The Kraken King
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF THE IRON SEAS
Riveted
“Meljean Brook delivers a stellar love story that is slow-burning but utterly romantic and satisfying. . . . Readers who are searching for that perfect steampunk romance will be thrilled. . . . Fascinating worlds, a misunderstood villain, and of course, a passionate love story.”
—
Fresh Fiction
Fresh Fiction
“
Riveted
is another fantastic addition to Meljean Brook’s delightful romantic steampunk series. I recommend this to any reader who enjoys strong, unique protagonists, witty dialog, delish romances, and engaging adventure.”
Riveted
is another fantastic addition to Meljean Brook’s delightful romantic steampunk series. I recommend this to any reader who enjoys strong, unique protagonists, witty dialog, delish romances, and engaging adventure.”
—
Smexy Books
Smexy Books
“As a romance,
Riveted
is refreshing and well written, touching on complicated themes with sensitivity and realism. As a steampunk world, this story is five stars across the board. I can’t get enough of exploring the Iron Seas; every glimpse of this alternate history leaves me fascinated and hungry for more.”
Riveted
is refreshing and well written, touching on complicated themes with sensitivity and realism. As a steampunk world, this story is five stars across the board. I can’t get enough of exploring the Iron Seas; every glimpse of this alternate history leaves me fascinated and hungry for more.”
—
All Things Urban Fantasy
All Things Urban Fantasy
“
Riveted
is a wonderfully creative book with a surprisingly sweet romance at its heart. Whether you like steampunk, romance, or both, don’t miss out on reading David and Annika’s story!”
Riveted
is a wonderfully creative book with a surprisingly sweet romance at its heart. Whether you like steampunk, romance, or both, don’t miss out on reading David and Annika’s story!”
—
Joyfully Reviewed
Joyfully Reviewed
“In between the fantastic elements and fabulous action, Brook also weaves in themes of the dangers of prejudice and judgment. And when it comes to heroes, there’s no one more thoughtful or noble than David! A rip-roaring and wonderful addition to Brook’s amazing Iron Seas series.”
—
RT Book Reviews
(2012 RT Book of the Year Award Winner)
RT Book Reviews
(2012 RT Book of the Year Award Winner)
Heart of Steel
“Rising star Brook has created two completely mesmerizing characters whose journeys in this gritty and treacherous world make for heart-stopping fun!”
—
RT Book Reviews
(top pick)
RT Book Reviews
(top pick)
“
Heart of Steel
is an exciting and stimulating read. Fast-paced, with plenty of humor and gripping action that grabs you at page one. While you don’t lose any of the swashbuckling high seas, er, sky adventures nor Ms. Brook’s superb world building, whose depth and heart makes this series,
Heart of Steel
isn’t as emotionally dark as the first in the series—
The Iron Duke
. Which is perfect because these characters would never have survived that sort of story line. It’s not often you can find a couple who complement each other as well as these two do. Yasmeen and Archimedes are a fantastic couple whose chemistry and dynamics are off the charts. Their steamy sexual games last well towards the end and provide us with plenty of entertainment.”
Heart of Steel
is an exciting and stimulating read. Fast-paced, with plenty of humor and gripping action that grabs you at page one. While you don’t lose any of the swashbuckling high seas, er, sky adventures nor Ms. Brook’s superb world building, whose depth and heart makes this series,
Heart of Steel
isn’t as emotionally dark as the first in the series—
The Iron Duke
. Which is perfect because these characters would never have survived that sort of story line. It’s not often you can find a couple who complement each other as well as these two do. Yasmeen and Archimedes are a fantastic couple whose chemistry and dynamics are off the charts. Their steamy sexual games last well towards the end and provide us with plenty of entertainment.”
—
Smexy Books
Smexy Books
“Yasmeen and Archimedes were a fantastic hero and heroine and a solid couple. I haven’t read many steampunk novels, but if the writing is half as good as it is in this series in other books in the genre, I really need to check out more.”
—
Paranormal Haven
Paranormal Haven
“The world that Ms. Brook has created with this series is incredibly fascinating, with a wonderfully intricate alternate history that adds such depth to the story. Archimedes is one of my absolute favorite heroes, and he and Yasmeen were truly perfect for each other. Recommended for fans of incredible steampunk, of adventuresome heroes with a truly romantic nature, and of kick-ass heroines who keep their awesomeness long after their hearts are engaged.”
—
The Romanceaholic
The Romanceaholic
“A straight-up adventure. Daring escapes, explosions, zombies, treasure hunting, and one man’s quest to fall in love with the woman with a heart of steel . . .
Heart of Steel
has characters worthy of adoration, a gripping adventure, and a romance to cheer for.”
Heart of Steel
has characters worthy of adoration, a gripping adventure, and a romance to cheer for.”
—
Vampire Book Club
Vampire Book Club
The Iron Duke
“I loved it! As far as I’m concerned, with
The Iron Duke
, Meljean Brook has brilliantly defined the new genre of steampunk romance. From now on, everyone will compare other writers in the genre to her.”
The Iron Duke
, Meljean Brook has brilliantly defined the new genre of steampunk romance. From now on, everyone will compare other writers in the genre to her.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz,
New York Times
bestselling author
New York Times
bestselling author
Titles by Meljean Brook
The Guardian Series
DEMON ANGEL
DEMON MOON
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON BLOOD
DEMON MARKED
GUARDIAN DEMON
Novels of the Iron Seas
THE IRON DUKE
HEART OF STEEL
RIVETED
MINA WENTWORTH AND THE INVISIBLE CITY
(A Berkley Sensation Special Novella)
TETHERED
(A Berkley Sensation Special Novella)
HERE THERE BE MONSTERS
(A Berkley Sensation Special Novella)
Anthologies
HOT SPELL
(with Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, and Shiloh Walker)
WILD THING
(with Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M. Liu, and Alyssa Day)
FIRST BLOOD
(with Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, and Chris Marie Green)
MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS
(with Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, and Ilona Andrews)
BURNING UP
(with Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, and Virginia Kantra)
ANGELS OF DARKNESS
(with Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Sharon Shinn)
ENTHRALLED
(with Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, and Lucy Monroe)
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) LLC
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
USA • Canada • UK • Ireland • Australia • New Zealand • India • South Africa • China
A Penguin Random House Company
This book is an original publication of The Berkley Publishing Group.
Copyright © 2014 by Meljean Brook.
Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.
BERKLEY® is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA).
The “B” design is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA).
An application for cataloguing has been submitted to the Library of Congress.
eBook ISBN 978-1-101-62665-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Brook, Meljean.
The kraken king / Meljean Brook. — Berkley trade paperback edition.
pages ; cm. — (Iron Seas ; 4)
ISBN 978-0-425-25605-3 (softcover)
1. Voyages and travels—Fiction. 2. Steampunk fiction. I. Title.
PS3602.R64274K73 2014
813'.6—dc23
2014028598
PUBLISHING HISTORY
InterMix serial eBook edition / April–June 2014
Berkley trade paperback edition / November 2014
Cover design by Jason Gill.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Version_1
Contents
Other books
Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman
Doctor Who: War Games by Malcolm Hulke
Odd Girl by Artemis Smith
The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks
Strange Days: Fabulous Journeys With Gardner Dozois by Gardner R. Dozois
Krewe of Hunters 8 The Uninvited by Heather Graham
Reacciona by VV.AA.
After Ariel: It started as a game by Diana Hockley
A Frontier Christmas by William W. Johnstone