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Magic & Steam #2
The Gangster
1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton, magic caster for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, has recovered from injuries obtained while in Shallow Grave, Arizona. Now back in New York City, Gillian makes an arrest on New Year’s Eve that leads to information on a gangster, known only as Tick Tock, who’s perfected utilizing elemental magic ammunition. This report complicates Gillian’s holiday plans, specifically those with infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly, who promised they’d ring in 1882 together.
The two men stand on the cusp of a romance that needs to be explored intimately and privately. But when Gillian’s residence is broken into by a magical mechanical man who tries to murder him on behalf of Tick Tock, he and Gunner must immediately investigate the city’s ruthless street gangs before the illegal magic becomes a threat that cannot be contained.
This might be their most wild adventure yet, but criminal undergrounds can’t compare to the dangers of the heart. Gillian must balance his career in law enforcement with his love for a vigilante, or lose both entirely.
The novel-length follow-up to The Engineer, in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.
The two men stand on the cusp of a romance that needs to be explored intimately and privately. But when Gillian’s residence is broken into by a magical mechanical man who tries to murder him on behalf of Tick Tock, he and Gunner must immediately investigate the city’s ruthless street gangs before the illegal magic becomes a threat that cannot be contained.
This might be their most wild adventure yet, but criminal undergrounds can’t compare to the dangers of the heart. Gillian must balance his career in law enforcement with his love for a vigilante, or lose both entirely.
The novel-length follow-up to The Engineer, in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2021
52 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Poe
41 books1,291 followersC.S. Poe is an author of gay mystery, romance, and speculative fiction. She’s a winner of the Next Generation and e-Lit book awards, as well as a finalist of the Lambda Literary award.
She resides in New York City and is a Gilded Age New York historian and board director for the Victorian Society of New York. She loves Romanticism artwork, the films of Buster Keaton, coffee in the morning and whiskey in the evening, true crime, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.
C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.
Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.
cspoe.com
She resides in New York City and is a Gilded Age New York historian and board director for the Victorian Society of New York. She loves Romanticism artwork, the films of Buster Keaton, coffee in the morning and whiskey in the evening, true crime, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.
C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.
Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.
cspoe.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 14, 2025
Wow, my goodness ...
So, a recommendation, it's probably good to read this series in one go and only when the last book is published.
This second part here doesn't have a mega cliffhanger, but this last sentence ... oh dear, I'm going to have such a hard time sleeping just because I'm imagining what happens next. And no, I'm not touching the third book now, I'll wait ...
So about this story, after the first book was rather short, this second one is a bit longer. Still, it's only two days again and the story is packed with so much action that it's a super intense experience.
This time we are in New York and get to know more of the world that the author has created here. It is again told only from Gillian's perspective, but it is wonderful to delve deeper into him and piece together the many hints and clues about his past.
I can't even go into the plot itself, I am so impressed by all the things that happen here and by the interplay of steam and magic that the author has put into it, it is simply beyond words.
Besides all the exciting things that happen, the little quiet moments between Gillian and Gunner are so wonderful. Yes, there are only a few scenes in which both are only occupied with themselves, but there are also so many wonderful gestures woven in here. I think this is actually a series that needs to be read more often to take in all the little things.
I'm definitely very happy with how their relationship is developing.
Gunner held up the receipt from Bartholomew Industries that I carried on my person like a religious talisman.
I touched my own breast before reaching inside the empty pocket. “How did—?”
“It slipped from your pocket as I was undressing you last night.” He eyed the folded note. “It’s rather worn out.”
“Paper doesn’t have much of a life expectancy.”
“Why did you keep it?”
I felt myself flush and struggled for nonchalance. “You—you said you were mine.”
Gunner smiled. He tugged back the lapel of my coat, tucked the receipt carefully into my pocket, then patted my chest. “That’s right.” 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: homophobia and insults, magical injuries, several persons die, war traumas are addressed, gory body parts lying around
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No (someone else shows interest in Gillian, but nothing happens between them)
Breakup: No
Kinks: none
So, a recommendation, it's probably good to read this series in one go and only when the last book is published.
This second part here doesn't have a mega cliffhanger, but this last sentence ... oh dear, I'm going to have such a hard time sleeping just because I'm imagining what happens next. And no, I'm not touching the third book now, I'll wait ...
So about this story, after the first book was rather short, this second one is a bit longer. Still, it's only two days again and the story is packed with so much action that it's a super intense experience.
This time we are in New York and get to know more of the world that the author has created here. It is again told only from Gillian's perspective, but it is wonderful to delve deeper into him and piece together the many hints and clues about his past.
I can't even go into the plot itself, I am so impressed by all the things that happen here and by the interplay of steam and magic that the author has put into it, it is simply beyond words.
Besides all the exciting things that happen, the little quiet moments between Gillian and Gunner are so wonderful. Yes, there are only a few scenes in which both are only occupied with themselves, but there are also so many wonderful gestures woven in here. I think this is actually a series that needs to be read more often to take in all the little things.
I'm definitely very happy with how their relationship is developing.
Gunner held up the receipt from Bartholomew Industries that I carried on my person like a religious talisman.
I touched my own breast before reaching inside the empty pocket. “How did—?”
“It slipped from your pocket as I was undressing you last night.” He eyed the folded note. “It’s rather worn out.”
“Paper doesn’t have much of a life expectancy.”
“Why did you keep it?”
I felt myself flush and struggled for nonchalance. “You—you said you were mine.”
Gunner smiled. He tugged back the lapel of my coat, tucked the receipt carefully into my pocket, then patted my chest. “That’s right.” 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: homophobia and insults, magical injuries, several persons die, war traumas are addressed, gory body parts lying around
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No (someone else shows interest in Gillian, but nothing happens between them)
Breakup: No
Kinks: none
May 27, 2024
Audio: 4 stars, Declan Winters did a good job, but I still don’t know if I love Gunners voice haha
Book: 3-3.5 stars
A lot more action packed and had the mystery of who is Tick Tock, and how it connects with the first books villain.
I did like to see the progression of Gillian and Gunners relationship. I do think it is a tad insta love since the story only happened within a 3 day period and declarations of love were said.. haha
This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so just keep that in mind haha! With that said I’m on to book 3!
Book: 3-3.5 stars
A lot more action packed and had the mystery of who is Tick Tock, and how it connects with the first books villain.
I did like to see the progression of Gillian and Gunners relationship. I do think it is a tad insta love since the story only happened within a 3 day period and declarations of love were said.. haha
This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so just keep that in mind haha! With that said I’m on to book 3!
September 13, 2023
Audiobook Review #2 9/13/23
Still 5 amazing stars for the story and narration! Gunner and Gillian have my heart.
___________________________________________________
Audiobook Review 4/22/22
Story: 5 stars
Audio: 5 stars
This was an excellent audiobook for a stellar series. The audio added even more to the story. Every time Gunner says “my dear” to Gillian I swooned!
All I can say is WOW! I loved this book! This world that C.S. Poe has created is truly amazing. The first book in this series was good but it was really only a glimpse into what life is really like in NYC for Gillian Hamilton. I have never read steampunk before this series and I think because of this book I am totally ruined for any other steampunk books out there.
Gillian is such a strong character with a deep, dark secret that is hinted at throughout the book. He feels he isn’t worthy of love and is almost ashamed at his attraction to men and so when he met Gunner in Arizona his world opened up. In the last book Gunner left a note for Gillian saying he’d see him in New York on New Years Eve and trusted Gillian with his first name. It is now New Years Eve and while anxiously wondering if Gunner will show up Gillian, unbeknownst to him, is on the brink of a case that involves magic unlike he’s ever dealt with before. He also thinks his boss is hinting at an attraction to him and Gillian has no idea how to respond to that.
Gunner is brooding and sexy and everything Gillian wants in a partner. He may not say much but what he says packs a punch and often leaves Gillian in awe. He doesn’t think he is worthy of Gunner’s affections and he knows he can’t possibly have the relationship he truly wants with Gunner but he will take all he can get while Gunner is in NYC. I love how Gunner is unapologetic about who he is. He is the opposite of Gillian in so many ways but they just fit together perfectly.
The case Gillian and Gunner get involved in is unlike any I’ve ever read before. The use of magic and steam creates such an amazing world. The villains are more machine than man. The character running the operation is named Tick Tock but no one seems to have ever met him. Gillian has to dip into his strongest magic to fight the villains. The fight scenes were incredibly exciting. Gunner is there with his trusty Waterbury helping alongside Gillian and like I said, they work perfectly together.
We get some touching scenes between the two men in the midst of everything. The relationship that is building between Gillian and Gunner is something Gillian knows he doesn’t deserve but Gunner is set on letting Gillian know he can trust him and he isn’t going anywhere.
The book ends on a cliffhanger where we get some answers but are left hanging! I cannot wait to read more about this world and these characters. Poe has outdone herself with this book.
Still 5 amazing stars for the story and narration! Gunner and Gillian have my heart.
___________________________________________________
Audiobook Review 4/22/22
Story: 5 stars
Audio: 5 stars
This was an excellent audiobook for a stellar series. The audio added even more to the story. Every time Gunner says “my dear” to Gillian I swooned!
All I can say is WOW! I loved this book! This world that C.S. Poe has created is truly amazing. The first book in this series was good but it was really only a glimpse into what life is really like in NYC for Gillian Hamilton. I have never read steampunk before this series and I think because of this book I am totally ruined for any other steampunk books out there.
Gillian is such a strong character with a deep, dark secret that is hinted at throughout the book. He feels he isn’t worthy of love and is almost ashamed at his attraction to men and so when he met Gunner in Arizona his world opened up. In the last book Gunner left a note for Gillian saying he’d see him in New York on New Years Eve and trusted Gillian with his first name. It is now New Years Eve and while anxiously wondering if Gunner will show up Gillian, unbeknownst to him, is on the brink of a case that involves magic unlike he’s ever dealt with before. He also thinks his boss is hinting at an attraction to him and Gillian has no idea how to respond to that.
Gunner is brooding and sexy and everything Gillian wants in a partner. He may not say much but what he says packs a punch and often leaves Gillian in awe. He doesn’t think he is worthy of Gunner’s affections and he knows he can’t possibly have the relationship he truly wants with Gunner but he will take all he can get while Gunner is in NYC. I love how Gunner is unapologetic about who he is. He is the opposite of Gillian in so many ways but they just fit together perfectly.
The case Gillian and Gunner get involved in is unlike any I’ve ever read before. The use of magic and steam creates such an amazing world. The villains are more machine than man. The character running the operation is named Tick Tock but no one seems to have ever met him. Gillian has to dip into his strongest magic to fight the villains. The fight scenes were incredibly exciting. Gunner is there with his trusty Waterbury helping alongside Gillian and like I said, they work perfectly together.
We get some touching scenes between the two men in the midst of everything. The relationship that is building between Gillian and Gunner is something Gillian knows he doesn’t deserve but Gunner is set on letting Gillian know he can trust him and he isn’t going anywhere.
The book ends on a cliffhanger where we get some answers but are left hanging! I cannot wait to read more about this world and these characters. Poe has outdone herself with this book.
Read
October 22, 2024Buy Links:
Ebook, Paperback, and Audio
audio narrated by Declan Winters
French edition
with MxM Bookmark
coming soon... Italian edition with Triskell Edizioni
Ebook, Paperback, and Audio
audio narrated by Declan Winters
French edition
with MxM Bookmark
coming soon... Italian edition with Triskell Edizioni
December 31, 2022
4.5 stars
Word of advice: Don't start this book unless you have the next one handy. Trust me on this.
I'm starting to feel a little bad for ignoring this author for this long. Sure, she had a questionable debut book and series that I will never read, but just from the scant knowledge I have about that series, it looks like she's learned a lot along the way. Or she just really excels at action and fantasy.
This is steampunk set in the US, and it's fast-paced and intriguing. Rosa and I were coming up with all kinds of theories, our favorite thing to do with these kinds of books. There's so much here: What exactly is Gillian's past that keeps him hiding and scared to admit anything about himself? What is Gunner's past that he remains silent about as well? Who is ultimately behind all these shenanigans? And that last line? I was not prepared for that!
I liked Moore a lot, and felt bad
The romance is probably the weakest element, but that's only when I remember that Gillian and Gunner have technically only known each other for four days, lol. But so much happens in those four days, it really does seem like it's been longer, and they've been through a lot together already. I'm glad also that Gunner knows when to put his foot down with Gillian.
The names in this thing though are something else. It reminds me of Saturday morning cartoons, and some of the creatures they encounter reminded me of some characters from Gargoyles. It does make it interesting and entertaining in its own way. 🤣
Word of advice: Don't start this book unless you have the next one handy. Trust me on this.
I'm starting to feel a little bad for ignoring this author for this long. Sure, she had a questionable debut book and series that I will never read, but just from the scant knowledge I have about that series, it looks like she's learned a lot along the way. Or she just really excels at action and fantasy.
This is steampunk set in the US, and it's fast-paced and intriguing. Rosa and I were coming up with all kinds of theories, our favorite thing to do with these kinds of books. There's so much here: What exactly is Gillian's past that keeps him hiding and scared to admit anything about himself? What is Gunner's past that he remains silent about as well? Who is ultimately behind all these shenanigans? And that last line? I was not prepared for that!
I liked Moore a lot, and felt bad
The romance is probably the weakest element, but that's only when I remember that Gillian and Gunner have technically only known each other for four days, lol. But so much happens in those four days, it really does seem like it's been longer, and they've been through a lot together already. I'm glad also that Gunner knows when to put his foot down with Gillian.
The names in this thing though are something else. It reminds me of Saturday morning cartoons, and some of the creatures they encounter reminded me of some characters from Gargoyles. It does make it interesting and entertaining in its own way. 🤣
March 24, 2021
WOW!!! What a narration!!!!
Nonstop action!
Gangsters
Illegal magiks
Murders
Love
Franken-folk
I figured out who the baddie was here, but I still loved getting to the end!
You should read the prequel to get a good idea of this steampunk world Poe created.
Gunner the deadly=heartthrob
Gillian=talk about a wonderfully flawed man
My rec? Yesss!
Merged review:
WOW!!! What a narration!!!!
Nonstop action!
Gangsters
Illegal magics
Murders
Love
Franken-folk
I figured out who the baddie was here, but I still loved getting to the end!
You should read the prequel to get a good idea of this steampunk world Poe created.
Gunner the deadly=heartthrob
Gillian=talk about a wonderfully flawed man
My rec? Yesss!
Nonstop action!
Gangsters
Illegal magiks
Murders
Love
Franken-folk
I figured out who the baddie was here, but I still loved getting to the end!
You should read the prequel to get a good idea of this steampunk world Poe created.
Gunner the deadly=heartthrob
Gillian=talk about a wonderfully flawed man
My rec? Yesss!
Merged review:
WOW!!! What a narration!!!!
Nonstop action!
Gangsters
Illegal magics
Murders
Love
Franken-folk
I figured out who the baddie was here, but I still loved getting to the end!
You should read the prequel to get a good idea of this steampunk world Poe created.
Gunner the deadly=heartthrob
Gillian=talk about a wonderfully flawed man
My rec? Yesss!
May 7, 2022
5/7/2022 reread
I was so excited to get my hands on this book!!! OMG, Ms Poe did not disappoint! Fast paced, emotionally intense story of magic, betrayal and New Year's Eve expectations gone awry. Gillian Hamilton and Constantine Gunner meet in New York as promised but what starts as happy reunion quickly turns into a nightmare for both men - Gillian is in danger, Gillian's past threatens to unravel the careful life he has built and the agency is slightly in shambles. But never fear: Gunner the Deadly is there to hold Gillian up, patch him up and give him affection he has been denied for so long.
I liked a closer look at Gillian's personal life and his work relations. And there was so much to unpack. Magical rivalry and gangs going against each other with Gillian standing at the epicenter of it all. The author cleverly incorporated steampunk elements with the use of magic to create a unique world. Gillian's emotions spilled all over the pages and made me want to hug him so bad. I liked Gunner's solid presence and so needed reassurance. His confidence was absolutely irresistible.
Even though the entire book centered around the 3-4 days, the author packed enough emotional punch to make one think about human nature and self acceptance, what drove people to commit heinous acts and what secrets everyone hid that always came out to light. I liked the identity of the villain that became obvious somewhere in the middle. The build up to the finale was rather good. But the last paragraph... Lets just say that the next book can't come soon enough. I thoroughly enjoyed Agent Hamilton and Gunner the Deadly's adventures! Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
I was so excited to get my hands on this book!!! OMG, Ms Poe did not disappoint! Fast paced, emotionally intense story of magic, betrayal and New Year's Eve expectations gone awry. Gillian Hamilton and Constantine Gunner meet in New York as promised but what starts as happy reunion quickly turns into a nightmare for both men - Gillian is in danger, Gillian's past threatens to unravel the careful life he has built and the agency is slightly in shambles. But never fear: Gunner the Deadly is there to hold Gillian up, patch him up and give him affection he has been denied for so long.
I liked a closer look at Gillian's personal life and his work relations. And there was so much to unpack. Magical rivalry and gangs going against each other with Gillian standing at the epicenter of it all. The author cleverly incorporated steampunk elements with the use of magic to create a unique world. Gillian's emotions spilled all over the pages and made me want to hug him so bad. I liked Gunner's solid presence and so needed reassurance. His confidence was absolutely irresistible.
Even though the entire book centered around the 3-4 days, the author packed enough emotional punch to make one think about human nature and self acceptance, what drove people to commit heinous acts and what secrets everyone hid that always came out to light. I liked the identity of the villain that became obvious somewhere in the middle. The build up to the finale was rather good. But the last paragraph... Lets just say that the next book can't come soon enough. I thoroughly enjoyed Agent Hamilton and Gunner the Deadly's adventures! Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
January 13, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Gangster is the second book in C.S. Poe’s excellent Magic and Steam series. I went crazy for the first book in this series, The Engineer, so I was so excited to jump back into this steampunk world for the second book. Poe does such a wonderful job creating an immersive world here and, as much as I enjoyed the first book’s setting in the old west, I really enjoyed seeing New York City reimagined. There is a great sense of life in the city in the 1880s, with the addition of steampunk elements to give it a bit of a twist. Poe incorporates great details and little moments that really bring it all to life.
There are some books where I fall in love with the characters so completely that it takes the story to a different level, and that is the case here for me with Gillian and Gunner. I just adore these guys, both individually and together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The Gangster is the second book in C.S. Poe’s excellent Magic and Steam series. I went crazy for the first book in this series, The Engineer, so I was so excited to jump back into this steampunk world for the second book. Poe does such a wonderful job creating an immersive world here and, as much as I enjoyed the first book’s setting in the old west, I really enjoyed seeing New York City reimagined. There is a great sense of life in the city in the 1880s, with the addition of steampunk elements to give it a bit of a twist. Poe incorporates great details and little moments that really bring it all to life.
There are some books where I fall in love with the characters so completely that it takes the story to a different level, and that is the case here for me with Gillian and Gunner. I just adore these guys, both individually and together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 18, 2023
I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
In The Gangster, the second book in C.S. Poe’s entertaining and exciting Magic & Steam series, we join Special Agent Gillian Hamilton for another exhilarating adventure, this time on his home turf of New York City. As in the first book – The Engineer – the story is fast-paced and clever, featuring well-drawn, interesting characters and a number of vivid, expertly realised action scenes, and the author’s world-building continues to impress. Readers are immersed in a recognisable vision of Gilded Age New York, but with significant differences – such as the magic-powered airships (the quintessential steampunk mode of transport!) that have replaced the transcontinental railroad – due to the harnessing of magic as a commodity during the so-called Great Rebellion – surely this world’s version of the American Civil War.
At the end of The Engineer, Gillian left Shallow Grave in Arizona to return to New York – but carries with him a promise from Gunner the Deadly – the outlaw with whom he’d become romantically involved – that they will see each other again on New Year’s Eve. Gillian is alternately hopeful and anxious, desperately wanting to see Gunner again while trying to talk himself into not being too disappointed when Gunner doesn’t show. Because what could a gorgeous, uber-confident, gun-slinging cowboy possibly see in an unprepossessing, repressed individual like Gillian?
It’s 31st December 1881, but before Gillian has to face either joy or disappointment, there’s a day’s work to be done, and on this particular day, he’s chasing down a lowlife called Fishback, a criminal known to have a penchant for killing cops and for working for some of the city’s biggest organised crime syndicates. Gillian suspects Fishback is acting as the middle-man in the trade of weapons that use illegal elemental magic – and when he’s eventually able to question him, those suspicions are confirmed. Fishback delivers the shipments – which originate somewhere “out West” – to Tick-Tock, a newly-arrived and widely feared crime boss/gangster who, so far, nobody has ever seen. Not even Fishback, who tells Gillian he meets with a magical mechanical man who picks up the deliveries on Tick Tock’s behalf.
Shortly after the interview, Gillian heads to Grand Central to pick up Gunner. He’s late, and worries that he’s missed Gunner or worse, Gunner hasn’t come at all. But he has. Their reunion is restrained because they’re in a public place, but Gillian is overjoyed and relieved to see the man who has occupied almost his every waking thought for the past two months. And miraculously, it seems Gunner is pleased to see Gillian, too.
Gillian and Gunner barely have a moment to themselves (although they do put the few moments they have to very good use!) before they’re plunged headlong into a breathless game of cat-and-mouse with the most dangerous individual in the city. And while they’re battling nightmarish mechanical men – gruesome half man/half machines with weapons surgically grafted to their bodies – fending off attacks from illegal magic and fighting for their lives in some really vivid, well-conceived action scenes, there are some lovely moments of introspection and emotional closeness, too, which cement and strengthen the connection between them.
Gillian and Gunner are both likeable, compelling characters it’s easy to invest in and root for. In The Engineer, it was obvious there was more to Gillian than met the eye, and here the author sheds more light on what he’s hiding. It’s also clear that he’s keeping some big, dark secret that he’s ashamed of and afraid of, something he seems to be desperately trying to atone for that has convinced him he’s unworthy of love or affection and that he doesn’t deserve good things in life. He’s desperately lonely, rigidly controlled and hides himself in plain sight, but keeping himself hidden (in more ways than one) for over a decade is starting to take its toll, and at times we get a glimpse of a man close to the edge, someone dangerous and volatile. But he’s also endearingly shy and charming with a dry sense of humour and a clearly defined sense of right and wrong… although the line between them has blurred a bit since he met Gunner.
Self-possessed, sexy Gunner is the perfect foil for Gillian, injecting some calm into his hectic life. He encourages Gillian to embrace who he is and what he wants, providing solid support and reassurance on personal issues and has his back without question when they have to face off with the bad guys. He’s not a great talker, but when he does have something to say he’s usually to the point and incredibly insightful; he sees Gillian in a way nobody else has, and has discerned things about him that no-one else seems to have noticed – that Gillian is a great deal more powerful than he lets on, and that there’s something devastating and immensely painful in his past. But he knows better than to push for details; he’s prepared to bide his time and wait for Gillian to tell him the truth.
The Gangster is a terrific blend of tender romance and rollicking adventure yarn that will have you ‘heart-eyes’ and on the edge of your seat by turns. The mystery is nicely done, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, and I liked the glimpses we got of Gillian’s work life and of his relationship with his boss – who, he’s only just worked out, may possibly be harbouring a tendre for him. The author’s descriptions of the New York locations are really evocative, and her depictions of the mechanical men and Gillian’s amazing feats of magic are inventive and full of imagery so vivid and colourful as to create a lasting impression in the mind’s eye. And best of all, the love story is never pushed aside in favour of the plot; there are some wonderfully loving moments between Gillian and Gunner, and even though the story takes place over just a few days, by the end, they’ve admitted that they want more from each other and there’s a new, deeper level of intimacy between them. Which is when Ms. Poe drops one helluva bombshell that had me (mentally) screaming “nooooooooooooo!” and searching frantically to see if I could find a release date for book three!
So, yes, there’s a cliffhanger, but don’t let that put you off. The Gangster is a thrilling and utterly captivating instalment in the Magic & Steam series, and I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the release of book three, The Doctor. I hope it’s not too long a wait!
In The Gangster, the second book in C.S. Poe’s entertaining and exciting Magic & Steam series, we join Special Agent Gillian Hamilton for another exhilarating adventure, this time on his home turf of New York City. As in the first book – The Engineer – the story is fast-paced and clever, featuring well-drawn, interesting characters and a number of vivid, expertly realised action scenes, and the author’s world-building continues to impress. Readers are immersed in a recognisable vision of Gilded Age New York, but with significant differences – such as the magic-powered airships (the quintessential steampunk mode of transport!) that have replaced the transcontinental railroad – due to the harnessing of magic as a commodity during the so-called Great Rebellion – surely this world’s version of the American Civil War.
At the end of The Engineer, Gillian left Shallow Grave in Arizona to return to New York – but carries with him a promise from Gunner the Deadly – the outlaw with whom he’d become romantically involved – that they will see each other again on New Year’s Eve. Gillian is alternately hopeful and anxious, desperately wanting to see Gunner again while trying to talk himself into not being too disappointed when Gunner doesn’t show. Because what could a gorgeous, uber-confident, gun-slinging cowboy possibly see in an unprepossessing, repressed individual like Gillian?
It’s 31st December 1881, but before Gillian has to face either joy or disappointment, there’s a day’s work to be done, and on this particular day, he’s chasing down a lowlife called Fishback, a criminal known to have a penchant for killing cops and for working for some of the city’s biggest organised crime syndicates. Gillian suspects Fishback is acting as the middle-man in the trade of weapons that use illegal elemental magic – and when he’s eventually able to question him, those suspicions are confirmed. Fishback delivers the shipments – which originate somewhere “out West” – to Tick-Tock, a newly-arrived and widely feared crime boss/gangster who, so far, nobody has ever seen. Not even Fishback, who tells Gillian he meets with a magical mechanical man who picks up the deliveries on Tick Tock’s behalf.
Shortly after the interview, Gillian heads to Grand Central to pick up Gunner. He’s late, and worries that he’s missed Gunner or worse, Gunner hasn’t come at all. But he has. Their reunion is restrained because they’re in a public place, but Gillian is overjoyed and relieved to see the man who has occupied almost his every waking thought for the past two months. And miraculously, it seems Gunner is pleased to see Gillian, too.
Gillian and Gunner barely have a moment to themselves (although they do put the few moments they have to very good use!) before they’re plunged headlong into a breathless game of cat-and-mouse with the most dangerous individual in the city. And while they’re battling nightmarish mechanical men – gruesome half man/half machines with weapons surgically grafted to their bodies – fending off attacks from illegal magic and fighting for their lives in some really vivid, well-conceived action scenes, there are some lovely moments of introspection and emotional closeness, too, which cement and strengthen the connection between them.
Gillian and Gunner are both likeable, compelling characters it’s easy to invest in and root for. In The Engineer, it was obvious there was more to Gillian than met the eye, and here the author sheds more light on what he’s hiding. It’s also clear that he’s keeping some big, dark secret that he’s ashamed of and afraid of, something he seems to be desperately trying to atone for that has convinced him he’s unworthy of love or affection and that he doesn’t deserve good things in life. He’s desperately lonely, rigidly controlled and hides himself in plain sight, but keeping himself hidden (in more ways than one) for over a decade is starting to take its toll, and at times we get a glimpse of a man close to the edge, someone dangerous and volatile. But he’s also endearingly shy and charming with a dry sense of humour and a clearly defined sense of right and wrong… although the line between them has blurred a bit since he met Gunner.
Self-possessed, sexy Gunner is the perfect foil for Gillian, injecting some calm into his hectic life. He encourages Gillian to embrace who he is and what he wants, providing solid support and reassurance on personal issues and has his back without question when they have to face off with the bad guys. He’s not a great talker, but when he does have something to say he’s usually to the point and incredibly insightful; he sees Gillian in a way nobody else has, and has discerned things about him that no-one else seems to have noticed – that Gillian is a great deal more powerful than he lets on, and that there’s something devastating and immensely painful in his past. But he knows better than to push for details; he’s prepared to bide his time and wait for Gillian to tell him the truth.
The Gangster is a terrific blend of tender romance and rollicking adventure yarn that will have you ‘heart-eyes’ and on the edge of your seat by turns. The mystery is nicely done, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, and I liked the glimpses we got of Gillian’s work life and of his relationship with his boss – who, he’s only just worked out, may possibly be harbouring a tendre for him. The author’s descriptions of the New York locations are really evocative, and her depictions of the mechanical men and Gillian’s amazing feats of magic are inventive and full of imagery so vivid and colourful as to create a lasting impression in the mind’s eye. And best of all, the love story is never pushed aside in favour of the plot; there are some wonderfully loving moments between Gillian and Gunner, and even though the story takes place over just a few days, by the end, they’ve admitted that they want more from each other and there’s a new, deeper level of intimacy between them. Which is when Ms. Poe drops one helluva bombshell that had me (mentally) screaming “nooooooooooooo!” and searching frantically to see if I could find a release date for book three!
So, yes, there’s a cliffhanger, but don’t let that put you off. The Gangster is a thrilling and utterly captivating instalment in the Magic & Steam series, and I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the release of book three, The Doctor. I hope it’s not too long a wait!
December 30, 2022
I'm liking this series very much. This second book was as interesting as the first one, it read fast and the writting is good. And Linda and I are having fun on account of the names some characters have. As if Gunner the Deadly wasn't bad enough . The plot moves fast and we get to know Gillian's place of work and some of his coworkers. I liked his boss, Moore, I think he is a decent fellow and
I also like the relationship between the main characters, especially how
So, the story was interesting and the ending was frenetic. It has a bit of a cliffhanger , which I'm not mad because the next book is already out.
I also like the relationship between the main characters, especially how
So, the story was interesting and the ending was frenetic. It has a bit of a cliffhanger , which I'm not mad because the next book is already out.
January 12, 2024
I've given this a B+ for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals, which bumps it up into the 5 star bracket.
I read The Gangster, book two in C.S. Poe's Magic & Steam series earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I decided to experience it again in audio format. I’d already listened to the first book –  The Engineer – and enjoyed the narration by Declan Winters, so I was pretty sure of a good listen.
Because The Gangster is a direct sequel, I’d strongly recommend starting the series with The Engineer; it’s novella-length (just over two-and-a-half hours) and provides an excellent introduction to the alternate vision of 1880s New York the author has created, and the central characters of the series, Special Agent Gillian Hamilton of the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, and Gunner the Deadly, the legendary outlaw Gillian meets while on assignment in Arizona. The story is fast-paced and exciting with plenty of sizzling chemistry between Gillian and Gunner – who agree to a temporary truce and join forces in order to defeat a bonkers mad-scientist type. The Engineer ends on a strong HFN, with the promise of more to come, and C.S. Poe certainly delivers on that promise in The Gangster, with a full- length story that continues to develop the romance between these two very unlikely men while also telling an action-packed, well-paced story and keeping listeners guessing about… nope, not telling. But be prepared – the book ends on one helluva cliffhanger. I believe book three is due later this year, but at time of writing, there’s no date set.
When The Gangster opens, it’s New Year’s Eve of 1881, and we find Gillian on his home turf of New York City. At the end of The Engineer, he’d received a promise from Gunner that they’d see each other again on New Year’s Eve, and he’s alternately hopeful and anxious, desperate to see Gunner again but also trying to talk himself into not being too disappointed when he doesn’t show. After all, what could a super-confident, handsome gun-slinging cowboy possibly see in an insecure, repressed and completely ordinary-looking man like Gillian?
But before Gillian has to face happiness or despondency, he’s got work to do, and when we meet him again, he’s arresting Fishback, a low-life cop-killer with links to a most of the city’s big crime syndicates. Fishback is involved in the trade of weapons that use illegal elemental magic –arranging for the items (which originate somewhere “out West”) to be shipped to New York City and into the hands of the crime boss/gangster Tick Tock, who has recently arrived in the city and quickly established a reputation for ruthless brutality. But nobody has ever seen him or knows what he looks like – not even Fishback, who says the deliveries are collected by a “magical mechanical man”.
After that frustrating interview and a meeting with his boss, Gillian is late getting to Grand Central to meet Gunner’s airship – and at first, it seems he’s missed him… or worse, maybe Gunner hasn’t come at all. But he has, and Gillian is overjoyed to see the man who has occupied so many of his waking thoughts (and quite a few of his dreams) for the past couple of months – and it seems Gunner is happy to see Gillian, too.
Unfortunately however, Gillian and Gunner don’t have much time to savour their reunion before their peace is shattered when Gillian is attacked in his apartment by the same mechanical man that Fishback spoke of, sent by Tick Tock to kill him. If the threat posed by Tick Tock and his illegal magic is to be countered, Gillian will have to act fast, while at the same time making sure that Gunner – the FBMS’s most wanted man – isn’t arrested.
I enjoyed this story every bit as much in audio as I did in print. C.S. Poe does a fabulous job with the world-building in this series, creating a wonderfully vivid alternate but recognisable version of 1880s New York and a clearly defined system of magic. The action scenes are fast-paced and well-conceived, putting the listener in the middle of the action amid the dark and gloomy streets of the city’s underbelly, and they make a nice counterpoint to the quieter, more intimate scenes between Gillian and Gunner which are by turns sweet and sexy, and serve to deepen their emotional connection.
Both leads are likeable, well-drawn, three-dimensional characters, and although the story is told completely from Gillian’s PoV, I didn’t really miss Gunner’s perspective as the author so skilfully presents him to us through Gillian’s eyes. It was clear in The Engineer that there was more to Gillian than met the eye, that his magical abilities were far stronger and varied than he allowed anyone to know, and that becomes even more obvious here; as does the fact that he’s hiding something big he’s both ashamed and afraid of – and that it’s something that he feels makes him unworthy of love or affection. In Gunner, he’s met his perfect match; the man may be a notorious criminal, but underneath the tough exterior he’s kind and sweet and extremely perceptive, seeing Gillian in a way nobody else ever has. Gunner grounds him, providing the care and affection Gillian has longed for and helping Gillian to start to come into his own on a personal level, to find confidence and happiness he’s never really felt outside of his magical abilities. They’re a great couple whose affinity comes across really strongly and who are clearly good for each other.
Declan Winters has only a few titles to his credit at Audible, but he clearly knows what he’s doing, so I suspect he’s not a complete newbie to the world of audiobook narration and that perhaps he works under another name as well. Whatever the case, he delivers an excellent performance here – well-paced, clearly enunciated and differentiated, with a good variety of character voices and strong portrayals of the two leads. The deep, gravelly tone he gives Gunner is perfect, his measured delivery conveying just the right degree of self-confidence, wry humour and affection. Mr. Winters’ portrayal of Gillian is really good as well, and he expertly conveys the various aspects of his personality, his loneliness, his defensiveness and his insecurities. The story is narrated by Gillian in the first person, so his dialogue and narrative sound similar but there’s a definite difference in the delivery so there’s never any confusion between the two. The action sequences are injected with just the right amount of urgency, the love scenes are performed confidently and the emotional connection between Gillian and Gunner comes across strongly. I enjoyed Mr. Winters’ performance in The Engineer previously, but he’s upped his game here and I hope other authors of m/m romance will sit up and take note. I’d certainly be happy to listen to him narrate more of it.
The Gangster is a terrific mixture of tender, sexy romance and thrilling, action-packed adventure yarn, and earns a strong recommendation for both story and performance. I can’t wait to find out what fate – and the author! – has in store for Gillian and Gunner next.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
I read The Gangster, book two in C.S. Poe's Magic & Steam series earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I decided to experience it again in audio format. I’d already listened to the first book –  The Engineer – and enjoyed the narration by Declan Winters, so I was pretty sure of a good listen.
Because The Gangster is a direct sequel, I’d strongly recommend starting the series with The Engineer; it’s novella-length (just over two-and-a-half hours) and provides an excellent introduction to the alternate vision of 1880s New York the author has created, and the central characters of the series, Special Agent Gillian Hamilton of the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, and Gunner the Deadly, the legendary outlaw Gillian meets while on assignment in Arizona. The story is fast-paced and exciting with plenty of sizzling chemistry between Gillian and Gunner – who agree to a temporary truce and join forces in order to defeat a bonkers mad-scientist type. The Engineer ends on a strong HFN, with the promise of more to come, and C.S. Poe certainly delivers on that promise in The Gangster, with a full- length story that continues to develop the romance between these two very unlikely men while also telling an action-packed, well-paced story and keeping listeners guessing about… nope, not telling. But be prepared – the book ends on one helluva cliffhanger. I believe book three is due later this year, but at time of writing, there’s no date set.
When The Gangster opens, it’s New Year’s Eve of 1881, and we find Gillian on his home turf of New York City. At the end of The Engineer, he’d received a promise from Gunner that they’d see each other again on New Year’s Eve, and he’s alternately hopeful and anxious, desperate to see Gunner again but also trying to talk himself into not being too disappointed when he doesn’t show. After all, what could a super-confident, handsome gun-slinging cowboy possibly see in an insecure, repressed and completely ordinary-looking man like Gillian?
But before Gillian has to face happiness or despondency, he’s got work to do, and when we meet him again, he’s arresting Fishback, a low-life cop-killer with links to a most of the city’s big crime syndicates. Fishback is involved in the trade of weapons that use illegal elemental magic –arranging for the items (which originate somewhere “out West”) to be shipped to New York City and into the hands of the crime boss/gangster Tick Tock, who has recently arrived in the city and quickly established a reputation for ruthless brutality. But nobody has ever seen him or knows what he looks like – not even Fishback, who says the deliveries are collected by a “magical mechanical man”.
After that frustrating interview and a meeting with his boss, Gillian is late getting to Grand Central to meet Gunner’s airship – and at first, it seems he’s missed him… or worse, maybe Gunner hasn’t come at all. But he has, and Gillian is overjoyed to see the man who has occupied so many of his waking thoughts (and quite a few of his dreams) for the past couple of months – and it seems Gunner is happy to see Gillian, too.
Unfortunately however, Gillian and Gunner don’t have much time to savour their reunion before their peace is shattered when Gillian is attacked in his apartment by the same mechanical man that Fishback spoke of, sent by Tick Tock to kill him. If the threat posed by Tick Tock and his illegal magic is to be countered, Gillian will have to act fast, while at the same time making sure that Gunner – the FBMS’s most wanted man – isn’t arrested.
I enjoyed this story every bit as much in audio as I did in print. C.S. Poe does a fabulous job with the world-building in this series, creating a wonderfully vivid alternate but recognisable version of 1880s New York and a clearly defined system of magic. The action scenes are fast-paced and well-conceived, putting the listener in the middle of the action amid the dark and gloomy streets of the city’s underbelly, and they make a nice counterpoint to the quieter, more intimate scenes between Gillian and Gunner which are by turns sweet and sexy, and serve to deepen their emotional connection.
Both leads are likeable, well-drawn, three-dimensional characters, and although the story is told completely from Gillian’s PoV, I didn’t really miss Gunner’s perspective as the author so skilfully presents him to us through Gillian’s eyes. It was clear in The Engineer that there was more to Gillian than met the eye, that his magical abilities were far stronger and varied than he allowed anyone to know, and that becomes even more obvious here; as does the fact that he’s hiding something big he’s both ashamed and afraid of – and that it’s something that he feels makes him unworthy of love or affection. In Gunner, he’s met his perfect match; the man may be a notorious criminal, but underneath the tough exterior he’s kind and sweet and extremely perceptive, seeing Gillian in a way nobody else ever has. Gunner grounds him, providing the care and affection Gillian has longed for and helping Gillian to start to come into his own on a personal level, to find confidence and happiness he’s never really felt outside of his magical abilities. They’re a great couple whose affinity comes across really strongly and who are clearly good for each other.
Declan Winters has only a few titles to his credit at Audible, but he clearly knows what he’s doing, so I suspect he’s not a complete newbie to the world of audiobook narration and that perhaps he works under another name as well. Whatever the case, he delivers an excellent performance here – well-paced, clearly enunciated and differentiated, with a good variety of character voices and strong portrayals of the two leads. The deep, gravelly tone he gives Gunner is perfect, his measured delivery conveying just the right degree of self-confidence, wry humour and affection. Mr. Winters’ portrayal of Gillian is really good as well, and he expertly conveys the various aspects of his personality, his loneliness, his defensiveness and his insecurities. The story is narrated by Gillian in the first person, so his dialogue and narrative sound similar but there’s a definite difference in the delivery so there’s never any confusion between the two. The action sequences are injected with just the right amount of urgency, the love scenes are performed confidently and the emotional connection between Gillian and Gunner comes across strongly. I enjoyed Mr. Winters’ performance in The Engineer previously, but he’s upped his game here and I hope other authors of m/m romance will sit up and take note. I’d certainly be happy to listen to him narrate more of it.
The Gangster is a terrific mixture of tender, sexy romance and thrilling, action-packed adventure yarn, and earns a strong recommendation for both story and performance. I can’t wait to find out what fate – and the author! – has in store for Gillian and Gunner next.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
April 25, 2023
3 stars for the narrator and the story.
This one finds Gillian back in his New York field office with a new enemy lurking around (tick-tock). When Gunner comes to visit from the west coast the enemy seems to come out to play. The two of them work together to try and solve the mystery.
This one was a little slow for me. I want more time with Gillian and Gunner in the romantic department. There are small moments here and there. I just longed for a little more.
This one finds Gillian back in his New York field office with a new enemy lurking around (tick-tock). When Gunner comes to visit from the west coast the enemy seems to come out to play. The two of them work together to try and solve the mystery.
This one was a little slow for me. I want more time with Gillian and Gunner in the romantic department. There are small moments here and there. I just longed for a little more.
February 3, 2023
3.4~3.5
January 12, 2021
Wow. I loved this book. Steampunk / alternate universe? Yup. Another case involving magic and destruction and death, plus elemental ammunition and aether bullets? Of course.
The plot is top-notch, with a mysterious super villain and the introduction of mechanical men equipped with Gatling guns for hands, and bodies reinforced with pressure tubes, iron and bronze. The action is densely constructed and unbearably suspenseful. But ... the pulse of the story is the continuance of this undefinable attraction between Special Agent Gillian Hamilton and Gunner the Deadly.
After their adventures in Shallow Grave, Arizona, Gunner has promised to ring in the New Year of 1882 with Gillian in New York. And despite everything going on around them, Gillian and Gunner connect on a deeper level:
I received an ARC from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
The plot is top-notch, with a mysterious super villain and the introduction of mechanical men equipped with Gatling guns for hands, and bodies reinforced with pressure tubes, iron and bronze. The action is densely constructed and unbearably suspenseful. But ... the pulse of the story is the continuance of this undefinable attraction between Special Agent Gillian Hamilton and Gunner the Deadly.
After their adventures in Shallow Grave, Arizona, Gunner has promised to ring in the New Year of 1882 with Gillian in New York. And despite everything going on around them, Gillian and Gunner connect on a deeper level:
"I enjoying making eye contact with a man across a tavern. Getting that swell in your gut, like the ground has fallen out from under you."Gunner sees something in Gillian no one else has - that his power is much greater than he lets on, and that his past is more painful and devastating. Whatever you've lived through - survived - Gillian Hamilton, I am sorry. [...] But you said you remembered everything I told you in Arizona? Remember this : we aren't so different. Gillian struggles to accept Gunner's love and acceptance while battling shadows of horrific memories and the ending of the book is definitely a "Wait. What???" cliffhanger that will make you count the days until the next book in the Magic & Steam series is available. 5 stars!
I tried to swallow, but my throat was parched - dry like animal bones bleaching in the desert sun. "Like you've been pinned to the wall."
Gunner took one step closer to me. "And you realize you share a tendency."
"Now you've got to put it into words."
Another step. "When it's right, you don't need words."
I received an ARC from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
May 8, 2022
Every re-read is a joy ♥️
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I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this novel. "The Gangster" is wonderful, compelling, heartstopping and soul-wrenching. It's the perfect kind of sequel and I already know it will be one of my favourite reads of the year.
I loved "The Engineer", even with its short length, and I couldn't wait to read about Gunner and Gillian again. "The Gangster" does not disappoint. The stakes are up for our favourite lawman-vigilante duo and in a book packed with action and adventure, magic and danger, romance and heartbreak, everything is on the line.
Both of the main characters really outshone themselves here. Gunner with his sweeter and more protective side, his peculiar kindness and steadfastness and Gillian... well, he surprised me so much. I loved him in "The Engineer" but I hadn't grasped just how damaged and powerful he actually was. In "The Gangster" he's explosive and ruthless and a bit volatile; he's funny and charming and shy; he's broken and insecure and scared. My heart just kept breaking and repairing itself page after page.
I cannot stress how much of a powder keg this book is: it's literally explosive, full of tension and emotions and power. It left me with a racing (and slightly destroyed) heart and I'm really not sure how I'll be able to wait for the third book.
I absolutely recommed starting this series if you're looking for well-rounded and flawed characters, a magical steampunk setting and action that will leave you reeling for days.
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I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this novel. "The Gangster" is wonderful, compelling, heartstopping and soul-wrenching. It's the perfect kind of sequel and I already know it will be one of my favourite reads of the year.
I loved "The Engineer", even with its short length, and I couldn't wait to read about Gunner and Gillian again. "The Gangster" does not disappoint. The stakes are up for our favourite lawman-vigilante duo and in a book packed with action and adventure, magic and danger, romance and heartbreak, everything is on the line.
Both of the main characters really outshone themselves here. Gunner with his sweeter and more protective side, his peculiar kindness and steadfastness and Gillian... well, he surprised me so much. I loved him in "The Engineer" but I hadn't grasped just how damaged and powerful he actually was. In "The Gangster" he's explosive and ruthless and a bit volatile; he's funny and charming and shy; he's broken and insecure and scared. My heart just kept breaking and repairing itself page after page.
I cannot stress how much of a powder keg this book is: it's literally explosive, full of tension and emotions and power. It left me with a racing (and slightly destroyed) heart and I'm really not sure how I'll be able to wait for the third book.
I absolutely recommed starting this series if you're looking for well-rounded and flawed characters, a magical steampunk setting and action that will leave you reeling for days.
February 4, 2021
Due to this series, I am beginning to like the Steampunk genre whereas before I used to avoid it and only read it for a challenge.
I love Gillian and Gunnar together. A bit of a cliffy setting up the story for book 3. Hope its not long coming out.
I love Gillian and Gunnar together. A bit of a cliffy setting up the story for book 3. Hope its not long coming out.
February 24, 2021
If you love the first book in the series then you will definitely devour this! This is the second book in the series and it has so much more action, romance and suspense. I really love how Gunner and Gilliam worked together to solve crimes as a team. I cant wait for the third book to be out!
May 14, 2021
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2021/05/14/...
Rating: 5 Stars – absolutely perfect
Rating: 5 Stars – absolutely perfect
December 14, 2022
DNF bored.
January 13, 2022
I HAVE QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST IS HOW DARE YOU?
THE FIRST IS HOW DARE YOU?
April 15, 2023
Lots of fun. But there’s a cliffhanger! Gunner is the most amazing protective gruff cowboy. And Declan Winters’s narration is perfect. Looking forward to continuing the series but I think I’ll wait until it’s finished.
November 8, 2023
4.5 A-
4/10/22- rereading in prep for The Doctor ,book 3, to be released in May.
The Gangster starts off just a couple of months after the end of the series opening novella The Engineer. I highly recommend you read that book first. It sets up the world, and alternate-history-steampunk -Victorianesque time period, and it lays the foundation for the relationship between Gunner and Gillian. The character insights in the novella are important to the ongoing story, plus some story elements tie into this book. It's also a lot of fun!
Within hours of Gillian picking up Gunner for his New Year's Eve visit to New York, the action picks up and rarely slows down. A new gangster is taking over the Bowery and illegal magic is involved. Instead of a quiet celebration, Gillian is attacked and then must deal with the threat. Gunner follows along, helping and protecting at the same time. Fighting both time and internal bureau politics, Gillian tries to find the source of the illegal magic before more harm can be done to people, and the world itself. Plus he needs to make sure Gunner the Deadly, one of the Bureau of Magic and Steam's most wanted men, isn't arrested. The story is complex and fast-paced, and kept me reading into the night. There is development of the relationship between the two men, which is surprisingly sweet. We also know Gillian is hiding something that eats at him, and Gunner is willing to wait him out.
I loved the action and the romance. I didn't love that, while the main story arc wrapped up, Gillian makes a revelation at the end of the book that is not. So, darn it! I'm now waiting for the third installment which at this time has no publication date announced. I am not a patient person.
4/10/22- rereading in prep for The Doctor ,book 3, to be released in May.
The Gangster starts off just a couple of months after the end of the series opening novella The Engineer. I highly recommend you read that book first. It sets up the world, and alternate-history-steampunk -Victorianesque time period, and it lays the foundation for the relationship between Gunner and Gillian. The character insights in the novella are important to the ongoing story, plus some story elements tie into this book. It's also a lot of fun!
Within hours of Gillian picking up Gunner for his New Year's Eve visit to New York, the action picks up and rarely slows down. A new gangster is taking over the Bowery and illegal magic is involved. Instead of a quiet celebration, Gillian is attacked and then must deal with the threat. Gunner follows along, helping and protecting at the same time. Fighting both time and internal bureau politics, Gillian tries to find the source of the illegal magic before more harm can be done to people, and the world itself. Plus he needs to make sure Gunner the Deadly, one of the Bureau of Magic and Steam's most wanted men, isn't arrested. The story is complex and fast-paced, and kept me reading into the night. There is development of the relationship between the two men, which is surprisingly sweet. We also know Gillian is hiding something that eats at him, and Gunner is willing to wait him out.
I loved the action and the romance. I didn't love that, while the main story arc wrapped up, Gillian makes a revelation at the end of the book that is not. So, darn it! I'm now waiting for the third installment which at this time has no publication date announced. I am not a patient person.
March 5, 2021
This author produces exciting, action-packed books populated with complex MCs ... and this book stays true to her form; I can't believe how much drama can be packed into a two day time frame here. We have the reverse scenario from The Engineer whereby we find Gillian in his regular New York milieu (even if he feels like an odd duck in it), and hosting Gunner visiting from the wild west state of Arizona. The magic, steampunk late 19th century world is well detailed.
Amidst a magic-endowed gangster-themed procedural, the author fleshes out a deeper relationship between Gillian and Gunner, and I relished their tentative steps toward intimacy and vulnerability (especially for the imminently more tormented Gillian as the hints of a darker and more awful past becomes increasingly obvious as the book progresses). Readers do discover a few more delightful aspects to gun-toting, killer-outlaw Gunner despite him having the more steadfast/forthcoming role of the two.
I'm a little bemused by the introduction of a twentieth century concept/idea (i.e. six degrees of separation) into an earlier timeline (albeit an alt-historical steampunk one); this catapulted me out of my reading flow and made me get my head around it for a minute or so. The cliffhanger ending throws quite a few cards into the air and left me gasping with "tell me more, tell me more!" 4.5 stars.
Amidst a magic-endowed gangster-themed procedural, the author fleshes out a deeper relationship between Gillian and Gunner, and I relished their tentative steps toward intimacy and vulnerability (especially for the imminently more tormented Gillian as the hints of a darker and more awful past becomes increasingly obvious as the book progresses). Readers do discover a few more delightful aspects to gun-toting, killer-outlaw Gunner despite him having the more steadfast/forthcoming role of the two.
I'm a little bemused by the introduction of a twentieth century concept/idea (i.e. six degrees of separation) into an earlier timeline (albeit an alt-historical steampunk one); this catapulted me out of my reading flow and made me get my head around it for a minute or so. The cliffhanger ending throws quite a few cards into the air and left me gasping with "tell me more, tell me more!" 4.5 stars.
July 21, 2021
No puedo.
No puedoooo.
Sin duda ya me hice fan de la serie, un libro de distancia de la primera parte pero un mundo en la narrativa.
Me ha gustado mucho que la he leído EN UN DÍA.
UN DÍA.
Esto me pasa, pero me pasa poco. Ha sido un no parar, cada capítulo me dejaba con el alma en un hilo y yo necesitaba más, entender los secretos de Gunner pero aún más los secretos de Hamilton.
El tema con Moore, me dio vida. VIDA. Fue emocionante y el salseo que me hacía falta.
Aunque en este libro me acabé de enamorar de Gunner, seré sincera y confesaré que en algún punto shippee a Hamilton con Moore.
¡Pero Moore esperaste 10 años parfaaaavaaar!
Necesito la tercera parte porque ese final es cardiaco en muchas muchas formas.
Sin duda la autora se lució en esta segunda entrega mostrándonos de manera más amplia el mundo de este Manhattan steampunk. Hay un constante abuso de metáforas que pueden sacar de la lectura al momento de entender la magia, pero fuera de eso el misterio, el suspenso y la relación con Gunner es disfrutable a morir.
Hubo una escena que me sacó un par de lagrimitas por lo linda que fue.
Pensar que el que más secretos parecía esconder resultó el mismo narrador ha sido sublime y sin duda no sé qué sentir con Hamilton porque, caray, como miente el hombre.
Me declaro fan de la saga y seguiré hasta el final ;D
Lean la serie Magic & Steam, si les gusta todo el tema de magia, poderes de rayo, organizaciones criminales y policiacas y un protagonista en gabardina sensual, esto es para ustedes.
No puedoooo.
Sin duda ya me hice fan de la serie, un libro de distancia de la primera parte pero un mundo en la narrativa.
Me ha gustado mucho que la he leído EN UN DÍA.
UN DÍA.
Esto me pasa, pero me pasa poco. Ha sido un no parar, cada capítulo me dejaba con el alma en un hilo y yo necesitaba más, entender los secretos de Gunner pero aún más los secretos de Hamilton.
El tema con Moore, me dio vida. VIDA. Fue emocionante y el salseo que me hacía falta.
Aunque en este libro me acabé de enamorar de Gunner, seré sincera y confesaré que en algún punto shippee a Hamilton con Moore.
¡Pero Moore esperaste 10 años parfaaaavaaar!
Necesito la tercera parte porque ese final es cardiaco en muchas muchas formas.
Sin duda la autora se lució en esta segunda entrega mostrándonos de manera más amplia el mundo de este Manhattan steampunk. Hay un constante abuso de metáforas que pueden sacar de la lectura al momento de entender la magia, pero fuera de eso el misterio, el suspenso y la relación con Gunner es disfrutable a morir.
Hubo una escena que me sacó un par de lagrimitas por lo linda que fue.
Pensar que el que más secretos parecía esconder resultó el mismo narrador ha sido sublime y sin duda no sé qué sentir con Hamilton porque, caray, como miente el hombre.
Me declaro fan de la saga y seguiré hasta el final ;D
Lean la serie Magic & Steam, si les gusta todo el tema de magia, poderes de rayo, organizaciones criminales y policiacas y un protagonista en gabardina sensual, esto es para ustedes.
February 2, 2021
REVIEWED BY ULYSSES DIETZ
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE GUILD REVIEW TEAM
“Magic pig in the alley!”
Whew. C.S. Poe has picked us up where she left off at the end of The Engineer and let us loose at full steam.
I don’t know whether or not the light overlay of Victorian melodrama throughout these books (with names like Shallow Grave, Gunner the Deadly) is ironic, or simply a reminder that the author has chosen an extant historical genre on which to impose her magic-infused steam punk universe.
Whatever, it works, both from the action/adventure/fantasy perspective, and from the melodrama romance perspective, twisted to involve two complicated men with dark secrets.
Gillian Hamilton, special agent for the Federal Bureau of Steam and Magic, is back in New York, and on New Year’s Eve 1881, he’s hoping to rendezvous with Gunner the Deadly, notorious outlaw, known only to him as Constantine.
Someone known only as Tick Tock is importing illegal magical weapons into New York City, and also seems to be behind the horrifying modification of human hoodlums into semi-mechanical men. What is intended to be a romantic reawakening turns into a helter-skelter search through the most dangerous parts of Manhattan for the gangster behind the mayhem.
We are in New York during the high Gilded Age (my professional specialty during my career as a curator, as it happens); but things are different. It was not the transcontinental railroads that ultimately made Commodore Vanderbilt (d. 1877) vastly rich; but aether/magic-powered airships—the quintessential steampunk vessel. It was aether-powered magic that came to light (so to speak) during the Great Rebellion—clearly this world’s version of the Civil War. It was the realization that magic was useful, and thus could make lots of people lots of money, that became the defining moment in this world’s history—just as the discovery of oil transformed antebellum America.
General and former president Ulysses S. Grant is in town, I noted, and attending social events. (As he was in fact.) This kind of little detail settles the fantasy into an historical reality that grounds the entire narrative—sort of the way the 1960s television series Wild Wild West did, with its sexy secret agent riding on private railroad cars with “modern” technology under orders from President Grant.
Both Hamilton and Gunner are fascinating characters, each harboring secrets, but for different reasons. Gunner needs to hide his humanity behind the mask of a Bad Guy, while Hamilton seems to be desperately acting out his role as Good Guy in order to keep the truth about him buried deep. Part of the appeal of these two as a couple is Gunner’s sensitivity and intelligence; he sees Gillian, but bides his time, knowing that the truth will out when it must.
Having brought the breathless plot to a satisfying semi-conclusion, and having advanced Gunner and Hamilton’s relationship to a new level of intimacy, Poe ends the book on a shattering cliffhanger, all but guaranteeing her readers will buy the third book in the series, The Doctor.
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE GUILD REVIEW TEAM
“Magic pig in the alley!”
Whew. C.S. Poe has picked us up where she left off at the end of The Engineer and let us loose at full steam.
I don’t know whether or not the light overlay of Victorian melodrama throughout these books (with names like Shallow Grave, Gunner the Deadly) is ironic, or simply a reminder that the author has chosen an extant historical genre on which to impose her magic-infused steam punk universe.
Whatever, it works, both from the action/adventure/fantasy perspective, and from the melodrama romance perspective, twisted to involve two complicated men with dark secrets.
Gillian Hamilton, special agent for the Federal Bureau of Steam and Magic, is back in New York, and on New Year’s Eve 1881, he’s hoping to rendezvous with Gunner the Deadly, notorious outlaw, known only to him as Constantine.
Someone known only as Tick Tock is importing illegal magical weapons into New York City, and also seems to be behind the horrifying modification of human hoodlums into semi-mechanical men. What is intended to be a romantic reawakening turns into a helter-skelter search through the most dangerous parts of Manhattan for the gangster behind the mayhem.
We are in New York during the high Gilded Age (my professional specialty during my career as a curator, as it happens); but things are different. It was not the transcontinental railroads that ultimately made Commodore Vanderbilt (d. 1877) vastly rich; but aether/magic-powered airships—the quintessential steampunk vessel. It was aether-powered magic that came to light (so to speak) during the Great Rebellion—clearly this world’s version of the Civil War. It was the realization that magic was useful, and thus could make lots of people lots of money, that became the defining moment in this world’s history—just as the discovery of oil transformed antebellum America.
General and former president Ulysses S. Grant is in town, I noted, and attending social events. (As he was in fact.) This kind of little detail settles the fantasy into an historical reality that grounds the entire narrative—sort of the way the 1960s television series Wild Wild West did, with its sexy secret agent riding on private railroad cars with “modern” technology under orders from President Grant.
Both Hamilton and Gunner are fascinating characters, each harboring secrets, but for different reasons. Gunner needs to hide his humanity behind the mask of a Bad Guy, while Hamilton seems to be desperately acting out his role as Good Guy in order to keep the truth about him buried deep. Part of the appeal of these two as a couple is Gunner’s sensitivity and intelligence; he sees Gillian, but bides his time, knowing that the truth will out when it must.
Having brought the breathless plot to a satisfying semi-conclusion, and having advanced Gunner and Hamilton’s relationship to a new level of intimacy, Poe ends the book on a shattering cliffhanger, all but guaranteeing her readers will buy the third book in the series, The Doctor.
March 15, 2021
this was what I hoped for after reading "The engineer" ... but the cliffhanger ending was brutal. really hope the next book comes out soon
May 14, 2021
I have enjoyed this fast paced story with intriguing characters. The relationship development is a bit rushed, but the universe drew me in and I am looking forward to the next book.
August 19, 2021
The Gangster is an awesome addition to the Magic & Steam series.
The author gave us so much information on each character organically, it made me incredibly invested for the next book.
Also just reread the first book and bought the audible version of this one. I'm not ready to let this go yet, obviously :).
The author gave us so much information on each character organically, it made me incredibly invested for the next book.
Also just reread the first book and bought the audible version of this one. I'm not ready to let this go yet, obviously :).
October 24, 2021
My favorite Steampunk series to date! This world is just so much fun and very entertaining. This book has a lot going for it - interesting MC's, an exciting plot, and a great job of building a steampunk world. Gillian is turning out to be a really interesting character and I can't wait to find out more about him. Gunner the Deadly is a bit more then he seems as well. Adventure, romance, Frankenstein like monsters, gangsters, magic and more! Yes, I figured out the villain fairly early on but that didn't change my enjoyment of this book at all.
I highly recommend reading the prequel before you dive into this one as it sets the stage for the relationship between Gunner and Gillian and it also has some connections to the main plot in this one.
Can't wait to read the next one as this one left with a minor cliffhanger. I hope it's out soon!
I highly recommend reading the prequel before you dive into this one as it sets the stage for the relationship between Gunner and Gillian and it also has some connections to the main plot in this one.
Can't wait to read the next one as this one left with a minor cliffhanger. I hope it's out soon!
January 11, 2021
Let me start by saying I utterly adore Gillian, his depth of emotion and vulnerability and bravery, yet powerful and unstoppable. And Gunner the Deadly is his perfect match, dangerous and brutally honest and has Gillian's back one-hundred percent. The story starts in a burst of magic and machinery, action and tension mounting inside absolutely believable world-building. The magic used in The Gangster is like nothing I've ever seen before. My heart pounded as I read, me breathless as the story races to a dramatic climax and revelation that leave me desperate for book three. Definitely a Must Read.
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