This is a highly entertaining, wonderfully funny yet action-packed Steampunk version of James Bond – except the principal agent is from this world’s version of the US, rather than the “traditional” UK. Well, and the secret and other agencies all have different names, but that is par for the course when considering this novel is set in a fantasy world where everything is powered by steam, mechanical “automatons” are the prevailing custom for anything machine-like, and great big airships are the primary mode of long-distance and cross-ocean transportation. And in this book, it is these airships that have come under attack by a mysterious and evil man who supposedly loves birds and calls himself the Avian Emperor.

Bram is a great agent – he is very successful, a total player, more than a little arrogant, and a loner. He does not like working with others, so when his boss reveals his latest assignment, Bram is not happy to hear that he will be part of a team. Of course he resolves to ignore all of them and do as he pleases – not that this determination lasts very long. As he meets each of his new, if temporary, colleagues, Bram begins to understand their talents and, considering the seriousness of the escalating threat they face, the benefits of working with backup become evident. Even to Bram!

Vyvian is a man with a secretive past, a steely determination to overcome the issues he has faced, and a dedicated member of Cyrus’s team. He is also a talented inventor and has built a little steam-driven dragon who accompanies him everywhere and acts more like a pet than a machine. As it turns out, there is a reason for that – not that I can tell you because it would be a spoiler. Vyvian wants to do his bit in chasing the Avian Emperor, as part of the team he loves to work with, but the “intruder” from across the Atlantic is an annoying distraction and doesn’t seem to want to play by the rules.

Bram and Vyvian are not off to a good start. While Bram seems out to seduce him, Vyvian wants to focus on their task, and anyway, he knows Bram is a playboy, and he is not interested in being a fling. Bram is baffled by his quickly growing feelings of attachment, but sees no reason to fight them. Vyvian, on the other hand, has no need to trust the almost-stranger. It was easy to see why these two men would struggle. But their relationship begins to improve as they have to work together, face the constant threat of another attack from their joint enemy, and slowly build trust while they work on catching the criminal mastermind. It’s an excellent slow burn that soon explodes into incendiary heat, well paced to increase in step with the growing suspense and breakneck action.

If you like spy stories of a different kind, if you appreciate humor in your action/adventure stories, and if you’re looking for a read that is as likely to make you laugh as it is to make you bite your nails, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It’s a great example of an imaginary alternate reality with lots of wonderful little details that make it stand apart from our world.


NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )