Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind by Dru Pagliassotti (Clockwork Heart Trilogy #1)

8/10

Taya, the metal-winged icarus whose investigation helped defeat a plot against Ondinium and its populace, is assisting her exalted husband Cristof Forlore on his first ambassadorial mission. They must learn about Mareaux’s experiments in airship technology and determine whether the ostensibly scientific vehicles might be used for warfare - a taboo for Ondiniums, whose domination of the air is tempered by a deep cultural abhorrence toward airborne weapons after the devastation of the Last War a thousand years ago.

I confess to not reading the first in this series, so I was playing catch-up. Fortunately the author Dru Pagliassotti’s writing and well constructed Steampunk world caught my imagination. With political intrigue, warring factions, espionage and romance this has a lot going on and a lot going for it.

I advise readers not to worry so much about all the names of the countries and groups vying for power and influence, but rather focus on the central duo of Taya and Cristof. These are two brave and fiercely independent characters up against danger together.

When it really gets going, the action sweeps the reader up. There is an eventful train journey, a dangerous mission and plenty of suspense. If you add the aerial visuals and technology this is a very rewarding read. It does tend to read like a screenplay at times and I would have preferred more action and description to the talking. That said this was enjoyable and creative Steampunk fantasy.

Clockwork Lies: Iron Wind by Dru Pagliassotti
Published 2014 by Hades Publications