Holly‘s review of Skies of Fire (The Ether Chronicles, Book 1) by Zoe Archer.

Man made of metal and flesh

Captain Christopher Redmond has just one weakness: the alluring spy who loved and left him years before…when he was still just a man. Now he’s superhuman—a Man O’ War, made as part of the British Navy’s weapons program—and his responsibility is to protect the skies of Europe. If only he could forget Louisa Shaw.

A most inconvenient desire

Louisa, a British Naval Intelligence agent, has never left a job undone. But when her assignment is compromised, the one man who can help her complete her mission is also the only man ever to tempt her body and heart. As burning skies loom and passion ignites, Louisa and Christopher must slip behind enemy lines if they are to deliver a devastating strike against their foe . . . and still get out alive.

This is a “lover-reunited” theme, one of my favorite romance tropes. As a British spy, Louisa really needs to be alone. Having a lover she cares about – one who wants to marry her – doesn’t work. So when Christopher asks, she disappears rather than talking things out with him. Now he’s a Man-o-War and shows up to save her butt. Together they have to work together to destroy a huge weapons cache.

They also end up working together to repair their relationship. Though, as a Man-o-War, Christopher can’t be away from his ship and Louisa is still a spy and not ready to give that up, they both realize there are other options for them.

A great steampunk-esque novel. It was a bit light on the world-building. If I hadn’t had prior steampunk knowledge, it may have been hard for me to imagine just what the world looked like. Having said that, I really like the world Archer created. The concept behind the Man-o-Wars and their ships, the female spies, etc, were very interesting. The characters were well drawn and the plot fast-paced and riveting. I can’t wait for the next installment.

4/5

This book is available from Avon Impulse. You can buy it here or here in e-format.