beautifully read formulaic trash

Narrator was great. And the writing was good. I was disappointed by the lack of plot/story. I was expecting steampunk mystery/romance maybe with interesting take on empire. it wasn't. it was slow romance with inconsitancy in world building re homophobia and lots of no plot fantasy porn. I don't know if it was written by a straight woman who's never actually met men who love men but likes to fantasize about them and fetishize empire but that's how it comes across

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2 people found this helpful

Mostly boring but promising

This was one of those times where my brain didn't really compute what I was listening to. So clearly I wasn't in the best set of mind to read this one and the book in itself didn't help.

There were a lot of info dumps. Like quite a lot (and since my brain didn't process it, I was less frustated that in any other case but still)! The two first third of the book were also boring. Nothing really happened and I was wondering if the book had an actual plot. I thought that maybe I was reading a steampunk slice-of-life novel and I was NOT here for that! The last third of the book was where things started to be interesting. I felt like there was finally a real plot and the romance was moving forwards (the "real" love interest came back after disappearing for a good chunk of the story). So the last third part saved the book!

Honestly, I feel like I finished the book only because I read it in one sitting. Without that, I would have dnf it! And if it wasn't for the last part of the book, my rating would have been even lower.
Although I feel like I didn't really grab the world-building nor the political aspect (How the Houses work), I might read the sequel because the end was good and so maybe book 2 will be more action-packed/interesting.

A note: one of the best parts of the book was when Daniel was being a drama queen and Rafe was hating it and had sarcastic responds in his head! It made me laugh.

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4 people found this helpful

Steampunk at its best

I knew very little heading into this book, but I quickly ascertained it was steampunk. Set in 1899, I remember planes weren’t created until the next century. Then, quickly, I fell in love with Captain Rafe Lancaster. He’s what I’d look for in a friend or even a mate – witty, acerbic, cynical. And funny – although he doesn’t always intend to be so. He’s one of the strongest characters I’ve ever met and his voice was so compelling. Sometimes he could be cutting or derogatory, but I always forgave him.

Being invalided out of the Aero Corps and forced to return to London with less-than-perfect sight leaves him at loose ends. He’s got a small pension, and an odd inheritance, but no prospects. Until he discovers the perfect business to acquire. Oh, except he has to ask his ‘family’ for money. Felt a bit like the mafia houses and the different operations amused me greatly.

Beyond all this, he’s gay. Upon his return, he meets a gentleman and they share a wonderful evening and an intimate encounter. He thinks often of the man, who has left the country. In the meantime, he meets someone else who seems vaguely compatible. Needless to say, things get interesting.

Rafe’s business, personal, and family life all collide into a climax that quite took my breath away. I enjoyed watching the dénouement as everyone picked up the pieces after their adventure.

I’m thrilled there are more books in the series and desperately hope they come to audio. With a narrative voice that strong, they are bound to be just as compelling. Last, but not least, I want to discuss Gary Furlong. I’ve enjoyed every narration I’ve ever heard from him and this one is no exception. He did an admirable job and I hope there are more audios to come. Well done, and I hope everyone picks this one up.

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A wonderful listen

I’ll admit that I love the opening to this book. Then the story becomes slow and languorous. But Gary Furlong makes every word feel like a jewel and I kept on listening for the sheer delight of his voice and the humorous little nuggets that Anna threw in. A brilliant combination.

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Really enjoyed it..

I really enjoyed the story, interesting works building, not too much focus on the romance or smexy times, which I prefer, looking forward to the next book, would recommend

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1 person found this helpful

An Exquisite Blend

A colourful canvas narrated to perfection. Victoriana/Egyptology/Gormenghast/Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines and steampunk blended with hints of Charles Dickens/KJ Charles' Any Old Diamonds (the Criterion Long Bar, a parure and the milieu of London's seedier passages, paths and population). Winter in Cairo is very chilly; it does infact snow every 40 years, so would recommend Luxor where it doesn't.

The copious embelished descriptions of an exciting time in history, crossed with what it could've been given the steampunk slant; too detailed and over long for some. My first time with "steampunk", a genre I have avoided as real history is always stranger than fiction, so never felt the urge to go there and may never again after this series. It was refreshing to have English English and not American English idioms or lexicon.

The MM relationships are slipped in (no pun intended) as part of the plot and not the key focus. Rafe, a steampunk wanabe "Biggles" is a rascal of the most endearing kind: enjoyed his actions and interactions.

I was hoping for something similar to the scintillatingly stimulating The Shooting Season (The Resurrectionists series by Isobel Starling), also narrated by Mr Furlong; they are hilariously scandalous tomes. Or Green Glass Beads by Josh Lanyon. Even The Affair of the Porcelain Dog by Jess Faraday, all non steampunk. I am not let down; this was enteraining: laugh out loud humour, dramatic quirks and quandries, good banter and diaglogue for our entertainment and enjoyment.

Have had so many "dud" books just lately, so wish I could click to get Book 2 NOW instead of having to read it on Kindle.

VERY ENJOYABLE

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1 person found this helpful