I didn’t actually get to finish this book as I ran out of time before it archived.
What I have read was good and I will be looking for it at my library to hopefully get the rest of the story!

2.75⭐ rounded up to 3. I’ve read awesome reviews, but this simply wasn’t for me. If you like fast-paced adventure stories, dystopian settings with steampunk vibes, dual narration, sound effects and music, nerdy protagonists and endearing automatons, you’ll probably like this audiobook.

Tropes to expect: opposites attract, one of a kind, damsel in distress, back-from-the-dead cyborg, alternate universe, mechanical monstrosities, invisible empire.

❤️ Relatable, flawed MMC
❤️ Fast pace with lots of twists and turns
❤️ Male voice actor performance
❤️ Loveable side characters (especially Bart)
❤️ Light humour
❌ Sudden jumps (in plot progression, character/relationship development, etc.)
❌ Confusing time travel plotline
❌ Over-the-top sound effects
❌ Dull female voice actor performance
❌ Use of French words

Plot: I liked how fast paced and creative the story was, with tons of twists and turns. However, there was a confusing and rushed time travel plotline, in addition to a romance subplot (with a WEDDING!) that was simply not believable given the lack of character/relationship development. The characters had basically zero interactions and chemistry, and *suddenly* love declarations just happened and they started being referred to as “the loving couple”… In my opinion, for romance to be believable and impactful, a *minimum* of development is essential. Same goes for friendship, betrayals, and more.

Characters: The characters were fun, despite being more like archetypes than well-rounded characters. I was pretty indifferent about the MCs, but I loved some of the side characters, such as Edgar and Bartholomew.

Writing: Some of the dialogues and action sequences were fun, but I felt like the author relied too much on exposition. I’m a fan of the show-don’t-tell technique, and I need more sensory details and other tidbits of information to connect with places and characters.

Audio: At first, I was pleasantly surprised by the dual narration, sound effects, and music. But I quickly got tired of jumping when the sounds were unexpected or too loud as compared to the narration. Also, the female voice actor’s performance was so flat it sounded like AI.

Trigger warnings: violence, murder, blood and gore, death (including of a parent), parental abuse, kidnapping and confinement, injury and injury detail, body horror and body modification, medical experimentation, etc.

Coup De Grâce is a Sci-fi, Steampunk, Dystopian novel. Nature has all but withered and died way. It’s the rise of steam powered machines and animatronics. There are stories of a bloodline that carries a life force could it bring balance back to the world or give the evil villains the power they desire?

Kaimo is an optometrist and he is in the wrong place at the right time.
Zylpha has always known there was something different about her, but has never really known what that part is.
Together they are met with hard choices, backstabbers, and trying to save the world they know.

Bart is probably my favorite character of the whole book and I love him so much.

I throughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The plot twists I did not see coming. The story is captivating and keeps you guessing.

Coup de Grâce is an extremely fun and engaging read, reminiscent of early Asimov works. The novel follows Kaimo’s journey from simple miner to being dragged to the epicenter of societal change.
I love how grounded Kaimo feels within his world. He comes across as an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances, his dream to become an eye surgeon is realistic, and the opening train hijacking immediately throws him into the action, setting the tone for the rest of the novel.
The worldbuilding is an highlight, the author does a remarkable job of creating an immersive atmosphere without bogging down the narrative with excessive description. As Kaimo travels across various locations, each setting feels distinct and well-realized. The same applies to the secondary characters who, while not deeply explored, they all feel unique and interesting.
While the fast-paced action makes for a fun read, the plot is packed with intertwining mysteries and high-stakes moments, it left little room for deeper exploration of Kaimo and his love interest, I would have loved more time to delve into the characters and their relationships.
That said, the plot is inventive and engaging, and the conclusion ties up the narrative in a way that comes toghether in a satisfying way.
On top of that, the audiobook production is great and elevated by well-placed sound effects and musical vignettes.
Overall, Coup de Grâce is a fun read that blends action, mystery, and social commentary with an engaging style I especially recomend listening to it!

(3.0 Stars)

Thank you to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read and review.

I love the SteamPunk genre, my go-to genre is Dystopian Fiction, and I like a good fantasy as much as anyone... However, while this book did have all the elements of these (and more), I feel like it maybe tried to be too many things.

First, the good. The audiobook had two narrators, but also used some vocal effects and background noises and music. It was a nice touch, and the production was very good.

The bad isn't really all that bad. The story was mostly interesting, but I didn't feel like it had a logical flow. It just didn't really come together for me. The characters were mostly flat, and were inconsistent with their actions. The world was confusing and felt like it was forced into plot elements. However, the attention to detail in some of the steampunk elements were excellent.

I would probably read another book by this author.

This book had all the hallmarks of a classic steampunk tale—airships, automatons, gears, and a pseudo-Victorian setting. Unlike most stories in the genre, it takes place in an entirely different world, complete with multiple moons and suns. While that premise was intriguing, the execution fell flat.

The plot follows 19-year-old Kaimo, who dreams of becoming an ophthalmologist but is forced to work in the mines due to his family's financial struggles. A botched train heist unexpectedly throws him into the middle of a war, pitting him against a seemingly unstoppable nemesis. From there, the story unfolds in a predictable manner: Kaimo stumbles into danger, miraculously survives, and the villain remains menacing in a one-dimensional, moustache-twirling way.

The biggest issue is the lack of depth. The characters are more archetypes than fully developed individuals. Kaimo is the earnest young hero, his love interest is conventionally beautiful and headstrong, and the antagonist is evil for the sake of being evil. Relationships form out of nowhere—one moment the protagonists are fighting side by side, and the next, they are declaring undying love and getting married with no buildup. Emotional weight is nonexistent, and the character development is so rushed that nothing truly resonates.

The writing itself is another hurdle. The structure feels choppy, with abrupt scene transitions that prevent the story from flowing naturally. Instead of allowing tension to build or relationships to develop organically, the book jumps from one action set piece to another. It’s as if the narrative is more concerned with spectacle than substance.

The audiobook experience only made matters worse. Overproduced to a fault, it was filled with unnecessary sound effects—random explosions, loud clashes, and intrusive background music that broke immersion rather than enhancing it. Chapter breaks were padded with long, disruptive musical interludes, dragging out the experience without adding anything meaningful. The narrator, while competent, read in a straightforward manner that didn’t match the over-the-top production, making the entire performance feel disjointed.

While I appreciate the attempt at creating a unique steampunk world, the book ultimately lacks the storytelling finesse to make it truly engaging. It’s neither deep enough to be thought-provoking nor fun enough to embrace its pulpy nature. A promising premise, wasted on a shallow execution. That's why I'm giving it 1.5 ⭐.