The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jan 16, 2011 D.G. rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, steampunk

This is a disappointed 3-star rating.

I loved the prequel and had great expectations for this book. I was dying to learn more about this world that Ms. Brooks put together but instead I found plot holes the size of krakens.

I didn’t expect to learn everything but at least I wanted more background on the Horde, specially why they kept the ‘buggers’ in England. Once I realized the extent of their technology – they could implant nanoagents that could control people, for God’s sakes – I didn't underst This is a disappointed 3-star rating.

I loved the prequel and had great expectations for this book. I was dying to learn more about this world that Ms. Brooks put together but instead I found plot holes the size of krakens.

I didn’t expect to learn everything but at least I wanted more background on the Horde, specially why they kept the ‘buggers’ in England. Once I realized the extent of their technology – they could implant nanoagents that could control people, for God’s sakes – I didn't understand why the English people were so important that they were allowed to live...and in their own country no less! If the Horde really wanted to have the Island, the most expedient thing would have been to follow the example of the tribes of yore: you kill all the men and rape the women. Then in a generation everybody in England has Horde blood, you destroy their culture and 200 years later, nobody even remembers the English. It’s what I would have done if I had this kind of technology and wanted to dominate the world. (I guess that’s why my husband says I’m bloodthirsty.)

Instead, the Horde chooses to keep the English as sort of slaves, abolishing some of their rights but keeping them aware that they weren’t ‘master of their domain.’ What did the English have that made them more important alive than dead? That’s never explained. If I’d been at the realm and had to keep somebody, I’d definitely have chosen the French (after all, they have a way with wine) but instead, the Horde fills Europe full of zombies so they can use machines to cultivate the land without having those pesky Europeans around (which can’t live there because of the zombies, you know.) Of course, this means that the Horde cannot live there either. Wouldn’t it have made more sense for the Horde to just move in? It’s not as if there weren’t any people in their Empire (which at its zenith had a population of 100 million) and some of them lived in pretty rough environments. I guess it never occurred to the technologically advanced Horde that some of its people would have preferred living in Tuscany than freezing their ass in Siberia.

Then, I found the main couple completely unremarkable. The heroine had a martyr complex – she’s always sacrificing herself – and I hated how the author created a conflict based on race issues but then danced around it by not even describing the heroine and then having the big conflict resolved almost overnight. Because Jackie Robinson proved that you can change people’s minds by having a good month at the plate.

I have more issues with the plot but I’m tired of complaining. Given how much I liked the prequel, I *may* give the second book a try but needless to say, I won’t be jumping to buy it as soon as it comes out. ...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Charlotte (Buried in Books) rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, steampunk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 06, 2012 Christina (AKA Babbling) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: part-of-a-series, favorite-books, favorite-series, 2012

(SOS Bingo Round 4, Team 4 & x-post to blog)

Skimming some of the reviews, just before I began reading this book, I was almost convinced not to even start it. Steampunk is relatively new to me. I'm pretty sure I haven't read any, and some of those reviews had me wondering whether I'd like this author's take on the genre. I've read science fiction and fantasy, so I knew I could do the "suspension of belief" bit and hopefully understand the world she created with minimal confusion. Even so, I went ...more

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