Set in a historical steampunk alternate United Kingdom, this is a fun adventure that could have used a little more editing.

Constance is hosting her coming out ball and all things go awry. She discovers that some of her leading scientists have been kidnapped, and there's this cowboy from America who's here trying to assist but is ruining all her plans. They end up teaming up and discover that the scientists who have been kidnapped have developed a formula to make people invisible. Now someone is turning Swedes invisible, and they're trying to overthrow Queen Victoria.

There is a lot in between this, but most of it consists of Constance arguing about proper manners and decorum, Trusdale (American Cowboy) being annoyed with Constance for messing up his plans, and a constant discussion of how it isn't fair that Constance can't inherit her father's estate while he's stuck in the Congo (or the Yangtze River, or somewhere else when he is really stuck in an alternate universe). The amount of time Constance talked about proper outfits, or how she couldn't do a thing because it just wasn't done, only to do it anyways, is far too many. I get that we're supposed to find it amusing that she's working so hard to stay proper according to society's standards but is instead this kick-butt woman who won't let the man get her down. Much like Queen Victoria, I was not amused.

There's a lot to like in this story, and I do enjoy the characters, I just think a lot of the middle needed to be cut back. The narrator has a very proper voice for Constance which was nice to listen to.

im confused. I want to like it but I just have a hard time following the characters and the plot. I will read the next one because im hoping for clarification but im not sure I would start this series if I could go back.

Elizabeth Chatsworth’s The Brass Queen is a fun jaunt into an alternative timeline in the multiverse, exploring what life might be like if during Victorian times, steampunk was given a massive tech boost and knowledge of the multiverse was known, accepted, and could be manipulated/accessed safely.

Into this world, we find our heroine, Miss Constance Haltwhistle, a member of the aristocracy on the verge of losing her home because during her timeline, things aren’t That different, and she has less than a week to find and marry a man to secure her claim to her father’s estate.

Queue ALL of the mayhem and mischief. Not only from potential suitors, but also because of shenanigans that Miss Haltwhistle brought on herself.

Hold onto your chain mail, this hilariously snarky “romance” is a fun read!

Have you read a book recently that was so full of adventure, inventions, quirky characters, humor, and heart that you smiled the entire time you were reading it?? This is that book for me. Gaslight fantasy. I don't think I've read a book like this before, but this won't be my last. It was pure fun.

Constance Haltwhistle is a delight and Trusdale compliments her perfectly. The escapades they embark on, the fascinating discoveries they make along the way, and their witty banter make them one of my favorite literary duos.

This book is so well-written and such a wonderful surprise that I hope everyone that reads this rushes out to get themselves a copy of this incredible magical book. I can only hope that this will be made into a fantastical TV series or movie. I will be impatiently waiting with popcorn at the ready.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* i would read more from this series, at first i was unsure because frankly i am not too into the steam punk/time travel whatever or romance but this was better than other similar books i have read by far

The best word to describe Elizabeth Chatsworth’s "The Brass Queen" is “romp.” Constance Haltwhistle is a designer of weapons and a breeder of hogs. However, since her father has relocated to an alternate dimension and is presumed dead, Constance must find a husband or else lose her lands. The adventure begins at her coming-out party, and the action does not slake off for one moment until the end. Characters are always running, dodging, or trying to make luncheon appointments. With the help of a spy cowboy from the United States, she must rescue her kidnapped mentor and save Queen Elizabeth from assassination, all while trying to find a suitable match.

Steampunk; light, frothy romance (really not much above the ankles); and a strong female lead made this book a fun read. Adding to the humor is the author’s ample use of alliteration. The worldbuilding is decent. There are interesting backstories. For instance, I absolutely want to read the story about the Singhs and how they found each other.

The audiobook was narrated by Michelle Babb. She did a good job differentiating between the characters and the different accents. I listen to my audiobooks at 1.25 speed, and her voice worked really well at that speed.

Overall, I was delighted with "The Brass Queen" and would recommend as a fun beach read for those of us who like a little steampunk and a little romance and a lot of alliteration.

I was super excited to listen to this book. However, the narrator sounded so robotic (and it echoed) that I just couldn't get through the whole thing. Sadly, the narrator didn't do this book justice. I'll definitely go find an ebook version instead to read.

The super fun adventurous historical fiction steampunk sci fi rom com The Brass Queen by ingenious author Elizabeth Chatsworth has been on my TBR list for over a year and It was worth the wait.

In an alternate 1897 London, Constance Haltwhistle is an inventive young woman of science but not of romance or societal manners. Abandoned by her father the Baron, her "evil" uncle has started litigation to take over her land and finances because it is obscene for a woman to be in control of her own property!

So Constance is on the hunt for a husband to prevent her uncle from succeeding in taking over her life. Also, it would disrupt her secret career of manufacturing illegal unusual firearms that has earned her the title of the, "Brass Queen."

There are flying ships, invisibility potions, weird machinery, spies, assassins and Queen Victoria in all her glory. Adding to the steampunk adventure is the introduction of my favorite character American soldier J.F. Tisdale. Completely out of place with his charming southern accent, his not so meet cute with Constance (he winds up in jail because of her) starts a whirlwind of Romcom tropes from enemies to lovers, fake relationship, and good old friends to lovers. Though there is no steam in the romance, the sweetness and innocence of their connection doesn't need it. I couldn't stop smiling during their scenes together.

Narrator Michelle Babb does an evil voice with such glee but it is her moments between Tisdale and Constance that made me feel so much emotion.

Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award For Science Fiction and Fantasy it combines the fun side of steampunk sci-fi, the innocent side of regency romance and a good spy adventure. The Brass Queen is pure gold.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Half victorian era steampunk scifi, half romance, The Brass Queen is a lighthearted romp through a mechanical world with many an unfortunate circumstance for our poor Miss Constance Haltwhistle.

This isn't the type of novel I'd typically pick up (for various reasons), but I was in the mood for something different and did find myself enjoying it. I was a fan of the light-hearted nature, the banter between the two main characters, and Trusdale as a character in general. The invisibility serum plot was fun (the scene where Trusdale had someone come for his hat while he was indisposed was highly entertaining), and I was intrigued by Constance's father being missing, specifically the nature of it. I listened to this on audio, and do recommend that experience. I think the narrator did a great job portraying both main characters, Constance especially.

Positives aside, I did find Constance a bit insufferable, the book seemed about sixty pages too long, the romance didn't come to a head until the very end, and I do think the silliness aspect passed into absurdity. Though, I admit I'm a bit new to the romance genre and maybe the absurdity is more common in fluffy romances than I thought. I also wish we'd gotten more of Constance's father, though, I understand there are more books to come after this one, and this one already had many plot points it needed to take care of.

Overall this wasn't quite for me, but I do see the appeal and why others might love it! I'd recommend you check it out if it sounds up your alley; just be aware that it's very silly, light, and there isn't much in terms of seriousness or high stakes.

*I obtained a copy of this title via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A good fun different steampunk story with Constance the Brass Queen and J F Trusdale a American spy. set in
Victorian England.
Have everything you wold want in a good interesting story.
Drama,suspense,twists,some humor and romance.
Enjoyed listening to.
Voluntarily reviewed.

This was a really fun story. It began in a very formal Victorian wistful tone heavy on the fantastical. Then we add in the mixture a male lead who couldn’t possibly be more opposite to our main character but the back and forth works. There were times I genuinely laughed during this book as there are tons of unexpected descriptors (such as the family crest). The unfortunate fact is, our leading lady will 100% get in her own way most of the time with her “haute” attitude. Our male lead is going to take some undue beating which I can only hope reconciles in the second book. The ending felt a little rushed together for the sake of finishing one volume and starting another. Would’ve preferred a cliffhanger over the hasty wrap-up but this book still gets 4 stars.

This review was made possible by an ARC of the audiobook version.

This book is a very well rounded book that I think would be good for younger readers. I enjoyed the concept of the MC being this lady in power and having a secret second life as the brass queen. However I found myself annoyed by the MC and her constant reminders that she is the brass queen. Especially considering we don’t really experience that side of her for what feels like a lot of the book. I gave this book 2.5 stars because I really did enjoy the themes and concept I just struggled listening to the MC.

What a delightful book! I read my fair share of Meljean Brook and Gail Carriger, so I know I'm on board with some steampunk. I found this silly steampunk novel to be totally delightful. I liked the romance a lot, and how goofy the slapstick humor is. Constance is the perfect amount of book smart but people dumb. Truesdale is also blinded by his sense of duty (?). I love the word building (drunk scientists! chainmail corsets!). I have already recommended this book to friends and I will definitely recommend it to more.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This is one of those books where I am so divided on how I feel about it. It was overall very interesting and action packed, but I just couldn't get into it. I don't know if it was because it was so action packed, or if it was because it had a little too much of everything (steampunk, sci-fi, spies, romance, etc) but I kept spacing while listening. I can see if being a hit though for many! I liked the narrator as well.

Let’s go on a journey into an alternate Steampunk world set during Victorian England. There is so much action going on in this book with a new adventure on every page. We have kidnapping, arrests, interrogations by inept policemen, spies, breaking into a fortress-like science lab, fighting, flirting, almost romance, and travels to other dimensions with other versions of our characters.

Heiress and arms dealer Constance Haltwhistle reluctantly blackmails American spy J.F. Trusdale (who has a secret agenda) to help her hunt for three brilliant scientists who have been kidnapped. The missing scientists possess the secret knowledge to create an invisibility serum. While searching for them, Constance also seeks an acceptable husband whom she must marry in three days in order to maintain control of her family’s estate. As three invisible assassins have been set after her, Constance’s nuptials may have to wait just long enough for her to fight to survive the week.

The frustration and flirtation between Haltwhistle and Trusdale is tangible while they navigate their mission, learning how to trust and work with one another throughout their quest. Constance is an amusing, yet no-nonsense female lead and her adventurous American is intriguing and wholly trustworthy.

REVIEW: The Brass Queen

The Brass Queen is a fun steampunk romp filled with fantastical mechanical beasties, sky pirates riding dirigibles, crazy weapons, alternate dimensions and the most quirky fun characters I’ve read in a long time.

Constance is to be married, to whom, she’s not sure… regency rules require she marries by her birthday in order to keep her familial property. At her coming out ball, things go from Bridgerton level society to madcap misadventures. Constance and American cowboy / spy JF Truesdale are on a collision course that leads to some of the most entertaining banter I’ve read in a long time. Both are on the hunt for a rumored invisibility potion that could serve as a great advantage in the superiority of their respective countries. The baddie in this one is awful and yet so fun to read. The world building and amazing weapons were so fun to envision.

If you are a fain of Gail Carringer’s Soulless series or The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels definitely check this one out.

Thanks to NetGalley for access to this audiobook, the narrator was fabulous with storytelling and the variety of required accents. All opinions above are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for feedback.
This was a long book that could have been maybe three different books in a series. There are good scenes and interesting characters. The steampunk tech is a small part of the story, but there are some other dimensional things that exist here, too. The main villain is a bit over the top.

The Brass Queen by Elizabeth Chatsworth is a wildly fun steampunk fantasy romance. The story is compelling and the characters are a quite enjoyable and fun to experience their experiences. I'm not always a fan of steampunk, but Chatsworth balances the fantasy elements and the reality of the characters well. The narrator does a great job with the different character voices and expressions.

I couldn’t for the life of me “get” into this book. The description, title sounded interesting. I didn’t love the narrator’s voice, so it was very hard for me to keep listening to.

𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭.

This book was the best suprise ever, I had no idea this story it was going to be a wild ride from start to finish. Fantasy, romance, adventure, science fiction and a feisty heorine, what’s not to like. A truly enjoyable read.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and CamCat Books for this audiobook.

The Brass Queen by lElizabeth Chatsworth released December 1, 2021.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/