Bearing in mind...

that this is a novella and a prequel, so it's quick, and not very dirty... The world building is off to a good start (there's a lot more for us to learn about the organization Gillian works for, and we need more of both characters' back story, but those are coming in book 2).

If you like the big gruff guy with muscles falls in trust with the small virginal guy with dangerous magic (right? I'm in.) as they fight a bad guy together, then this is perfect. Serious bedtime shenanigans don't happen yet here although it's a close thing.

I enjoyed it. It's well read, especially Gunner's voice. it's as low and gravelly as we could want. In the best of worlds, I'd have waited to get this one until I could immediately follow it up with book 2, but I couldn't wait, and it's 2020, so the best of worlds doesn't apply.

10 people found this helpful

So this is steampunk! Hecking yeah!

Steampunk has found a brand new fan! I had no real understanding of the word but I believe so sincerely in this writer's work so I clamored to read this story and oh my goodness. C. S. Poe is simply brilliant anyway. But she brings a certain intensity to this story by sweeping the reader right into the action. There's no setting up the scene, this author's no tease... Wham! You're right there in the midst of a gunfight with a combination of extraordinary machines, incredible magic, and two awesome men so gloriously different from each other, one's left speechless! And we haven't yet finished the first chapter! I was listening to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by Declan Winters, and went to my sound system to see how much of the story I had remaining because I wanted it to go on for days and knew I would have just a few short hours to enjoy a world I've only just visited. From chapter to chapter, Poe kept the energy high-right until the very last word. Wow, just wow. I am SO looking forward to this series.

2 people found this helpful

Well I'm absolutely IN LOVE

I absolutely loved this book, and loved the audio more! Every character was crafted uniqely, and spot on as far as the delivery matching their character! The saltiness of Gillian, the confidence of Gunner.... I'm absolutely in love all over again!

2 people found this helpful

Cool Concept

This was a cool concept I'm excited to hear more. The characters were engaging and fleshed out.

1 person found this helpful

Steampunk + Western = Just What You Need!

I ADORED ❤️ this novella by CS Poe and am CRAVING the next installment in what promises to be a great series!

What can you expect?
Action from the get-go
Magic
Steam
A sexy outlaw cowboy in black
A virginal federal agent
A crazed engineer🤪
Explosions🤯
A tasty hook-up😍
Something to look forward to

The audiobook for this was SUPERB!! Declan Winters is a new to me narrator who killed this performance!! 👏👏👏

Thanks to the author who provided me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

My rec? If you like plot, action, romance and a bit of enemies to lovers action, then this is your ticket!! You can never go wrong with a CS Poe book!

1 person found this helpful

Magic + Steampunk = Awesome

I loved this book when I originally read it and the audiobook is even better. The Engineer contains so many of my thing. M\M Romance, a historical setting, steampunk and magic. The author does an excellent job of blending all of this together seamlessly.

This book is well worth a listen. Even better, the author is working on a novel-length sequel and I can’t wait!

I enjoyed the narration. This is my first time listening to the narrator but I really enjoyed his performance. I will definitely look out for more from him.

1 person found this helpful

A steampunk story with an Old West twist

Gillian and Gunner made quite a team - both stole my heart! The plot is fairly simple, 2 men on the opposite sides of the law collaborate to bring down a bigger criminal. The story is exciting and sweet with a satisfactory HFN. Can't wait for the next book!
Declan Winters did a really great job of the narration. He is a perfect choice to voice Gillian and Gunner. Overall, he had very distinct and memorable voices for all the characters. I really hope he'll continue to narrate the series and other books.

1 person found this helpful

Gunner the deadly...

This a short. An introduction to the characters.

Gillian is a caster which means he is capable of pulling power from the ether. He works for the Federal Bureau of Magic & Steam. He is sent on a case to stop a criminal who has been leaving a path of destruction.

Gunner is one of America's most wanted. He is known for robbing banks and serving justice on unsavory people. To those who know him, he is more of a vigilante than a bad bad guy.

These two meet when they are both trying to stop the same villian. They decide to team up and work together.

This packed enough punch to make me buy the next book...

So quick!

This was action packed and had a very sweet and tender start to a romance. This book felt more like a part 1 instead of book 1, and left on a HFN. I am waiting for the series to be completed before continuing - I'm really interested in what happens with the plot and romance!

Captivating - with some critiques

This is more a review of the series than of The Engineer specifically. It's an incredibly captivating story, I purchased The Gangster and The Doctor almost immediately after finishing this one.

1. Gillian's powers could use a bit more specificity, particularly when he's doing large spells that do intricate things.

2. Gillian's powers seem limitless. I don't mean in terms of strength but rather, uh, flavour? He'll just do a new form of magic out of nowhere with no previous hint towards it, saying that he simply preferred not to do it.

3. Something happens and you think "small world, huh?" and it just keeps getting smaller.

4. While the intimate scenes are nice, they do seem rather out of place. You learn some things about their dynamic, but mostly I find they grind the story to a halt.

That being said, I'm very much looking forward to the next book.