What do you think?
Rate this book
Magnificent Devices #12
Fields of Gold
Book 12 in the Magnificent Devices steampunk series!
If a wedding won’t stop a war, what will?
Gloria Meriwether-Astor’s belief in doing the right thing has carried her across the world and through dangers that would have felled a lesser woman. She believed that if she married the dashing Captain Fremont, she could approach the Viceroy of the Royal Kingdom of Spain and the Californias with impunity. She could convince the prince to stop the war their fathers began, and then she could return to Philadelphia with her husband, her conscience clear at last. Sadly, belief and reality are two different things. The prince agrees to her proposal on one condition—that she annul her marriage and become his wife instead!
Every woman has a threshold she will not cross. Gloria has come to love her riverboat captain, and the price of peace is simply too high. But when the evil stalking the pleasant gardens of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa claims its victim, the time for belief is over and the time to act—daringly, outrageously—is at hand. Do the witches hold the key to a way out of this trap?
All Gloria has to do is take up the crown of roses and play for the highest stakes. All she has to do is become the iron dragon, and start a war of her own.
“It’s another excellent chapter in this ongoing epic adventure of this series. I love this world and the story of these excellent women and the saga will never end. No. It will not.” —Fangs for the Fantasy, on Fields of Iron
If a wedding won’t stop a war, what will?
Gloria Meriwether-Astor’s belief in doing the right thing has carried her across the world and through dangers that would have felled a lesser woman. She believed that if she married the dashing Captain Fremont, she could approach the Viceroy of the Royal Kingdom of Spain and the Californias with impunity. She could convince the prince to stop the war their fathers began, and then she could return to Philadelphia with her husband, her conscience clear at last. Sadly, belief and reality are two different things. The prince agrees to her proposal on one condition—that she annul her marriage and become his wife instead!
Every woman has a threshold she will not cross. Gloria has come to love her riverboat captain, and the price of peace is simply too high. But when the evil stalking the pleasant gardens of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa claims its victim, the time for belief is over and the time to act—daringly, outrageously—is at hand. Do the witches hold the key to a way out of this trap?
All Gloria has to do is take up the crown of roses and play for the highest stakes. All she has to do is become the iron dragon, and start a war of her own.
“It’s another excellent chapter in this ongoing epic adventure of this series. I love this world and the story of these excellent women and the saga will never end. No. It will not.” —Fangs for the Fantasy, on Fields of Iron
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2017
57 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Adina
91 books628 followersShelley Adina is the author of 24 novels published by Harlequin, Warner, and Hachette, and a dozen more published by Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press. She writes steampunk and contemporary romance as Shelley Adina, and as Adina Senft, writes Amish women’s fiction. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She won RWA’s RITA Award® in 2005, and was a finalist in 2006. When she’s not writing, Shelley is usually quilting, sewing historical costumes, or hanging out in the garden with her flock of rescued chickens.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 23, 2018
A good ending to the series. Very easy reading
August 12, 2019
This was an amazing series! I listened to the audiobooks one right after the other. I'm so sad it's over already. : ( I'm going to miss Lady Claire and her crew of orphans. Captain Holly's even grew on me after a while. lol If you like Victorian steampunk, you need to pick up this series right now.
October 5, 2017
What kept this series going is the dialogue and the character development, Plot? Not So much. It was stretched a bit thin and became rather inevitable. Still, a good series and I love that it features strong females making good choices!
May 29, 2017
It's been a fun journey these past four years, ever since I randomly stumbled on Book #1, Lady of Devices offered for free as a promo. I have happily paid for all eleven books in the rest of the series. This afternoon I finished the final book, Fields of Gold (though Shelley Adina, lovely and kind woman that she is, left me a glimmer of anticipation at the end).
I've enjoyed watching Lady Claire learn about life, responsibilities and the meaning of being part of a flock, and perhaps even moreso have been fascinated by Gloria Meriweather-Astor, who has become one of the most breathtaking examples of strength and courage, as well as a fine inspiration for the power of Girl Power! She's a marvelous character that younger readers should learn more about - as well as us grown-ups, too. It's never too late to blossom like a rose.
I've enjoyed watching Lady Claire learn about life, responsibilities and the meaning of being part of a flock, and perhaps even moreso have been fascinated by Gloria Meriweather-Astor, who has become one of the most breathtaking examples of strength and courage, as well as a fine inspiration for the power of Girl Power! She's a marvelous character that younger readers should learn more about - as well as us grown-ups, too. It's never too late to blossom like a rose.
December 29, 2022
Evan is in prison with Joe, who knows the California tongue well, and Gloria's nemesis, the man from Walsingham who kidnapped her as bait to capture her father in a previous tale, and a man they nickname "Dutch," as his short term memory is shot from a blow to the temple. Initially speaking 9nly German, he soon recalls English and his considerable engineering skills, but by the time he leaves his friends and former prisoners, he has not regained his memory.
Gloria is, for better or worse, up to her eyebrows in intrigue. First, she has decided that she loves Stan, wants to stay married to him, and that the basis of the proposed annulment should be remedied forthwith...so she and Stan do so with fervency. Then, after she reveals this to the Viceroy, he soon afterwards collapses and cannot be roused. Joe, along as a translator foe Evan, whose dream interpreting expertise with the prison commander has led him to meet the prince for that same purpose, looks so much like the prince, and the prince is so close to death, that they switch places, go through with the sham engagement and the annulment, while Evan and Stan take the true prince with them to the witches - who alone can help resrore him. Isabela, the youngest daughter of their host, gets them a horse and cart, and steals a kiss from Evan. For both, it is a first, and an earthshattering one, and so they try it twice more before she helps them rescue her prince. She also tells Evan what she saw one of the physicians up to and shows what he dropped on the floor in his haste to leave - which tells Evan the true danger the prince is in and guides his treatment by the witches. The 3 ladies help make Joe look worse, to match the prince, and then progressively better. Joe and Gloria have use her unexplained dizziness and nausea to delay a return to the Ambassador's stronghold in the capital - then Ella and Isabela realize what is really wrong with her. As they tell her, it only takes one time. Gloria learns a very interesting fact about Joe. And Joe, as the Prince, institutes as many reforms as he can by fiat before the warlike Ambassador illegally declares himself regent and his prince insane, controlled by a witch, and a traitor. And so, Gloria has averted an invasion of the Texican territories only to cause a civil war in its stead.
As the dam forces more and more from their homes and the storerooms are moved ever upward, something ends the whole "dam" thing, and the airship helps fly the injured to help in hours, as El Gigante, piloted by Evan and Stan, rescues those in the water and those who can't flee it in time. Once the "Regent" is in command in the capital, the order allowing airships is rescinded - what a shame for the regent that this one lifts into protected airspace before he knows it is there, before his commander can stop them.
Meanwhile, before this, Benny & Jake had made repairing "Swan" their life's work, and emptying their cargo of mechanical, armed horses and jaguars onto the mesa - where Mai Lin and her fellow engineers put them together and learn how to use them, teaxhing the now-recovered prince. With El Gigante on their side, the recovered prince at the head of their army of painted, skull-like witches, mounted on armed mechanical horses and jaguars, and "Swan" awkwardly but functionally back in the air, can the prince, helped by Joe as his standin, win the day and end the bloodthirsty and greedy Ambassador's tricks once and for all? Will Stan and Gloria get to have a remarriage wedding? Will Joe be a hero or to blame for usurping the throne? And since the prince seems to like smart, beautiful women, has one caught his eye among Las Brujas? Will those 3 kisses and his help with El Gigante mean Evan can stay for more kisses and maybe a wedding to a smart girl who makes herself appear harmlessly air-brained to fool others? And just why do the red roses Gloria wears on her clothes or in her hair, infuriate the ambassador, and why does he look askance at women wearing red roses in their hair, or embroidered onto their clothes? How are secret messages transmitted quickly and armies held up, reduced in size, and more?
Gloria is, for better or worse, up to her eyebrows in intrigue. First, she has decided that she loves Stan, wants to stay married to him, and that the basis of the proposed annulment should be remedied forthwith...so she and Stan do so with fervency. Then, after she reveals this to the Viceroy, he soon afterwards collapses and cannot be roused. Joe, along as a translator foe Evan, whose dream interpreting expertise with the prison commander has led him to meet the prince for that same purpose, looks so much like the prince, and the prince is so close to death, that they switch places, go through with the sham engagement and the annulment, while Evan and Stan take the true prince with them to the witches - who alone can help resrore him. Isabela, the youngest daughter of their host, gets them a horse and cart, and steals a kiss from Evan. For both, it is a first, and an earthshattering one, and so they try it twice more before she helps them rescue her prince. She also tells Evan what she saw one of the physicians up to and shows what he dropped on the floor in his haste to leave - which tells Evan the true danger the prince is in and guides his treatment by the witches. The 3 ladies help make Joe look worse, to match the prince, and then progressively better. Joe and Gloria have use her unexplained dizziness and nausea to delay a return to the Ambassador's stronghold in the capital - then Ella and Isabela realize what is really wrong with her. As they tell her, it only takes one time. Gloria learns a very interesting fact about Joe. And Joe, as the Prince, institutes as many reforms as he can by fiat before the warlike Ambassador illegally declares himself regent and his prince insane, controlled by a witch, and a traitor. And so, Gloria has averted an invasion of the Texican territories only to cause a civil war in its stead.
As the dam forces more and more from their homes and the storerooms are moved ever upward, something ends the whole "dam" thing, and the airship helps fly the injured to help in hours, as El Gigante, piloted by Evan and Stan, rescues those in the water and those who can't flee it in time. Once the "Regent" is in command in the capital, the order allowing airships is rescinded - what a shame for the regent that this one lifts into protected airspace before he knows it is there, before his commander can stop them.
Meanwhile, before this, Benny & Jake had made repairing "Swan" their life's work, and emptying their cargo of mechanical, armed horses and jaguars onto the mesa - where Mai Lin and her fellow engineers put them together and learn how to use them, teaxhing the now-recovered prince. With El Gigante on their side, the recovered prince at the head of their army of painted, skull-like witches, mounted on armed mechanical horses and jaguars, and "Swan" awkwardly but functionally back in the air, can the prince, helped by Joe as his standin, win the day and end the bloodthirsty and greedy Ambassador's tricks once and for all? Will Stan and Gloria get to have a remarriage wedding? Will Joe be a hero or to blame for usurping the throne? And since the prince seems to like smart, beautiful women, has one caught his eye among Las Brujas? Will those 3 kisses and his help with El Gigante mean Evan can stay for more kisses and maybe a wedding to a smart girl who makes herself appear harmlessly air-brained to fool others? And just why do the red roses Gloria wears on her clothes or in her hair, infuriate the ambassador, and why does he look askance at women wearing red roses in their hair, or embroidered onto their clothes? How are secret messages transmitted quickly and armies held up, reduced in size, and more?
October 17, 2018
One of the most interesting characters in author Shelley Adina's "Magnificent Devices" series of Steampunk novels is Gloria Meriwether-Astor.
When readers first encounter her she is an arrogant, wealthy, prissy, self-involved, and hugely entitled student at an exclusive London boarding school for young women.
Watching her transform from that fairly loathsome character into a trusted friend of Lady Claire Trevelyan over the course of a dozen novels has been a real delight even though she is a relatively minor character in the grand narrative of the series.
"Fields of Gold" changes that narrative for this is a novel all about Gloria and her transformation from trusted friend to a heroine in her own right as she attempts to avert a bloody war. It's a novel full of intrigue, courage in the face of real danger, deceptions both large and small, and - as always - it is a story about clever, strong women doing what's right.
I'm a big fan of the entire series and, as someone who has written a Steampunk novel, I am especially grateful to Adina for focusing on characters rather than whiz-bang gadgetry.
(Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of steam-powered gadgets in the entire series, but they are not the stars of the novels. Rather, they are - like good CGI in movies - props that help to enrich the story, not dominate it.)
I won't go deeply into the plot because that would spoil the story for those that have not yet read it. I will say, however, that in "Fields of Gold" Gloria is asked to annul her recent marriage in order to marry a Spanish nobleman. Doing so, she is told, is the only way to avert a disastrous war between the viceregality of California and the Texican Territory of southwestern America - an America that never declared independence from Great Britain.
Is her desire for peace strong enough to do this?
Has her character, in fact, evolved to the point that this formerly arrogant teenager would even consider such a step to save the lives of thousands of people she does not know or have any allegiance to?
You'll have to read this engaging, well-plotted novel to find out.
When readers first encounter her she is an arrogant, wealthy, prissy, self-involved, and hugely entitled student at an exclusive London boarding school for young women.
Watching her transform from that fairly loathsome character into a trusted friend of Lady Claire Trevelyan over the course of a dozen novels has been a real delight even though she is a relatively minor character in the grand narrative of the series.
"Fields of Gold" changes that narrative for this is a novel all about Gloria and her transformation from trusted friend to a heroine in her own right as she attempts to avert a bloody war. It's a novel full of intrigue, courage in the face of real danger, deceptions both large and small, and - as always - it is a story about clever, strong women doing what's right.
I'm a big fan of the entire series and, as someone who has written a Steampunk novel, I am especially grateful to Adina for focusing on characters rather than whiz-bang gadgetry.
(Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of steam-powered gadgets in the entire series, but they are not the stars of the novels. Rather, they are - like good CGI in movies - props that help to enrich the story, not dominate it.)
I won't go deeply into the plot because that would spoil the story for those that have not yet read it. I will say, however, that in "Fields of Gold" Gloria is asked to annul her recent marriage in order to marry a Spanish nobleman. Doing so, she is told, is the only way to avert a disastrous war between the viceregality of California and the Texican Territory of southwestern America - an America that never declared independence from Great Britain.
Is her desire for peace strong enough to do this?
Has her character, in fact, evolved to the point that this formerly arrogant teenager would even consider such a step to save the lives of thousands of people she does not know or have any allegiance to?
You'll have to read this engaging, well-plotted novel to find out.
April 19, 2020
My first impression of the first book in this universe, "A Lady Of Devices," was so-so. It was interesting and fairly well written, but a trifle fluffy. It also felt unfinished, because the bigger story was still to be told. It was several years before I re-read it and decided that it was worth my time and money to read the rest of the series. I'm glad I did, because until now I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Claire and her friends.
A good author always leaves their readers wanting more, which Adina has done well with Claire despite bringing that character to a logical end of her narrative. I'm not convinced that pulling out other characters to run around in this admittedly fun universe is a good idea, though.
The trouble with having such a strong, lovable character as Claire is that the character and world become inexorably linked. I'm simply not that interested in reading about characters other than Claire now that her main conflicts have been resolved. I tolerated Gloria as a heroine, but she never really fit in that role.
Frankly, this story seems like a highly contrived reason to stay in the universe created for Claire et al. The sample of the next book feels even more so, despite the careful setup of Dutch in the last novel. If the series was structured more like, say Agatha Christie's Poiriot, Miss Marple, or Tommy and Tuppence (I always wished she'd written more of those stories) or even Conan Doyle's Holmes, it would make sense to stay in this world. Unfortunately, it feels like this universe has been developed to its full potential. Staying here feels like a way to sell more books, rather than a narrative written for its own sake. New heroines are just Claire with slightly different descriptions.
What it all boils down to is that Claire was an excellent, strong character it was easy to love. So strong a character, in fact, that she defines the narrative universe. Gloria has been a good successor, since Claire's conflicts are now pretty much resolved... But she's not Claire. And now Gloria's conflicts are resolved, as well. The next book leaves me with a heroine who isn't Claire and isn't Gloria, and that's just too many iterations of the same fundamental character template. I don't think this formula would work that well even with the Mopsies as main characters. Sadly, it's time to bring this world to its logical conclusion.I
-Matt
A good author always leaves their readers wanting more, which Adina has done well with Claire despite bringing that character to a logical end of her narrative. I'm not convinced that pulling out other characters to run around in this admittedly fun universe is a good idea, though.
The trouble with having such a strong, lovable character as Claire is that the character and world become inexorably linked. I'm simply not that interested in reading about characters other than Claire now that her main conflicts have been resolved. I tolerated Gloria as a heroine, but she never really fit in that role.
Frankly, this story seems like a highly contrived reason to stay in the universe created for Claire et al. The sample of the next book feels even more so, despite the careful setup of Dutch in the last novel. If the series was structured more like, say Agatha Christie's Poiriot, Miss Marple, or Tommy and Tuppence (I always wished she'd written more of those stories) or even Conan Doyle's Holmes, it would make sense to stay in this world. Unfortunately, it feels like this universe has been developed to its full potential. Staying here feels like a way to sell more books, rather than a narrative written for its own sake. New heroines are just Claire with slightly different descriptions.
What it all boils down to is that Claire was an excellent, strong character it was easy to love. So strong a character, in fact, that she defines the narrative universe. Gloria has been a good successor, since Claire's conflicts are now pretty much resolved... But she's not Claire. And now Gloria's conflicts are resolved, as well. The next book leaves me with a heroine who isn't Claire and isn't Gloria, and that's just too many iterations of the same fundamental character template. I don't think this formula would work that well even with the Mopsies as main characters. Sadly, it's time to bring this world to its logical conclusion.I
-Matt
November 28, 2017
Sadly, this is the last book in the Magnificent Devices series. However, apparently the author is starting a new series to pick up where this one leaves off. Probably it will be worth waiting for.
This one picks up where the last one left off, with Gloria and Captain Stan going in to see the Viceroy to tell him that their marriage can’t be annulled to suit him after all. Unfortunately, as soon as he hears this, he passes out. Apparently, the level of poison in his body is reaching critical proportions. Gloria and her friends need to get him somewhere away from the scheming members of his court – without them finding out.
Then somebody notices that Joe – who is really Honoria – looks just like the Viceroy. It turns out that she is his half-sister. She is also the daughter of one of the Brujas witches, and has been going about in disguise as a boy for quite a while. With some difficulty Evan and Stan take the Viceroy back to the Witches’ home in the cliffs leaving Gloria, Honoria, and Ella with the more dangerous game of pretending to be the Viceroy, his fiancée and her servant. As soon as the ambassador finds out that the supposed Viceroy plans to call off the war in favor of expanded trade with their Texican neighbors, he declares himself the lawful ruler and declares war himself.
It’s difficult to see how the friends are going to get out of this one, but with some help they manage to pull it off.
This one picks up where the last one left off, with Gloria and Captain Stan going in to see the Viceroy to tell him that their marriage can’t be annulled to suit him after all. Unfortunately, as soon as he hears this, he passes out. Apparently, the level of poison in his body is reaching critical proportions. Gloria and her friends need to get him somewhere away from the scheming members of his court – without them finding out.
Then somebody notices that Joe – who is really Honoria – looks just like the Viceroy. It turns out that she is his half-sister. She is also the daughter of one of the Brujas witches, and has been going about in disguise as a boy for quite a while. With some difficulty Evan and Stan take the Viceroy back to the Witches’ home in the cliffs leaving Gloria, Honoria, and Ella with the more dangerous game of pretending to be the Viceroy, his fiancée and her servant. As soon as the ambassador finds out that the supposed Viceroy plans to call off the war in favor of expanded trade with their Texican neighbors, he declares himself the lawful ruler and declares war himself.
It’s difficult to see how the friends are going to get out of this one, but with some help they manage to pull it off.
March 17, 2019
Good gracious, I'm so glad I already had this book when I finished book 11! It would have been awful to have to wait for it to come out.
Shelley Adina, and this series particularly, can be counted on to deliver in every possible way. You will never want for action, adventure, romance, loyalty to the end, and not to be overlooked, mechanical curiosities.
Gloria's fate hangs in the balance, along with that of the Texicans and Californios - their only hope a plan so outlandish only those who have been part of The Lady's Flock could pull it off. The story is so action-packed and so fast-paced, I can't say much without giving the plot away. Suffice it to say I was breathlessly turning pages most of the way.
I can't get enough of this series. I was very sad to think it was over, but glad to see that the spin-off series, Mysterious Devices will continue this world and these wonderful characters!
Shelley Adina, and this series particularly, can be counted on to deliver in every possible way. You will never want for action, adventure, romance, loyalty to the end, and not to be overlooked, mechanical curiosities.
Gloria's fate hangs in the balance, along with that of the Texicans and Californios - their only hope a plan so outlandish only those who have been part of The Lady's Flock could pull it off. The story is so action-packed and so fast-paced, I can't say much without giving the plot away. Suffice it to say I was breathlessly turning pages most of the way.
I can't get enough of this series. I was very sad to think it was over, but glad to see that the spin-off series, Mysterious Devices will continue this world and these wonderful characters!
May 4, 2017
I've been a fan of the MD series since first discovering it, but this book definitely has just about every element you could possibly want in a book: great story and writing? Check! Fab characters that jump off the page? Check? Action, adventure, intrigue, twists and turns? Check! Steampunk elements? Check! Love and friendship that triumphs (but isn't too soppy!)? Check! A baddy who does dastardly deeds, tries to start a war, and who must be defeated? Check! See? Everything you could want - there's even a handsome prince! A truly excellent book, a brilliant instalment in the series, and a thrilling read from beginning to end.
This is the last of the current books in the Magnificent Devices series (*sob*), so I'm praying hard that Shelley Adina either finds lots of spin-off adventures or an equally awesome series to write... Or both! Fingers crossed!!
This is the last of the current books in the Magnificent Devices series (*sob*), so I'm praying hard that Shelley Adina either finds lots of spin-off adventures or an equally awesome series to write... Or both! Fingers crossed!!
May 15, 2017
3.5 stars
Gloria is in a tight spot, in love with her husband while a prince is in love with her; and she could stop the brewing war by simply annulling the marriage and instead marry the prince. Just because Gloria has two men in love with her it doesn't mean Evan is out of the picture; he still pines away for Gloria. What is a girl to do?
The tale continues with the plot snaking towards an end with betrayal, love, secrets, more love, stolen kisses, unexpected surprises, the lost who are found, explosions, guns blazing and more love. Whew! In other words, just what you have come to expect in a Magnificent Devices book.
To read the full review go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
Gloria is in a tight spot, in love with her husband while a prince is in love with her; and she could stop the brewing war by simply annulling the marriage and instead marry the prince. Just because Gloria has two men in love with her it doesn't mean Evan is out of the picture; he still pines away for Gloria. What is a girl to do?
The tale continues with the plot snaking towards an end with betrayal, love, secrets, more love, stolen kisses, unexpected surprises, the lost who are found, explosions, guns blazing and more love. Whew! In other words, just what you have come to expect in a Magnificent Devices book.
To read the full review go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
February 4, 2018
Once again in this series, this book gets 3.5 stars. For a while I was wondering if everything was actually going to get wrapped up or if we had more MD books to come, but things did get wrapped up and with happy endings. Some we expected, some we hoped for and some were a surprise. One character who didn't think they could ever achieve anything of value ends up with a very happy end and a bright future (Evan).
At the end we get a preview for a new off-shoot series that Shelly is writing and she teases us that we will have cameos of some of our favorite characters from MD, but it looks like it will mainly take place in the colonies & Texican territories and I haven't been as enthused with these settings as when we were in England, so I may not venture into them.
At the end we get a preview for a new off-shoot series that Shelly is writing and she teases us that we will have cameos of some of our favorite characters from MD, but it looks like it will mainly take place in the colonies & Texican territories and I haven't been as enthused with these settings as when we were in England, so I may not venture into them.
September 14, 2017
I did like how this book ended, but the getting there was not quite as a expected.
It appears that the author has decided to do as many have been doing lately and add in certain almost token characters and spice it up. This was not typically of her earlier writing. I have enjoyed the series immensely over the years, but I don't know if this is a turn for the author. It was still enjoyable and I like the book, but it is slightly off. Perhaps she has decided to take her writing into a new direction. I just don't know how well that will bode in the future.
It appears that the author has decided to do as many have been doing lately and add in certain almost token characters and spice it up. This was not typically of her earlier writing. I have enjoyed the series immensely over the years, but I don't know if this is a turn for the author. It was still enjoyable and I like the book, but it is slightly off. Perhaps she has decided to take her writing into a new direction. I just don't know how well that will bode in the future.
July 28, 2017
So good to catch up with old friends!
I was introduced to the magnificent devices world with the first book, and followed the adventures of Claire and her little band of misfits as they matured. This is a satisfying end to the series, with disguises and treachery and roses, and happiness all around. You should be familiar with the earlier books, though, in order to get the
Most out of this one.
I was introduced to the magnificent devices world with the first book, and followed the adventures of Claire and her little band of misfits as they matured. This is a satisfying end to the series, with disguises and treachery and roses, and happiness all around. You should be familiar with the earlier books, though, in order to get the
Most out of this one.
April 9, 2021
I listened to this in audio, and as usual the narration was great. But the story for me was just okay. As the last book in the series (although there's a spinoff) I found myself longing for the characters who were featured in the early books: Claire (the Lady), the Mopsies, and the rest. Gloria just never worked for me as the lead character.
I'm certain I'll go back and listen to the series again at some point, but I believe I'll skip the last few books featuring Gloria.
I'm certain I'll go back and listen to the series again at some point, but I believe I'll skip the last few books featuring Gloria.
February 19, 2020
Just like all the other books in the magnificent devices series, it was a really good read and a book I cannot put down. Although there are twists in the book that I was able to see coming, I am still enjoying the read despite seeing these plot twists coming. I just get lost in the Magnificent Devices world and every read leaves me wanting for more.
July 24, 2023
82%
So that was pretty cool all of a sudden she becomes pregnant because she had to anull her marriage oh wait no she was only supposed to have sex oh no!
The witches and the drama at the end were the coolest things to me I mean it was okay that we had the character development and talks along the way but I found that pretty bland.
So that was pretty cool all of a sudden she becomes pregnant because she had to anull her marriage oh wait no she was only supposed to have sex oh no!
The witches and the drama at the end were the coolest things to me I mean it was okay that we had the character development and talks along the way but I found that pretty bland.
August 10, 2017
Great series!
This has been a great advantage! Starting the The Lady and ending with a Prince. Now we must find out what happens to all friends. Can't wait to enjoy the next book on lat 2017.
This has been a great advantage! Starting the The Lady and ending with a Prince. Now we must find out what happens to all friends. Can't wait to enjoy the next book on lat 2017.
February 15, 2018
great series!!!
I love steampunk, and this entire series was awesome! Great characters, good mysteries, great imagery!!! I ended buying all of them because I couldn't wait for the next adventure!
I love steampunk, and this entire series was awesome! Great characters, good mysteries, great imagery!!! I ended buying all of them because I couldn't wait for the next adventure!
November 7, 2019
Brilliant end to Gloria's adventures
Fun and satisfying story. Lots of female empowerment and witches but nice to see Evan have his day too. Just a shame that yet again in literature one sexual encounter leads to a baby.
Fun and satisfying story. Lots of female empowerment and witches but nice to see Evan have his day too. Just a shame that yet again in literature one sexual encounter leads to a baby.
June 14, 2017
A most enjoyable conclusion to this series. Plenty of excitement and interpersonal relationships. I'm looking forward to getting to know Daisy Linden in the new series!
September 22, 2017
Fun adventure series. Witty writing. Strong female characters.
March 1, 2020
Absolutely impossible
But a fabulous story none-the-less. I'm really enjoying this series improbable thkilugh it is, as the characters are so well written.
But a fabulous story none-the-less. I'm really enjoying this series improbable thkilugh it is, as the characters are so well written.
December 3, 2022
A satisfying conclusion to the series.
May 22, 2017
Amazing fun
I love this entire series, with its strong women, loving alliances, and people changed for the better by love. This final entry is a fitting climax in all the best ways.
I love this entire series, with its strong women, loving alliances, and people changed for the better by love. This final entry is a fitting climax in all the best ways.
July 21, 2017
I started reading this with excitement and trepidation. I knew this was going to be the last in the series (even though the author has promised some spin offs, this will be the end for the major characters we have grown accustomed to) and that brings it own sadness to the book. But I was determined to enjoy the conclusion and see how everything turned out for the gang.
I feel like some of the strings were more hastily tied then others, though. As usual the hi-jinks are high and the risks grand, which keeps the story moving and action-packed, but the actual development of characters and story were rushed in parts while dragging through some tedious scenery in others.
The foreshadowing was pretty heavy and obvious of where the story would be ending and I was guessed right on all accounts. It turns out the fields were not made of gold for me. Again, I was disappointed by an author trying to be modern and the book ended up a little too preachy for my tastes.
I am aware this is a story about war and rebellion and finding peace amongst all that violence and chaos. There are going to be some strong opinions and these have always been characters of strong (and often loud) character -- you wouldn't have the tension that makes reading worth anything otherwise -- but the soapbox was full and loud this go around.
I won't be recommending this trilogy of the series to anyone, but I will recommend readers enjoy the Lady of Devices and her Mopsies. They are a bright spot in steampunk. I might even still consider the spin off series that is mentioned at the very end, where we finally get to find out who Dutch is, but I have to admit I am very unsure if I will or won't at this time.
I feel like some of the strings were more hastily tied then others, though. As usual the hi-jinks are high and the risks grand, which keeps the story moving and action-packed, but the actual development of characters and story were rushed in parts while dragging through some tedious scenery in others.
The foreshadowing was pretty heavy and obvious of where the story would be ending and I was guessed right on all accounts. It turns out the fields were not made of gold for me. Again, I was disappointed by an author trying to be modern and the book ended up a little too preachy for my tastes.
I am aware this is a story about war and rebellion and finding peace amongst all that violence and chaos. There are going to be some strong opinions and these have always been characters of strong (and often loud) character -- you wouldn't have the tension that makes reading worth anything otherwise -- but the soapbox was full and loud this go around.
I won't be recommending this trilogy of the series to anyone, but I will recommend readers enjoy the Lady of Devices and her Mopsies. They are a bright spot in steampunk. I might even still consider the spin off series that is mentioned at the very end, where we finally get to find out who Dutch is, but I have to admit I am very unsure if I will or won't at this time.
December 25, 2019
I have enjoyed this series so much, I was sad to see the last book come. I must admit I wasn't sure I wanted to finish it when a strange plot twist appeared in the early part of the story. I found it a bit too hard to believe and felt a bit irritated by it. But of course, I had to finish to see how it all turned out. I knocked it down a star this time, took way too long to finish because I was so annoyed with the ridiculous plot twist and miraculous transformation of Gloria into a hero.
Continuation of the plot that takes place in the Fifteen Colonies and we see Alice and Ian along with their two shipmates; Evan who is being detained by the Californios; the Witches Gloria met in the last book and her trip to the capital to meet with the Viceroy on which she attempts to be a new wife to Captain Fremont.
We are left with an epilogue that starts the new spin off series which there are three books in so far. Re-read this to help me remember how they are connected.
Continuation of the plot that takes place in the Fifteen Colonies and we see Alice and Ian along with their two shipmates; Evan who is being detained by the Californios; the Witches Gloria met in the last book and her trip to the capital to meet with the Viceroy on which she attempts to be a new wife to Captain Fremont.
We are left with an epilogue that starts the new spin off series which there are three books in so far. Re-read this to help me remember how they are connected.
June 9, 2023
Wondrous Ending to the Series
Gloria and company take on the politics of las brujas, the Californios, and their own feelings in this last saga of the Magnificent Devices series.
I was not disappointed by their heroics, and would dearly love to see these characters continue their adventuring. The ending was satisfying though, and to say more would require spoilers.
This whole series will stay close at hand for probable future re-reading.
Gloria and company take on the politics of las brujas, the Californios, and their own feelings in this last saga of the Magnificent Devices series.
I was not disappointed by their heroics, and would dearly love to see these characters continue their adventuring. The ending was satisfying though, and to say more would require spoilers.
This whole series will stay close at hand for probable future re-reading.
December 8, 2025
This is the twelfth book in the series, and in this book Gloria and her captain travel all the way to Mexico to stop the coming war. The steampunk setting is very good, and the characters are well written and very realistic. I have enjoyed this series quite a lot, but as I've been bringing the books I feel I've had my fill of this world for now. Maybe I'll pick up the rest of the books at a future time.
August 14, 2025
Read AUDIBLE
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews