This book was a pleasant surprise. I don't normally read steam punk or romantic fantasies but I found this book easy to get into and very enjoyable. It certainly has romantic elements but did not strike me as strictly a romance (a genre of which I am no expert). Characters are thoughtfully developed and well portrayed.The plot carried itself and there was more then enough tension, suspense and mystery. Sociologically it deals with the topics of class and power without being preachy.I would highly recommend it to those interested in steam punk but it is approachable to all and well worth anyone's reading time. This fantasy/romance tale takes place in a very stratified society.Taya is an icarus, a courier (with metal wings) who can move freely between the social classes in the city of Ondinium. A person's class is tattooed on their forehead; only through reincarnation can a person rise in class.One day, Taya saves an Exalted (members of the elite class) and her son from what could have been a mid-air disaster. There is a growing terrorism problem in Ondinium; was this their handiwork? Her heroism attracts the attention of Exalted Alister Forlore, a member of the ruling council (he is also very handsome). He also writes computer programs for the Great Engine, the analytical engine that helps to run the city. He has written a program that is supposed to predict a person's most compatible mate. Taya also meets Alister's brother, Christof. He is a sarcastic you-know-what who has renounced his Exalted status and lives in the Ondinium equivalent of the inner city.Tempting as it is, Taya knows that having any sort of intimate relationship with an Exalted is a really bad idea. A few days later, an aircar in which Alister was supposed to be riding explodes in midair. There is no chance for a definite identification of the dead, but everyone assumes that Alister is dead. It becomes known that someone has been trying to run unauthorized programs in the Great Engine, which is a huge offense, even for an Exalted. Taya and Christof learn, to their shock, that Alister staged his own death, and that his personal-compatibility program is only the beginning of his plans for the people of Ondinium.I totally enjoyed this book. It's got steampunk, and it's got really good writing that is easy to read. It also has a bit of romance. I am very interested in reading the other parts of this trilogy (whenever they are available).
Do You like book Das Mechanische Herz (2009)?
I really liked this book. I look forward to more from this author.
—puppydawg
Fun steampunk adventure with a sweet romantic end.
—soledad1
Great book. Looking forward to the sequel.
—laurynj
