Veena’s review of My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster
Steampunk Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 01 Oct 13

I jumped into the middle of an ongoing series with this book and felt right at home with nary a thought about what had gone before this point. I feel like the story is a clever satire with a tongue-in-cheek description of “blood-sucking” bluebloods and primogeniture that allowed the oldest son to become a blue blood, with the second sons and by-blows becoming nighthawks (or watchman) and royal guards. The crowning glory is the love triangle where the two women are really one woman in different guises. I find this genre fascinating because essentially it provides a blank canvas for an author to create their own new, creative reality without having to worry about historical accuracy and other mundane details.

In the author’s version of Victorian London, the downtrodden humans are ready for rebellion led by the Lady Mercury. Standing solidly in her path is Lynch, head of the London nighthawks who protect the city. Lynch has an unhealthy obsession with Mercury and it’s not just because she’s a rebel. Against his will he is attracted to her and cannot seem to put her out of his mind.

At the same time Rosa comes into Lynch’s life. She manages his office and worms her way under his defenses. She appeals to his intellect. Poor Lynch, he can’t seem to get either woman out of his system and veers between the two of them, depending on which one he’s with at the time. An interesting love triangle if there ever was. What is really amusing is that Rosa and Mercury are jealous of the other, even though they’re the same person under the guise.

But things are very wrong in London. There’s a chemical weapon in the hands of the rebels, which inspires uncontrolled blood lust in the blue bloods, and, unless Lynch can stop it, the blue bloods of London will be infected and destroyed. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and working with Lynch, Mercury and Rosa as they raced to find an antidote to foil the plot and keep the bluebloods safe, even at the price of their own ideals.

I am fascinated with Ms. McMaster’s London with vampires and mechanical workers with metallic limbs guarded by clockwork soldiers and a mechanized army to terrorize the rank and file. I can’t wait to see how this story evolves and what new creatures she will introduce us to.

Grade:B

Summary:

In the mist-shrouded streets of a steam-fuelled London, a clockwork army is on the rise, vampire blue bloods rule the streets, and war is brewing…

I WILL COME FOR YOU…”

He will find her no matter what. As a blue-blooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he’s indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?

It’s his duty to turn her in—she’s a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can’t forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touch…

No excerpt available.

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