Bronze Gods

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good balance of steampunk elements, strong characters, a riveting plot, fantasy and suspense. This is a partner story in which each partner brings his or her own set of unique talents to the table.

Janus Mikani's heritage is of mixed fae blood which has given him a sixth sense. By touching objects he can see its' history. Celeste Ritsuko is not blessed with any paranormal gifts but has good old fashion logic and tenacity. They are a male and female duo which, unfortunately, many authors feel then obligated to have the gratuitous theme of 'sexual tension' interwoven in the story. I didn't buy it with these two. They've worked together for many years and now they are beginning to notice each other? show more No. A.A. Aguirre should not fall into this trap as it didn't add anything to the story. The authors had created two characters that blended together seamlessly and I liked them very much; there was no need to ruin it with romance.

The plot was solid for a steampunk/fantasy novel and there was a subplot introduced adding another element to the original plot. There was also a strong message of equality throughout the book as Ritsuko was treated poorly and had more to prove to fellow inspectors because she is a woman. (It is because of her portrayal as a determined and independent woman out to prove herself that I could not buy into the awkward, blushing, oh-my-goodness can this work, sexual moments).

There were two issues that were prevalent for me with the book, one was the author's choice to use last names only. In a way I did find this very empowering for the characters however, I found myself getting confused as to who was talking. Neither name came across as gender specific and I had to keep re-reading passages to correctly get the flavor of the scene. Secondly, the print of this edition was tiny. I had to read it in a very well lit room! That was a bit distracting.

Overall a good story with good characters and plot. Will pick up the next one in the series. show less

The part of this I was most touched and moved by was at the beginning. The authors, a husband-wife writing team, talked about how much they loved each other and what a thrill it was for them to collaborate on a project. I really wanted to love this.

And a steampunk alternate Victoriana with magic and gaslight is a huge draw, and the cover is gorgeous.

I did not want this to become a romance between the two leads and did not buy the UST the authors were pushing. In fact neither of the heroes came entirely alive, off the page for me; nor did the secondary characters. This was where the book stood or fell for me as I'm very stupid at following out the clues of a crime plot and only judge mysteries on characterisation.

The world-building of show more this fantasy city was the best thing, but could not save the book fro me. show less

It's been weeks and it's time to admit it, I'm not going to finish this book. I absolutely hate to say this--and can't believe I'm saying this because it's co-written by Ann Aguirre whose books I adore--but this book is boring. There's very little suspense, which for a book about two people investigating a series of murders and one person very obviously targeted for murder, is not a good thing.

Everything about this book gave me a feeling of "almost, but not quite." I almost feel like I know the main characters because I've been told things about them, but at 74% into the book I still don't feel like I know them. I almost feel like I understand how this particular world differs from ours because I've been told certain things that show more happened, but I don't see those things playing out. It's that way with most things; very tell instead of show. show less

The "male female detective steampunk duo" is nothing new, but I found this a nice take on it, primarily due to two things: The worldbuilding, and the detective work

The world is rather different to the usual steampunk (or UF) fare. Instead of a psuedo steampowered advanced Victorian England, this is set in the world of Hy Breasil, which used to be fairyland. It provides an actual explanation why there is magic in the world, why there is a complete mashup of cultures as well as, and perhaps most importantly, both why technology seems stalled at the steam era and why the magic that is left is weak and growing weaker

In short, people washed up in the fairy world over the centuries, from all over the "real" world--the two main characters show more names appear to be slavic and japanese--but eventually in such numbers and bearing cold iron that they overwhelmed the natives. Some 200 years ago "The Architect" managed to close the veil between the worlds, preventing further influxes of people, but also preventing them bringing newer technology and science with. While some of the fae interbred with the usurpers, and fae or "ferisher" blood still runs, stronger in some families than others, most people are pretty much normal humans and the Summer and Winter clan are greatly reduced. It is above and beyond the most well thought out premise for a steampunk world I've yet come across

Secondly, the detective work. One of the main characters has Ferisher blood, but his only power is to read emotions (which he can use both on people and to gather information from crime scenes) and using it gives him blinding headaches and an increasing addiction. Although useful, it's costly, and slightly illicit so while it gives leads it's not proof enough for a court. His partner on the other hand, is the first woman Inspector (i.e. detective) and has had to work her way up from the bottom

Secondly, the detective work. One of the main characters has Ferisher blood, but his only power is to read emotions (which he can use both on people and to gather information from crime scenes) and using it gives him blinding headaches and an increasing addiction. Although useful, it's costly, and slightly illicit so while it gives leads it's not proof enough for a court. His partner on the other hand, is the first woman Inspector (i.e. detective) and has had to work her way up from the bottom

She is very serious about her work, and while she uses every advantage she can get, including her partner's readings, she backs them up with actual detective work: Gathering evidence, following down every lead, being methodical and careful to dot every i and cross every t, knowing that most of her peers are simply waiting for her to fail. While this is still a fantasy novel, it's nice to see some real attention paid to the actual mystery and characters actually trying to solve it rather than flailing around and coincidencing themselves into the answers. Although to be fair, there's a bit of that too, but only a little bit

Less successful for me, is the romantic aspect. There is no romance to speak of in this book, but there's clearly going to be because I haven't seen this much unresolved sexual tension since David and Maddy at Moonlighting. On the one hand, it's handled quite nicely in a lot of ways. These two have been partners for three years, they've come to depend on each other and understand each other, for good and for ill, and they are fast friends. That a period of intense stress and absolute dependence on each other to simply stay alive puts them both in a position of contemplating what more there could be is actually pretty natural. But for me, it just is a little too much "oh angst" in "... he thought to himself" asides, and given we are seeing alternating POV's here we get it from both sides. My tolerance for overt angst is pretty low (which is why I don't read YA), and personally I found it hammered home a bit hard. Given that every other reviewer on the planet seems to find it a swoonworthy luuuurve for the ages (or they hated the book), it's probably me, not the book

Overall, it's a solid fun read. Less angst and it would have got a 4 star. And I'll definitely read the next one. show less

Inspectors Ritsuko and Mikani work for the CID in Dorstaad. One night they are asked to look into the disappearance of a girl from one of the influential Houses on the island. Their investigation takes them into the theatre world, and they soon learn the name of a potential suspect. But then the girl's body is found next to a mysterious machine, and the whole affair becomes highly political. When Mikani and Ritsuko's enquiries end in dead end after dead end, and a second body is found, they are taken off the case. Can they prevent a third murder and catch the perpetrator?

This was a very enjoyable read, with great world building and strong characters, even though the dialogue and the inner monologues appeared a bit clunky at times. The show more novel successfully mixes elements of murder mystery, fantasy, magic and steampunk and blends them into a cohesive whole, with the plotting rather tense in places. I was never quite sure where the storyline was heading – though there were one too many coincidences – and the interpersonal relationship between the two lead characters was engaging, if slightly predictable. The ending leaves several plot threads open for the sequel, which I will definitely want to read in the not-too-distant future. show less

What an offbeat, curious little novel. From its cover and overall presentation, I wasn’t too surprised to discover a Victorian-inspired steampunk urban fantasy type mystery, but it’s the other little pleasures thrown in that endeared me to this book. Elements like the Fae (called the Ferisher here) or the sprinkling of magical elements here and there combine with other fantasy aspects to make the world of Bronze Gods a much more special and enchanting setting.

Also meet Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko, a detective team for the Criminal Investigation Department. The former brings his magical expertise as well as his own uncanny Ferisher power to the case, while the latter is the first female detective in her division and pushes show more herself to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove she belongs in the position. Together, they are tasked to solve the disappearance of a young girl from a noble house, and catch the one responsible before he can strike again.

But there’s more to this story than just police work. If you enjoy a little romance or like a bit of sexual tension to spice things up, then you’re in for a treat. I got major “Mulder and Scully” vibes from Mikani and Ritsuko, with their mutual attraction and feelings for each other smoldering beneath the surface, gradually warming up in a slow burn that’s both oh so sweet and delicious. I hate to generalize, but I do always seem to take to romances written by husband and wife writing teams (A. A. Aguirre is the pseudonym for Ann Aguirre and her husband Andres Aguirre). In their author bio, it says she specializes in compelling characters and he excels at meticulous world building, and indeed this book shows the result of that winning combination, but I also like how together they have succeeded in writing a very convincing and heartwarming romance between the two main characters.

So, here you have awesome world (check!), awesome characters (check!) and awesome chemistry between said characters (check!). But what I struggled with a little was the plot and pacing. If you’re a mystery buff, you’ll probably find yourself frustrated by the seemingly lackadaisical pace of the investigation and the police procedural aspects a bit light. To be fair, a detective story isn’t what Bronze Gods was meant to be, but just one major facet of the story. I was also a bit dissatisfied by the ending and the “twist” regarding one of the suspects, but seeing as that took place in the final scenes, it didn’t affect my overall view of the book too much.

More important is that Bronze Gods was an entertaining and action-filled read, with well-developed characters that actually give me reasons to continue caring about their thus far unresolved relationship. I like how there is no heedless rush to get Mikani and Ritsuko together, because I’m sure when it does finally happen it’ll just be all the more satisfying. I want to continue the series to see what other crimes our duo will have to solve, but admittedly I’m also very interested in seeing where their feelings for each other will eventually take them. show less

I really enjoyed this fantasy mystery. I like the setting in a world powered by steam and magic. And I liked the characters who are police inspectors. Janus Mikani has a mysterious power inherited by some long-forgotten Ferisher ancestor. Celeste Ritsuko is the first female inspector and uses logic and organization as her best tools. The two work really well together as partners.

Their current case has them investigating the deaths of young women who have some magic and have lots of political influence. The first is a daughter of one of the ruling houses. The second is a daughter of the Summer Clan who controls trade into and out of the city. They are under a lot of pressure to find the murderer and stop him before he kills again.

One of show more his potential victims is Aurelia Wright who is also a daughter of a high house and who left because of a dispute with her father. She is a dancer and choreographer at the same theater where the first victim worked as a costume designer.

One of the most interesting aspects of this story beyond the mystery was the changing relationship between Mikani and Ritsuko who find themselves becoming more personally interested in each other than they ever have been in their three years working together.

This was a great story and I can't wait to read SILVER MIRRORS which continues their adventures. show less