I didn't know what I would think of this book. I really liked The Iron Duke. I liked the characters created in that world and a lot of times I din't care when authors switch up the main characters in each of their stories. 
 In this case Meljean Brook does a great job. Heart of Steel tells the story of Captain Corsaire and Archimedes Fox both featured in the Iron Duke. Archimedes's future was in question after being thrown off Lady Corsaire and left for the zombies. 
 I think this book was so good for me because it told it's own story. It didn't follow the same formula as the previous book. Yasmeen and Archimedes had their own chemistry and relationship. 
 Yasmeen was a great female character. Very strong and self-reliant. It was good to see her start to have feelings for Archinedes yet not sacrifice being strong. She didn't soften up her personality, she just made room to feel more. 
 Same with Archimedes. He didn't lose any of his masculinity by letting Yasmeen take the lead. I really hate it how a male character can be the most alpha until he meets the woman he falls in love with and then he loses it. I think it says more that he felt comfortable enough that he didn't worry about it in the first place. 
 This book seemed to move at a faster pace than the first book (which doesn't speak badly of either book), just something else to differentiate between the two. 
 I like this series and I look forward to continuing reading this series.