How Beauty Met the Beast (Tales of the Underlight Series)

The Beast: Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley “Hauk” Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He’s starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.

The Beauty: Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, Grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn’t see. After she’s kidnapped by thugs, and rescued by a man with a familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds a new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more? From the Jax Garren Website.

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Series: Number one in the Tales of the Underlight Series

Cover: Interesting, not a true portrayal of the characters

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Urban Fantasy.

Pages/Words: 104/38,000

POV: Third Person shared between the main characters.

Setting: America

Language: Moderate-Severe profanity & blasphemy

Sexual Content Rating: M

Gore and Violence Rating: G

Publisher: Carina Press (November 2012)

My thoughts: First off, I didn't realise this story was so short. Like I said, I usually pick books by their covers or titles. Shallow it may be but I like to think it keeps things interesting and mysterious. When I did realise that it was a few eggs short of a basket, it didn't really bother me. The story was an easy, relaxing read so it being short and sweet was fine. That is until I turned a page and was looking at the promotion for the next book in the series.

The story ended without much happening. Instead of feeling like I had read the first instalment in the series, it was like I had just finished the first half of the book! Honestly I don't mind short stories, novellas etc. But this left me wanting more in a bad way. Basically, I didn't get my full course meal.

As for the story and characters, well nothing special. Only thing I have to say really is that there were a few times they did things out of character.

If I had to describe the book as a whole, the word would probably be 'cruisy' or 'laid back'. You didn't have to think with this one. To sum, it was 'junk food'; a quick fix without any real substance.

The story would have been better if the second instalment was included in the first book. That way readers would have had the chance to form attachments and become invested and interested in the characters. Also, it would make the book feel complete.

To those who would still like to give the book a go, my advice would be to purchase the whole series; might get a descent read that way.

Cover image from goodreads

Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk Series)

He craves her like no other…

Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded Whitechapel district can she escape the long reach of the Duke of Vickers. But seeking refuge there will put her straight into the hands of Blade, legendary master of the rookeries. No one would dare cross him, but what price would he demand to keep her safe?

Ever since Vickers infected him with the craving, Blade has been quicker, stronger, almost immortal—and terrified of losing control of the monster within. Honoria could be his perfect revenge against the duke…or the salvation he never dared to dream of. From the Bec McMaster website.

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Series: Number one in the London Steampunk Series

Cover: Not a true portrayal of the characters, otherwise it suits the theme of the story.

Genre: Steampunk

Pages/Words: 759/105,122

POV: Third Person shared between the main character and the love interest.

Setting: Alternate 19th century(ish) Whitechapel

Language: Moderate-Severe profanity & blasphemy

Sexual Content Rating: Mild-Moderate

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 2012)

My thoughts: This is the second steampunk novel I have read and it was better than the last, hopefully that will be a trend. As for the story, you can pretty much predict the flow and happenings so nothing really comes as a surprise. In fact I often found myself getting a little irritated because I already knew what was going to happen but it kept taking too long to develop. This made me feel that the author stretched out events for as long as she could, making the flow of the story a little slow.

On a positive note, the author acquaints you with her world quite skilfully and introduces everything on a need to know basis. A quick example would be that she'll introduce a foreign subject, then later on utilise it in a relatable way so that the reader is able to understand. This is preferable over other authors who dump a load of information in the first chapters.

As for character development, it isn't too bad. Neither are characters' personalities too grating either. There were some instances where a character's stubbornness was getting a little irritating but since it was understandable, it was forgiveable...barely. No complaints about the characters really except that I didn't care for them. What happened to them didn't matter to me.

To tell the truth the whole novel including the characters felt neutral as there wasn't anything great about it but there wasn't anything awful either. That coupled with the predictability was probably the reason why the novel felt flat to me. There was just no apprehension or suspense.

Though considering it was a debut novel, it wasn't a bad attempt. However, I will not be purchasing the next story in this series. Like I said I just didn't much care for what happened to the characters and the story was predictable. So I'm not willing to invest time and money learning more about them. Also I think the author needs more mileage under her belt. Maybe in a couple years time or maybe when she brings out a new series, I'll take another look.

Cover image from goodreads