The Kraken King Part 5, by Meljean Brook

TITLE: The Kraken King Part 5: The Kraken King and the Iron Heart
AUTHOR: Meljean Brook

COPYRIGHT: 2014
PAGES: 90
PUBLISHER: InterMix

SETTING: Steampunk version of the 19th century
TYPE: Adventure romance
SERIES: Fifth part of 4th full length book in the Iron Seas series

With their lives and the fate of an empire at stake, Ariq is forced to leave Zenobia behind. Held captive by their enemies, Zenobia can only pray that Ariq keeps his promise to come for her—until a terrible loss prods her to action.

Ariq has no intention of handing over the Skybreaker to the two men responsible for the marauders’ attacks against Krakentown—but without a ransom to give them, Ariq must risk everything to rescue Zenobia and stop the swarming forces bent on destruction…

Link to my review of Part 1

Link to my review of Part 2

Link to my review of Part 3

Link to my review of Part 4

I'm assuming that if you're reading this, you've read the first 4 parts (but not necessarily this part, so no spoilers for that here).

I was a bit anxious at the end of the last installment, when we had the "inevitable abduction" of the title. Was this going to be the beginning of a long separation? Even though Ariq and Zenobia are good enough characters to be able to keep me interested on their own, the joy of this book has been seeing them interact.

Well, no long separation here, I'm glad to report. Ariq and Zenobia are fabulous separately for a while, but it doesn't take long before they're being fabulous together again. The installment starts with some exciting action (which, very nicely, continues to develop our understanding of the characters) and then we get some lovely quiet moments.

I think what I appreciated the most in this part (and this is something that I've been seeing throughout this serial -and all of this author's books) is just how much deeper than most authors Brook goes with her characterisation. The reactions always go beyond the obvious and mechanical, and tell you exactly who these people are, and that they are interested in looking under the surface of who the other is. It makes the books unpredictable. Certain situations will take place and I, after reading romance for so many years, will automatically expect a particular thing to happen, and it almost never does. And when it does, there will be a little twist, something that will add an extra dimension. It makes Brook's books incredibly satisfying to read.