The Doctor (Magic & Steam, #3)

Title: The Doctor (Magic & Steam series, Book #3)

Author: CS Poe

Publisher: Emporium Press

Release Date: May 26, 2022

Genre(s): Alternate Universe, Magic, Steampunk

Page Count: 255

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 

Read book blurb here

As I set down The Gangster, I immediately began anxiously awaiting this third book in the series.  Gillian Hamilton is Simon Fitzgerald, the Butcher of Antietam?  Wait what?? It's a slow reveal, but we eventually learn more of Gillian's background and just how far he has risen. And Gunner the Deadly?  Can I just saw how frickin' much I adore that name?

Gunner the Deadly - the country's number-one wanted outlaw. The gentlemen thief. The vigiliante. Six fee of all-black wearing, deadeye marksmanship skills, with a penchant for Crown perfume and Black Jack chewing gum. A learned man of literature, with a husky voice from years of smoking Virginia Brights, and eyes so blue that sapphires paled in comparison.  Constantine Gunner - the one men on God's green earth who'd considered me his. Who'd adored me without fear, without hesitation, without concern for the secrets that burdened my soul.

We get more about Gunner's background as well, and as the secrets are revealed and explained, Gillian and Gunner are stronger together than ever. Gunner's trust and love ("Gunner has right here, reminding me to breathe, telling me it was never to late to begin anew") makes all the difference to Gillian.

As always, CS Poe's world building is stellar in this series, and the plot she has crafted carries us through gun toting robots, magic perverted for nefarious reasons, gruesome battlefield atrocities, and the book ends in another cliffhanger of sorts, as they continue to look for answers.

Side note:  I long for the series about Neil from the Snow & Winter series, and now I am adding Loren Moore to that wish list. He has developed into an intriguing character and I want to see him happy, damn it.  

5 stars and I am again anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

I received an ARC from the author, in exchange for an honest review.