Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
316 global ratings
5 star
66%
4 star
16%
3 star
8%
2 star
6%
1 star
4%
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Lori
2.0 out of 5 stars but the descriptive writing was so bad, I had to go back and read it ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
Verified Purchase
“You didn’t have to fight when you destroyed the Horde. So I decided to make your tower explode.”

This quote is said directly after the two main protagonist have sex (oh my god get on with it already) for the first time. Although, I thought they were having sex at least two times prior, but the descriptive writing was so bad, I had to go back and read it carefully to realize there wasn't yet penetration...I guess. Anyways, upon reading this god-awful, corny phrase, (75% of the way into the book btw) I knew I was done. It had been a while coming as the book had already started to drag, but since I paid $8 for it, I was determined to press on.

The setting seemed promising, but too many elements from too many time periods were being thrown together to be able to make a cohesive story backdrop. It felt like the author sat down and wrote down anything that came to mind, without streaming and or editing. The trick to a truly great fantasy is to change just one major element of reality and leave the rest intact.

Back to the romance, it also started off promising, but you can't change the basic nature of who a character is to make him more appealing and have me believe itm. Here is a hardened, nhilistic pirate who has sailed the world and seen it all, and basically sworn off women and with one random encounter with this lady, he becomes a ridiculous, maluble, kind, altruistic lump of goo who is only "hard" when needed for plot, not in an realistic way. The true flaws and quirks in a charcacter are what make them believable.

Not the worst thing I've ever read, but so much more is needed to make this book salvagable. It also taught me a word I hadn't heard before,(ameliorate) so I gave it an extra star for that.
Read more
Abby Gardner
5.0 out of 5 stars New to Steampunk? Start With The Best: The Iron Duke
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
If you’re new to the steampunk genre and want a good place to start, I can’t recommend a better novel than The Iron Duke. The author’s attention to detail in creating her alternate world’s history and technology is nothing short of astounding (she even pinpoints for readers the exact moment in history that our world and the book’s world deviate; in 1241 in our world a series of events leads to the weakening of the Mongol Empire, whereas in the world of the novel the Empire doesn’t suffer the same fate, allowing them to eventually conquer Europe two hundred years after the exploration of Marco Polo). The London Brook creates is appropriately gritty, dirty, and realistic, despite its “fantastical” elements. Her characters are real, living people the reader comes to know and, if not love, at least appreciate.

One of the things that struck me as being truly unique about this novel, especially in this genre, is the fact that it has a heroine who has not only been sexually traumatized but is forced to deal with that on a very real level before she can fully commit herself to the hero. There’s no pretending her trauma doesn’t exist or conveniently writing it away just so they can get to the steamy sex scenes. That level of commitment to character is only one of many things that makes The Iron Duke a truly unique and thoroughly enjoyable read. The fact that the couple can achieve a HEA by the end truly is a sign of how far they’ve come both as people and as a pairing. It feels earned and is therefore very satisfying.

Overall I give this novel five out of five stars. I will definitely be reading it again as well as the other books written in the world of the Iron Seas. Considering the other novels deal with other characters, I’m interested in seeing how the world will continue to develop and grow over time.
Read more
Christine Lloyd
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing...
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Interesting world, but confusingly rendered. And the romance, at times, felt forced or contrived. The ending didn't work for me - it was too abrupt, and felt, out of character. Another novel that started out fine, but sort of went off the rails towards the end. As if the writer lost track of what she was doing. This happens a lot in the romance genre.

The main issue between the hero and heroine appears to be a misunderstanding and a rather silly one at that, considering their respective actions. (The hero and heroine don't believe the other one really cares or loves them - regardless of the number of times both have put themselves in the line of fire for the other one.) This was unnecessary - considering all the obstacles, far more innovative and realistic, placed in their path. Why the writer felt the need to rely on a romantic cliche to separate them...

And the misunderstanding per the cliche ends with the hero shagging the heroine prior to the resolution of the misunderstanding. Instead of telling the heroine he loves her straight out, the hero thrusts her into a room and shags her. Wham, Bang, Thank You Ma'am. Which...was jarring to say the least. And cliche. And unnecessary. The love you's came after - but considering the wham bang thank you ma'am, I'm not sure worked.

The other problem that I had with it - was it drug. The world is convoluted, perhaps too much so for the type of novel it is. For that to work - more time should be spent on plot, world, character development and less on the romantic tension/sex. Or it drags. It's telling that the most gripping and clearest scenes are the romantic ones.

Okay, but not as good as expected.
Read more
See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

Rani
4.0 out of 5 stars A FUN READ
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Pirates, nanotech, airships, zombies, a kraken, a lady inspector and the fierce Iron Duke , sounds like the ingredients for a fun read and it was!

I liked the fact that Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth was no simpering miss, although wish she had been a little more plucky,. The Iron Duke took a little while to warm up to, moments when he's a bit of a pushy ass and seems to have a blurry understanding of the word no, a few times his actions had me thinking yeah that is so not going to get you what you want.

At the start I did feel like the author was throwing in too much terminology without making it clear what the words meant, and I spent a while thinking what the hell is a bugger, but once it was made clear all was good.

I can see myself re-reading this.

Potential Triggers: Reference to rape and the sex trade/sale of young boys. Prejudice to those conceived during the frenzy.
Read more
Crinkly
5.0 out of 5 stars How refreshing - a good story, interesting characters AND a workable romance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
I first came across Meljean Brook's work in a short story, and was favourably impressed, mainly by the fact that the werewolf heroine was capable and reasonable.

So I was delighted to find the female lead in the Iron Duke is equally wonderful. She doesn't simper, or wallow, or flutter. She examines corpses, thinks independently, endures bigotry, and seems incapable of being intimidated.

The world is also pretty great. No holds barred, this is a gritty, unjust, grimly steam punk Britain populated by just as many racists as deeply caring indivuals. No pink fluffiness at all.

The story line is damn fine. It has the political, social and economic flavour of the early - mid 19th C. Plus steam punk seamlessly added to the mix. And of course, this means that the story has echoes of Hornblower, Sharpe, Regency romances and my dimly remembered history lessons from school.

Is it perfect? No. The hero doesn't have the same emotional depth as the heroine (despite the kind of backstory which would entitle him to so much e-depth he should be sinking!). There are some editing errors. I tended to forget who some characters were, when referred to in conversation. I found it a little suspicious that ships could be tracked across open sea with barely mentioned navigation (missed steam punk opportunities there), and travel by airship didnt seem to be affected by weather, or prevailing wind direction.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be reading the next in the series.
Read more
meg
5.0 out of 5 stars have read this over & over again...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
One of my favourites. Such a fab story with such an awesome setting. Love the strong lead characters and the emotional connection that builds between them. Love books with such a strong feminist hero and heroine.
Read more
Cara Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb example of the genre
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2011
Verified Purchase
How can I possibly give this book anything but 5*?!

By necessity, there's a lot of exposition at the start of this story, so it was a little difficult to get going - but it's so well worth staying with it, because when the Iron Duke himself hits the scene, it moves along at a steamy and breathtaking pace.

Mina is a well-written and believable heroine with a lot of depth, and Trahaern is, quite simply, glorious. The supporting cast of characters are equally strong, particularly Yasmeen, and they really immerse you in the tale being woven.

In my humble opinion, this novel defines what the steampunk romance genre is all about. Superb!
Read more
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun steampunk
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Unlike many modern steampunk this story is set in our world if the Mongols had conquered the world. Nanoagenst makes people stronger and makes it possible for them to survive in the smogridden London. while genetic enhanced cats hunt rats and the unsuspecting in the streets megladon and kraken patrols the oceans. What I really liked about the whole universe is that unlike many steampunk story's this is not just a romance with one ore two corsets and some bronze. this is a complete universe and a thought in what if.
Read more
See all reviews