The Iron Duke

By: Meljean Brook

Narrated by: Faye Adele

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

First in an all-new series where seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas.

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

©2010 Meljean Brook (P)2011 Penguin

Amazing detail and story!

I was very impressed with this story! I was a little hesitant to get it but am very glad I did. This story had everything, action, science fiction, history, and romance. The author was able to make the details believable and I loved to imagine the world she created. Definitely worth the credit!

A perfect balance of passion and plots

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story plot with an intriguing twist on the Victorian era as well as a dark and passionate romance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Iron Duke?

That is the interesting thing about this book. Each moment is a wonderful build on other moments so it would be hard for me to isolate just one or two as a favorite.

What about Faye Adele’s performance did you like?

She is definitely a voice actor and not just a narrator. I felt as though her voice led me through the author's world and not just recited it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Hmmm. Even in a world turned upside down by greed, prejudice and the need for power, love, acceptance and redemption can be found.

Any additional comments?

This book is great if you like a good mature romance with just the right dash of mystery and intrigue. I found the characters to be quite entertaining and the descriptions of the places and people to be just the right amount to lure me into the author's world without making me feel as though I needed to fast forward past anther long description of someone's attire or the color of the sky.The romance builds at what I considered to be a good upward pace. I found Rhys' dark and controlling behavior to be alluring. Mina's character is a wonderful blend of strength and intelligence with a touch of innocence.The rest of the cast of characters were also good and added the right amount of humor, anger, mystery and wisdom. Definitely an entertaining read.

Wonderful reading.

I've read this book many times and the audio version was just as good. Enjoyed the accent of the narrator.

Didn't finish it.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I listened to the vast majority of the book but didn't find myself excited to listen to any more. I kept thinking that there was so much back story, world building and character development that it would get "on with it," but alas. The author was a good story teller with a plodding, rambling story.

Any additional comments?

The author was inventive in her descriptions of the mechanical devices in her world. I felt here world building was very good but, again, the plot just didn't move along fast enough for me. I so wanted the author to set up the fanciful world then go on the grand adventure but I felt the adventure wasn't grand.

A new genre for me - and I’m hooked

What a fascinating world! So creative and detailed. I had no idea what I would be getting, haven chosen this author after a short story in an anthology. However, I’m excited for more. I became a little lost with the English names flying about in the plot, and who the Black Guard was at first, (and other various bad guys) but I caught on enough to follow.
As for performance, I have no criticism but I’m finicky in that I always hope for the male lead’s voice to resonate and have a deeper timbre. It’s my only problem with audio. Though I can’t truly complain because a female narrator can probably only do so much, (as with a male narrator and female voices) but it tends to be a tripping point for me when trying to immerse myself into the story.

Pleasant surprise

This isn’t my typical fare- steampunk and zombies, but I’m SO glad I gave it a shot and I’ve got a new author’s worth of work to delve into now. Great world-building, fantastic narrator and a lot of twists and turns I didn’t see coming! Highly recommend!

WOW concept!!!!

I have never read(listened) a(to a) book like this. The concept is great, the story was a little predictable however and the narration was 'ok'. I did find I was rewinding and listening to things again as I felt I may have missed something. Other than that, again..the concept...Parallel universe HELLOOOOO, I did go on to listen to the other two books and I don't regret using the credit!
I also downloaded the kindle short stories.

How did I miss this book?!

I started this book on a recommendation and loved every mi ute of it. The story, the narrator EVERYTHING!

enjoyed

what an amazing steampunk romance. listening was a little intense at times for the details, however the world that has been created is steampunk genius.

Good steam punk, bad romance

excellent world building, unbelievable weak romance. Ends forced and predictably. hopefully the author continues in a different direction.