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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
I really liked the setting of this, a steampunk alternative past. There are moments of wonder, but some more character development would be nice. The second part takes a big divergence from the main plot in both style and focus which really made me want to continue reading.
The tone also jerks about. It starts of like a light adventure novel but then takes some very dark turns, dwelling on incidents of predatory behaviour far more than was expected. I think it is unlikely that this will be present in the sequel but it made reading this a bit hard going.
The tone also jerks about. It starts of like a light adventure novel but then takes some very dark turns, dwelling on incidents of predatory behaviour far more than was expected. I think it is unlikely that this will be present in the sequel but it made reading this a bit hard going.
This was one of the best purchases I've made in some time! A plotline that initially seems off-kilter but snaps into sense as the story advances, a well-visualized version of an alternate British timeline, (and some intriguing details added for extra spice), sympathetic characters -- some of whom seem far from it, when you first encounter them -- and a cast of minor characters who will hopefully appear again in the sequel. There is a sequel, isn't there?
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Completely love this audiobook, such a fabulous collection of ideas. The Narrator is so amazing. Am so going onto the next one.
Not bad but it felt like the author was trying too hard to be clever.
In an Albertian rather than Victorian England Engineers make noisy technology; Eugenicists develop animals for particular purposes; Libertines oppose rigidity and support creativity while the Rakes try to outdo each other in liberal actions.
Into this world comes Richard Francis Burton, explorer, linguist, scholar and swordsman. He's employed by the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston as King's Spy, to investigate Spring Heeled Jack, and he gets caught up in a lot of strange going's on.
It wasn't a bad read but it didn't leave me wanting more. Oh and really, Oscar Wilde as a paper-boy, not very probable at all.
In an Albertian rather than Victorian England Engineers make noisy technology; Eugenicists develop animals for particular purposes; Libertines oppose rigidity and support creativity while the Rakes try to outdo each other in liberal actions.
Into this world comes Richard Francis Burton, explorer, linguist, scholar and swordsman. He's employed by the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston as King's Spy, to investigate Spring Heeled Jack, and he gets caught up in a lot of strange going's on.
It wasn't a bad read but it didn't leave me wanting more. Oh and really, Oscar Wilde as a paper-boy, not very probable at all.
Decent premise; acceptable execution. Needs more Swinburne.
I ran out of audible credits and am trying to be frugal. I'd originally set this one aside, but decided to finish it up. It is really weird- steampunk sci fi, time travel, werewolves, alternate history, swashbuckling adventure. Very wordy! In the end I liked how the author wrapped up all the loose ends. My favorite has to be the messenger parakeets that swear (Victorian English) as they deliver their message. I think the author is very creative. But not sure I'll read any others.
I am glad I got this as an audio book, I am not sure I would have read it in printed form. It was very good but very hard to get get through. I really liked how the author presented the idea that time travel can be very dangerous and have consequences that are not what were not expected or planned for. That everything you do to fix the things you changed only makes the changes worse.