Book Review

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

September 15, 2020 /

This Post is Spoiler Free!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review

Okay. If you follow my blog or my Instagram at all, you’ll know that I’m not one for reading Romance books. They tend to get on my nerves, and so I usually don’t even attempt to read them. On occasion, I’ll give one a try if it comes highly recommended. However, that being said, there is one author that I will read without a recommendation, despite the genre of her books. That author is Nancy Campbell Allen. 

Have I read all of her books? No. I can only handle so much Romance at a time! But I have loved each book of hers that I have read. The most recent on that list is Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts. It is a steampunk (STEAMPUNK!) retelling of Cinderella, and my goodness I loved it so much! Let me give you a short list of why I loved it:

  • While it featured an “Enemies to Lovers” trope, Oliver wasn’t a dark, brooding, misunderstood bad boy that needed to be changed by love. He was a good man with strong morals and a good heart. So “enemies” isn’t quite right. It was more “Rivals to Lovers.”
  • Emme wasn’t naive or weak spirited. She was smart, interesting, passionate, determined, and loving. Literally the perfect Cinderella. She embodied everything that I ever understood Cinderella to stand for: strength and compassion.
  • The idea of healthy relationships built on mutual trust, understanding, and communication was so prevalent, not only in the main couple’s relationship, but also the relationships of their friends. I really hope teens and young adults pick up this book, as so many Romances (especially YA Romances) tend to display a lot of toxic traits. 
  • Steampunk. Need I say anymore?

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is the fourth book in Nancy Campbell Allen’s steampunk fairytale retelling series, though it can be read as a standalone. I have only read one other in the series (Kiss of the Spindle. I loved it!), and while I had no trouble understanding everything that was going on, I kinda wish I knew the other stories, as some of the characters make appearances. Also, because the world of these characters is already so vast, a lot of this book was told as exposition, which slowed some things down for me. However, it wasn’t that difficult to really get into the story (I read it in three sittings) due to the witty dialogue, the character development, and the magic of it all!

So, yeah, I definitely recommend this book. It comes out on October 6th, and y’all should be stoked!

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

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My Next Read(s):

The Rise of Kyoshi and The Shadow of Kyoshi by F. C. Yee

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