I really enjoyed the premise of this story, and the two main characters. I liked the world development, and the pacing. There are only two things that held it back from a five-star rating, and this is what:

1. (most important) I started listening to the audio book version of this one, but just couldn't get into it. The reader didn't do it for me. Her voice kept lilting up at the end of sentences, and for one reason or another that just bugged me. Also, when we got to the more romantic scenes, I didn't enjoy hearing her read them to me. Whether I just need to read (instead of listen to) all romance novels, or whether I need to find a different reader for romances I don't know.

2. (minor annoyance) I couldn't place the geography of a country I should have known well. It's set in the US, so I feel I should know where things are. However, I have no idea where the Badlands are situated within the continent. This may also be related to the fact that I was listening to the book instead of reading it.

My favorite part, hands down, has to be Spencer. He is an awesome character, and is exactly what I would want from an airship captain. I loved that he wasn't the stereotypical fighter pilot type, nor the usual mercenary type. He was perfect.

I did enjoy the rest of the crew, the plot, and the steampunk aspects of the novel as well, but if I had to pick one reason to re-read this book, it would be Spencer. ( )

This review is also published at http://thebookaholiccat.com/

Ever, Commander of the Queen’s Border Guards of the Badlands finds herself in the middle of battle after a surprise attack in their lands. Soon after, she learns that Queen Lavinia has been assassinated. As her duty she needs to bring back as soon as possible the heir to the throne, Princess Laurette who is in Philadelphia. Before the Badlands get affected with more chaos after the dead of their leader the new ruler must be instated.
Ever is gravely injured in battle, but this doesn’t stop her. From the top of a hill she is able to signal an airship, the Dark Hawk, and is brought on board.
Captain Spencer Pierce is in route to the Badlands to make delivery of goods. He needs the money of this delivery to pay off the debt he has with Congressman Mason for the Dark Hawk to be his. After picking up Ever, he learns that the Badlands are under attack and it will be impossible for him to land and finish this run.
Ever asked for his assistance in exchange for the money he needs to pay off the Dark Hawk’s debt. He is intrigue by Ever and maybe a little bit attracted to her too. So he decides to help her and set course toward Philadelphia.
During their trip they will fight more than their attraction; they will fight forces that want them to fail in their mission.

Ever is a very likable character, she is strong and focus, completely loyal to the Queen and the Badlands. She is an Amazon style warrior in all the sense of the word.
Spencer is not your typical hero; he’s a mild mannered man, with a nondescript body but at the same time he has “something” that makes him a very attractive man. The development of their attraction is well pace and realistic.
The supporting characters are a nice complement to the story; they provide us with more than one “what” moment.

My final thought: This short novel was a very entertaining read. I like the steampunk factor. Setting the story in the dirigible Dark Hawk make it different and interesting.
I love the idea of the Badlands’ matriarchy, with its “Amazon” style warriors; I think this was a fresh difference from other books.
I would love for Mrs. DeLaney to have a next installment (full novel length) based more in the Badlands and its female power government. ( )

Originally posted at WickedLilPixie ReviewsSteampunk for me is one of those genres, very much like Science Fiction, that I can take or leave. I usually end up reading the genre only if a specific book or series has been recommended to me a billion times that I make an exception. And only if there is some Romance up in there. I have little to no experience with the genre, so I didn’t know what to really expect when I picked up Badlands. Sooo, I might have had to look up a few words in the dictionary like dirigible and tintype /coughcough/ but the setting wasn’t intimidating for me at all. I felt immediately scooped up and placed in to the Badlands along with our heroine Ever.Badlands starts out action-packed right from the get-go and flowed really fast and smoothly with no data dumping. Longer than a novella, but shorter than a novel, the length was perfect for the story told. And the heroine is sheer solid kickass. Ever is a gritty, bold, (kinda scary) firecracker not afraid to throw down in a bar fight completely outnumbered by men, or take down an enemy dirigible with limited ammo. She has devoted her life to the Queen of Badlands and, in turn, her country. She is not a big talker, she prefers action. Her life gets totally tossed upside down when she meets Captain Spencer Pierce as he pulls her aboard the Dark Hawk… and then laughs in his face! My kinda girl.Spencer Pierce is our noble hero, honorable, strong, calm, intelligent, but not at all alpha. I’m not sure he would necessarily appeal to me in another story, but he was perfect for Ever. Ever was so overtly dominating that she needed someone to balance and compliment her force. They are immediately drawn to one another, like magnets. Respectfully, he stood back and watched her do her own thing, only supporting her when she absolutely needed it. He admired her, and cherished her from the start, letting her come to him so as not to spook her like a wild animal. The tension between the two built very nicely and felt authentic.Ms deLaney took some risks with Ever and Badlands, and it paid off. Badlands is a very different kind of love story I thoroughly enjoyed it. I cannot wait to read more stories from in or around the land called Badlands. ( )

BADLANDS by Seleste Delaney is an interesting fantasy/science fiction set after a Civil War in America that divides the land. It is a fast paced,page turning story of passion,
betrayal,trust,sweet sensuality,allies,enemies,action,adventure,romance, and love.
Ever is the commander of her nations border guards and a fierce warrior. She is the queen's protector,but when her nation is attracked by aircraft and her Queen killed,she must find the next Queen,the Queen's daughter. This takes her into the domain of Captain Spencer Pierce, the captain of the Dark Hawk.While Spencer only wants to pay off his debt and retain ownership of his beloved Dark Hawk,he must help Ever to find the Queen's daughter and get her safety back to the Badlands to regain order. Together as reluctant allys, Ever and Spencer must fight unknown enemies,face danger,fight their growing attraction and their passion for each other. Ever only wants to get back to the Badlands with her new Queen and Spencer only wants to deliver her safely back to the Badlands. While they are both fighting their growing attraction,one is fighting to protect her Badlands the other his protection his ship and crew.But they must work together after being betrayed in order to survive and bring order back to the Badlands. This is a quick,fun read.
This book was recieved for the purpose of review from Net Galley and the publisher and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction Reviews. ( )

Badlands is short but packed with awesome. Set in an alternative future in which the Civil War resulted in a very different North America, Seleste deLaney drops the reader right into the action. The novel has elements from many different genres -- romance, steampunk, western, fantasy -- and they're all incorporated in a seamless blend that makes Badlands a compelling read. Seleste deLaney has done a great job of world building, particularly when constructing the culture of Ever's country, which is matriarchal and almost tribal in some ways. (The United States is very Western in its sensibilities, which I really enjoyed.)

Ever and Spencer are well-developed protagonists who come together in a very believable way. Ever, in particular, is well defined and real and I loved her focus and determination to complete her mission. Her attitude about sex is also refreshing since she views it as just a part of life, not something to agonize over. In contrast, Spencer didn't resonate immediately for me but I enjoyed watching Ever overcome her preconceived notions about it. I also loved the way Seleste deLaney writes the action sequences in the story. They're so clear and compelling and I loved the pacing.

I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next! Her website says that she has some other stuff already published but it's erotica so I don't think I'll be reading it any time soon. (No judgment here -- just personal preference.) Hopefully Seleste deLaney will have another awesome story coming out in the near future.

http://ireadgood.wordpress.com/ ( )