Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 is no Agatha Christie, but it's an exciting, fun YA steampunk mystery set on an underground train, so I'll take it. Despite the gorgeous cover, there are no cephalopods of any kind in the book. Otherwise, it's fine. 
 This book isn't a romance, but it has a romance in it. Unfortunately, the romance involves two people who are rarely together, so there's no chance for the romance to actually develop. While the book ends on a satisfactory note, it seems to be the first in a series (at least, it leaves things open for a sequel) and maybe future installments will make the romance less of a crush between two people who rarely interact and more of a solid and interesting relationship. 
 What I loved about the book were the descriptions of the train and the undersea stations. I would have liked to have seen more of the underwater world - I was somewhat floored that the passengers on the train express so little wonder and amazement in the view. The train has portholes and viewing windows. Wouldn't people be glued to them? It's the first undersea voyage most people have ever taken, after all. Also, I feel strongly that if you give me a steampunk undersea train, you better give me at least one kraken attack or equivalent wildlife encounter. Color me disappointed. 
 I enjoyed the book, but truthfully it didn't really get going until near the end, when suddenly there's a flurry of excellently written action. I hope there is a sequel, because I felt like the book had just started when it was over. The book is an easy read, intended for young to mid-teen readers. Characterization is uneven, partly because many characters are hiding parts of themselves. I had a hard time understanding the relationship between Rosalind and Cecily, but the tension between Rosalind and her father is excellently and painfully drawn. 
 Because of the odd pacing, the lack of chemistry (and dialogue) between the potential lovers, the lack of friendly chemistry between supposed best friends Cecily and Rosalind, and the lack of octopi and other ocean scenery, the book never reached its full potential. Still, the concept is glorious and I had a lot of fun reading about the train. Any number of murders couldn't keep me away if that train were a real thing. 
 - Carrie S.