Kiss of Steel

London Steampunk, Book 1

By: Bec McMaster

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price? Blade is known as the master of the rookeries - no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single-handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood craving he's been quicker, stronger, almost immortal. When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel - or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

©2012 Bec McMaster (P)2013 Tantor

Unexpected delight

What did you love best about Kiss of Steel?

I purchased this audiobook as part of a 3 for 2 paranormal sale and needed a third title. I didn't know what to expect and I wasn't familiar with the author, Bec McMaster, or this series, but I am glad I picked it! Part historical romance, part paranormal romance, with the tiniest splash of steam punk thrown in, Kiss of Steel had me hooked within the first fifteen minutes. The narration was great, the sex scenes were erotic without being cheesy, and the author's take on vampires was interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I think Alison Larkin's narration made this book for me. She sounds like she could have been reading Jane Austen, but instead she was narrating explicit paranormal sex scenes set in Victorian London.

What does Alison Larkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know if I would have been able to get into reading the book like I got into listening to it. The author jumped right into her "London Steampunk" world with very little explanation. It was a bit difficult to figure out the mythology and terminology at first, but the narration kept the story interesting enough to stick with it.

Any additional comments?

First, the steampunk elements are more of an afterthought, so if that's what you're looking for, then this isn't your book. Second, the romance is apparent from the beginning, but there is a long build-up to first sex scene so, again, if that's what you're looking for... (having said that, the sex is fairly steady for the last half of the book). Last, while I loved Alison Larkin's narration in general, there were times that her voice for Blade bordered on cartoonish and that was a little bit distracting. Luckily, the author relies on descriptive narration more than dialogue, so this was only rarely an issue for me.

Good paranormal mystery, romance balance

This story is a romance but most certainly not highly sexual., at least not highly in the sense of how much sex occurs in the story. There is kissing, a small amount, but the first sex act doesn’t' occur until about halfway through the 11+ hour story. And that first act was just "stimulation" of Honoria. Then the second sex act doesn't occur until there's about 2.5 hours left in the story. It was the first act of intercourse. After that one, intercourse occurred again. But the story was nearing the end. Admittedly, there is a bit of sensual detail during these 3 sex acts; they weren't brief but also not drawn out. But there's also no explicit sexual language beyond "cock" and "wetness," if you want to call that explicit, which I don't, not hardly.
The delay in Honoria and Blade getting together made the story super yummy b/c I got a chance to see the relationship develop, which was not easy. Honoria and Blade are different in significant ways, which made them unlikely friends, much less lovers. But the attraction was always simmering, and trust was desired by both.

So there was no focus on sex, though there was a focus on the romance. But it was balanced with a bit of a mystery. And the mystery's outcome was not completely obvious, which was great. That, along with the good narration and good, basic writing, is what made this purchase a good one. It was my first steampunk tale, but it won't be my last. I enjoyed this one. Since I buy historical romances, this tale fit well alongside that genre for me. I also buy paranormal romances, and this tale had an aspect of that too. The vampiric and werewolf aspects were novel, however. Since this was my first steampunk tale, the take on those paranormal beings was, indeed, novel to me. Another plus in this story was that Honoria's being a virgin was not the focus in the story nor of her lover's. Additionally, I loved that Honoria was smart and strong, and the author focused on that and not her physical beauty. It was a wonderful change.

It wasn't an easy story, a light and fluffy story. But there was also no unnecessary angst or manufactured conflict. It all flowed naturally from the telling and the development of the tale.

Paranormal Historical Romance

Kiss of Steel is an erotic historical paranormal (steampunk it really isn't) story that differs in the genre a bit because the hero isn't an aristocrat: he is pretty much a street rat vampire gang leader on the wrong side of town (though with the prerequisite heart of gold, of course). Very graphic sex is interspersed with a mystery that will be solved at the conclusive end. Although there are other books in this world, this is a stand alone.

Honoria Todd lives in disgrace in a disreputable part of London after her father is killed in the line of researching vampires. The country is ruled by the bluebloods - creatures who were infected with a virus (brought back with a "lost Continent' type of explorer) and who exist on blood. Her father's research may prove key to understanding the virus - but all Honoria has left is her sister, her brother, and her father's diaries. Desperate, out of money, she makes a blood bargain to be a thrall with a local gang lord - a blue blood himself despite not being of aristocratic stock. Then a rogue vampire starts murdering and the murders seem to all link back to Honoria. Can she and Blade, her vampire lover, save her family as well as her own skin from both the rogue vampire and the bluebloods?

While I liked the book, I found I just wasn't invested in it. It was decently written, the plot solid, and certainly no major fault can be found overall. But I found I just wasn't interested in the main character, her lover Blade, or nearly any of the other characters. Blade was a bit too good to be true, Honoria too missish (which was appropriate for the era, however), and the mystery just didn't seem get very interesting. I think if more time had been devoted to the characters and plot rather than various sex or near sex scenes, it would have been more immediate. The last quarter of the book was pretty much sex scenes, which are fine for others but really a bit too much for me (I'd rather go to an erotic title for that much intercourse).

So although I rate this 3 stars, it really wasn't a terrible book. And certainly it wasn't the average historical romance. But it just never really hooked me into the action and characters. And certainly it isn't steampunk.

I listened to an Audible version of this book. Although the narrator did a decent job, I think she might have overdone the intonations, making Honoria seem girlie and Blade a bit too guttery?

New Narrator, Please!

Storyline had potential but fell miles short of it. The narrator did a horrible job with the male voices. I hate the book mostly because of the narrator.

Horrible narration but good book

If you could sum up Kiss of Steel in three words, what would they be?

Steamy, Fresh, and Engaging

What did you like best about this story?

Blade, very nice take on the bad boy gutter rat but lovable misunderstood Hero.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Alison Larkin?

Simon Prebble

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

Blade?! LOL

Blue Blood has a whole new meaning.

I really enjoyed this book. I knew this book was steampunk but I didn't realize it was also paranormal to include vampires and werewolves. There was enough of a twist in the vampire lore that it felt fresh and not the same old same old. It was also sexy enough without having an overabundance of sex in the book. I will be getting the next book and listening to it soon. I have had this book in my library for some time, I wish I had listen to it earlier. I heard some complain about the narrator, I believe she does a fairly good job. I think because she has an English accent is what people don't like about it. But consider this is basically a regency romance with steampunk and mystery she fits the storyline.

Interesting but a little too sex focused

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I enjoyed the book, though the constant focus on sex and the coc. Was tiresome. It didn't move the story forward but got tedious,

Pleasantly surprised.

I found this to be a good mix of steampunk, paranormal, romance and action. That's really hard to accomplish. Some books one or more of those is lacking, but this was a very nice blend.

I have already purchased the next in this series.

Book One of the London Steampunk series.

Book One of the London Steampunk series.

This review is for the narration:

The narrator made this story a six star rating for me. She is fantastic and goes above and beyond. I can't imagine reading the print copy after hearing the audio version.

Blade and Honoria both have to overcome numerous complications throughout the story. They both have pasts that are catching up with them, but together they have a chance to make a future.

I highly recommend this audiobook/story to anyone at all.

Romance.. I guess

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Hot off Romulus Buckle I wanted more steamship. Perhaps just not a guy book.

Delicious...

Blade and Honor make a hell of a couple, the barbed
banter at the beginning was especially entertaining, a real enjoyable romantic read, with a solid storyline, memorable characters with a sprinkling of steam punk. It was very easy to imagine the world and find yourself part of the unfolding drama. I don't want to give the impression that it is all flowers and roses. it's not, there's a dark undercurrent throughout, which just made it all the more thrilling.
Will definitely be looking for more from BM...
Let me just add it was narrated superbly...

Really wanted to like this but....

The concept was really good and although I liked the story the accent of Blade was horrendous and I kept finding myself grimacing listening to the torturous narration. Even the heroine was a struggle to listen to which was a real shame because the story telling narration was perfect.

What a real shame but won’t be listening to next book - seriously I wouldn’t waste time money or credit on this one!

Ok story - AWFUL narration for the hero’s voice

This story was ok (3 stars) but the voice the narrator did for the hero was dreadful. How are you supposed to get immersed in a story when you keep wanting the hero to be quiet? Not remotely sexy or attractive. I was begging for the story to finish by the end. It’s a shame as the story was alright.

Great story in an exciting world

Great series starter in a new old London. Interesting idea of the development of vampirism in high society.

Amazing!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and have already preordered the sequel! A big thankyou to Lee from She Wolf Reads for recommending this book to me. I've not really read the Steampunk genre but if this book is any judge then I've been seriously missing out!
I loved Blade, he was rough around the edges but a really good guy who really cared for his make shift family and for the heroine of the story Honoria. He had some self-loathing issues because of a past tradegy that really wasn't his fault but overall he pretty much accepts his place in life and is happy with what he has, though given the choice he'd have a wife and would never have been infected with the virus.
Honoria was such a strong character, putting her siblings first over her own health and happiness, but she was also stubborn and prideful. She and Blade were a great match and had amazing chemistry. Most of his people (bar one) were happy to see him happy with her and the one that wasn't happy, well that's explained two ways in the book, both of which are valid reasons for why the individual would dislike Honoria.
When Honoria gave into her feelings and desire for Blade their chemistry exploded they were just so good together.
There were a couple of good plot twists in the story as well that I wouldn't have seen coming. I just didn't want to put the book down and was routing for Blade and Honoria throughout. The next book is Will's book and I look forward to getting into his head cause he was one of the charcters around Blade and Honoria that interested me more then most, Tin man and Lark were another two, as was Barrons and Aramina, I don't think we'd get a book with Tin man as he doesn't speak but it's a shame cause I'd love to get inside his head as well, to see the back story of how he ended up with Blade and carrying a very young Lark with him. I also got a hint of something between Barrons and Aramina but again, I don't think we'd get a book with them.
If you haven't read this book yet, I'd recommend it.