huge resounding yes! This authors talent for storytelling is amazing and I can't wait to find out just what's in store for Ariq and Zenobia next.