Ann Aguirre came onto my radar somewhat belatedly only last year when I finally cracked open and fell in love with Enclave and Outpost. When I saw she was going to co-author a steampunk novel with her husband I decided it was one of the books I simply had to get my hands on in 2013. So I slapped it on pre-order! It took me a while to get around to it after I'd received it, but it got to the point where I needed a handbag-sized book for my morning run to work and Bronze Gods is the one that called out to me from the shelves. 
 It took me a whole five days to read it, which is a long time for me, but I'm going to blame that on the sudden heat wave we've been submitted to. It's the sort of heat where you become lethargic, don't sleep, and just generally suffer. In this part of the world we do not have air-co in our houses either, so we have no choice but to get on with life as best we can while we slowly melt... 
 Despite the fact that it took me quite a while to read, the book garnered my interest as of the very beginning and held it right through to the end. For some reason I thought the story was going to be set in London (as with most steampunk novels, I guess) but it was actually set in "the land beyond the mists" where the Ferishers (fae) originally ruled but lost control of the lands when humans somehow made their way through the mists. As humans are wont to do, they started killing off all the Ferishers, until, in order to save their race, the Ferishers married and bred with the invaders - thus diluting their blood and magic. Now only those with strong links to their Ferisher ancestors show any affinity for magic - which comes in all sorts of shapes and forms - leaving the country of Hy Breasil that much more intriguing. I get the feeling that Bronze Gods has only just scraped the surface of everything that's in store for us and I cannot wait to find out what else is to come! 
 The world building here is phenomenal. If you're one of those readers who wants to know everything about how the world works in one fell swoop, this book isn't for you. The world is fleshed out slowly with the authors feeding us new information in dribs and drabs as it becomes pertinent to the story. There are no info dumps here (minus the prologue, but I'll forgive that as it worked to set the scene) and everything that is presented is done so in a classy manner that avoids making it sound like the narrating character is pressing pause on the story, explaining the whole situation to the reader, and then pressing play again. I much prefer this approach: I don't need to know everything, just enough to make sure I can keep up with events taking place. The authors had no trouble finding that perfect balance - hooray! 
 Mikani and Ritsuko themselves really breathe life into the whole story. They've already been partners for a few years before we join them, and they already work together very well. They have their little habits to smooth their investigations - he drives there, she drives back; she asks the questions, he contemplates the answers - and there's already a certain rapport between them. They are each fiercely devoted to the other, standing by each other through thick and thin going out of their way to help each other, loyal, the crutch the other needs to lean on when the going gets tough. Moreover, they're on the cusp of being ready to move on from being just partners on the job to being something more. The romance doesn't even take a back seat here - it's relegated to the boot (or trunk if you're American) of the car and allowed to see the light of day just enough to prove its existence. Neither character is really ready to take that next step yet. Hopefully book 2 will be the moment for them! 
 This slow building romance really fit the bill here: it allowed me as the reader to get to know and form a favourable opinion of both of the characters - Mikani with his messy ways and occasional dependency on substances; Ritsuko with her strong backbone and perfectionist tendencies - before I'm thrown in to the romance. So long as it doesn't take them too long to take the next step, I'll be happy (I say this as the reader of one particular series that has taken fifteen years to get the characters to the point where they can take that next step - and this is at one book a year!). 
 The side characters made for an interesting bunch as well. Every fourth chapter was in Aurelia Wright's PoV, giving us a glimpse at another side of life in this world, though I have to admit that I missed Mikani and Ritsuko during these chapters. However, I do recognise why they were integral to the story. I'm wondering whether book 2 will also follow her in part as her storyline is left open, or whether we'll be introduced to a new character who will take her place. I'd certainly like to learn more about her father, the architect, and his role in society. 
 I don't want to say too much about the mystery itself as it's very easy to give away enough to make sure any future readers have enough information to avoid some of the pitfalls. But it's good! 
 All in all, this is a very well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to book 2!