Review – Touch of Steel (Clockwork Agents, Book 2) by Kate Cross (3.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 4, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0451238825
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd volume in the Clockwork Agents series
Source: Swapped through Paperbackswap.com
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

“Reeling from her brother’s death, beautiful American spy Claire Brooks has vowed revenge on the member of The Company who she believes to be responsible: Stanton Howard. But when she chases the man to London, Claire is captured by the Wardens of the Realm and placed in the custody of the Earl of Wolfred, the dashing Alistair Payne.

Seeing the prospect of retribution slipping away, Claire convinces Alistair that she has defected and will help him take down The Company. As they travel via steam liner, Claire and Alistair must pretend to be engaged. Claire can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for her pretend husband, but when Howard is finally within her reach, she will have to decide whether her true loyalties lie with The Company or with her heart…”

This is the second book in the Clockwork Agents series and was another fun steampunk romance. This was an entertaining read and is very heavy on the romance end of things. There is also a lot of action, adventure, and politics.

This book continues the story of Company Agents vs the Wardens. However this time the story focuses on Alistair Payne (who was in the first book) and a dashing American assassin known as the Dove. This isn’t the best steampunk series out there but it is a fun diversion. If you like steampunk romance I would definitely recommend Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series over this one…that series is just absolutely amazing (everything…world-building, characters, action is amazing with that series).

Overall this was a quick and fun read. However the overall story isn’t as cohesive as it could be and the world-building could also use some work. The characters are very engaging and have good chemistry and this is a fun fluffy read. I enjoyed the setting as well. I plan on reading the third and final book in the series, Breath of Iron.