Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Review: A Captain and A Corset

A Captain and a Corset (Steam Guardians - Book 2) by Mary Wine

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Steampunk 
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1402264836
ISBN-13: 978-1402264832

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Mary Wine on the WEB: Webpage, BlogFacebook, Goodreads, LibraryThing, FantasticFiction

Books in the Series:

A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious (2012), A Captain and a Corset (2013)

Coverart: Click on the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.



Excerpt from A Captain and a Corset, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

There's Trouble in the Skies...

For Sophia Stevenson, there's no going back to the life she knew. She never asked for the powers that make her a precious commodity to the secret society of Illuminists—and their archenemies.

Captain Bion Donkova would give anything to possess the powers that have fallen in Sophia's lap. If only the beautiful, infuriating woman could stay out of trouble, he wouldn't have to keep coming to her rescue...

Bion and Sophia have friction to spare—and nothing fuels a forbidden passion better than danger...

Thoughts:

Mary Wine has delighted readers with everything from erotic romance to historical romance, but her latest series, Steampunk Guardians is the most unique and diverse series yet from this author. A Captain and Corset is the second book in the Steampunk Guardians series, which is cross between Victorian historical fiction and science fiction. With a strong female lead character and fantastic world building, this book is sure to strike a cord with many different types of readers. 

I have long been a fan of Mary Wine's writing, but this latest series is probably one of my favorites. Some of the first books and tv shows that I really enjoyed growing up were science fiction and the Steampunk sub-genre has elements of both romance and science fiction. The blend between the two makes for really interesting world building, something that I think Wine really excels at. Readers who have not tried Steampunk yet, with find A Captain and a Corset, as well as, A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious a very good place to start. 

The latest book in the series, A Captain and Corset picks up directly after the first book and continues the world created there. I liked the idea of airships and how some navigators were able to see gates that allowed the airships to travel faster across the globe. The entire society that Wine has built is contingent on these ships and the people who use them. I enjoyed the fact that Wine continues to give readers more and more details about this world and how it works. As with most books that science fiction elements the potential is limitless because the author can take it any direction they can dream up. I like Wine's direction so far, and I can't wait to see what happens in book three, which is set up nicely in this one.

Wine has created a society called The Illuminists, which is composed of men and women who want to better society, a lofty goal. But Wine makes the reader believe it is possible and shows how one person can change the world. She also provides a group of people who are out to make changes to the world for their own purposes. The conflict in ideas and views makes for a lively clash between the two, which readers will really enjoy.

I liked the strong characters she created with the heroine, Sophia, who is determined and independent. I also love the hero in this one, Bion. He is certainly a little rough around the edges but loyal and trustworthy. His conviction in finding Sophia after she is kidnapped is both appealing and attractive. Readers will find both characters to have great depth and intensity. 

This book is a blend of romance, fantasy and adventure that readers won't want to put down!

A Captain and a Corset is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!



About the Author:

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written over 30 works of erotic fantasy, romantic suspense, and historical romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives with her husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California.

1 comment:

Lexi said...

Fun review! I remember reading some so so reviews of book one and didn't pick it up, even though I am a sucker for steampunk. Shame on me I guess, I need to find these two books.