Zenobia and Ariq are stuck in the Red City as Ariq tries to negotiate Nipponese politics to try and gain access to the Empress and stop the devastation wrought by her war fleet; all used to try and force Ariq’s hand

While they are in the city the two become close, their relationship becomes public and Zenobia begins to understand what marriage to Ariq means

This is the first book of this episodic series that disappointed me and I wasn’t a big fan of. And it’s entirely down to that episodic nature. This is the book where Zenobia and Ariq get a lot closer, have sex and reaffirm their love a lot. And, as part of the main book if all these episodes are lined up it would work. As it is, this episode is overwhelmed by it, it takes up most of the book and doesn’t leave a lot of room for much else. There’s a lot of anticipation of sex, having sex, wondering about sex and generally drooling over Ariq’s super duper sexiness – and none of this would be out of place in the full novel. In the episode, it left me tempted to skip ahead to the actual story.

That’s not to say it doesn’t continue the excellent elements of the previous parts. Zenobia is still smart and snarky and funny. She doesn’t lose every ounce of common sense because she happens to be in love and nor does he. Even though they’re in love and overwhelmed by the sexy and even married under Ariq’s customs, she’s clear that they need to spend more time together before he commits to long term marriage. She knows they hardly know each other, she knows it’s too soon. She has that wonderful common sense about her. They both still have their causes and their passions. Zenobia is clear that if Ariq wanted her to stop writing she wouldn’t consider him a possible husband – there’s no sense of either of them epicly sacrificing their lives to ensure their love is proven to be true – if they love each other they love the whole of each other.

And I love what writing means to Zenobia, how it is a rebellion over her father, how not just the act of writing but what she writes is a sign of her victory over him, her triumph and a symbol of her freedom.

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This is the sixth part in the eight part serial novelization of The Kraken King. The Kraken King will be released as an entire book in August 2014. This was a wonderful addition to the novel but definitely the most romance heavy installment in this serial novel.

Ariq and Zenobia have arrived at the Red City. Ariq is trying to talk to the embassy and get an audience with the Empress of Nippon in order to stop the marauders’ plans. Zenobia writes to her brother in hope of getting him and Yasmine to help.

Honestly about half of this novella is a very well done love scene between Ariq and Zenobia. It's a scene that's been a long time coming and was incredibly well written. Brook has always done an excellent job at balancing a very creative world with action, adventure, humor, and romance.

In this installment the story definitely took a back seat to the romance, but the story is still there and progress was made there was well. We finally get to explore more of the this living coral city called the Red City. We are also introduced to the numerous clockwork creatures called the Queen’s Eyes that have to be wound every day by the Queen’s demand.

I really do love Zenobia and Ariq’s relationship. They have a steamy relationship that is based on mutual respect. They accept and love each other faults and strengths. They are two incredibly interesting people to read about.

As I have mentioned in previous reviews of this book, I am not a huge fan of it being released in parts. It's just kind of an abrupt stop and start for me and throws me out of the story. However it is clever that Brook starts each novella with a letter from Zenobia to Archimedes (her brother). This gives the reader a little refresher about where the story left off in the last installment and is very helpful to the reader, while also being humorous and entertaining.

Overall this was an excellent installment of this series; I still love the characters and the world, they have been very entertaining and engaging. This was a very steamy and romance heavy novella, but the story wasn’t sacrificed either. I think fans of the series will love this installment just as much as I did! I can’t wait to read parts seven and eight. ( )

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
allthingsuf.com

Joint review of Parts V & VI

For those who loved THE KRAKEN KING AND THE INEVITABLE ABDUCTION, Parts IV and V of THE KRAKEN KING serial keep the action and the passion turned all the way up. Blackmail, hurried marriages, daring escapes and a love match worth savoring, these two portions of the serial show how great THE KRAKEN KING can be.

Part V, THE IRON HEART, now ties THE INEVITABLE ABDUCTION as my favorite of the series, as both Ariq and Zenobia get a chance to exhibit the skills that make them awesome apart and so amazing to imagine together. Even better, Brook’s talent for writing nuanced and fully realized characters extends beyond her hero and heroine to the foes and allies they encounter. Ariq knows the names of the guards he must defeat to escape, and Zenobia faces a foe who is chillingly implacable… and intimately acquainted with Ariq. Everyone has the capacity for surprise and self-interest in this world, and these flaws are as interesting to read as their plans for the future.

While THE IRON HEART is full of action, THE CRUMBLING WALLS slows things down a little bit as politics and intrigue replace daring escapes and blackmail. Luckily, to balance this out, Ariq and Zenobia are covering new ground in their relationship. While it is clear that these pieces will fit together to form an amazing book when finished, the pacing and character development of THE KRAKEN KING has completely won me over to the serial format. Formidably in their own right, I can’t wait to see what Zenobia and Ariq accomplish together.

Sexual Content: Sex scenes. ( )

worth the wait. of course, explicity abound. finally. hehe ( )

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Vivacious Valkyrie - Marta:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

--Actual rating 4.5 Skulls

Episode six in this amazing story which although steampunk will appeal to all lovers of a good story. Just two more episodes to come and then our adventurous heroine Zenobia's story will be told. Although primarily a tale full of mayhem and amazing things in this instalment the author ramps up the steam ! Prepare to sit back and vibrate with need for more as Ms Brook seems determined to drive her readers wild.

Zenobia and Ariq seem to have finally reached an understanding and realise that they both ultimately want the same thing. Ariq still fears that Zenobia will leave him but slowly and surely his battle to win her is approaching success. Ariq must travel over the wall if he's to prevent the forces of Nippon from destroying his home but leaving Zenobia behind is something he's not prepared to do. So much manipulation and intruigue has surrounded the couple and now they prepare to take the ultimate step into what's probably the most inhospitable place on earth. The Empress has eyes everywhere and Ariq has many enemies who will stop at nothing in order to learn his secrets. If war is to be prevented Ariq and Zenobia must trust in each other as there's no one else who can be trusted in Nippon!

I found this instalment to be over far too quick! It's not the most action packed episode but it brought characters back into play. It's great to have the bodyguards, feisty Mara and self contained Cooper back as although they are supporting characters I've loved their interactions and reading about Maras chiding's of Zenobia is always such a hoot! Poor Ariq seems to be in a hopeless place as so many of those he needs to connect with will cling to what feels safe and I'm not quite sure how this problem can be resolved. There are many who would happily sit back and see him fail but he won't be deterred. Our favourite couple have come too far to just give up now and danger may be all around but there's light as they finally (finally!) truly explore their own relationship. Prepare to be moved as Zenobia fully experiences what it is to be loved by a man such as Ariq!

So almost two things happening here. Ariq is running out of time whilst trying to stop a huge chunk of Austrailia from being blown up and also the intrepid couple take their relationship and ramp it up a huge notch! If you read for the romance then you will not be disappointed and if you read for the plot and action then it's certainly all posed now to blow our minds! I'm loving this and can't wait for more and heartily recommend this authors work. ( )