4.5 Stars
After the last serial I was kinda iffy, annoyed and definitely divided. Don't misunderstand me, I did pre-order this one, I was left wanting more, but also wondered if I can take any more of the on and off in the romance. I needed some sort of solution.
Which admittedly is a bit silly, since I don't need to read the end to know where the romance is going.
I guess that speaks for Brooks character building. It's as always pretty good. It's subtle yet solid. And more importantly it leaves me invested. I care about Zenobia and Ariq.
And in this one I really really grew fond of both of them. As much as I wanted to shank them both in Kraken King Part 3- this, changed my perception of everything that came before. Lots of things suddenly fell into place. Not just for the two of them but also details that irritated me, previous behavior I found a bit (in some cases a lot) frustrating, suddenly made sense. I fell in love with both of the MCs.
Damn I even care about the support cast- so many of them left behind by now. I found myself wondering how Taka is doing, and if Brook is possibly going to write a book about him... yep. I know, he was in what all of one or two chapters? And Helen, though she is annoying as hell, dizzy the only kind comment I can muster. I want to know how she will fair. And Mara and Cooper... Ah, but I am getting distracted.
Back to part four:
The world building is again, beyond superb. Each serial Brook just blows my mind away. All of Zenobia's traveling brings them into unchartered territory, every single place being described with amazing detail. I know I have said that about each and every single serial. And I am sorry to tell you, that I probably will gush about each and every following one as well. If you read Brook before, you will understand. Her world building is spectacular. ALWAYS. The world she built in Iron Seas is clever, imaginative and never ceases to impress or astound. And in the Kraken King she put it a notch up. Each serial brings an entire new surrounding, delves deeper into the mechanisms of the politics and ties it cleverly, yet subtly to the previously described world and happenings. I could gush for hours! But I shall not bore you anymore.
As you guessed. The plot of the romance is more satisfying so no more ranting, sadly I can't say much more other than I was swooning and sighing. More than half is all about the romance all about the feelings and insecurities, the two of them trying to sass each other out, but also both of them being brave and opening their hearts.
Oh and how could I forget there are a couple of twists as well... *evil snicker*
And with those Brook warranted my full attention and I am looking forward to next weeks serial.
An absolute treat to read that left me a gushing fan girling googey ... something.