From Author’s Website:

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power — and fear — of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

Mina can’t afford his interest, however. Horde blood runs through her veins, and despite the nanotech enhancing her body, she barely scratches out a living in London society. Becoming Rhys’s lover would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents her from avoiding him…and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

But when Mina uncovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans — and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

My Review:

Wow, what can I say about this amazing book? Meljean brilliantly brings to life a Victorian style world that relies on automation and clockwork mechanisms. This Steampunk world is made so real in the mind of the reader that I felt like I was actually there helping Mina with her investigation, fighting off zombies and sea monsters, walking the Ivory Market, and falling in love with the Duke.

The characters that were created are complex and compelling. I want to know more about them all, especially Lady Corsair. I love when I get so wrapped up in a story that I find myself talking to the characters or calling them names. When the Duke sends Mina away, I called him names and wanted to hit him for sending her away!

This book also showed the positive and negative advantages of relying on automation. It is a cautionary tale that can be applied to the world we live in now and our dependence on computers. Meljean is brilliant wordsmith, and that brilliance is showcased in this magnificent literary work.

I truly did not want this book to end. But since it did, I have November circled on my calendar for the next book in the Iron Seas series! I am surprised that I have not read this author’s books before. I will be trying her paranormal series in the near future.

I give The Iron Duke a 5 Horseshoe rating!!!

Publication Details:

Author 

 Meljean Brook
Title 

 The Iron Duke
Format eBook
Publication Date October 5, 2010
Publisher Berkley Trade
ISBN 978-0-4252-3667-6