Novella Review – The Kraken King Part VI: The Kraken King and the Crumbling Walls (Iron Seas, Book 4.6) by Meljean Brook (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Steampunk
Size: 86 pages
Publisher: InterMix
Release Date: May 20, 2014
ASIN: B00HZ1EE2M
Stand Alone or Series: 4.6 book in the Iron Seas series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

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.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Ebook Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge