Kiss of Steel

Kiss of Steel
By Bec McMaster

Kiss of Steel is really the first attempt at writing a steampunk novel that I have read. I say attempt because it does not really delve into all of the features that steampunk should. Kiss of Steel focuses more on the vampire culture rather than the steampunk background. Perhaps McMaster's other novels set in the same world will do steampunk justice.

Honoria Todd is trying to keep her family together after her father's brutal murder. She is also trying to hide from the blue-blood Echelon - whose members rule the country just as they stave off their slow decent into becoming maddened vampires. Blade, the master of the criminal streets of the rookeries, makes a deal with her to keep her safe. But can she trust him with the secrets of her brother as well as her father? The awful Duke of Vickers wants them all and a crazy vampire is terrorizing the rookery. Blade and Honoria begin a somewhat strange relationship as they fight a battle on several fronts.

Although Honoria seems like a brave and resourceful woman, she really comes out as a wimp overall. It isn't clear who her mother was or how she survived as her father's assistant. It was also not clear why she loved her father. Blade is a much more interesting character. It would have been nice if they had more time to interact without danger and death looming over their heads.

What did this book have to do with my faith? What holds you together when your world is falling apart? For me, it is God. There have been times in my life when it seems like everything I depended upon fell through without warning. When that happened, I called upon God to never let me go. I needed God when my world fell apart and I knew I needed God. For Honoria, she only has herself to keep it together. Although her younger sister is helpful, Honoria tries to do it all herself and never lets her sister see her true needs. I think that is why she really "falls" for Blade. Blade becomes the one who  helps Honoria hold it together. Although she hesitates to tell him everything about her past and about her family, Honoria uses him to keep her world from completely disintegrating. If only she had leaned on God instead!

I do not recommend this book.

Happy reading!

Amelia