Genre: Supernatural Steampunk | Author: Kate Locke | Release Date: 2012 | Publisher: Orbit
Elite Royal Guard Alexandra Vardan searches for her missing sister, only to uncover a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to upend the monarchy she’s sworn to defend from within.
Plot
In a richly reimagined steampunk alternate history, the Black Plague didn’t just kill—it evolved. Its survivors became vampires, werewolves, and goblins, altering the entire societal structure of the British Empire. Now-immortal Queen Victoria still reigns, and her aristocracy consists of the supernatural elite. Alexandra “Xandra” Vardan, a half-blood and member of the elite Royal Guard, is sworn to protect this hierarchy—until her sister goes missing.
Xandra’s search unravels a dangerous conspiracy that not only challenges her beliefs but threatens the very foundation of the empire she has pledged herself to defend. Along the way, she uncovers secrets that tie directly into her bloodline and begins questioning her identity, her loyalties, and the nature of power in a world where bloodlines are quite literal.
The story blends mystery, action, romance, and political intrigue with a strong dose of paranormal flair. While some subplots—such as the romantic tension between Xandra and the werewolf king, Vex—veer into familiar territory, the overall narrative remains engaging and filled with enough twists to keep readers guessing.
Ranking: 4 out of 5
Production
Kate Locke’s writing is sharp, witty, and vividly descriptive. She constructs an immersive steampunk world layered with supernatural class dynamics, genetic hierarchies, and Victorian futurism. The worldbuilding is one of the novel’s greatest strengths: vampires and werewolves rule the upper class, goblins live in the shadows, and half-bloods serve as soldiers caught between worlds.
The story’s dialogue is lively and humorous, lending a modern, snarky edge to an otherwise dark setting. Xandra herself, while occasionally slipping into the “sassy female lead” mold, is given internal conflicts and personal depth that elevate her character. Her relationships—especially with Vex and the surprisingly nuanced Goblin Prince—bring layers to the otherwise fast-paced plot.
The logistics of the species' origins, particularly how the plague mutated to create them, are explored in a way that feels just plausible enough to be immersive without getting bogged down in exposition. While some elements are predictable and others clearly follow paranormal romance tropes, Locke’s world is imaginative enough to forgive these clichés.
Ranking: 4 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, God Save the Queen is a clever and entertaining entry in the paranormal steampunk genre. Though it sometimes leans on familiar tropes—like insta-romance and the chosen-one twist—it’s redeemed by compelling worldbuilding, fast pacing, sharp dialogue, and a heroine with more depth than expected.
Kate Locke crafts a world where bloodlines rule, secrets rot beneath the surface, and even the monsters have class. If you're a fan of steampunk intrigue, dark fantasy, or alternate history with supernatural flair, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. God Save the Queen gets 4 out of 5
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