Review: Of Silk and Steam by Bec McMaster

Posted February 22, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Of Silk and SteamTitle:  Of Silk and Steam
Series:  London Steampunk book 5
Author:  Bec McMaster
Genre:  Romance
Published:  March 3, 2015
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Enemies. Allies. Lovers.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina’s long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she’s hiding something, and he’s determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn’t expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort… or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.

Read on for my thoughts of Of Silk and Steam.  No true spoilers, promise.

I am hesitant to review Of Silk and Steam because I have not read the previous novels in this series.  Which is apparently ending with this novel.  Oh, I will definitely go back and start the series at the very beginning.  I just wish I had read them in order.  Kiss of Steel is the first novel in the London Steampunk series – so if you have not followed the entire series, I would strongly suggest that you go pick up the first one and start from the beginning, not with the conclusion novel.

Any series that has 5 novels and a novella in it has definitely created it’s own unique world, populated with villains and heroes and just ordinary citizens.  Steampunk also has it’s own unique style and world creation. You “could” read this as a stand alone novel, but you’d miss so much, in my opinion.  Several couples from previous novels make short appearances.

What struck me so much about Of Silk and Steam, was the love between Leo and Mina.  Yes, they started out as enemies but circumstances slowly changed that.  In the long run they were actually working on the same side, and had been without being aware of that fact.  They are a passionate couple who deserve to find their happily ever after.

The world building of Ms McMaster is truly stunning.  I stepped into a completely formed world filled with gadgets and intrigue and romance – and immediately felt right at home.

I would recommend Of Silk and Steam.  Most definitely.  Yet I think it really would help the reader’s overall experience to start at the beginning – which is where I’m going.  So look for reviews on the earlier novels to come.