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crimson & steam
Dec. 18th, 2009 06:10 pmCrimson & Steam is Liz Maverick's latest book, to be released on 12/29/09. From her site:
Unfortunately whereas I loved Charlotte and Edward, I wasn't as convinced by Jill and Marius. Jill annoyed the hell out of me. Marius coming to her rescue was a theme of the book, and more than once she calls out to Marius for help when she isn't in danger simply because she is desperate to see him. Even when he's practically dead and she sets out to save him, yet again does he end up saving her. Marius himself didn't stand out as a character, though there was nothing wrong with him, per se. I am impressed that Maverick tackled the difficult obstacle of writing a romance between two characters when one of those characters is already married to another.*
Tatiana and Hayden were intriguing side characters, and if they feature in any of the previous books, I may pick those books up just for them. I wish there had been more interaction between Tatiana and Marius, though I realize why his absence was a strong motivating factor in Tatiana's plot. It just seemed weird that they didn't really interact until the very end; even fleshing out the one scene toward the middle where they do encounter each other would have made it seem more fluid.
As far as paranormal romances go, I did enjoy it, and the steampunk elements make Crimson & Steam unique. Unlike with many (paranormal, or otherwise) romances, Marius was not abusive, which I appreciated, but Jill became increasingly pathetic. I do hope Hayden shows up in another book; I'm curious as to what became of him.
*Though I would love to see a romance where the woman is the Badass Supernatural Leader who arranges a political marriage for herself in order to save her race and has a secret affair with a human man. Without being labeled as a slut.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author via a contest hosted by Carolyn Jewel. I have not read any of the previous books in the series.
"Named for the angels, Los Angeles is a city of demons, a crucible of souls. It is Crimson City. Here vampires and werewolves vie for dominion, humans build soldiers of flesh and steel who seethe with fury. But alongside strife can be love--a love that cares nothing for species or origin. Yet, love doesn’t always conquer. Marius and Jill have long been kept apart. Bound by destiny yet forbidden true union, he is vampire; she, human. And a marriage alliance that promises peace for all others shall separate them forever. As if peace might be achieved so easily. Darkness is rising: a mysterious plot shall force every inhabitant of Crimson City to take sides. Deliverance exists, but first must come a tale of impossible passion and discovery, of Marius and Jill in a race against time leading back to the city’s paranormal beginnings, to Victorian London, to an era of invention and a world of *CRIMSON & STEAM*"I enjoyed the intertwined storylines of the Victorian era and present-day. The steampunk elements revitalized the tired trope of werewolves and vampires. I hope some of the other Crimson City books focus more on the mechs, who I think are far stronger than they realize. I also adored Charlotte and Edward's romance, and in some ways the book is two stories for one, as their story unwravels alongside Jill and Marius'.
Unfortunately whereas I loved Charlotte and Edward, I wasn't as convinced by Jill and Marius. Jill annoyed the hell out of me. Marius coming to her rescue was a theme of the book, and more than once she calls out to Marius for help when she isn't in danger simply because she is desperate to see him. Even when he's practically dead and she sets out to save him, yet again does he end up saving her. Marius himself didn't stand out as a character, though there was nothing wrong with him, per se. I am impressed that Maverick tackled the difficult obstacle of writing a romance between two characters when one of those characters is already married to another.*
Tatiana and Hayden were intriguing side characters, and if they feature in any of the previous books, I may pick those books up just for them. I wish there had been more interaction between Tatiana and Marius, though I realize why his absence was a strong motivating factor in Tatiana's plot. It just seemed weird that they didn't really interact until the very end; even fleshing out the one scene toward the middle where they do encounter each other would have made it seem more fluid.
As far as paranormal romances go, I did enjoy it, and the steampunk elements make Crimson & Steam unique. Unlike with many (paranormal, or otherwise) romances, Marius was not abusive, which I appreciated, but Jill became increasingly pathetic. I do hope Hayden shows up in another book; I'm curious as to what became of him.
*Though I would love to see a romance where the woman is the Badass Supernatural Leader who arranges a political marriage for herself in order to save her race and has a secret affair with a human man. Without being labeled as a slut.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author via a contest hosted by Carolyn Jewel. I have not read any of the previous books in the series.
