
Here There Be Monsters
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.
Add to Cart failed.
Please try again later
Add to Wish List failed.
Please try again later
Remove from wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Adding to library failed
Please try again
Follow podcast failed
Please try again
Unfollow podcast failed
Please try again

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Buy for $15.75
-
Narrated by:
-
Faye Adele
-
By:
-
Meljean Brook
Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series about a woman who strikes a provocative-and terrifying-bargain for freedom.
©2011 Meljean Brook (P)2011 PenguinListeners also enjoyed...




















People who viewed this also viewed...

I want more…..
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wow!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Heroine bugged me
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The series takes place in an alternate Europe, newly freed from two hundred years of Horde subjugation that included a plague of nanobots which created crazed zombies out of people, caused bug-fever and death, or permitted controlling people to make them Frenzy. This is steampunk with dirigibles, Krakens (robotic octopuses), and mechanic enhanced people. Each book follows a different couple with various degrees of success. There are occasional F bombs, explicit get togethers, and ongoing themes of slavery, prejudice (against enhanced people), abused women.
This prequel: Ivy, a skilled clockworks builder, attempts to bargain for safe passage aboard a ship to a land of sanctuary, but comes up against Eben “mad” Marchen, a scary Captain used to giving orders without explanation. Although their conflict could have been avoided if any of the main/supporting characters bothered to explain things, I forgave the contrived lunkheadedness due to the shorter length of this book and the sexy danger vibe that the misunderstandings create. The broody romance schtick goes well with steampunk worlds, and Eben is in the end all bark and no bite. This prequel is a complete story.
This prequel gives a good taste of the world and minor teasers for the first two books as it references the Iron Duke, whose story is found in book 1 and features a few scenes with Yasmeen, the Captain of the Lady Corsair, whose story is found in book 2.
Book 1: The Iron Duke: a mystery thriller combined with romance between Inspector Mina and a duke (and former pirate captain) Rhys, who join forces to investigate a murder, search for a hijacked ship, and track down a dangerous weapon.
Book 2: Heart and Steel: Tomb Raider goes zombie steampunk as the dashing Archimedes Fox goes treasure hunting through Europe while courting the phenomenal, and utterly mercenary, Captain Yasmeen. This was my favorite book for balancing fun, action, and adventure with the dark, zombie-pirate-steampunk vibe.
Book 3: Riveted: It’s an on-the-run mystery adventure as an inexperienced pair seek Amazons in Iceland- it’s a bit more sweet than I like, dwells too much on the prejudices against mechanically enhanced people and LGBTQ relationships, and the “two virgins figure it out” plot had creepy Blue Lagoon, child romance vibes. Unlike the other books’ gritty steampunk feel, this one felt more anime and silly. Also, the narrator changes to someone who makes lead Anika sound like she’s 12. This was definitely my least favorite.
Swashbuckling steampunk romance
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Only 1 complaint -- TOO SHORT!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Any additional comments?
The Iron Seas series is one of the most well-crafted out there. World building is top-notch. This novella is a stand alone, and can be read at any point in the series. The events are set before Book 1 and the main characters make an appearance in Book 2.Although it's only a novella, it is every bit as entertaining (action, emotion, the works!) as the full length novels. It's worth a credit, so I think it's a bargain for under $10.
A Bargain!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Available on audio at last!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I read a lot of long books so I have to give this props for not feeling rushed or underdeveloped at less than four hours. The world building is strong, and the story puts you right into the thick of things. No boring lag times here! You'll be able to jump into the next book with a strong grasp of this steampunky universe.
Yet I'm in no hurry to get to the next books, and I think it was the narrator. It's not as evident in the sample as it could be, but she takes a noticeable pause about once every five words or so, much more obviously than you'd hear in normal conversation. I found the effect rather clunky. She also gives a lot of thrust and an imperative tone to much of the dialogue which didn't make for an easy listen. It's weird, because I'm usually pretty easy-going when it comes to narrators and can brush off other people's complaints, but in this case I won't be continuing on with the Iron Duke series on audio.
So I'd recommend listening to the sample carefully before buying! (Well, I'd recommend that anyway!) The narrator doesn't really do anything wrong, but her performance never seemed to smooth out as the book went along. Just the opposite in fact, so try before you buy!
Perhaps better on paper?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.