This is a highly unusual book. It is nothing like other books I have read by Ms. MacAlister. At first, I had a hard time getting into the story, it seemed pretty confusing but there was something there that kept drawing me back. I know nothing about Steampunk and that may have contributed to my confusion but this is also an action packed story filled with new technologies and terms that take some getting used to. You may want to refer to the glossary at the back of the book to help understand all the unusual words. Jack and Octavia are fun characters. Each are strong willed and very attracted to one another despite their obvious differences and backgrounds. They literally come from two different worlds. Plus what if Jack finds a way to go home, what will happen then? The longer I stuck with this story, the more I liked it. Be prepared to work a little to keep up with the fast pace and all the new words and technology that are vital to the story. If you like alternative reality stories, an imaginative mixture of Victorian like society with everything steam powered and the juxtaposition of a modern man from our world trying to fit in and win the woman, then you will like this book!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Steph B.
March 15, 2010