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burntout_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Meh. I think I am going to have to give up on Frances Hardinge. I pick up their books because I always find the premise really interesting, however, I believe books like these are reading too you for me know. Which is a huge shame.
ginnikin's review
3.0
Although this book never grabbed me (2 & a half weeks to read a book?! Sacrilege!), I quite enjoyed what it was doing. A good read, especially for impressionable minds.
polyphonic_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
gkneveu's review against another edition
3.0
This my third Frances Hardinge book and I think it's my least favorite (after A Face Like Glass and Cuckoo Song). It's not bad by any means, but the other two are so good.
Once again, she creates an excellent world. I am so far very impressed with how different the three universes are for the three books I've read. While this book does follow some conventional fantasy setting of "vaguely England in the 18th century," the setup with the guilds, the Beloved and the Birdcatchers give it an interesting enough spin.
That being said, I wish there had been more contribution of the setting. The little bits of Birdcatcher history were so intriguing and off putting, but they hardly come up in the actual narrative. Even though the plot revolves around the guilds, there was something a bit lacking for me. The back cover promised a world where reading the wrong book could drive you mad. I was hoping for a bit more of that vibe.
Once again, she creates an excellent world. I am so far very impressed with how different the three universes are for the three books I've read. While this book does follow some conventional fantasy setting of "vaguely England in the 18th century," the setup with the guilds, the Beloved and the Birdcatchers give it an interesting enough spin.
That being said, I wish there had been more contribution of the setting. The little bits of Birdcatcher history were so intriguing and off putting, but they hardly come up in the actual narrative. Even though the plot revolves around the guilds, there was something a bit lacking for me. The back cover promised a world where reading the wrong book could drive you mad. I was hoping for a bit more of that vibe.
mattireads's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Honestly, I read a few chapters. About 100 pages but I still had no clue what was going on. Everything is all over the place and politics seems to be very prominent.
elneveu's review against another edition
3.0
My first Frances Hardinge that I wouldn't recommend. 2.5 unfortunately.
paintedgiraffe's review
4.0
Surprisingly liked it a pretty good deal, even after the confusion and irritation in the beginning =P I'm glad Mosca never lost that goose as it was one of my favorite characters
bookishly_bi's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
fernconcern's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0