What do you think?
Rate this book
Age of Steam #3
Cold Copper
In steam age America, men, monsters, machines, and magic battle to claim the same scrap of earth and sky. In this madness, one man struggles to keep his humanity, his honor, and his hell-bent mission intact...
Bounty hunter and lycanthrope Cedar Hunt vowed to track down all seven pieces of the Holder—a strange device capable of deadly destruction. And, accompanied by witch Mae Lindson and the capricious Madder brothers, he sets out to do just that. But the crew is forced to take refuge in the frontier town of Des Moines, Iowa, when a glacial storm stops them in their tracks. The town, under mayor Killian Vosbrough, is ruled with an iron fist—and plagued by the steely Strange, creatures that pour through the streets like the unshuttered wind.
But Cedar soon learns that Vosbrough is mining cold copper for the cataclysmic generators he’s manufacturing deep beneath Des Moines, bringing the search for the Holder to a halt. Chipping through ice, snow, and bone-chilling bewitchment to expose a dangerous plot, Cedar must stop Vosbrough and his scheme to rule the land and sky...
Bounty hunter and lycanthrope Cedar Hunt vowed to track down all seven pieces of the Holder—a strange device capable of deadly destruction. And, accompanied by witch Mae Lindson and the capricious Madder brothers, he sets out to do just that. But the crew is forced to take refuge in the frontier town of Des Moines, Iowa, when a glacial storm stops them in their tracks. The town, under mayor Killian Vosbrough, is ruled with an iron fist—and plagued by the steely Strange, creatures that pour through the streets like the unshuttered wind.
But Cedar soon learns that Vosbrough is mining cold copper for the cataclysmic generators he’s manufacturing deep beneath Des Moines, bringing the search for the Holder to a halt. Chipping through ice, snow, and bone-chilling bewitchment to expose a dangerous plot, Cedar must stop Vosbrough and his scheme to rule the land and sky...
383 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2013
14 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
About the author
Devon Monk
88 books2,061 followersDevon Monk is a national best selling writer of urban fantasy. Her series include Ordinary Magic, House Immortal, Allie Beckstrom, Broken Magic and Shame and Terric. She also writes the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story which can be found in her collection: A Cup of Normal, and in various anthologies. She has one husband, two sons, and lives in Oregon. When not writing, Devon is either drinking too much coffee or knitting silly things.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 11, 2013
The story is good and I enjoyed the continuing character development in the plethora of recurring characters in the series. I also enjoyed the progress of the long arc.
Because for the better portion of the book the characters had gone in separate directions it was necessary to write the story from multiple POV, which Ms. Monk has done adeptly in the previous two installments of this series. However, in this book, at least for the better portion of it, she seemed to prefer a format of devoting each chapter to a character arc. I would not have found it so distracting if she did not also use each chapter as an opportunity to create a little mini cliff hanger. Aside from my own personal aversion to cliff hangers I found the tendency to end each chapter with one was a significant over use. It was jarring and made for choppy and dissatisfying transitions all the way through the book.
Ultimately the characters came together and the need to split each chapter up negated, but it was very close to the end of the book before that occurred. Because of this format I found this book harder with which to remain engaged and less satisfying over all, in spite of the book arc being closed up.
Because for the better portion of the book the characters had gone in separate directions it was necessary to write the story from multiple POV, which Ms. Monk has done adeptly in the previous two installments of this series. However, in this book, at least for the better portion of it, she seemed to prefer a format of devoting each chapter to a character arc. I would not have found it so distracting if she did not also use each chapter as an opportunity to create a little mini cliff hanger. Aside from my own personal aversion to cliff hangers I found the tendency to end each chapter with one was a significant over use. It was jarring and made for choppy and dissatisfying transitions all the way through the book.
Ultimately the characters came together and the need to split each chapter up negated, but it was very close to the end of the book before that occurred. Because of this format I found this book harder with which to remain engaged and less satisfying over all, in spite of the book arc being closed up.
February 1, 2015
STILL a solid 3 star series. We STILL don’t know any more about Cedar and Wil’s back stories. We STILL don’t know any more about the Madder brothers or Rose’s origins. Cedar and Mae’s relationship STILL feels rushed and underdeveloped. The story STILL only picks up in the last ⅓ of the book.
However, Monk did change up a couple of things. She fixed the 9 billion different points of view. Here, Cedar gets one chapter then Rose gets one chapter. I liked how each chapter ends on a mini-cliffhanger and then alternates to the other characters. I think it helped the story move forward.
Monk usually shines in her action scenes. This time, the action scenes were muddled and not nearly as violent. So sad. It’s also sad that Monk re-wrote Rose as a silly indecisive girl. In the previous books, Rose was always strong, capable, and quick to action. I miss that Rose. The Rose without silly boy drama.
While this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it does leave a lot of unanswered questions.
However, Monk did change up a couple of things. She fixed the 9 billion different points of view. Here, Cedar gets one chapter then Rose gets one chapter. I liked how each chapter ends on a mini-cliffhanger and then alternates to the other characters. I think it helped the story move forward.
Monk usually shines in her action scenes. This time, the action scenes were muddled and not nearly as violent. So sad. It’s also sad that Monk re-wrote Rose as a silly indecisive girl. In the previous books, Rose was always strong, capable, and quick to action. I miss that Rose. The Rose without silly boy drama.
While this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it does leave a lot of unanswered questions.
July 10, 2015
Third in The Age of Steam steampunk series for young adults set in the Old West and revolving around Cedar Hunt, a man under a Pawnee curse, and Rose Small, a deviser.
It's a case of science fiction meets the paranormal with a dash of James Bond in the Old West. You can't miss with this one.
My Take
It's so odd that I adore Monk's The Age of Steam series and her Allie Beckstrom series drove me nuts. Probably because Allie was such a stupid character, and I adore Rose Small and Cedar Hunt (he's the primary of the two — and they're not a couple!)
Rose is a woman after my own heart. She's absolutely fascinated by how things work and itches to discover how the bunks hinge, what keeps the heat so even, putting a boiler together — with a few improvements, lol. Nor does she put up with a cheating, lying man! At least, not until she has all the facts and examines her heart.
That ice-faring "vessel" the Madders create is ingenious, as is the platform they have for the horses. It's this and other adventures that make me think James Bond with Cage and Rose as Bond and Bondette as they sway, swing, and jump from one action to the next.
It's a conflict of honor, of an old promise made for favors up against the Holder destroying the earth. And it's a position which makes Cedar laugh, for the Madders are finally experiencing what it's like to be forced. That won't be the only time the Madders get thwarted either, lol.
I'll be curious to learn more about Mr. Thomas Wicks. He's something of a mystery, especially with the subtle hints Monk drops. What I don't understand is his attitude toward Cage/Hinks. If he truly is who he claims he is, then what's with his statements about the captain?
I'm also curious why this conglomeration of leaves and straw would tell Hunt to run, especially as I read further into the story. I suppose it could be those weapons the sheriff and his men are wielding that encourages this Strange to bargain. You can't blame Hunt and his party for being very wary.
What does the VB stand for?
Woo, the tension at that breakfast table is running hot, like the coffee and bacon. Sums up Vosbrough's character very quickly, and I can understand why the brothers wanted to avoid Des Moines. You can't fault the Madders for their provocative calm and bored insults. It only made me laugh and wonder how they were gonna get outta this one.
I don't get these former members of Kyne's congregation. There's one woman who was a child with John, and as soon as his father died, she stopped going to the church. Then her kid goes missing, and all of a sudden, John is acceptable again when she goes to beg him for help. WTF?
Opportunities to circumvent the Pawnee curse crop up in here. It's a balance in switching the burden from one person to another, several times.
And why oh why didn't Rose keep a better eye on that clockwork dragonfly?
The Story
It's bad news all around as a blizzard is holding up the group searching for the Holder: Cedar, Wil, Mae, Miss Dupuis, and the Madders. They'll die if they don't find shelter soon, and the Madders are refusing to consider Des Moines, the closest place they can shelter.
It's Des Moines that will determine their immediate fate, for the Madders have a promise to fulfill and dozens of children to find while the Guard has a wary curiosity about why "one of the richest families in the country" is interested in such a well-located city.
Meanwhile, Rose is ready to kill. That no-good, cheating, low-life Captain Lee Hink has been playing her for a fool while she's been busy repairing his ship.
It's glim-worked metal that will be the danger.
The Characters
Cedar Hunt is an educated man, a university teacher who lost his wife and child. A man with a Pawnee curse that forces him to pursue the Strange. His brother, Wil, is also cursed but in the opposite "direction". He's a wolf until the full moon when he turns human, unlike Cedar who turns wolf at the full moon. Cedar is in love with Mae Rowan-Lindson, a witch.
The inquisitive Rose Small is an orphan and a deviser to whom the plants used to talk. She's in love with Marshal Paisley Cadwaller Hink Cage, a.k.a., Captain Lee Hink of the Swift whom we first met in Tin Swift , 2. Mr. Seldom is Hink's second-in-command. Guffin swears in a number of languages, and Lum Ansell sings opera. The doves are part of Cage's spy network.
The Madder brothers are Alun, Bryn, and Cadoc, all miners and devisers. They also have a prior acquaintance with Wicks.
Miss Sophie Dupuis is a very educated woman with a law degree, fortunately, and acquainted with the Madder brothers. She's part of the Guard, a secretive group working to get rid of the Strange.
Thomas Wicks is an educated and polite man with an interest in Rose.
Des Moines
Father John Kyne was a young Indian boy when he was adopted by Lars Kyne to whose father, Holland Kyne, the Madders owed three favors. Now Kyne is a preacher in Des Moines.
Killian Vosbrough is the mayor. His family are the New York Vosbroughs, millionaires with a very bad reputation. Killian has a brother and a sister in Chicago and New York respectively. Hob and Sal are some of the men who work for him. Directly.
Lydia Daffin is the heiress to the Daffin Coal Company. Charles Evans Lowry is a real estate developer.
Sheriff Burchell, Deputy Greeley, and Mr. Peters (his daughter Florence is one of those taken) work as the town law enforcement. George Hensling claims that Father Kyne has gone nuts.
The previous mayor was Roy Atkinson. A man who refused to do immoral things.
Hays City, Kansas is…
…where Mae's coven lives on their farm. Miss Adaline, Margaret, and Sarah are part of that coven. Sweet Annie's Saloon is a bar and bordello. The elder Mr. Travis repairs watches. Miss Bucker runs a lending library. Mr. Davis is a tinker who gets drunk every evening.
Elbert Gregor ( Dead Iron , 1) was the blacksmith's son who had been kidnapped by Mr. Shunt whom Hunt killed in Tin Swift , 2. The Strange are "unholy creatures from myth and legend intent on killing good folk" who need to use our bodies to operate in our world. The Holder is a dangerous artifact that has been divided into seven pieces, and any one of those pieces could destroy our world.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a pale gray structural background with Cedar Hunt in his long brown duster, goggles pushed up on his head, his bandolier around his neck, his pistol in one hand, and a diving helmet lantern in the other. The title and author's name are in copper, cold copper.
The title is all about a cursed metal, one that sends people mad if they touch it. Trust me, Cold Copper will kill you.
It's a case of science fiction meets the paranormal with a dash of James Bond in the Old West. You can't miss with this one.
My Take
It's so odd that I adore Monk's The Age of Steam series and her Allie Beckstrom series drove me nuts. Probably because Allie was such a stupid character, and I adore Rose Small and Cedar Hunt (he's the primary of the two — and they're not a couple!)
Rose is a woman after my own heart. She's absolutely fascinated by how things work and itches to discover how the bunks hinge, what keeps the heat so even, putting a boiler together — with a few improvements, lol. Nor does she put up with a cheating, lying man! At least, not until she has all the facts and examines her heart.
That ice-faring "vessel" the Madders create is ingenious, as is the platform they have for the horses. It's this and other adventures that make me think James Bond with Cage and Rose as Bond and Bondette as they sway, swing, and jump from one action to the next.
It's a conflict of honor, of an old promise made for favors up against the Holder destroying the earth. And it's a position which makes Cedar laugh, for the Madders are finally experiencing what it's like to be forced. That won't be the only time the Madders get thwarted either, lol.
I'll be curious to learn more about Mr. Thomas Wicks. He's something of a mystery, especially with the subtle hints Monk drops. What I don't understand is his attitude toward Cage/Hinks. If he truly is who he claims he is, then what's with his statements about the captain?
I'm also curious why this conglomeration of leaves and straw would tell Hunt to run, especially as I read further into the story. I suppose it could be those weapons the sheriff and his men are wielding that encourages this Strange to bargain. You can't blame Hunt and his party for being very wary.
What does the VB stand for?
Woo, the tension at that breakfast table is running hot, like the coffee and bacon. Sums up Vosbrough's character very quickly, and I can understand why the brothers wanted to avoid Des Moines. You can't fault the Madders for their provocative calm and bored insults. It only made me laugh and wonder how they were gonna get outta this one.
I don't get these former members of Kyne's congregation. There's one woman who was a child with John, and as soon as his father died, she stopped going to the church. Then her kid goes missing, and all of a sudden, John is acceptable again when she goes to beg him for help. WTF?
Opportunities to circumvent the Pawnee curse crop up in here. It's a balance in switching the burden from one person to another, several times.
And why oh why didn't Rose keep a better eye on that clockwork dragonfly?
The Story
It's bad news all around as a blizzard is holding up the group searching for the Holder: Cedar, Wil, Mae, Miss Dupuis, and the Madders. They'll die if they don't find shelter soon, and the Madders are refusing to consider Des Moines, the closest place they can shelter.
It's Des Moines that will determine their immediate fate, for the Madders have a promise to fulfill and dozens of children to find while the Guard has a wary curiosity about why "one of the richest families in the country" is interested in such a well-located city.
Meanwhile, Rose is ready to kill. That no-good, cheating, low-life Captain Lee Hink has been playing her for a fool while she's been busy repairing his ship.
It's glim-worked metal that will be the danger.
The Characters
Cedar Hunt is an educated man, a university teacher who lost his wife and child. A man with a Pawnee curse that forces him to pursue the Strange. His brother, Wil, is also cursed but in the opposite "direction". He's a wolf until the full moon when he turns human, unlike Cedar who turns wolf at the full moon. Cedar is in love with Mae Rowan-Lindson, a witch.
The inquisitive Rose Small is an orphan and a deviser to whom the plants used to talk. She's in love with Marshal Paisley Cadwaller Hink Cage, a.k.a., Captain Lee Hink of the Swift whom we first met in Tin Swift , 2. Mr. Seldom is Hink's second-in-command. Guffin swears in a number of languages, and Lum Ansell sings opera. The doves are part of Cage's spy network.
The Madder brothers are Alun, Bryn, and Cadoc, all miners and devisers. They also have a prior acquaintance with Wicks.
Miss Sophie Dupuis is a very educated woman with a law degree, fortunately, and acquainted with the Madder brothers. She's part of the Guard, a secretive group working to get rid of the Strange.
Thomas Wicks is an educated and polite man with an interest in Rose.
Des Moines
Father John Kyne was a young Indian boy when he was adopted by Lars Kyne to whose father, Holland Kyne, the Madders owed three favors. Now Kyne is a preacher in Des Moines.
Killian Vosbrough is the mayor. His family are the New York Vosbroughs, millionaires with a very bad reputation. Killian has a brother and a sister in Chicago and New York respectively. Hob and Sal are some of the men who work for him. Directly.
Lydia Daffin is the heiress to the Daffin Coal Company. Charles Evans Lowry is a real estate developer.
Sheriff Burchell, Deputy Greeley, and Mr. Peters (his daughter Florence is one of those taken) work as the town law enforcement. George Hensling claims that Father Kyne has gone nuts.
The previous mayor was Roy Atkinson. A man who refused to do immoral things.
Hays City, Kansas is…
…where Mae's coven lives on their farm. Miss Adaline, Margaret, and Sarah are part of that coven. Sweet Annie's Saloon is a bar and bordello. The elder Mr. Travis repairs watches. Miss Bucker runs a lending library. Mr. Davis is a tinker who gets drunk every evening.
Elbert Gregor ( Dead Iron , 1) was the blacksmith's son who had been kidnapped by Mr. Shunt whom Hunt killed in Tin Swift , 2. The Strange are "unholy creatures from myth and legend intent on killing good folk" who need to use our bodies to operate in our world. The Holder is a dangerous artifact that has been divided into seven pieces, and any one of those pieces could destroy our world.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a pale gray structural background with Cedar Hunt in his long brown duster, goggles pushed up on his head, his bandolier around his neck, his pistol in one hand, and a diving helmet lantern in the other. The title and author's name are in copper, cold copper.
The title is all about a cursed metal, one that sends people mad if they touch it. Trust me, Cold Copper will kill you.
February 18, 2015
Cold Copper was one of those books you just hate to see end! I mean it. I did not want to put it down. There’s so much more to come from this story, and yet, no information to be found on how long I’ll have to wait for Book 4 in this fantastic steampunk series. That makes me sad. I love every character in these books, except the horrifyingly scary Mr. Shunt, and I want to keep on reading and reading and reading.
Once again, I’m giving a book 5 stars for being so blasted entertaining and engaging, rather than for being profound literature. And you know what? I don’t care. When a book gives me this much pleasure, I really don’t care how it would rate next to the classics of literary history. There’s no law that says a book can’t be just plain fun, and all three of Devon Monk’s Age of Steam series have been exactly that. I may not have been able to get into her Allie Beckstrom books, but she has a fan for life with Dead Iron, Tin Swift and Cold Copper. And darn if I want to wait a year or so before I can find out what happens next to Cedar Hunt and crew.
Everything I want to say about this third book contains some sort of spoiler, so I’m seriously limited here. I’ll just say there is a lot more to these books than some steampunk I’ve read. More character development, more interesting plot lines, more wild and crazy machines, more magic, more curses, more secrets, more fun! I love the emphasis on the characters and how they have interwoven themselves into a family unit of sorts. And I positively adore the Tin Swift, the fastest airship in the west. Maybe in the world.
I recommend tossing any serious literature aside for a week or two, and climbing aboard for the ride of your life. You’ll love it, too! Now please, Devon Monk…write like a thing possessed, so I can find out what happens next. How am I to live for months and months with Cedar in this predicament, and knowing Mr. Shunt is at loose in the world again? Have a heart, for Glim’s sake! I’m not gettin’ any younger, here…………
Bookin' It
Once again, I’m giving a book 5 stars for being so blasted entertaining and engaging, rather than for being profound literature. And you know what? I don’t care. When a book gives me this much pleasure, I really don’t care how it would rate next to the classics of literary history. There’s no law that says a book can’t be just plain fun, and all three of Devon Monk’s Age of Steam series have been exactly that. I may not have been able to get into her Allie Beckstrom books, but she has a fan for life with Dead Iron, Tin Swift and Cold Copper. And darn if I want to wait a year or so before I can find out what happens next to Cedar Hunt and crew.
Everything I want to say about this third book contains some sort of spoiler, so I’m seriously limited here. I’ll just say there is a lot more to these books than some steampunk I’ve read. More character development, more interesting plot lines, more wild and crazy machines, more magic, more curses, more secrets, more fun! I love the emphasis on the characters and how they have interwoven themselves into a family unit of sorts. And I positively adore the Tin Swift, the fastest airship in the west. Maybe in the world.
I recommend tossing any serious literature aside for a week or two, and climbing aboard for the ride of your life. You’ll love it, too! Now please, Devon Monk…write like a thing possessed, so I can find out what happens next. How am I to live for months and months with Cedar in this predicament, and knowing Mr. Shunt is at loose in the world again? Have a heart, for Glim’s sake! I’m not gettin’ any younger, here…………
Bookin' It
July 3, 2013
Right now it’s about eighty-five degrees at my house, and there is a mockingbird singing somewhere outside, but the trek through the blizzard that opens Cold Copper, the third book in Devon Monk’s Age of Steam series, is so compelling that I feel like I’m walking through the snow with Cedar Hunt.
This series continues to thrill with the third installment.
Cedar Hunt is a bounty hunter. He was cursed by a Pawnee god; during the full moon he becomes a wolf. His brother Wil shares a similar curse, as a wolf who regains human form rarely. The god commanded them to hunt and eradicate the Strange, beings that travel here from another realm. We might call the Strange fairies.
Together with Mae Rowen, a witch; Rose Small, an orphan with strange abilities of her own; Sophie Dupius, a Strange-hunter; and the three enigmatic Madder brothers, Cedar searches for the ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
This series continues to thrill with the third installment.
Cedar Hunt is a bounty hunter. He was cursed by a Pawnee god; during the full moon he becomes a wolf. His brother Wil shares a similar curse, as a wolf who regains human form rarely. The god commanded them to hunt and eradicate the Strange, beings that travel here from another realm. We might call the Strange fairies.
Together with Mae Rowen, a witch; Rose Small, an orphan with strange abilities of her own; Sophie Dupius, a Strange-hunter; and the three enigmatic Madder brothers, Cedar searches for the ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
June 20, 2016
Argh, I need the next one!
RTC.
These covers are growing on me. They don't do this series justice, but they are very pretty.
Diving in...
RTC.
These covers are growing on me. They don't do this series justice, but they are very pretty.
Diving in...
April 15, 2022
Seems like the last book in the series .... and it ends with loads of loose ends. *sigh*
July 26, 2017
Basic Plot: The quest for the Holder takes Cedar Hunt and company to Des Moines, where they hunt missing children and discover a strange, new threat.
Any word on if Monk is going to write more of these or no? I really am disappointed that this is the last apparent book in this series.
The alternate history Monk has created is a lot of fun. I love the devisers and glim, the air ship pirates and Strange, the witches and the magic. I love the characters in the series. Not a one of them isn't fascinating, and we were finally just getting to hear a little bit about Wil and his personality. The coordination of the various factions in the plot of this book had to have taken some very careful planning, and its execution was well done. I really enjoyed this book.
It is really very unfortunate that there are no more of these books. Technically, by the end of the book the Holder is still not fully found. There are lots of loose ends left that could lead to a lot more adventures for these characters. I hope that Devon Monk is able some day to come back to this series. It's a lot of fun, and I think it would be worthwhile.
Any word on if Monk is going to write more of these or no? I really am disappointed that this is the last apparent book in this series.
The alternate history Monk has created is a lot of fun. I love the devisers and glim, the air ship pirates and Strange, the witches and the magic. I love the characters in the series. Not a one of them isn't fascinating, and we were finally just getting to hear a little bit about Wil and his personality. The coordination of the various factions in the plot of this book had to have taken some very careful planning, and its execution was well done. I really enjoyed this book.
It is really very unfortunate that there are no more of these books. Technically, by the end of the book the Holder is still not fully found. There are lots of loose ends left that could lead to a lot more adventures for these characters. I hope that Devon Monk is able some day to come back to this series. It's a lot of fun, and I think it would be worthwhile.
July 5, 2013
This book wavers between three and a half stars and four stars and I can't quite pin it down just yet. I think that my wanting to give it three and half stars stems from my disappointment over the things that I didn't get from this installment. After the way that the last book ended, I was hoping to get some more quality time with Cedar and Mae to see how that relationship was going to progress, if at all. And while there were some definite developments on that front, I felt that I needed more alone time with them to get there and that never really happened. Meanwhile, there is considerable time spent with Rose and Hinks and while I like them as characters just fine I'm not really all that invested in their relationship. It's just hard for me to buy that they were halfway to being in love in the last book, where they first met, considering that she was unconscious for most of the time. Plus, after meeting Rose in book one I was sort of hoping she'd be Wil's girl but that ended up not happening. But that brings me to the second thing that I was hoping for but didn't quite get. Or at least didn't get enough of it. Since book one, I've been wanting to get to know Wil better which, given the exact nature of his condition makes that tricky, I know, but still...
This book did pare down the POVs this time around which helped to keep the flow a bit more focused (I think the last book had too many). For the majority of the book we get the story from Cedar's and Rose's alternating POVs, with a handfull of Hinks chapters thrown in there at the end, which I didn't really think was all that necessary. I'd have preferred to get some chapters from Mae's POV instead but that goes along with my needing some more quality time with her in order to get to where she is in her relationship with Cedar. I want to know what she really feels.
All in all though, and with my not-quite-met expectations taken into consideration, it was still an enjoyable read. How about three and three quarter stars? ;)
This book did pare down the POVs this time around which helped to keep the flow a bit more focused (I think the last book had too many). For the majority of the book we get the story from Cedar's and Rose's alternating POVs, with a handfull of Hinks chapters thrown in there at the end, which I didn't really think was all that necessary. I'd have preferred to get some chapters from Mae's POV instead but that goes along with my needing some more quality time with her in order to get to where she is in her relationship with Cedar. I want to know what she really feels.
All in all though, and with my not-quite-met expectations taken into consideration, it was still an enjoyable read. How about three and three quarter stars? ;)
July 1, 2013
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
COLD COPPER is another exciting installment of the Age of Steam series with a solid mix of steampunk and supernatural elements. I liked how it almost felt like a thriller as the plot moved at a constant pace and there was an intensity of wondering what danger lurks on the next page for Cedar and his friends. It was also nice to see that the search for the Holder wasn’t dropped completely and brought up randomly at the end as an afterthought.
Along with various sorts of steampunk technology there are a lot of interesting paranormal aspects such as Cedar Hunt and his brother’s Pawnee god werewolf curse. The background for the curse is really fascinating and it is interesting to see a ‘shifter’ who doesn’t want to be one and works hard to find a way to fix himself. I loved Cedar’s brother Will though I wished he had more time as a human (he’s stuck in wolf form for most of the book) as he is is an extremely funny and charming character.
In COLD COPPER, Cedar Hunt and his friends have really become a family unit and it shows in their amusing banter and familial bickering. All of the characters are wonderfully written and each has their own truly unique and compelling backstory. I adored the Madder brothers and their abilities to create really bizarre objects and interact with stone in fantastical ways.
Like the Madder brothers the rest of the characters in COLD COPPER definitely had more mystical paranormal abilities than a lot of other steampunk books I’ve read which gave the story a more mysterious and even eerie tone. Filled with a combination of mysticism, steampunk technology, and adventure COLD COPPER is an excellent addition to the Age of Steam series. I am looking forward to what is in store next for Cedar Hunt and his friends.
Sexual content: references to sex
COLD COPPER is another exciting installment of the Age of Steam series with a solid mix of steampunk and supernatural elements. I liked how it almost felt like a thriller as the plot moved at a constant pace and there was an intensity of wondering what danger lurks on the next page for Cedar and his friends. It was also nice to see that the search for the Holder wasn’t dropped completely and brought up randomly at the end as an afterthought.
Along with various sorts of steampunk technology there are a lot of interesting paranormal aspects such as Cedar Hunt and his brother’s Pawnee god werewolf curse. The background for the curse is really fascinating and it is interesting to see a ‘shifter’ who doesn’t want to be one and works hard to find a way to fix himself. I loved Cedar’s brother Will though I wished he had more time as a human (he’s stuck in wolf form for most of the book) as he is is an extremely funny and charming character.
In COLD COPPER, Cedar Hunt and his friends have really become a family unit and it shows in their amusing banter and familial bickering. All of the characters are wonderfully written and each has their own truly unique and compelling backstory. I adored the Madder brothers and their abilities to create really bizarre objects and interact with stone in fantastical ways.
Like the Madder brothers the rest of the characters in COLD COPPER definitely had more mystical paranormal abilities than a lot of other steampunk books I’ve read which gave the story a more mysterious and even eerie tone. Filled with a combination of mysticism, steampunk technology, and adventure COLD COPPER is an excellent addition to the Age of Steam series. I am looking forward to what is in store next for Cedar Hunt and his friends.
Sexual content: references to sex
April 19, 2013
Oh My Gosh! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and loved every second I got to spend reading it. The continuing adventures of Cedar Hunt, his true love Mae, his brother Wil and their friends Hink, Rose and the Madder Brothers was so well written. It is an exciting installment in this series as the group battles the Strange around them and fight to find all the pieces of a mysterious weapon that has the potential to destroy everything, all while trying to maintain their sense of who they are and the family they've become. Thank you Devon Monk - you've done an amazing job creating this world and the people who live in it! My only problem is that this book won't be out until the summer - and I'm already dying to read the 4th novel in the series. But that's a good problem to have!
September 6, 2020
I'm sad to come to the end of the published series. I understand that the author intended at one point to move forward with the series I'm hoping someday it's picked up but I don't think that will be happening. That being said, I believe this Trilogy plus two short story are worth reading. It's really interesting different take on steampunk adding in some elements of myth magic and legend. I enjoy the characters and there are so many unanswered questions!
August 12, 2016
Excellent adventure with all the wonderful characters gathered together - mostly. I'm hoping their new friend stays with them for their future adventures and that someone notices soon that Cedar isn't quite as healthy as he should be.
October 24, 2016
I hope there are more books in this series. The story line leaves it open for more but also closes the first storyarc well. Nice interesting mix of steampunk, western and supernatural elements. A very entertaining read. Very recommended.
December 31, 2015
Very good 3rd opus of the series "The Age of Steam"... but damn! There's easily another set of 4 volumes that need to be written and not much of a hope to see one in 2016... Doh!!
November 10, 2020
When Cedar, Mae, Wil, Miss Dupuis and the Madder brothers arrive in Des Moines in the middle of a blizzard, they find themselves bound by an old promise the brothers made to the grandfather of a priest in that town, and must divert from their purpose of hunting down the Holder to deliver a favor owed. I wonder, however, nearly immediately if Monk is repeating a plot gimmick here from the first book, as it turns out that chasing down the children who went missing "after the star fell from the sky" is part and parcel of their quest to find the pieces of the ancient weapon, which wreak death and destruction wherever they land. Or, could it be that the nature of the Holder causes these sort of events, using weak young children to power its mischief? The jury is still out on that one.
Rose and Captain Hinks remain in Kansas, and their little bit of romantic paradise is rapidly put through the wringer when she catches the man she loves frequenting the local bordello. I suspect that all is not as it appears here, either, since Hinks is actually a U.S. Marshall, and it is likely that he is playing a role in pursuit of the president's investigation, and simply hasn't let her know, having been single far too long. Rose makes the acquaintance of a very charming fellow, Thomas Wicks, who lures her away to, of all places, a library, and may be able to give Hinks a run for his money in Rose's affections.
Oops, I was wrong about the number of books in this series. Near the end, when Cedar recovers another piece of the Holder, and says he has six left to find, the Madder brothers tell him that they have already found another shard.
We get a few more hints about the Madder brothers, and a new insight into orphan Rose's nature, and Monk plays some fun games with the literality of a binding promise, and see Cedar and Wil's curse lifted from them and born by another for a time (I could have said "by a spell for a spell", but that was just a bit too folksy, eh?).
Another plot device that seems to repeat here is that the chief antagonist in the novel is another powerful man who is bringing modernity to Des Moines, in the form of universal telegraph lines of "cold copper" which will join them with the entire nation, perhaps the world, and who is willing to do whatever it takes, no matter how evil, to accomplish his goals and to gain power for himself, Mayor Vosbrough. Perhaps there's a moral to the story arc of power corrupting, and technology enabling power to grow more rapidly than is "natural".
Nearly every chapter in this multi-threaded tale ends with a minor cliffhanger, leaving us with the desire to get back to that part of the story quickly, yet we are returned to the solution of an earlier dilemma from another plot thread. Monk is definitely at or near the top of her game these days. Hope she can maintain it for a good long time.
Rose and Captain Hinks remain in Kansas, and their little bit of romantic paradise is rapidly put through the wringer when she catches the man she loves frequenting the local bordello. I suspect that all is not as it appears here, either, since Hinks is actually a U.S. Marshall, and it is likely that he is playing a role in pursuit of the president's investigation, and simply hasn't let her know, having been single far too long. Rose makes the acquaintance of a very charming fellow, Thomas Wicks, who lures her away to, of all places, a library, and may be able to give Hinks a run for his money in Rose's affections.
Oops, I was wrong about the number of books in this series. Near the end, when Cedar recovers another piece of the Holder, and says he has six left to find, the Madder brothers tell him that they have already found another shard.
We get a few more hints about the Madder brothers, and a new insight into orphan Rose's nature, and Monk plays some fun games with the literality of a binding promise, and see Cedar and Wil's curse lifted from them and born by another for a time (I could have said "by a spell for a spell", but that was just a bit too folksy, eh?).
Another plot device that seems to repeat here is that the chief antagonist in the novel is another powerful man who is bringing modernity to Des Moines, in the form of universal telegraph lines of "cold copper" which will join them with the entire nation, perhaps the world, and who is willing to do whatever it takes, no matter how evil, to accomplish his goals and to gain power for himself, Mayor Vosbrough. Perhaps there's a moral to the story arc of power corrupting, and technology enabling power to grow more rapidly than is "natural".
Nearly every chapter in this multi-threaded tale ends with a minor cliffhanger, leaving us with the desire to get back to that part of the story quickly, yet we are returned to the solution of an earlier dilemma from another plot thread. Monk is definitely at or near the top of her game these days. Hope she can maintain it for a good long time.
October 7, 2017
Our Heroes continue their quest for the pieces of the magic Thingy To End All Thingies. This book has most of their time in Des Moines, dealing with various Bad Guys there.
This series has a lot going for it: good characters, interesting world-building, good plot, good writing.
This particular book carries through a lot of that. The Madder Brothers are great characters, and I'd love to see some books of just them. Rose, Cedar, and Hink are quite good characters, though Rose less so in this book. There are a few new characters that add to the book.
This book also had some less good aspects. A map of the town might have been nice, even a rough one. Things happened in various areas of town, and they muddled together after a bit. The Madders weren't taking the Big Villain seriously, so it was hard to be worried that he was much of a threat. Rose didn't really seem like the Rose I'd come to know from previous books, and I was less happy to read her chapters than I expected.
Overall, the biggest problem is that this felt like mid-writing version of the book. Not the first draft and not the final version. It really should have had at least one more editing and reviewing pass, if not two or three. I wanted to like this book more than I did, and it was primarily for this reason. Even with the huge to-read pile I have, I'd like to read the actual finished version of this book, rather than what was actually published.
This series has a lot going for it: good characters, interesting world-building, good plot, good writing.
This particular book carries through a lot of that. The Madder Brothers are great characters, and I'd love to see some books of just them. Rose, Cedar, and Hink are quite good characters, though Rose less so in this book. There are a few new characters that add to the book.
This book also had some less good aspects. A map of the town might have been nice, even a rough one. Things happened in various areas of town, and they muddled together after a bit. The Madders weren't taking the Big Villain seriously, so it was hard to be worried that he was much of a threat. Rose didn't really seem like the Rose I'd come to know from previous books, and I was less happy to read her chapters than I expected.
Overall, the biggest problem is that this felt like mid-writing version of the book. Not the first draft and not the final version. It really should have had at least one more editing and reviewing pass, if not two or three. I wanted to like this book more than I did, and it was primarily for this reason. Even with the huge to-read pile I have, I'd like to read the actual finished version of this book, rather than what was actually published.
February 8, 2021
I hadn't read the second book in this series, but that didn't hurt my enjoyment of reading his wonderful book.
Cedar Hunt (who's cursed as a werewolf) travels with Mae Lindson and the mysterious Madder brothers in search of a Holder, a device that is capable of massive destruction. They stop in Des Moines, Iowa, and instantly discover that something is not right there.
Cedar and allies alternate chapters with the exploits of Rose Small who wishes she joined her friends as they travel in search of the Holder, but finds herself in an adventure of her own involving technology unheard of in this Steampunk world.
I admit to initially not being font of the chapters dealing with Rose, but I quickly found her passages equally engaging. I knew that at some point the characters would reunite, and they do, and that's when things really begin to explode.
This book has fun characters, some solid supernatural scares--though I did find it difficult not to think of a classing 1984 horror-comedy at times, and there is some spectacular action sequences. This book delivers in every possible way and is further proof that Devon Monk is an author to follow. I highly recommend this book.
Cedar Hunt (who's cursed as a werewolf) travels with Mae Lindson and the mysterious Madder brothers in search of a Holder, a device that is capable of massive destruction. They stop in Des Moines, Iowa, and instantly discover that something is not right there.
Cedar and allies alternate chapters with the exploits of Rose Small who wishes she joined her friends as they travel in search of the Holder, but finds herself in an adventure of her own involving technology unheard of in this Steampunk world.
I admit to initially not being font of the chapters dealing with Rose, but I quickly found her passages equally engaging. I knew that at some point the characters would reunite, and they do, and that's when things really begin to explode.
This book has fun characters, some solid supernatural scares--though I did find it difficult not to think of a classing 1984 horror-comedy at times, and there is some spectacular action sequences. This book delivers in every possible way and is further proof that Devon Monk is an author to follow. I highly recommend this book.
March 20, 2017
This book was awesome. Just awesome. I wasn't sure where the story would go, but it took a fun turn and changed how I looked at the Strange. The story was divided up mostly between Cedar and Rose's POV's, which meant we were taken on two different adventures. It was great to see old characters and new, especially given how much I missed Hink. The action was steady and strong, and one point at the end caused me to lose a little sleep. It was that intense. The characters were just as loveable as always, and while I adore Cedar, I have to say that Rose stole the show. That girl is just amazing, and I love her strength, her curiosity and quirks. The romance was emotional and deep for both main characters, which I also really enjoyed. While the plot rounded out in the end, there were a lot of major questions left unanswered, including one MAJOR one that happened with Cedar. I'm hoping this means there will be more books (there HAVE to be, considering the epilogue ended with a "cliffhanger" that almost made me scream), because I love this series and have more questions. I want to know more about the world, the Strange, the curse, the witches, and I NEED more Cedar, Hink, Rose, Mae, Madders, and Wil in my life. I need them! Don't miss out on this book!
August 22, 2017
I liked this book, and it seemed well-written with a lot of engaging elements, but for some reason it still struck me as nothing special. I think that's more a case of it not being my cup of tea than anything else; it seemed well put together.
The story is set in an Old West American setting, with magic, airships, ghosts, and a quest to find a toxic magical artifact called the "Holder". The characters seemed likeable and lively enough, and there was a smattering of romance for readers who enjoy that. The story also moves along nicely.
This is the third book in a series, apparently, although there was literally nothing on the book cover to tell me that! Still, it summarized previous events well enough for me to understand the plot just fine. Despite my own tepid reaction, I'd recommend this as a nice little fantasy book with solid writing and some pretty fun elements. It didn't connect with me very well, but I do think it would for other readers.
The story is set in an Old West American setting, with magic, airships, ghosts, and a quest to find a toxic magical artifact called the "Holder". The characters seemed likeable and lively enough, and there was a smattering of romance for readers who enjoy that. The story also moves along nicely.
This is the third book in a series, apparently, although there was literally nothing on the book cover to tell me that! Still, it summarized previous events well enough for me to understand the plot just fine. Despite my own tepid reaction, I'd recommend this as a nice little fantasy book with solid writing and some pretty fun elements. It didn't connect with me very well, but I do think it would for other readers.
November 16, 2024
Book 3 of this increasingly interesting series has the reader following two story threads - in the last book, Cedar, Wil and Mae go off with the Madder brothers to continue finding the pieces of the Holder, and Rose remains with Captain Hink while his ship is being repaired. Their various adventures eventually land them in Des Moine, where something sinister seems to be going on with the Strange gathering in great numbers around the city, and there is a mystery of missing children. The mayor, Vosborough, is clearly hiding something as well.
There's a lot of action in this one, and several mysteries to work out. I'm really enjoying this series and am rather dismayed that the author has been diverted to writing other books instead of continuing this series. I do hope she gets back to finishing this one soon.
There's a lot of action in this one, and several mysteries to work out. I'm really enjoying this series and am rather dismayed that the author has been diverted to writing other books instead of continuing this series. I do hope she gets back to finishing this one soon.
November 20, 2018
The adventure continues! The characters continue to be a treat to follow and have grown and changed. Relationships aren't static and there's a few bait-and-switches. The plot thickens as more questions about the nature of the Madder brothers rises and the Strange, which up until this point have been the demon/evil fae/monster antagonists get more depth. The only downside is that while this book finishes its own little arc, it's clear that the story is supposed to continue and there are more loose ends than in "Dead Iron" and "Tin Swift." But so far there's no sign of the next novel. Here's hoping the story will eventually continue; I want to know what happens next!
August 26, 2020
Finally finished the 3.1 book series. I got so engrossed in the characters and their adventures I looked high and low to find the last book. The author continues the story through all the books superbly of the main characters and the the added ones that add even more intrigue and color to an already intricate plot line. My only have one regret is there doesn't seem ever to be anymore of this series :(
I would love for the author to restart this up again. In the mean time, I will have to start reading some of the other books she has out. If they are anything like Age of Steam series, they will be a joy to read, being sheltered in place and all now.
I would love for the author to restart this up again. In the mean time, I will have to start reading some of the other books she has out. If they are anything like Age of Steam series, they will be a joy to read, being sheltered in place and all now.
August 24, 2024
Is this the last of the series? First printing in 2013 and the author's quite prolific, but nothing else in this series is listed. Another review lists it as YA (O-kay) but whilst there's no sex or swearing (heaven forbid anyone should ever be naked (beneath their clothes) there was enough here to suggest it's not YA. (edit: just checked the author's site, and it says series on hold ...). There's quite a complex plot and set of interactions here (yay) so maybe she's concentrating on something with a wider demographic appeal ... but still a very consistent read with books 2 and 3, and quite fun, with a lot of potential for more in the series.
December 16, 2019
Another solid entry. My biggest problem with this book was the geography. Because they tried to go to Des Moines by going west from Kansas, and, umm, that's going to be an extremely long walk.....east would be way faster. And they did that another time. I know Iowa seems like this mysterious and exotic place, but....maps exist. Kansas and Des Moines are actually marked on most of them!
Apart from that, I like this world and hope there are more to come.
Apart from that, I like this world and hope there are more to come.
May 24, 2025
Is this the end? I feel like there is still more to this. There are still 3 pieces of holder left. I was left feeling unfinished with this story. there was a lot going on in this book and it concluded open ended. I have so many questions. But I guess maybe the series did not do well so the contract was not renewed? I did like the steampunk aspects to it. And the wild wild West of America was interesting too. Recommended to steampunk enthusist.
March 24, 2019
I thought this was a trilogy. No. I hope not! There is so much more to go thru...
March 25, 2019
Hmmm. A bit disappointing, that the Epilogue hints a more to come, while everything else is more or less wrapped up for the "good guys."
Read
April 3, 2021I decided not to finish this one since the story wasn't going anywhere and the reviews all said the series doesn't have a conclusion. The first book was really creepy. Too bad about this one.
November 17, 2021
Good book, unfortunately it seems the series reached an untimely end without completing the story. Not sure I can recommend the series based on that. But it was good while it lasted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews