Leo Barrons is a man of divided loyalties. Born to the ruling Echelon and a BlueBlood, as is all of the highest social class; he also sees the misery that has been brought on the human population. The iron rule of the Prince Consort is dividing the country and crushing the humans masses. Humans and those who are part mech are seen as blood slaves, with lives spent in miserable servitude to the ruling class. Not only does Barrons have empathy for the human plight; he has two sisters who have happily married into the non-ruling class. He himself has a secret that could destroy him in society, as well as possibly cause the loss of his own life.

Aramina Duvall, Duchess of Casavian, is a rare female BlueBlood. She has become sympathetic to the Humanist movement, and begins to covertly help them in their quest to overthrow the oppressive rule of the Prince Consort. Mina has her own agenda in the downfall of the Prince Consort, however. Not only is he keeping his wife, the true Queen, drugged and out of the way; he is also planning to raise the blood-tax on the humans. After two of the blood draining factories are destroyed by the Humanists, the life- sustaining blood has become increasingly difficult for the BlueBloods to obtain. Higher tithes will mean the death of many humans, and the Prince Consort has to be stopped by any means available.

Mina has long been aware of Barrons as a man, and he quite attracted to her. Being the heir-apparent to the Duke of Caine, their paths often cross on a social and political level. Even as the sexual tension between them begins to heat up, Mina is wary of a man that she cannot trust. When a scandal erupts concerning Barrons, however, Mina comes to realize that they are on the same side. Both want to destroy the Prince Consort and his rule, and both wish to find a way for their country to come together and for all citizens to be equal.

OF SILK AND STEEL is a Steampunk/PNR; set in the alternate world of Victorian London. From the amazing airships to the mech armies used to attack the rookeries, the story is a nonstop roller coaster ride. Add to that the excellent wordbuilding, fascinating plotline, and steamy romance, and Bec McMaster has herself another winner. All of the story is an excellent read, but once Mina and Barrons come together working on the same side, the story explodes in intensity and passion. As an avid fan of the 'London Steampunk' series, I also highly enjoyed the peeks into the lives of couples from previous books in the series; as well as a joyous event for Honoria and Blade.

OF SILK AND STEEL is the fifth book in Bec McMaster's highly entertaining London Steampunk series. Although the story can be read standalone; the reader will find plot points from previous books mixed into the overarching storyline. These plot points are easily assimilated by the reader, so they do not hinder the overall enjoyment of the read. OF SILK AND STEEL is a highly recommended read for both lovers of Steampunk and of romance.

Book Summary

ENEMIES. ALLIES. LOVERS.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina's long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she's hiding something, and he's determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn't expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort...or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.