Thomas Agardawes has a bride that resists him, and a job that he doesn’t like. When a Royal approaches him on only his third day as a master at the Clockworker’s Guild, his life is turned upside down. Demons lurk in the underground and he has been assigned the task of leading the force against evil.
Seraphina has torn her wings from her body to save a lover’s soul, but he spurns her. Revenge blossoms, and she plots to make Hell her own and force humans to pay for what they took from her. Nothing will stop her, and her corruption runs soul deep.
Layel, a Pure Angel, has fallen for a human, and it’s almost cost him his wings. That is not the hardest task to face. He must convince a man to run a secret group to hunt demons as they’ve come out of Hell to hunt the humans. If he succeeds, he will then need to train them all.
Three souls that couldn’t be more different collide in unexpected ways as the Alliance of Silver and Steam is born, and the secrets of demons unleashed on the world.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Rise of Silver and Steam is a prequel book to the Alliance of Silver and Steam series written by Lexi Ostrow. The series is a steampunk romance series that centers on demon hunters and their relationships. Some of the romances have to deal with humans and demons, but not all of them. This book centers on three different types of relationships: Seraphina’s fall from grace and rise in hell, Layel’s growing love and loyalty to humanity, and the marriage of the couple who will start the Alliance.
What I love about this book is that we get to see what made Seraphina fall. I actually love her as a character. She’s dark, twisted, and seductive. Lexi Ostrow makes great villains and Seraphina is one I love to know more about. Likewise, I loved learning how the Alliance came to be. Thomas and Audrey are a strong couple and a strong couple would have to be the ones to head a group of demon hunters.
Throughout the book we see Thomas and Audrey’s marriage go through hurtles. They are married very early on in the book and it is known that they may not love each other just yet. The marriage is of convienence and mutual respect. Their love is in danger in its infancy, but it is their own personal strength and the strength of them together that keeps them going.
Through all of this, Seraphina is pulling all the punches to destroy mankind.
See why I like this series? Ostrow weaves an interesting and intricate plot within an equally intricate world. Her world is what makes the story that much more interesting. And this book is the conception of her world in the other books of the series.
Now, for a little bit of characterization… Audrey is a strong, quiet woman. She deals with her own problems within herself before voicing them. Despite her own fears, she has the bravery to admit fault where fault is due. Thomas is a passionate man. He is very vocal about his opinions and has no problem setting a person straight; even if that person could imprison him. Layel is an angel who is a bit of both. He is passionate and loyal to his cause, but he tries to fight his own battles internally. It is through his connections with Thomas and Audrey that he begins to establish his own role in the world.
If you’re worried that you have to read this book before reading the others in the series; don’t be. You’re not going to get lost. You don’t have to read this first to understand the world. I personally saw this as a great introductory or even a flashback between the already awesomeness that is the Alliance of Silver and Steam. It is a must read for Lexi Ostrow fans. If you aren’t a fan, pick up one of her books soon.
Casia's Corner 
Like you say, this sounds really intricate and interesting. Quite intrigued!
It’s a good book by a good author. I definitely consider a book intricate when there are three different things going on and you have to put them together in a cohesive work. Try her work out.