Immersed (Immersed #1)
by Katie Hayoz
Blurb:
What if love turned you into a monster?Forget petticoats and demure female behavior. Melusine Doré prefers armored corsets and knives and slays evil creatures for a living. The grim and gruesome don’t frighten her; she’ll take on a cyclops or a dragon and not even break a sweat. But when her rival, the charismatic Levi Cannon, comes to town, all her buried fears begin to surface. Melusine realizes she is in danger of something much more horrifying than facing blood-thirsty beasts – she’s in danger of falling in love. Because love alone has the power to reveal a secret terrible enough to completely shatter her world.
Set in the muddy streets of 1850s steampunk Chicago, Immersed by Katie Hayoz is a dark yet romantic fantastical romp. It is a stand-alone novella, but the first in a series of adventures that follow Melusine on her quest to rid the world of monsters…and her struggle to come to terms with every monstrous facet of herself.
Immersed is also part of the Falling in Deep Collection: From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the Falling in Deep Collection are bringing you mermaid tales like you’ve never seen before.
My Review:
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I had seen two very positive reviews for this book on blogs of bookbloggers that I frequently visit so when I saw this one netgalley I didn’t hesitate for a second and hit request. I really enjoyed this book and was amazed by the seamless blend of multiple genres, this book has steampunk, paranormal, romance and historical aspects and it all worked together to create an interesting world and story. I really enjoyed this book and wanted to keep reading. There’s a bit of a mystery surrounding Melusine her past as well, which was well done with a few flashbacks to reveal more.
Melusine is an interesting main character, she doesn’t want to fall in love, because of something that happened in the past. While the story furthers we also learn more and more about her past and I could see how it shaped her into the person she is today. She was a great character, with her monster fighting skills, but also having a dark past. Levi was a nice character, although it took me awhile to warm up to him as I found him a bit annoying at first. The side characters are less developed, but there’s still enough characteristics about them to give the reader a feel of who they are.
There is some romance going on, although it isn’t the focus. it nicely blends in within the plot and I almost felt like it was as much part of the plot as everything else. It was very well done, although at times I which there was a bit more depth and connection between them. I do felt like they were a good couple, but as it is a short story there is less time for them to get to know each other, so things develop rather quickly. I did like how things ended with their romance and the later half of the book I enjoyed their relationship more than in the first half when they are still trying to hide their feelings, although it all makes sense why they acted that way later on in the story.
The world building was done very well, although it wasn’t the focus. We learn how there are monsters and those who hunt them. Melusine makes the distinction to only kill monsters who harm others, although Levi seems more easy with what he’ll kill. So there was some hint that not all monsters were as evil or harmful. There’s a big diversity in monsters and it seems like almost all monster are possible, we see more common monsters like sirens and Cyclops, but also weirder ones like the siren eel and some sort of mud snake creature. I thought it was well done, although the author leaves a lot open as well.
Another part I loved was the historical setting, it’s set in 1850 in Chicago and there were mentions of raising the city form the mud. I had to check out the links in the front of the book before I believed it was real, it sounded so surreal how they raise the whole city and I loved learning this little tidbit about the city’s history. There are frequent mentions of mud and one where a house is being moved with the people having breakfast inside and it just added a great atmosphere to this book. I could vividly imagine how the city looked like and combined with all the steampunk elements it really was a joy to read about.
To summarize: This book nicely blends different genres in one story. This book has paranormal, romance, steampunk and historical elements and it all fits together nicely. I was really impressed by the blend of genres and how it created an interesting world. I liked the characters and enjoyed learning more about Melusine her past. The romance was well done, although I would’ve enjoyed to see more about the two of them and how they felt in love as it felt like things happened rather quickly even though they have a past together. The world building was well done, although it also leaves some thing open. I really liked the setting in Chicago and almost didn’t believe it was real with how they raised the city form the mud. It was very interesting and I enjoyed learning this tidbit of history.
I put this one on the wishlist after reading a review on it. I like when they blend the genres like that and the characters have some mystery to them.
Unique settings, hmmm….well I read a lot of sci-fi so alien planets might be unique, but as to stuff on earth, The Blud series by Delilah S. Dawson is pretty unique in its parallel earth setting. I also love Jeannie Lin’s historical romances set in China’s Tang Dynasty.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Lead by Kylie Scott #Review
Same here, It only took me one review to convince me I had to read this one. The blend of genres was done so well and I loved that aspect. The mystery behind melusine was well done too and it was fun to discover the truth as the story progressed.
I always like seeing the different planets in sci-fi books, especially when done well. I also like books with settings where I’ve never been to or setting that I have visited myself. A good setting can really add something to the book.
Lola recently posted…Review: Immersed by Katie Hayoz
I don’t read many historicals but I really like the premise for this one.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Product Review: W-Star Multi Use Adjustable Child Safety Strap Latches Locks
It’s a great book and as there are so many other genres blended in, it doesn’t feel like a typical historical romance book.
Lola recently posted…2015 New Release Challenge: 3rd quarterly recap
I loved this too for the same reasons you sited. And how awesome are the mermaids?! I usually don’t like them, this was an exception though
Braine recently posted…Loved It: A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon + Giveaway
I usually like mermaids and I thought they were done well here, a bit darker than most other mermaid stories. And I liked how they were creepy and with the whole tongue eating thing and their magical song. I also got a copy of the box set where this story is featured, so I am hoping to read more mermaid stories soon ;).
This sounds like a badass steampunk. I have yet to die into this particular genre, but Immersed is sounding like the perfect book to give it a go. And I love that cover!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger recently posted…Monthly Recap â September 2015
I think it’s a great book to give steampunk a try! The blend with other genres works well to introduce you to a new genre. I haven’t read many steampunk books myself so far, but I definitely want to read more of them. The cover is awesome indeed and it fits the book really well!
I’m so happy you enjoyed Immersed, Lola! I thought it was so well done, and Melusine is a character I can’t wait to read more about 🙂
I am so glad I read your review of this one, when I saw it on netgalley I knew I had to request it. I am really glad I gave this one a try. I am looking forward to the next book in the series 🙂
Lola recently posted…2015 New Release Challenge: 3rd quarterly recap
I have a book by this author that I won sometime ago but never got around to reading. I really need to make time for it. I love that the romance wasn’t the central focus and I’m delighted how many genres it seems to crossover into. It’s really impressive that it makes them all work!
Trish @ Between My Lines recently posted…Sept Pick’n’Mix Favourites
I haven’t checked out her other books yet, but I am definitely continuing this series. I like it when a book has some romance, but it doesn’t have to be the focus, sometimes it works better as a subplot. I was really impressed with how the author made the mix of genres work, but it blended together very well.
Ooh, I’m so happy you enjoyed Immersed, Lola. It’s up next on my schedule to read. It sounds so interesting and I like that you felt the different genres were so easily blended. I’m so eager to start it!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…That’s What HE Said #38 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #17
I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one, I had a lot of fun reading it! The blend of different genres was really well done, I am still amazed at how the author pulled that off.
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: What aspects do you like to see in romance?