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    Heart of Iron
    Heart of Iron
    Heart of Iron
    Audiobook11 hours

    Heart of Iron

    Written by Bec McMaster

    Narrated by Alison Larkin

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Lena Todd is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel against London's vicious elite-not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't twist around her little finger.

    Will Carver is more than man; he's a verwolfen, and he wants nothing to do with the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she's in a world of trouble. To protect her, he'll have to seduce the truth from
    her before it's too late.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJun 3, 2013
    ISBN9781452682488
    Heart of Iron

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    Reviews for Heart of Iron

    4/5

    127 ratings14 reviews

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    • 3/5
      First, she was not as much a spy as the blurb let me to believe. But then who cares about that. This was Lena steering through the danger of the blood court, most vampires seems to forget about the old thrall contracts. And the Echelon debutantes to not have it easy.

      Back to the start then. In book 1 Lena flirted with the beast, Will Carver, werwulfen and a dangerous man. In book 2 she is a debutante looking to be a thrall to some powerful vampire. And dodging some. While Will does his best to try and forget her. His kind does not mix with humans, it's too dangerous.

      Lena does do some spy work, a bit of telling about things she hears, but she is not happy about how some do things. And I feel conflicted. I do want the humans to be free. But at the same time there are good vampires too. So what should happen? I just do not know. This is a world that will go up in flames soon. And what will then happen to Blade and Will, well they will die. Conflicted yes, as some vamps are so evil too.

      Oh I forgot. Anyway, romance, Passion! Danger! That is what this book will bring you. Steampunk? Eh, not so much. It was a good book.
    • 3/5
      I like werewolves and had been interested in this hero, but I found the heroine's journey and intrigue less appealing. And the plot machinations seemed more obvious. I just didn't feel as invested. Not too bad though, I'll continue with the series.
    • 5/5
      Heart of Iron is the second book in the London Steampunk series. This entry feels more like dystopian steampunk than its predecessor. That is partly because Lena, the female lead, tinkers with Devices to amuse London's blue bloods. That the blue bloods are vampires is the driving force in the story. Instead of marriage, young women seek a thrall contract. The vampire will then take care of her unless he is abusive.Our hero is a werewolf who doesn't quite fit into the underworld of the poor and definitely doesn't belong in the world of the upper echelon. When it becomes necessary for him to achieve the latter, he and Lena are tossed together.The romance is fairly steamy, so do be aware of that. But the driving story for me is the mystery presented in the book. And that is why I'll be getting the next book in the series.While the book can stand alone, it is a much richer read after completing the first book. I would suggest the series for folks who like steampunk and steamy romances.
    • 4/5
      I liked this one way more than the first book in the series. Will and Lena were awesome characters!
    • 3/5
      This book follows the same formula as the first book in the series. Stoic Todd sister, who feels she can never burden anyone else with the knowledge of her pain or sacrifices falls in love with and is loved by stoic supernatural (this time verwulfen) control freak.

      The Todd sister in question is Lena, who at some time between the last book and this one decided she wanted to return to her life among the Echelon. Leo took her in as his ward, and she's been busily recreating the life she had before her father died and she and her siblings had to flee to Whitechapel. However, things among the Echelon aren't as good as she remembered them being. She's now old enough to take a thrall contract with a blue blood but she's finding out the younger blue bloods don't care for contracts and take what they want. (See bloodletting as the equivalent to sex for scandal in this world.) Lena's also gotten involved with a group that wants to end the blue bloods' absolute rule and--she hopes--promote equality.

      The supernatural control freak is Will Carver, someone we met in the first book. He's one of Blade's lieutenants and he was also one of Blade's thralls. Will was bitten when he was five and after he turned his parents sold him and he spent his formative years being exhibited by the blue bloods like an animal. Blade saved him from that, and Will would very much like to save every verwulfen from similar fates. He gets the opportunity to do that when the blue bloods' council would like him to be on hand when they meet with a verwulfen delegation from Sweden.

      Lena and Will are thrown together when she's chosen to educate him about proper Echelon behavior. They take up where they left off when she was younger, she teasing him looking for a response and he stubbornly ignoring her (or responding to her) instead of telling her the real problem. Verwulfen are forbidden to mate with human women because the virus can pass not only through their blood but their sperm.

      So in some ways this was a very by-the-book romance. If only Lena and Will hadn't kept secrets things would have been settled right away. What keeps me reading is the world-building, which expands in each book, and the found family that McMaster has created. She added some new characters in this book that I'll be delighted to read about again.
    • 3/5
      *Almost* made it on the angst shelf. I loved Will and Lena! I ma just burning through this series. Love it. (3.5 stars)
    • 4/5
      Heart of Iron
      4 Stars

      Lena Todd walks among the Echelon in order to gather information for the human resistance. After Lena inadvertently becomes involved in a dangerous web of lies and deceit, Will Carver, a Verewulfen with a price on his head, realizes that he is the only one who can keep her safe despite the fact that it is he who poses the greatest threat to her heart and soul.

      The fantastic world building established in the first book continues with more information on the conflicts between the Ecehlon, or Blue Bloods (aristocracy who voluntarily expose themselves to a vampirism inducing virus), the humans (Thralls who provide sex and blood to the Ecehlon, and regular people who are forced to donate blood in the form of a tax), and the Verwulfen (werewolves who are considered little more than beasts and have been exterminated or enslaved).

      While the pacing is slow in the beginning, it eventually picks up and the action-packed climax and resolution are exciting and satisfying. Lena and Will’s romance is rocky at first as she comes across as spoiled and childish, and his sexy broodiness does not always compensate for his stoic self-deprication. That said, their relationship improves during the second half of the book when they actually begin to communicate and they have some wonderfully intense and emotional scenes together.

      The plot revolving around the human resistance to the Blue-Bloods and the peace negations with the Scandinavian Verwulfen is compelling and it will be interesting to see where the next book goes with this.

      All in all, Heart of Iron is a worthwhile read for its superb dystopian and steampunk elements, intriguing plot and solid romance.
    • 4/5
      4 "Verwolfen" Stars for the story and narration!This is my third dalliance with steampunk romance and I'm still loving the hybrid between a historical, paranormal and a science-fiction romance in an alternate version of the 19th Century British Victorian era. Steampunk romance combines many of my favorite romance sub-genres which keeps me thoroughly entertained with both the world building and the dynamic characters. Moreover, in Heart of Iron, we get a look at a new type of paranormal being, the verwolfen (which appears to be something of a mix between a werewolf and a highlander/berserker with unnatural brute strength).Please note though that this series should be read in order, as the underlying world continues to evolve over each sequential read. That said, the romance is completely contained within this book, so from a romance perspective it could be read as a stand-alone, though for maximum enjoyment of the political arc that spans the series, I suggest that you read or listen to Kiss of Steel first. Lena Todd, the heroine of this story, is the sister of Honoria, the heroine of the first book. Lena, a human and the younger of the two sisters, has left the home of Honoria and Blade, fleeing what she believes is unrequited love for Will Carver, Blade's best friend and right-hand man. Instead, Lena takes residence with her half-brother, Leo Barrons (though the Echelon does not know this secret connection), where she becomes a debutante looking for a thrall contract--(a Blueblood protector who provides sanctuary in exchange for blood). But looks can be deceiving and Lena's interests in the Blue Bloods and the Echelon has a more clandestine rationale as well--she's a humanist (a revolutionary group that wants to overthrow the rule of the BlueBloods) and has agreed to enlist her services to help their cause.However, Will is definitely not immune to Lena's charms. It's just that as a verwulfen he has the loupe--a contagious disease--which means he will never be able to consummate his desires for Lena without potentially turning her into a verwulfen (the transformation of which is extremely painful and many humans never survive the transition). However, when Will is given an opportunity to free other verwulfen's like himself (verwulfen's were typically taken as slaves and used for fight to death style MMA entertainment by the Bluebloods), by working with the Bluebloods, Will is reunited with the woman he could never forget. And when he learns of her secret political intentions, never mind a nefarious Blueblood who has his sights on making Lena his, Will determines to make sure Lena is safe, no matter the cost. But can there possibly be a happy future for a human and verwulfen?Alison Larkin provides an adept narration for the large cast in Heart of Iron. While I have to say that Ms. Larkin's choice for the various characters may not be my absolute favorite, she does do the story justice. In that regard, Ms. Larkin provides an appropriately accented voice for these British characters, from the high society Bluebloods, like Leo Barrons, to the lower class, rookeries' residing members, which include Will and Blade, providing authenticity to the story that Ms. McMaster pens and providing the ability to differentiate between the classes by just Ms. Larkin's voice.Ms. Larkin also does a good job at pacing her delivery for easy understanding and heightening of the effect of the various action and suspense scenes. All in all, Heart of Iron advances the suspense arc of the London Steampunk series and provides a heart-felt story. Being a fan of the underdog, I particularly was sympathetic to Will's difficult lot in life, and was rooting for him to get his HEA. Now I can't wait to continue on with book 3 in this series, My Lady Quicksilver. Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      This was a well done steampunk romance that features Will and Lena who we meet in the first book of the series, Kiss of Steel. Right now there are four books in this series with the fifth book, Of Silk and Steam, scheduled to publish in March of 2015.Lena Todd makes the perfect spy. She is very adept at navigating the waters of the Echelon, while spying for the humanists. Her path has crossed with Will’s before but they try to avoid each other. Now Will has been asked to serve as a werewolf representative to help oversee the treaty between the Echelon and some neighboring werewolf nobility. Unfortunately Will needs to learn court manners and Lena is the one assigned to teach him. However, things are getting dangerous between the humanist rebels and the Echelon. If Will and Lena can’t figure out what is happening quickly the whole treaty may fall apart. There is a lot of intrigue and politics here, as well as some well done action. Will and Lena have excellent chemistry together and there are some very well done steamy scenes between the two. Will does have that whole alpha werewolf thing going on. I normally am not a huge fan of that but it really works for Will’s character.I will definitely say that the overall plot and world take a backseat to the romance in this book. This is hands down mostly a romance, which is something I don't mind reading once in a while but something that I don't like as much as book that is more plot/action driven. I will say that the McMaster is a master at writing engaging love scenes, really they are excellently and tastefully done.There aren't a ton of steampunk elements here, or at least they are more in the background. There are some people that have mechanical grafts/limbs and Lena likes to tinker with gears. Outside of that there isn't a ton of steampunky goodness. The book focuses more on vampires and werewolves and the politics between them.The story was fast-paced and very engaging. I whipped right through this book and really enjoyed it. This series is very comparable to Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series, although I like that series a bit more because of the magic involved. It’s also somewhat similar to Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series; although I think the Iron Seas series is far superior to either of the aforementioned because of the incredible world-building in the series. It also reminds of Kate Locke’s Immortal Empire series but is definitely heavier on the romance.Overall this was a fun and very well done addition to the London Steampunk series. This is a series that is definitely heavier on the romance and paranormal elements than the steampunk elements. I think fans of Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series will enjoy this, although this series has less magic and more paranormal. If you are looking for excellent steampunk reads with just a dash of romance I would also recommend The Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook, The Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke, The Magnificent Devices series by Shelley Adina, and The Baskerville Affair by Emma Jane Holloway.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: This is a series I will be following from now on.Opening Sentence: Fog clung to the Thames like a light skirt to a rich patron.The Review:Confession time: I have had little experience in the Steampunk genre, and what I have read has been meh to yuck, so I was unsure about this book. It is clear from the cover that this is a Steampunk novel, but that is as far as my past experience impacted this book. I adored it and as you can imagine it takes a great piece of writing to make this experience one that I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share with you.May I take this moment for a shout out for all the Aussies writers, “Oy, Oy, Oy!” Huge kudos to my fellow Aussie (yours truly is an Aussie) for crafting such a gripping story, characters and scope. And I’ve not had the joy or pleasure to read either of the first 2 books in this series, but will as soon as I can squeeze them in between review books. Well Done, Ms. McMasters! You have successfully converted me from anti-Steampunk to an appreciation of the genre with this story alone. I thank you.Now what you want to know is more about this story, so here is the low down. Our to-die-for hero is Will Carver. He sneaks into your heart so steadily that one moment you are reading and then you can’t do anything but root for him, his struggle with Loupe Disease and his fear of infecting our precocious heroine, Lena Todd. Miss Todd is trying to navigate the upper Echelon, spying for the Humanist movement and avoiding the advances of a blue blood that would like her to be his next thrall in her spare moments.The struggles and dilemmas that face this pair are unique and part of that is due to the Steampunk world in which they inhabit. The specific scene that comes to mind has to do with a chasm and then the ensuing portion of the story. Believe me, you will know when you get to it. The word pictures that were crafted in this masterpiece by Ms. McMasters are stellar. I truly felt that I was part reading and part seeing the story unfold moment by moment as Will and Lena navigated the sewers, streets, and society in which they both lived.The tension and romance in this book is outstanding. I’m thrilled that we were able to go on the journey with them including the rough patches, but be assured that this book has an ending that will satisfy.It appears from what I have been able to research that many characters from previous books in the series are present in this novel. However, in case you are wondering, if this will have a negative impact on your enjoyment of this book, let me assure you it didn’t impact me one bit. This story is so well crafted that it could be a stand alone book, but thankfully it isn’t, so you can pick this one up and dive right into the story with no worries of whether you will sink or swim.My one minor quibble, and it is minor, is the length of this book. Do be aware that it is 437 pages long and will require you to be able to go down the rabbit hole for a significant stretch of time. The good news is that this book requires every last verb, noun, adjective and punctuation present. There isn’t an ounce of fluff in this book and that is refreshing because often in a book this size the editor could have sliced 100+ pages off and still given you an amazing story.So what is my final vote on this book? If you haven’t already read the ringing endorsement, go buy this book! I am thrilled to be able to read this type of artistry and pass along my joy when I find a treasure and this book is a true gem!Notable Scene:“Would it bother you if I admitted I were enjoyin’ every minute of this?”Lena paused, her top hat resting rakishly on her head. Her fingers tangled in the purple ribbons and their eyes met in the mirror.“I warned you,” he whispered, leaning closer so that his image came into the polished glass too. With his dark coat, he looked like an enormous shadow behind her slender purple figure. The big, bad wolf, ready to devour her.Her scent enveloped him, tempting him to do just that. He wanted to press his face into her neck and breathe her in, let his hands run down over the corseted curve of her hips…Lena looked up at him helplessly. Some hint of his hunger must have shown on his face for her lips parted with a soft exhalation.“I will find out what you’re up to,” he warned.FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Casablanca provided me with a copy of Heart of Iron. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      If I had liked the book # 1, this one I ... WOW!!William Carver is BEST-MAN-EVER and more!Absurdly an antihero, bad tempered, outspoken, but also super tall and strong, and loyal to those he cares, especially Blade, who him when he was 15 and it was displayed in circus as a wild animal.It turns out that at five years old Will was struck by the blood "loupe". That is, despite having a human appearance, he had the strength and irrational temper - when aggressive state - a werewolf, better known as verwulfen.He was the best friend and second-in-command in Whitechapel, alongside Blade.When Honoria began to see Blade and give him lessons, Will was watching the house where Charles and Lena were. Will prefer to be alone and walk across the rooftops.Will is absurdly adorable with all that gist of "Beast" and without any mood. He and Lena argue all the time, but it's cute the way he is always around in the shadows, to protect her. More so when it needs to find out what she's hiding, which is tucked in, or that to do so he has to leave the sheltered hermit's life and join the Elite, the world of which she reigns, and learn to speak and behave like a gentleman.Lena is not far behind and is a young lady who seeks what she wants.From the beginning she feels an attraction for Will, but he always made it clear that only deal with her because of Blade, and his wife, Honoria. But in fact, he was terrified to engage more with Lena. The "loupe" virus could be transmitted by blood or semen and he would never make her an unworthy, just as he was.But the two become involved in a gambling conspiracy and must work together if they wanted to get out alive and save the ones they love most.Delight book!! If it is possible, I fell in love with Will more than with Blade. And it seems that the book #3 comes with more strong characters...5 STARS!!!
    • 4/5
      By: Bec McMasterPublished By: Sourcebooks CasablancaAge Recommended: AdultReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: 4Book Blog For: GMTASeries: London Steampunk #2Review:"Heart of Iron" by Bec McMaster was a interesting London Steampunk #2 read from the 'London Steampunk Series' setting in 1879. This was a great follow up from 'Kiss of Steel' the first book.This novel was of the characters Will Carver (The Beast) and Lena Todd who was a spy for the 'Echelon Blue Bloods.' This author is able to give us 'danger, passion, romance and some secrets that will be explored. "Heart of Iron" was a fast past story with very interesting characters that will kept your interest along with the 'romantic tension, heart pounding action, layered plot along with civil unrest and enemies at every turn' in the read. Would I recommend? YES!
    • 4/5
      With her sister happily married to the blue blood Blade, and the object of her own affections forever beyond her reach, Lena returns to high society as a debutante. Purportedly dangling after a thrall contract, in fact Lena is spying for the Humanists. And getting in far over her head.When the Scandinavian werewulfen send a negotiating party to court, Blade's gigantic second, Will Carver, is called upon to play a role. And suddenly Will and Lena are dancing around (and with) one another... Steampunk romance, and well done, too, if not quite as intriguing as Bec's first.
    • 5/5
      Reviewed by: Rabid ReadsHeart of Iron, the follow-up installment to Bec McMaster’s debut onto the steampunk scene is Kiss of Steel’s equal in all things except Verwulfen which means… this book’s even better than the last! Because, let’s face it, werewolves make everything better! Am I right? In this novel, McMaster further expands upon her already colossal universe, transforms two beloved secondary characters into praiseworthy protagonists and weaves a deliciously entertaining tale that’ll keep you reading until there’s nothing left.The first two London Steampunk stories are closely intertwined which means I highly recommend that you read these books in order so that you get the full experience. Even though Will and Lena are now the main focal point, Blade and Honoria still play active roles in this installment. Typically, in a series like this, previous paranormal couples make occasional cameo appearances in future novels but are otherwise forgotten after their initial love story is told. I’m really happy that McMaster broke away from that pattern because I hate saying goodbye to great characters and, Blade and Honoria are keepers!Unravelling Will’s mysteries’ was by far my favourite part of this book; from his Verwulfen nature, to his sordid upbringing, to his reluctant feelings for Lena. He’s an enigma and a half! I enjoyed his burly yet protective attitude towards Miss Todd and the way his very presence makes the big bad Echelon shake in their boots. Will’s a brilliantly written character that has permission to warm my bed anytime! Bec also adds a very interesting curve ball to her werewolf lore that helps make the romance believable while solving a major problem in Lena and Will’s relationship at the same time; another great example of just how much detail and thought goes into McMasters’ novels.Lena rubbed me the wrong way at first what with her snubbing her family in favour of the Echelon and all. However, as the story progresses we learn that her motivations aren’t quite as frivolous as they seem and what she’s really hiding behind her flirty facade. Plus, anyone that can craft a shapeshifting wolf cuckoo clock is a girl after my own heart! What I want to know is: where can I buy one?It’s only May and already the competition for my top reads of the year is getting fierce; Heart of Iron is definitely on my short list! With another installment scheduled for October 2013 now’s the time to start this series if you haven’t discovered it for yourself already.