Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.
The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012.
Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.
In this steampunk novel debut, Queen Victoria receives her wish: She gets to rule forever. Now a vampire, she presides over a court of very undead aristocrats and a populous of abnormal, sometimes menacing subjects. But as Xandra Vardan, a member of the elite Royal Guard, learns in this imaginative caper, things are even stranger than they first seem in Victoria's out-of-whack empire. An author definitely worth getting to know.
Anonymous
Posted July 1, 2012
Great book I really enjoyed it. I read it in one day! This book gave a new and interesting twist to the supernatural. Think Charlaine Harris and Kim Harrison but set in England. It has mystery, drama, fun English verbage, sexy romance and a bit of bloody action.....can't wait for the next one!
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Novelsontherun
Posted July 7, 2012
This was a whole lot of urban fantasy/steampunk/action packed fun, with Alexandra Vardan, aka Xandra, Vexation MacLaughlin, aka Vex the smexi 200 yr old Alpha of the UK Wolves, Churchill ,aka Church the vampire mentor, a Goblin Prince, Xandra’s family of halvies, Ophelia a were halvie , Queen V, The Duke of Vardan, and not forgetting Penny.
We meet Xandra as she is meeting the Goblin Prince and paying her respects to him to gain knowledge of her sister Drusilla aka Dede ,who has gone missing.
“Honourable monsters”, Church had called them.
From there on, this book takes off with a lot of kickass action. And a lot of different coloured hair do’s. Xandra refuses to believe her sister is dead and pulls a steampunk style Nancy Drew and starts to uncover more than she wants to believe to be true.
Xandra is a Royal Guard and has been trained by Church the guy she has a lot of respect and love for. Half-Bloods/halvies are trained at Wellington Academy by Church. Xandra was top of the class.
Things quickly do a flip for Xandra and she is left wondering who she can trust, and questioning all she has been taught. I love Xandra’s character she is very tough and intelligent. Her evening fashion will not stop her getting into a good ol’ , politely said, girl fight. She rides a Butler motorrad, sports red hair, and will dive in when somebody needs saving. I did enjoy her fights with Ophelia.
Now, Ophelia and Xandra’s relationship is very much an up and down, ‘maybe like her vs hate her thing’, they have going on. It makes for much amusement. I really like Ophelia’s character, she is brave, intelligent and stands up ram rod straight for what she believes in.
The Goblin Prince, although not an attractive fellow, as I have learned from Stacia Kane’s , ‘Downside Ghost’ series, it’s not always in the looks. I want to read more about this beastly meat loving character. I found myself growing very fond of him.
Vex, Vex, Vex.....hmmmm he is all manly, wolfy ,alpha, and a hunk of a man, but I think I had a little trouble with Kate not working up to the relationship. Before you can fry an egg they are courting and doing the wolfy horizontal tango. I would have liked a bit of a build up. He has a bit of mystery about him which unfolds. I can’t help thinking the way this book finished there may be a wee bit of competition for Xandra’s affections in book two, ‘The Queen is Dead’.
'He was over six feet of solid predatory muscle and heat - and grin. I couldn’t forget the grin.'
Penny is a hoot, I love...errr....her. She has wonderful dialogue and is a fun character.
Visually I saw this book play out in my mind in a very colourful manner with it's fair share of blood spilled and mystery.
The back of my ARC had 'Understanding The Aristocracy' and a Glossary. I found it worth a read.
I thought this was quite a ‘cool’ book and I still think I would slide in quite nicely into a Steampunk world, they have the most awesome clothes and gadgets, not to mention I think a nice purple hair do for myself would be quite fetching.
I am really looking forward to book 2, the way this book finished , there is a whole new thing coming into play and I can’t wait to read about it.
Oh , and trust me, the Queen is not amused........
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I did not want to give this one a star rating. Not a bad book; just one I personally did not enjoy.
It's the start of a new series with a new pseudonym by the author. Well written. Characters that were not one dimensional and actually had relationships besides just the love interest.
If you enjoy genres like alternative history, steam punk, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and like lots of British tv imports like Torchwood (or conspiracy theories like in X-Files) -- it's your thing.
I knew was steam punk going in but read on a friend's recommendation who knew I liked goblin stories (okay, the Goblin King in Labyrinth, George MacDonald's Curdie/Princess tales, and Jim C. Hines' goblin books). Touted as original. And had original storyline and cast of characters. Most of the world building was Victorian "early reign" stuff and there was no way you were not aware was set in Great Britain. I do realize author was deliberately going for that setting and fondly noted the cylinders and aethernet references as homage to all the lovely cliffhanger black and white SF serials I used to watch.
It fit well with a penpal read here at goodreads (and you have to love the expression on character's face on the bookcover), so I started to read.
Personally, I have just had all the steam punk I can take (well, okay, I still like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and all the contemporary SF writers from the era) and too many chick lit books have Britished me out. Alternative history--very rarely something I like.
That's a matter of personal taste (I also can't stand Torchwood or most of the conspiracy type of reads/shows) and is why I am not giving a star rating.
Again, writing was very good and storyline was original, characters engaging.
I waded thru 30% and yelled at friend recommending. Almost got interesting for me. After 50% still did not like (again, kept almost but not quite getting interesting for me) and did manage to finish for penpal read. Maybe last 5 to 10% of book, after investing my time, I was into the action and what was happening to conclude the story. Less because I got any more interested than that I had put in the time. For me, tried both too hard and not hard enough with the pseudo-science behind the worldbuilding; and as an American I don't think I am one to judge how well done the British aspect was.
I actually think it could be the start of a very good series. If it's your thing.
3 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 10, 2012
Wow...this is literally the best book i have read in a long while and i read a lot. It combines steampunk with the supernatural masterfully. Hats off to the author on cresting a unique world.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Albert's fangs! Kate Locke's God Save the Queen, the first book in the new Immortal Empire Trilogy, blew my mind so far away that I probably won't find it until the next installment releases.
Locke's storytelling is so phenomenal. The progression of the story had me questioning the title over and over again, but finally I understood. I fell for God Save the Queen when I realized the track I was on was completely different from the novel's. It's best to warn fellow readers to throw all preconceived notions of the story out of the window because this is not the average fantasy.
The usual creatures of the night make appearances: weres, vamps, and gobs, but there's something special about their way of living. They're much more civilized than I've seen before, especially because most are royalty. I was a little afraid that the world building would overshadow the plot, but it was surprisingly easy to understand the Aristocracy and the court-like culture. I really enjoyed this world Locke has created and I believe it's my favorite aspect of this novel. Well that and the kick-butt heroine, Xandra Vardan.
Xandra is strong, but she takes independence to a whole new level. She's hardly ever plagued by guilt when it comes to the choices she makes and she's hands down the scariest lead I've had the pleasure to meet! One thing I'm sure will endear readers to Xandy is the fact that she has no delusions about her character. She knows where her faults lie and knows that she's self-centered or arrogant at times. Oh, and her loyalty to family caused my eyes to water on numerous occasions. There are reasons to cry, but it never got to the point where I bawled my eyes out, because Xandra's strength just made the sad scenes easier to get through.
I thought I had the characteristics of steampunk figured out until I stepped into Locke's intriguing world of digigrams and logic engines. It doesn't hurt that the novel sports an informative glossary of unfamiliar gizmos, gadgets, and phrases. After Locke's fascinating take on steampunk and fantasy I'm definitely looking forward to more of her work.
Fang me, but if you don't pick up of copy of this novel you'll miss an exciting and exceptional start to The Immortal Empire Trilogy!
*Copy of book provided by publisher, via LibraryThing Early Reviewers, in exchange for an honest review*
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2013
For those who like a good paranormal read you will enjoy this book! Xandra is smart, spirited, loyal to family and friends. However, she is like any other "human" in that she lies to herself by refusing to see all the facts but ends up having to face the truth about herself and those she thought she could trust.
I will be honest and say this book started out slow, I actually read the second book first before coming back to it and that is why it only got 4 stars instead of 5....by the 3rd chapter i was hooked and buzzed through the rest of the book in one day....would have been faster but work comes first
CaliforniaNookLover
Posted February 8, 2013
This book really needed a good editor! The romance did not ring true and the plot had holes you could drive a truck through. That said it did show promise and held my interest long enough to finish it. If the author improves this would be a good series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2013
This is an amazing book! Twists and turns on every page. I loved the depth of the main character and hope the love interest is explored more in book 2. Im trying not to give anything away.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is my first five star book of 2013, an easy rating to make as it truly blew me away. I loved how different this book was; taking Victorian Steampunk in a whole new direction and immersing me in a world that was both vibrant and compelling. I truly enjoyed getting to know and interact with the various characters throughout this story and while some of the twists and turns had me as upset as our main character in the shortcomings of humanity in general and certain individuals in particular, the fact that I was invested enough in the world to be upset is a recommendation in and of itself.
The world of this book is built around the history that vampires and werewolves are the product of a genetic mutation caused by the outbreak of the Black Plague and resulting in the creation of the Prometheus Protein, a new genetic material. The use of this mutation in the plot affecting everything from the societal structure to technological developments was nothing short of genius. While it was not an overt implementation, and some of the explanations of this new now were a bit clunky—most notably to me was the music storage and phone integration—it was still woven in such a was as to be an organic implementation of the alternate history.
I very much enjoyed the characters in this book. Alexandra, Xandy, was a spunky fun heroine to follow who exhibited the stubborn unwillingness to change that made her relatable and the strength to face change in the end that made her a true hero. The romantic elements very present it this book were to me a weak point; a bit one dimensional and rushed they took on more of the tone of horny teenagers than an adult relationship. However, as that particular area of the story is left open I am hoping than in future books it will be strengthened and deepened to more fully reflect the depth found in this light-hearted and captivating read.
I give this book a star-struck five stars.
Anonymous
Posted January 14, 2013
I was leary, but I found I enjoyed this book. While neither steam punk or alternate reality are original, the story was. I liked that the plot has so many twists and turns and the detailed descriptions along with the different characters in the story. I also like it lacked all the high school angst and graphic sex so many paranormal books have. I would read more books by this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 6, 2012
I like alternative-history stories, and I thought this one was well-done. I really liked the heroine, Xandra. Looking forward to the nexr book in the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 30, 2012
Can't wait til february for the next series book!
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Posted October 17, 2012
Loved it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 2, 2012
What a fabulous debut. This is one of the best Urban Fantasy books I have read. The premise is so unique regarding the relationship between werewolves, vampires and goblins. This book grabs you from the start. The world building is superb and the characters are top notch. I read the glossary at the back of the book first and that helped with some of the odd terms used. I also read the history of how the supernaturals were "born" before I started the story which helped me better understand the background of the story better. I am so glad that this is the start of a new series because I definitely want to read more about Xandra, Vex and all the others. Long live the Queen!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Drewfer
Posted September 14, 2012
I love this book! I picked it up on a recommendation from our local library's newsletter, and am I ever glad I did. Fun, sexy, intelligent, action-packed, a rollicking roller coaster of a ride. I read it in a day, and am waited impatiently for the next installment. If you like Kim Harrison, Ilona Andrews, or Nalini Singh's Angel Series, you'll find this a welcome addition to the genre.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 16, 2012
I have read the entire book ( uncorrect proof signed by author) and it was grwat
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Posted February 7, 2013
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Posted February 17, 2013
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Posted December 17, 2012
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Posted April 2, 2013
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Overview
Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.
The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where ...