Steampunk Fairy Tale

Review of Lycans and Legends: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Lycans and Legends: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 6) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
After stopping a mysterious preternatural assailant wielding an enchanted dagger, Clemeny is on the hunt. Why is someone after Victoria? To find answers, Clemeny Louvel must travel to the one place she’s been avoiding, the Summer Country. Among the mist and standing stones, secrets about her case—and herself—are hiding. An ancient grudge with roots deep in the heart of Britannia is about to unfold on the Victorian stage.

Unless Clemeny can stop it first.










Review:
Finally! We get to learn more of Clemeny, her heritage and lineage, and how that influences her life– or doesn’t. One of my absolute favourite tie ins of this series was that between Clemeny’s lineage and Sir Richard Spencer’s! I quite enjoyed seeing this series completed, though I didn’t quite enjoy how some people ended up paired together. I will say that while the ending alluded to great things, I would very much love another book (or two, or three!) to tie things together with a neat crisp bow.

I also found myself quite enamoured with Agent Rose, and hope that someday Karsak continues with the stories of the Red Cape society, or at least lets us know Agent Rose’s back story!

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Bitches and Brawlers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Bitches and Brawlers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 4) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
Just when things start going well for Agent Clemeny Louvel, a bitch has to make trouble.

Since Cyril’s death, an uneasy peace has existed between Alodie and Lionheart. Her brothel closed, her rank in the werewolf pecking order obliterated, and shunned by the Templars, Alodie has been living on the fringes of the dark district. Determined to get vengeance on Lionheart and Clemeny, Alodie hatches a monstrous plan. Just in time to ruin Clemeny and Edwin’s first outing as a couple.

Alodie will do anything to see a new alpha rise.

Unless Clemeny can stop her first.





Review:
Clemeny is stuck between her duty as one in the red cape society and her obvious need to keep her particular division taken care of. Unfortunately, when some attempts for leniency were made, it meant that there was the potential for an uprising. It was great to get to see Clemeny and Edwin fully in action together again, but at what cost?

As with the others in this series I zipped through it quickly, which is why now I’m stuck reviewing the last three books instead of delving into another series/author as I will be continuing to do once I’m finished here. In some regards it almost feels like the solutions are too quick and precise in these books, but that is partially why I love them. In the real world, that’s how many problems appear and are solved–so much time spent in introspection and consideration, just for the solution to be quite simple and instantaneous.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 2) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
With Lionheart as the new alpha, the streets of London are quiet.

But above the realm, mischief is brewing.

While airship pirates are a common plague upon the kingdom, the Airship Fenrir proves particularly troublesome—especially on a full moon.

Clemeny must take to the skies before these shape-shifting Vikings kick off a new Ragnarok. Easier said than done now that she’s down one good eye, a partner, and not to mention the fact that she gets motion sick.

On top of that, the new scar across her face makes Clemeny feel like she’ll have better luck intimidating her foes than finding a beau. But Agent Edwin Hunter, recently assigned as head of Clemeny’s division, is proving to be an interesting prospect. Despite her apprehensions, it’s up to Agent Louvel to chase Fenrir across the heavens.


Review:
Clemeny is down a partner, but she still has work to do, so she has to deal with someone perhaps a bit green, but at least they do get along. I quite enjoy how Clemeny gets on with everyone, and how even those she doesn’t really know seem drawn to somewhat like her and help her. Many thanks to the wife of the Captain! I also quite enjoy how there are a few unsuspected saviours/helpers towards the end.

Like the first book, this story goes quickly. I’m not sure if it’s because these are short or just superbly written, but I find myself soaring through them.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Wolves and Daggers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Wolves and Daggers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 1) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf?

When London’s brightest tinkers and alchemists come up missing, Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel is on the case. As an agent for London’s preternatural enforcers, Clemeny has seen it all. Even though they call her Little Red due to her diminutive size, Clemeny is feared by the werewolf packs. But this case is different. When Clemeny discovers goblins, werewolves, and vampires working together, she realizes a darker danger is looming.

To help Clemeny get the problem in hand, Queen Victoria assigns her a temporary partner–a werewolf with a knightly history and a tendency to be far too flirtatious for either of their good. Can she trust him to help her chase down the monsters they’re hunting?

Review:
This book is a treasure- easy to fall and lost in. It has everything you could want- steampunk, supernatural, and the interwoven fairy tales are just a bonus along the way. It is short, concise, and to the point- without a lot of overwriting that many do. The relationships are realistic and the characters have flaws. I love how red riding hood is seamlessly woven into the Victorian society of this book, and how everything interlocks perfectly. I was quite pleased to realize it was book 1 in a series.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯