
Stephan Grey, World City Police Force's rising star, leaves the force to become a bounty hunter after a personal loss. In the poor quarters of World City, he hears of strange, terrible happenings--the homeless and the sick being kidnapped, graves being robbed--but he can't get the authorities to investigate.
Then Kat loses control, using her powers to protect a friend, and is forced into hiding. She turns to bounty hunter Grey to help her find a doctor who can help her before her soul dies and she loses all control. But they find a sinister evil deep in the very heart of World City.
Tainted was a good read. Interesting story world, likable characters, intrigue, romance, and adventure. The descriptions of machines/aircraft, etc., that are part the steampunk-ness weren't overdone. I particularly liked Kat's relationship with her housekeeper, Ms. Stuart, who raised her and is the only true family Kat has. Ms. Stuart loves and protects Kat despite Kat's occasional misuse of her power against her as a child. A sacrificial love and commitment when none is required or expected, as the housekeeper for a lonely girl, is always encouraging to read. As for Stephan Grey, I've always liked the detective characters with contacts everywhere, among inn keepers, smugglers, and you-name-it. I like him and Kat as a couple. However, his reaction to his "personal loss" (it's not hard to figure out this will happen, but I don't want to give it away anyway) seemed over the top to me, but that may just be me. There's also a scene at the end where a character who'd been disfigured earlier in the book comes chasing after them like the monster from an old horror story. A little over the top to me, but again, that's a matter of personal taste.
In conclusion, I enjoyed my foray into steampunk and want to read more of Kat and Stephan's story in the next book, Awakened.
Have you read any steampunk? If so, what did you think of it?
Thanks, Lizzie -- this is on my TBR pile for 2018! I'm excited to start reading it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Jill!
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