Steam and Sorcery

By: Cindy Spencer Pape

Narrated by: Helen Stern

Sir Merrick Hadrian hunts monsters, both human and supernatural. A Knight of the Order of the Round Table, his use of magick and the technologies of steam power have made him both respected and feared. But his considerable skills are useless in the face of his greatest challenge, guardianship of five unusual children. At a loss, Merrick enlists the aid of a governess.

Miss Caroline Bristol is reluctant to work for a bachelor, but she needs a position, and these former street children touch her heart. While she tends to break any mechanical device she touches, it never occurs to her that she might be something more than human. All she knows is that Merrick is the most dangerously attractive man she's ever met—and out of reach for a mere governess.

When conspiracy threatens to blur the distinction between humans and monsters, Caroline and Merrick must join forces, and the fate of humanity hinges upon their combined skills of steam and sorcery....

©2011 Cindy Spencer Pape (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Good way to get through a workday

I enjoyed the story itself, though I could have handled less information about the children's lessons and mealtimes in return for more magic and adventure, though the chemistry between the hero and heroine was sizzilng. The narrator gave a solid performance, though her male voices sounded a little too growly for my taste. All in all, a pleasant listen during the workday.

All in all a great story

This is like an alter universe that I would like to live in. The romance was great, a bit graphic but not bad. The narrating was very good, the accents were consistent so as not to draw you away from being immersed in to the story. All in all a pleasure to listen to.

Fun fantasy story with a touch of romance.

Steam and Sorcery
By: Cindy Spencer Pape
Narrated by: Helen Stern
This book has a governess hired to teach/care for a handful of street orphans that each have special gifts. The man that hired her was saved by the kids when they helped fight off vampires! He took them in and needed someone to care for them. It's a fun story. Each kid is a special character. Has a happy ending.
Good narration.

Light and charming

This is a short easy read, and a nice intro to the series. It's not a complicated story but it has enough going on to be interesting without the romance plot, which is how I measure these types of stories. The characters are likable and, though there wasn't a lot of world building and detail, the glimpses into what makes this world different are interesting.

The rest of the series builds the world more as we look at the different types of magic and science and how other factions interact with the knights. Unfortunately the romances in the some of the later books are not well developed. They are mostly cookie cutter/paint by numbers, romance, guy declares he has no intention of marrying and won't dishonor girl, over the course of three days girl overcomes stodgy chauvinism and chivalry, they fall madly in love and are engaged to be married by weeks end.

The notable exceptions are the mechanicals book and the last book where the romances are much better developed and you may actually care about their outcome. Other than those if you are looking for a deep emotional investment in the romance between characters this series will likely leave you wanting, On the other hand, the things that take place away from the romance are interesting throughout the series. Overall I'd say it's worth a listen.

TLDR: It's a good series if you want a light steam and sorcery adventure story and don't mind some underdeveloped romance plots.

GIFTS WITHIN

Narration nicely done a little worn but storyline very good. Characters presented interesting addition to hold my attention and revealed clues to ending.