Riveted by Meljean Brook

Steampunk

Goodreads Summary:

"A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. Fishermen tell tales of giant trolls guarding the land and of seductive witches who steal men’s hearts. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magic—and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on the airship Phatéon, flying from port to port in search of her sister and longing to return home . . . but that home is threatened when expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard.

Determined to solve the mystery of his own origin, David will stop at nothing to expose Annika’s secrets. But when disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, their very survival depends on keeping the heat rising between them—and generating lots of steam ."

Even though I pre-ordered Riveted it sat on my TBR pile for quite a while.  I am trying to read through all the paper books I have ordered before I leave on my cruise.  I can carry my ebooks but not the paper ones.  I am writing and scheduling this before I leave home but by the time it is published I will be on the ship with limited internet.

Riveted is Meljean Brook’s third novel in the Iron Seas series.  The world building in the first novels was very complex.  That was not true in Riveted.  The world was established in The Iron Duke and Heart of Steel and little if anything was added in Riveted.  In some ways it was so far removed from the first two novels it could stand alone and while reading some parts of the book you might be slightly puzzled it would not be enough to impact your understanding of these story.

The story in Riveted is predictable but still good.  The two main characters both have secrets and both have insecurities.  Growing up Annika was the one who always messed up.  She was a daydreamer and that lead to her neglecting to pay attention to what she was doing.  That often led to problems.

David Kentewess lost an eye, an arm and two legs in an explosion that killed his Mother.  He has metal parts grafted to his body and people are often afraid of him.  Many treat him as less than human.  He is another hero who is a virgin.  He is like Kel Pattan in Games of Command.  The changes in his body mean no one wants to have anything to do with him.

There are several twists and turns in the story.  The bad guy is really bad.  Annika’s sister turns up in an unexpected place. Of course, David and Annika are attracted to each other but their insecurities threaten their relationship. Annika’s family and their secrets threaten the relationship.  Iceland is another danger.  Make the wrong move and you can die.

Riveted is a good addition to the series.  It does not add to the world building but it does introduce some interesting new characters and places.

Penguin published Riveted by Meljean Brook in 2012.