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cnapple's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew from the first chapter that I would love this book. I think I finished it in about 5 hours over two days, and once I started reading, I literally could not put it down until I had to force my eyes closed to go to sleep.
Kingfisher is the queen of blending traditional fantasy, horror, whatever genre with the perfect amount of humor, and while I was literally laughing out loud every few pages or so, it never felt forced or broke my immersion or lowered the stakes of the plot.
Likewise, the characters are often subjected to ridiculous levels of misfortune and frequent fumble the ball before ultimately making the play, but they are never charicaturized, but are rather made more relatable and sympathetic. Even the most objectionable characters still have flashes of humanity and growth.
I am someone who likes a splash of romance in their fantasy, when handled appropriately and with respect to both characters, and Clockwork Boys, nails this for me. Since I read McMaster-Bujold's Shards of Honor over a decade ago, it has set the bar for adult romance between well-developed characters who respect and compliment each other's nature. I may now have a new gold standard.
There's a bit in the Acknowledgments about how Kingfisher pitched this as a light swashbuckling love story, and her editor was skeptical of the fit with some of the darker plot elements, but I have to disagree. For me, Clockwork Boys was, cover-to-cover, an absolute delight to read. now, if you're looking for a meaty, philosophical fantasy with a lot of gritty political machination, this may not be the read for you but it was absolutely a swashbuckling good time. Easy 5 stars.
Kingfisher is the queen of blending traditional fantasy, horror, whatever genre with the perfect amount of humor, and while I was literally laughing out loud every few pages or so, it never felt forced or broke my immersion or lowered the stakes of the plot.
Likewise, the characters are often subjected to ridiculous levels of misfortune and frequent fumble the ball before ultimately making the play, but they are never charicaturized, but are rather made more relatable and sympathetic. Even the most objectionable characters still have flashes of humanity and growth.
I am someone who likes a splash of romance in their fantasy, when handled appropriately and with respect to both characters, and Clockwork Boys, nails this for me. Since I read McMaster-Bujold's Shards of Honor over a decade ago, it has set the bar for adult romance between well-developed characters who respect and compliment each other's nature. I may now have a new gold standard.
There's a bit in the Acknowledgments about how Kingfisher pitched this as a light swashbuckling love story, and her editor was skeptical of the fit with some of the darker plot elements, but I have to disagree. For me, Clockwork Boys was, cover-to-cover, an absolute delight to read. now, if you're looking for a meaty, philosophical fantasy with a lot of gritty political machination, this may not be the read for you but it was absolutely a swashbuckling good time. Easy 5 stars.
petielvrrr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
hokinka's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ladykatie32's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
clawedmonet's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nookenjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
turrean's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
On to the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, War, and Death
_surri_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jabberjawed's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
i knew from the first 10 pages that i was going to enjoy this book. the world is interesting and fresh. the characters are great. i laughed aloud several times. thoroughly fun.
echory'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25