DNF. 10% in and he's already fantasizing about her nipples. Uh, no. The only thing I hate more than cliffhangers (and love triangles) is instalust.

In the first book in the London Steampunk series, Honoria Todd and her younger siblings are in hiding from the Echelon, the cruel London aristocracy, and trying to survive the dangerous streets in the rookeries.
Blade has built up a reputation as a monster. Since he controls the rookeries and protects the people living there from violent human gangs and from the Echelon alike, the people must pay him or trade with him for his protection. Honoria has been living in Blade’s territory for months, not paying dues. After they finally meet, she has little choice but to fall in line.
OMG! I love this book! Honoria and Blade are wonderful, three-dimensional, in-depth characters. They love hard and fight even harder. The chemistry between them sizzles. Blade’s rough, uncouth accent is so damn sexy. He’s a yummy mixture of a violent, self-loathing, protective, and honorable man.
I adore the secondary characters: Will, Rip, Esme, Leo, Lena, and Charlie. All of them provide focus and the meaning of family for the H/h.
Though I really enjoyed the world building, I found some of it a little difficult to keep straight because so much was going on.
The blue bloods are a group of pseudo-vampires, and most of them are part of the Echelon. They were once human, but now they’re infected with the craving virus, which is considered an honor. Only rich, affluent men are allowed to become blue bloods, and they feed from blood thralls/slaves (human women and other men who do not belong to one of the noble houses). There are exceptions to this rule, however. If the blue bloods lose control of their need for blood and transcend into the Fade, they become vicious, mindless vampires, and must be killed.
Blade is a rogue blue blood, meaning he was illegally infected with the virus, so the Echelon wants him dead.
There are some unanswered questions/loose ends. Since Blade is a blue blood, he will slowly age and live for countless years as long as he doesn’t turn into a vampire. Honoria will grow old and die as a regular human while he’s still fairly young. This doesn’t seem like a real HEA to me, and I hope this issue will be resolved in a later book.
Anyway, the story is tight, well written, and kept my attention. Will’s story is up next, and I cannot wait to read it.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this ebook from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
( )

Interesting premise. There are more books, but different characters each book. ( )

Interesting twist on vampires. I kinda liked it, and I might read more but they don't have any more at my local library. ( )

Just because the author mentions machines etc does not make this book steam punk. The storyline was promising albeit very slow to develop overall the book is alright. I can't give more than 3 stars. ( )