I've heard other readers refer to this book as "Steampunk" - which it most definitely isn't. It is a historical romance with plenty of magic, action, and adventure. Steampunk, though, it ain't. Having said that, I thought overall this book was a good read. The author clearly did her research. I was amazed by all the intricate details she conjured up about Mongolian culture. I don't know how accurate those details were, but they sure felt realistic, which is good enough for me. Considering the other three books in the series are set in entirely different locales (Greece, Canada, England), I'm curious to see if the author keeps up her level of worldbuilding. It's also worth noting that this is one of the few books I've read in recent memory that required me to keep looking up words as I read. It didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, but I found some of the author's word choices... odd, even considering the time period in which she set her novel. ( )

The premise of this book was an interesting idea, but not executed well, I think. I also really dislike insta-love which this basically was, so that dropped my enjoyment, as well. More than likely I won’t read the next ones. ( )

Ugh. In brief, a whole lot of "White Man's Burden," and the narrative keeps helping the main characters avoid any hard decisions through convenient coincidences. Notes from reading:

1. Oh look, our white hero rides and wrestles better than the native Mongols, even though he's never been to Mongolia before. He's also so super hot that even the Mongol women stop to ogle him-- as though their men don't have muscles, and they wouldn't find him kind of weird-looking?
2. The Blades protect magical Sources from being stolen and misused for the expansion of the Empire-- unless taking the Source back would mean the death of British soldiers, says Thalia. Record scratch, what? So they protect the Sources unless the Sources are actually helping England, then they don't?
3. Our British soldier hero, who has been to many continents in the service (and I assume this is not just to make friends) is totally not racist or Imperialistic at all. I guess he's just boyishly into the challenge of shooting locals, it's not personal?
4. Two examples of how the narrative helps the hero and heroine avoid hard choices: At one point during the climactic battle, Thalia sees the hero (Graham? Gregory? Goyle? Let's call him G) in danger and wants to go to him. She is currently acting as a sniper and a vital part of the group's protection. But just as she is faced with the dilemma, part of the ceiling of the hall falls in, trapping her in the room. And second, the Mongol tribe that has been carrying the Magical Macguffin agrees to give it up to our hero and heroine, even though the MM is the cause of the year-long presence of red flowers that they use to feed their livestock. This is pretty implausible (sure, white people we just met, have our livelihood because you say it needs protecting, we'll just... feed our cattle some other way in the winter?). At the end of the book, we learn that because the MM was with the tribe for hundreds of years, its magic has suffused them and the red flowers continue to follow them anyway. Easy peasy lemon-squeezy.

Also the heroine has a bad case of "not like other girls"-itis, as in: She loves adventure, not like other girls who just want to embroider pillows. The other girls who like to embroider pillows get mentioned a lot.

Just basically lazy writing. I have the other three books in the series but will not be reading them. ( )

Warrior
4 Stars

Synopsis:
After witnessing a vicious attack, Captain Gabriel Huntley sets out on a quest to fulfill a dying man’s final request. Gabriel soon finds himself drawn into a world of secret societies, danger, magic and intrigue as well as to Thalia Burgess, a woman on a mission of her own to recover a priceless artifact that, in the wrong hands, can be used as a most destructive weapon.

Review:
This is my first book in the Steampunk genre and although the beginning is a little slow, it picks up pace 1/3 of the way in and after that it is action packed.

While not exactly original (it reminds me of the Indiana Jones movies), the story is intriguing and well-written (some of the sections about the various gadgets could have been condensed) with enough twists and turns to keep you interested.

The historical and geographical settings are one of the highlights of the book. The descriptions of Mongolian life and culture are well researched, vivid and inspiring. Some readers may be put off by the paternalistic and colonial attitudes toward the local people but when taken in context, this is understandable considering the time period.

In addition, I am a sucker for secret societies and this book as two – the Blades of the Rose, who wish to locate powerful sources of energy to keep them out of the hands of the second society, the malicious Heirs of Albion, who want to use the artifacts to gain control of the world.

Thalia and Gabriel are a great couple with an intense chemistry. Each has just the right amount of strength and vulnerability. Gabriel is courageous and honorable, and his awkwardness makes him completely endearing, and Thalia is an intelligent, independent and feisty heroine. The buildup of their attraction and the growing tension between them are particularly captivating.

In terms of the secondary characters, most are well developed and contribute both to the overall storyline and to the world Archer is building. However, some are presented superficially perhaps because they will appear in later installments of the series and the author merely seeks to whet the reader’s appetite.

In sum, this is an entertaining mix of action, adventure and romance. I will definitely be continuing with the series. ( )

good story, strong characters ( )