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hammychop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sydbird's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
kellyjcm's review against another edition
I fell in love with this book pretty quickly. The world Kate Elliott creates is so intriguing and appealing. The catalyst to the plot occurs early and quickly, and it sucked me in. Even when I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it. I finished it a few days ago, and I am still thinking about it!
Detractions include having to go back and re-read parts and uneven pacing. Grateful for the map, which I constantly checked.
Highly recommended for steampunk fans, alternate histories, and fantasy lovers.
Detractions include having to go back and re-read parts and uneven pacing. Grateful for the map, which I constantly checked.
Highly recommended for steampunk fans, alternate histories, and fantasy lovers.
midrel's review against another edition
4.0
There are two special things going for this book. The first is the beautiful, flowing prose that really grabs the reader and forces him/her to want to read more. The second is the excellently written characterization.
There is, however, also one thing against this novel, and that is the way the world-building is handled: Basically, it gets too much in the way of both aforementioned prose and characterization, specially near the beginning of the tale, in the form of tedious info-dumping exchanges or monologues about alternate history whose contents could have been presented in a less heavy-handed manner. At times it did seem painfully obvious the scene served no purpose whatsoever but to dump world-info on the reader.
In the end, I think people's enjoyment of this book will depend on whether they are able to press on despite the over-abundant world-building near the beginning. If they can do that, they'll be richly rewarded.
There is, however, also one thing against this novel, and that is the way the world-building is handled: Basically, it gets too much in the way of both aforementioned prose and characterization, specially near the beginning of the tale, in the form of tedious info-dumping exchanges or monologues about alternate history whose contents could have been presented in a less heavy-handed manner. At times it did seem painfully obvious the scene served no purpose whatsoever but to dump world-info on the reader.
In the end, I think people's enjoyment of this book will depend on whether they are able to press on despite the over-abundant world-building near the beginning. If they can do that, they'll be richly rewarded.
ros_lanta's review against another edition
3.5
I have decidedly mixed thoughts on Cold Magic. I enjoyed it, and I'm intrigued enough that I might well read the second book, but it definitely wasn't an unreserved success.
For a start, I didn't know what to make of this book, it felt a little odd. It started out feeling like a YA fantasy romance, which isn't a problem but surprised me as from reviews I had read I was expecting epic fantasy. Then events took turns and it became more political, bigger in scope and worldbuilding, but it never got to the point of feeling epic. There were still hints of romance though and honestly I did not like them at all, they felt unconvincing and detracted from the story.
In general I didn't feel relationships were all that interesting, even the bond between cousins which was important to the story but never emotionally connected with me. The major exception is of a new family member introduced part way through the book - their developing relationship with Cat was a joy to read.
What did work for me was that from very early on I cared about Cat, what happened to her hurt, and I always wanted her to succeed. I am also intrigued by some of the mysteries in the book, which is why I may well decide to continue the trilogy.
For a start, I didn't know what to make of this book, it felt a little odd. It started out feeling like a YA fantasy romance, which isn't a problem but surprised me as from reviews I had read I was expecting epic fantasy. Then events took turns and it became more political, bigger in scope and worldbuilding, but it never got to the point of feeling epic. There were still hints of romance though and honestly I did not like them at all, they felt unconvincing and detracted from the story.
In general I didn't feel relationships were all that interesting, even the bond between cousins which was important to the story but never emotionally connected with me. The major exception is of a new family member introduced part way through the book - their developing relationship with Cat was a joy to read.
What did work for me was that from very early on I cared about Cat, what happened to her hurt, and I always wanted her to succeed. I am also intrigued by some of the mysteries in the book, which is why I may well decide to continue the trilogy.
hoperu's review against another edition
4.0
This is closer to a 3.5 for me. I enjoyed it enough that I want to read the rest of the trilogy, but there were some things that kept me from truly loving it. I had a hard time getting into it, since the beginning was a bit slow. A large section of the book is traveling up and then back down the length of the country, seemingly to no great purpose - I mean, important plot things happen, but they start and end in the same place with lots of running around in between. And as much as I liked the mash up of cultures, I was often distracted by them, enough that I would get thrown out of the story for a bit. I am not entirely sure why this particular brand of alternate history/fantasy should do that, since I have read plenty of books set in alternate versions of our world, but somehow, the redrawn map of Europe, combined with actual bits of ancient Roman and African history, and magic, was just a bit too much.
As I said though, I do want to read the rest of the series. I like Cat and Bee, and I am interested to see where they go next.
As I said though, I do want to read the rest of the series. I like Cat and Bee, and I am interested to see where they go next.
sunhi's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It’s been several years since I bought this book and the first time I read it, I only skimmed. After deciding to be more deliberate about my reading I went back to reread this one.
I definitely enjoyed the book quite a bit this go around. It had several sections where my first thought was “I can’t wait to find out more”. Then…. I’d get caught it a long page of exposition about the world and my enthusiasm would drain.
It’s not even that the exposition was uninteresting. In fact, I admired the world building being done! I just wasn’t enjoying the plot being broken up with those parts.
Im currently undecided on if I will finish the series. I liked the main characters Cat and Bee and I enjoyed Rory but the other characters left me cold.
I definitely enjoyed the book quite a bit this go around. It had several sections where my first thought was “I can’t wait to find out more”. Then…. I’d get caught it a long page of exposition about the world and my enthusiasm would drain.
It’s not even that the exposition was uninteresting. In fact, I admired the world building being done! I just wasn’t enjoying the plot being broken up with those parts.
Im currently undecided on if I will finish the series. I liked the main characters Cat and Bee and I enjoyed Rory but the other characters left me cold.
amandazzz's review against another edition
4.0
This book sat on my TBR shelf for about a year, and every time I looked at it, I thought "oh yeah, that book!" For one reason or another, it languished on the shelf until now. I really, really liked it. It had several things going for it: a subtle romance set on slow-burn, a unique and intricate world that isn't dumped on you in the first chapter, and a heroine who isn't too stupid to live. The first couple of chapters were a little slow, but things really pick up as soon as a certain cold mage enters the story. I can't wait to read the next book, Cold Fire.
aphrael's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I liked it. The characters were ok and the plot was very suspenseful. However, the inner monologue of the main character was sometimes a bit annoying and not every emotion landed for me in context of the situation. Especially the romantic subplot was a bit out of place for the first half of the book. I like that there was growth to it but to me it could have started a bit later. The style of writing sometimes seemed a bit too serious for a book that's fairly fast paced, it felt a bit like the writer was trying to do too much. I really liked the bond between the main character and her cousin, and I enjoyed the other family member who showed up later in the book, even though he came out of nowhere. I liked the ending too so I'll keep reading.
maeve_spry's review against another edition
4.0
interesting world and peoples
Tried to read this once before and DNF. This time the story enveloped me and carried me through without faltering. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
Tried to read this once before and DNF. This time the story enveloped me and carried me through without faltering. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.