ARC Review: Skies of Gold by Zoe Archer

Title: Skies of Gold (The Ether Chronicles #5) *can be read as a stand alone
Author: Zoe Archer
Source: Author Request
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: Expected Aug 6, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Two Lonely Hearts...

Kalindi MacNeil survived the devastating enemy airship attack that obliterated Liverpool, but even her engineering skills can't seem to repair her broken heart.  Seeking to put her life back together, Kali retreats to a desolate, deserted island - only to discover her's not alone.  Captain Fletcher Adams, an elite man/machine hybrid, a Man O'War, crashed his battle-damaged airship into this deserted island after Liverpool, never expecting to survive the wreck.  But survive he did.

One desire...

Believing he is nothing but a living weapon, Fletcher is wary of his new-found companion - a pretty, damaged, but determined young woman.  Together they are stranded on the deserted island, and it is only a matter of time until desire gets the best of both of them.  Soon Kali and Fletcher find they may be just what the other needed.  But a danger from beyond the island puts them to the test.  Will it rip them apart or bond their hearts forever?

Have I ever mentioned how much I love steampunk?  When I found out that steampunk was making the jump from Young Adult to Adult and then straight into Romance my heart just about stopped!!  And this book is a great example of why - I wish there were more like it.  Perhaps the author will take pity on me and let me read the rest of the series - otherwise I will just have to go out and buy it this fall with some birthday cash.

Kali and Fletcher find themselves stranded on a very isolated and small island - one by choice, the other by accident.  At first very wary of each other, the beginning of this book shows us how they manage to overcome their own insecurities to realize they may just like each other.  While this part of the book gave some great insight into both the characters as well as some important background information, it did drag just a little at times (which kept it from getting a full 5 stars).

The second half of the book gets really exciting!  It's the adventure part of the steampunk and Zoe Archer seems to know exactly what to do - and she does it without losing the romance.  In fact, she just keeps building it up until a very wonderful and satisfying ending.  This would be a great read for someone unfamiliar with the genre because it isn't too far out there, and while the period and technology play an important part - the romance is what really makes this story come to life.