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lynseyisreading's review
4.0
Part III
Things in the romance department are heating up in this third entry to The Kraken King serial. And it's a very welcome development! Both Ariq and Zenobia are endearing and interesting characters, and the tension between them is palpable. Can Ariq's bluntness and shameless honesty break down Zenobia's inhibitions after such a blow to her pride? I can't wait for part four to find out!
4 Stars ★★★★
All copies were provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Things in the romance department are heating up in this third entry to The Kraken King serial. And it's a very welcome development! Both Ariq and Zenobia are endearing and interesting characters, and the tension between them is palpable. Can Ariq's bluntness and shameless honesty break down Zenobia's inhibitions after such a blow to her pride? I can't wait for part four to find out!
4 Stars ★★★★
All copies were provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
cranberrytarts's review
4.0
Another strong entry in the series. Zenobia is strong and resourceful. I like the progression of the storyline with the marauders and the move to the smuggler's dens.
On edge waiting for the next installment.
On edge waiting for the next installment.
denizyildiz's review
3.0
3,5Stars
About halfway through this one, I felt rather annoyed by Ariq and Zenobia. In fact, I decided I couldn't handle them and put it aside for a couple of days.. The pull and push between them, was just annoying. It felt like it was going on for forever, and I would have shouted at them to get over themselves if I wouldn't have been in a restaurant. So thankfully I have some sort of social awareness- which saved my kindle of being thrown against a wall and me throwing a hissy fit.
Well, maybe I am exaggerating at tad bit. But seriously I was really annoyed and not so sure I would get the next installment. Buuuuut I finished this one and now? Can Tuesday just come around really really quick please?
Yes it does get better, not that much happens between the two dorks. But Brook just gave me that crumb of hope for more in the next installment.
And now that I have finished it, I wondered if it feel worse since I am reading this over weeks, rather than in one sitting, like I usually do. Not sure, but I think it could be connected to it.
Then there is the world building. I think I say it every SINGLE time, but no one does steampunk quite like Brook. I love her dark gadety world. And each and every time I am completely flabbergast by shear astounding. As the story goes on and the MCs travel there are new undiscovered parts of this world, and each and every time Brook does a fabulous job at it. She every single time, goes far beyond my expectations. And let's just be honest, by expectations are huge when it comes to Brook.
So here I am waiting for tuesday. Despite, grumbling about the price of the serials, despite being super annoyed with the MC's I have pre-ordered the next serial already. So let's see what's next tuesday brings, shall we?
About halfway through this one, I felt rather annoyed by Ariq and Zenobia. In fact, I decided I couldn't handle them and put it aside for a couple of days.. The pull and push between them, was just annoying. It felt like it was going on for forever, and I would have shouted at them to get over themselves if I wouldn't have been in a restaurant. So thankfully I have some sort of social awareness- which saved my kindle of being thrown against a wall and me throwing a hissy fit.
Well, maybe I am exaggerating at tad bit. But seriously I was really annoyed and not so sure I would get the next installment. Buuuuut I finished this one and now? Can Tuesday just come around really really quick please?
Yes it does get better, not that much happens between the two dorks. But Brook just gave me that crumb of hope for more in the next installment.
And now that I have finished it, I wondered if it feel worse since I am reading this over weeks, rather than in one sitting, like I usually do. Not sure, but I think it could be connected to it.
Then there is the world building. I think I say it every SINGLE time, but no one does steampunk quite like Brook. I love her dark gadety world. And each and every time I am completely flabbergast by shear astounding. As the story goes on and the MCs travel there are new undiscovered parts of this world, and each and every time Brook does a fabulous job at it. She every single time, goes far beyond my expectations. And let's just be honest, by expectations are huge when it comes to Brook.
So here I am waiting for tuesday. Despite, grumbling about the price of the serials, despite being super annoyed with the MC's I have pre-ordered the next serial already. So let's see what's next tuesday brings, shall we?
amym84's review
4.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Part 3 of our adventure finds the travelers finally reaching the smuggler’s den after their altercation with the boilerworm. Stopping at the den not only gives Ariq a chance to find out where the marauders bought their flyers, but it gives Cooper, Zenobia’s guard, a chance to get new legs grafted after he lost his other ones to the worm.
At this point, Ariq has discovered Zenobia’s letters to her brother and finds the connection between her and Archimedes Fox. Although he still doesn’t have the entire story correct, he’s promised himself to help her out of her situation. Still Ariq’s wary of her, so he’s distancing himself in order to be able to do his job. This cold-shoulder hurts Zenobia more than she would like to admit, even though she’s supposed to leave his company forever in a few days time anyway.
I’ll admit, while I find the misdirection/miscommunication on their parts to be humorous at times (with how off they are in their thinking of each other), I’m ready for the truth to be out in the open. I’m ready to see the reactions the true revelations of Zenobia’s secrets will cause, if any. At this point there’s been so much back and forth in Ariq’s head about who Zenobia is, I really don’t know what he’ll do when she tells him her whole story.
The Kraken King and the Fox’s Den was less action-packed than its predecessors. Instead, there’s more focus placed on the characters. We learn a lot about Ariq’s past. We learn how he was given his name ‘The Kraken King’ and we get to see how much power he truly has, and how he’s not corrupted by it, but how he uses it to do good by the people who trust him with their lives and give help when needed.
We all know Zenobia’s past of abuse by her father, as well as the kidnappings by people looking to ransom her for her brother’s money. Even though she’s very careful with herself, trouble will still find her. Zenobia isn’t one to play the victim. I loved that Meljean Brook wrote a very strong-willed character who is prepared to defend herself, and sets the blame on those who would do her harm rather than any weaknesses on her part.
Cooper and Mara also stood out for me in this installment. Starting after the boilerworm attack, we’ve been getting to see more personal moments between the two guards, as well as the affection each of them has for Zenobia. They’ve gone beyond just being her bodyguards, they’ve become cherished friends as well. I would love to read a separate short just about Mara and Cooper.
Part 3 of our adventure finds the travelers finally reaching the smuggler’s den after their altercation with the boilerworm. Stopping at the den not only gives Ariq a chance to find out where the marauders bought their flyers, but it gives Cooper, Zenobia’s guard, a chance to get new legs grafted after he lost his other ones to the worm.
At this point, Ariq has discovered Zenobia’s letters to her brother and finds the connection between her and Archimedes Fox. Although he still doesn’t have the entire story correct, he’s promised himself to help her out of her situation. Still Ariq’s wary of her, so he’s distancing himself in order to be able to do his job. This cold-shoulder hurts Zenobia more than she would like to admit, even though she’s supposed to leave his company forever in a few days time anyway.
I’ll admit, while I find the misdirection/miscommunication on their parts to be humorous at times (with how off they are in their thinking of each other), I’m ready for the truth to be out in the open. I’m ready to see the reactions the true revelations of Zenobia’s secrets will cause, if any. At this point there’s been so much back and forth in Ariq’s head about who Zenobia is, I really don’t know what he’ll do when she tells him her whole story.
The Kraken King and the Fox’s Den was less action-packed than its predecessors. Instead, there’s more focus placed on the characters. We learn a lot about Ariq’s past. We learn how he was given his name ‘The Kraken King’ and we get to see how much power he truly has, and how he’s not corrupted by it, but how he uses it to do good by the people who trust him with their lives and give help when needed.
We all know Zenobia’s past of abuse by her father, as well as the kidnappings by people looking to ransom her for her brother’s money. Even though she’s very careful with herself, trouble will still find her. Zenobia isn’t one to play the victim. I loved that Meljean Brook wrote a very strong-willed character who is prepared to defend herself, and sets the blame on those who would do her harm rather than any weaknesses on her part.
Cooper and Mara also stood out for me in this installment. Starting after the boilerworm attack, we’ve been getting to see more personal moments between the two guards, as well as the affection each of them has for Zenobia. They’ve gone beyond just being her bodyguards, they’ve become cherished friends as well. I would love to read a separate short just about Mara and Cooper.
isalavinia's review
5.0
After reading one of Zenobia's letters to her brother, Ariq is more convinced than ever that she holds dangerous secrets, and that it's not in his best interest to allow her to get too close to him.
Easier said than done, on both their parts.
Having to bide their time in the smuggler's dens, we meet the twins: two ruthless and creepy rulers of one of the dens, as well as someone from Zenobia's past...
This one was a bit slower - I'm spoiled, I admit it, Brook's dialogue is so addictive that when the story necessarily needs to spend some time advancing the plot, like a ninny I go, "But... the witty repartee... I need it..."
But this instalment ended on such a high note!
I was a bit under the weather, so I haven't been following this as assiduously as I should have, which means I got to gorge myself on 3 instalments at once. That's the worst! Now I'm debating whether or not to read Part IV right away, or just hoard it for a while longer. This is like a sickness! I love it.
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