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guppyur's review against another edition
3.0
The follow-up to The Half-Made World, set in the same reality but not about the same characters, though a few do return in bit parts.
Enjoyed it a lot at the beginning, less so for a stretch in the middle, and quite a lot again after that. The best things about it are the world and the characters, both of which feel alive. Most obviously, the principal conceit of the book is that it purports to be the memoir of Harry Ransom, inventor, visionary, and salesman and sometimes-genius, and is therefore presented in first-person. Moreover, it is written in segments, mailed to fictional newsman Elmer Merrial Carson, who does not entirely credit Ransom's writings. Both Ransom and Carson feel like real people with real personalities, though Carson appears only occasionally. Gilman's world is also alive, at least in the enclaves where the plot brings us. Jasper City feels most real of all.
I loved HMW, but I felt it petered out toward the end, in need of editing and direction. RRC's aimless period is in the middle and is thankfully brief; the end, if anything, wraps up awfully fast.
Worth reading if you enjoyed the world of HMW.
Enjoyed it a lot at the beginning, less so for a stretch in the middle, and quite a lot again after that. The best things about it are the world and the characters, both of which feel alive. Most obviously, the principal conceit of the book is that it purports to be the memoir of Harry Ransom, inventor, visionary, and salesman and sometimes-genius, and is therefore presented in first-person. Moreover, it is written in segments, mailed to fictional newsman Elmer Merrial Carson, who does not entirely credit Ransom's writings. Both Ransom and Carson feel like real people with real personalities, though Carson appears only occasionally. Gilman's world is also alive, at least in the enclaves where the plot brings us. Jasper City feels most real of all.
I loved HMW, but I felt it petered out toward the end, in need of editing and direction. RRC's aimless period is in the middle and is thankfully brief; the end, if anything, wraps up awfully fast.
Worth reading if you enjoyed the world of HMW.
chewsif's review against another edition
5.0
Damn fine book. Gives you a very satisfying end without explaining it all, a rare talent indeed.
bookiesanta's review against another edition
4.0
Written as an autobiography of Harry Ransom, an alternate history version of Nikola Tesla, wandering the not-quite-America-but-kind-of-America from The Half-Made World. I liked that Gilman did not just fall back to Liv and John from the first book, and decided to tell a new person's story. I, in turn, liked that Liv and John showed up early, to assist with Ransom's story. And I liked that it was written as Ransom's autobiography, the story he's telling you. I did, until I didn't. Because the second half of the book became more about the story he didn't want to tell you. I was reminded of reading Ben Franklin's autobiography, which is a fantastic read, and an absorbing philosophical treatise. But as the story of Ben Franklin's life, from that vantage alone, it is not great. Franklin doesn't talk about a lot in his life that should be touched on. That was the problem with Ransom City, especially in the second half. Harry makes some terrible, though understandable, decisions, and his story grinds to a halt, and it felt like the character gave up, within the story and the book. It'a a bad sign when Ransom would mention some event happening, and then dismiss telling about it because it didn't happen to him, and I was thinking "damn, I'd rather hear about that."
You might be wondering why I gave the book 4 stars. 3 things...
1. The first half of the book was awesome. Until Ransom makes it to Jasper City, the book was more enjoyable than "Half-Made World". The dreams and plans of Harry Ransom, the travels with Liv and John, and the blind love that Harry develops for a player piano (you have to read it) kept me hooked on the line right up to the point when Ransom makes it to Jasper, home of his hero Mr. Baxter, who is not as neutral in the war between Line and Gun as he seems.
2. It's more of a 3.5 stars book, but I'm rounding up because...
3. Felix Gilman is masterful at building a universe that fascinates me, and despite my complaints, I still want him to write stories about this world. There is something fascinating about looking at American History through the strange supernatural kaleidoscopic writings that Gilman is adept at. That's worth an extra point or two.
You might be wondering why I gave the book 4 stars. 3 things...
1. The first half of the book was awesome. Until Ransom makes it to Jasper City, the book was more enjoyable than "Half-Made World". The dreams and plans of Harry Ransom, the travels with Liv and John, and the blind love that Harry develops for a player piano (you have to read it) kept me hooked on the line right up to the point when Ransom makes it to Jasper, home of his hero Mr. Baxter, who is not as neutral in the war between Line and Gun as he seems.
2. It's more of a 3.5 stars book, but I'm rounding up because...
3. Felix Gilman is masterful at building a universe that fascinates me, and despite my complaints, I still want him to write stories about this world. There is something fascinating about looking at American History through the strange supernatural kaleidoscopic writings that Gilman is adept at. That's worth an extra point or two.
scopique's review against another edition
3.0
It had been a while since I read the preceding "The Half-Made World", but I had remembered just enough to be able to connect the two. It didn't really help, except that the first book established the bizarre presence of the Line and the Gun, and introduced John Creedmore and Liv Alverhyusen.
"The Rise of Ransom City" is really more "Gears of the City" than "The Half-Made World", which I liked. Gilman writes a mean city -- alive, descriptive, both protagonist and antagonist. The last portion of this one leaves the steampunk Wild West schitck for the urban steampunk aesthetic, and I appreciated that.
I don't remember if Harry Ransom shows up in "The Half-Made World" or not, but in this one, his story crosses over through his time spent traveling with Creedmore and Dr. Alverhyusen before returning to being all about him and his Ransom Process, told in memoir style, from his supposed remote colony of Ransom City.
The first half of the book was rather slow; it was a diary of some frontier shyster who was showboating all over the landscape, traveling from town to town with The Apparatus in tow. He'd grandstand in front of the rubes, displaying his magical wireless energy transmission device, which ended up ending badly more often than not.
The second half kicks off after the Apparatus destroys a town and kills an Agent of the Gun, which puts him squarely in the sights of everyone: the Gun, the Line, and the New Red Republic view his device as a weapon that they all must have. Ransom's naivete lands him in Jasper City where he learns that his idol, inventor and magnate Mr. Baxter, is a puppet for the Line. Soon, he takes Baxter's place and is forced to perfect the Apparatus for the Engines, who are finding that their war is not going well for themselves.
Overall, it was an OK read. Very well constructed, but the beginning half put me off, as it jumped around between present day, flashbacks, and observational diary entries of the people and places Ransom encountered.
I suppose if you're a Gilman fan, and liked "The Half-Made World", or are at least a completionist, this will be required, but I don't know that I'd demand that you read both the first and this book otherwise.
"The Rise of Ransom City" is really more "Gears of the City" than "The Half-Made World", which I liked. Gilman writes a mean city -- alive, descriptive, both protagonist and antagonist. The last portion of this one leaves the steampunk Wild West schitck for the urban steampunk aesthetic, and I appreciated that.
I don't remember if Harry Ransom shows up in "The Half-Made World" or not, but in this one, his story crosses over through his time spent traveling with Creedmore and Dr. Alverhyusen before returning to being all about him and his Ransom Process, told in memoir style, from his supposed remote colony of Ransom City.
The first half of the book was rather slow; it was a diary of some frontier shyster who was showboating all over the landscape, traveling from town to town with The Apparatus in tow. He'd grandstand in front of the rubes, displaying his magical wireless energy transmission device, which ended up ending badly more often than not.
The second half kicks off after the Apparatus destroys a town and kills an Agent of the Gun, which puts him squarely in the sights of everyone: the Gun, the Line, and the New Red Republic view his device as a weapon that they all must have. Ransom's naivete lands him in Jasper City where he learns that his idol, inventor and magnate Mr. Baxter, is a puppet for the Line. Soon, he takes Baxter's place and is forced to perfect the Apparatus for the Engines, who are finding that their war is not going well for themselves.
Overall, it was an OK read. Very well constructed, but the beginning half put me off, as it jumped around between present day, flashbacks, and observational diary entries of the people and places Ransom encountered.
I suppose if you're a Gilman fan, and liked "The Half-Made World", or are at least a completionist, this will be required, but I don't know that I'd demand that you read both the first and this book otherwise.
doctorofmordor's review against another edition
3.0
Was alright. Extremely slow start. Lots of confusion throughout the novel. But an interesting story arch nonetheless.
chillvamp's review against another edition
4.0
In this sequel, Gilman continues the very interesting trend of not picking any one side as "the good guys" and showing them all as equally imperfect and potentially evil. I enjoyed the character of Harry Ransom and the style was engaging and at times made me laugh (especially when talking about Mr Carson's eyebrows, or other descriptions like it). I enjoyed the story enough to forgive how out of the limelight Liv and Creedmoor are. Still I squeed with delight every time they showed up -- not-quite-willing traveling partners, both resenting each other but still unable to dismiss each other! Except at the end, I'm really curious to find out what happened to drive them away, argh.
Overall it was a good read, but I was a little disappointed by the ending. I assume a third installment is in the works, but even taking that into account it seems like a very weak ending to me. From the beginning, Ransom's narrative is framed in the urgency of "must finish this part before the Line's forces catch up with us" and especially near the end there are mentions of Heavier-Than-Air Vessels flying overhead and how Ransom is certain they're closing in. So at the end you would expect at least a line in the effect of "they're here!" to culminate that urgency he's been building up. I'm not saying Ransom should turn into a Lovecraftian narrator and continue typing along until an instant before he is devoured by the enemy, but I do feel that the frame of the narrative made a promise of confrontation (or at least deep trouble) that it did not deliver on at the end, and that caused the ending to fall flat for me.
In any case, it was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series if there is one planned.
Overall it was a good read, but I was a little disappointed by the ending. I assume a third installment is in the works, but even taking that into account it seems like a very weak ending to me. From the beginning, Ransom's narrative is framed in the urgency of "must finish this part before the Line's forces catch up with us" and especially near the end there are mentions of Heavier-Than-Air Vessels flying overhead and how Ransom is certain they're closing in. So at the end you would expect at least a line in the effect of "they're here!" to culminate that urgency he's been building up. I'm not saying Ransom should turn into a Lovecraftian narrator and continue typing along until an instant before he is devoured by the enemy, but I do feel that the frame of the narrative made a promise of confrontation (or at least deep trouble) that it did not deliver on at the end, and that caused the ending to fall flat for me.
In any case, it was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series if there is one planned.
raeanne's review against another edition
4.0
I won a copy through a giveaway on Layers of Thought.
I liked and enjoyed this one much more than the first book, Half-Made World. I wanted to pick it back up again as soon as I was forced to put it down and was fully engaged the whole way through. It took the best parts of Half-Made World and fixed everything else. It didn’t feel too long or that characters were dragging their feet throughout the tale. It wasn’t the same shit over and over.
It’s not a true sequel following Liv and Creedmore and I’m grateful for this. The only thing I missed from their tale is learning WTF they found. There’s enough of them to get the gist of their journey and it worked for me. I think I was burned out on their perspectives from Half-Made World. I wasn’t itching to catch up with them; I was happy with Ransom, but it was cool tying up their story as well. Well, most of it. Seeing bits and pieces with so much changes, makes me willing to give them another shot.
Ransom is such an interesting character and I love the way it’s told through his autobiography. Is he a reliable narrator? No more than most people (have you read about our memories and how our brain works?!?!) and that’s part of the fun.
The Gaslamp aspects are also more prominent since he’s an inventor and meets people like himself. [Spoiler] was a wonderful addition and I love how they just burst into the scene. What a kickass character.
The ending wraps up Ransom’s life so far and EMC’s journey getting it together. But it’s wonderfully open. Instead of loathing the lack of closure, I wouldn’t have it end any other way. It’s an adventure and I was wrapped up in the feeling of heading out and making your own place in the world.
I liked and enjoyed this one much more than the first book, Half-Made World. I wanted to pick it back up again as soon as I was forced to put it down and was fully engaged the whole way through. It took the best parts of Half-Made World and fixed everything else. It didn’t feel too long or that characters were dragging their feet throughout the tale. It wasn’t the same shit over and over.
It’s not a true sequel following Liv and Creedmore and I’m grateful for this. The only thing I missed from their tale is learning WTF they found. There’s enough of them to get the gist of their journey and it worked for me. I think I was burned out on their perspectives from Half-Made World. I wasn’t itching to catch up with them; I was happy with Ransom, but it was cool tying up their story as well. Well, most of it. Seeing bits and pieces with so much changes, makes me willing to give them another shot.
Ransom is such an interesting character and I love the way it’s told through his autobiography. Is he a reliable narrator? No more than most people (have you read about our memories and how our brain works?!?!) and that’s part of the fun.
The Gaslamp aspects are also more prominent since he’s an inventor and meets people like himself. [Spoiler] was a wonderful addition and I love how they just burst into the scene. What a kickass character.
The ending wraps up Ransom’s life so far and EMC’s journey getting it together. But it’s wonderfully open. Instead of loathing the lack of closure, I wouldn’t have it end any other way. It’s an adventure and I was wrapped up in the feeling of heading out and making your own place in the world.
drey72's review
4.0
The Rise of Ransom City is my first Felix Gilman, and it’s a pretty nifty read. The story’s interesting — part autobiography, part alternative history, part adventure — all told from Harry’s point of view, and with a few sidebars to introduce or explain certain characters. We learn of Harry’s childhood days, and how his father incurs the debt with the Line that ruins him. We learn how Harry teaches himself Stuff, invents the Apparatus, and sets off to earn his fame and fortune.
We meet his traveling companions, and watch as they live the life of traveling salesmen shaking the dust from town to town, selling an idea so outrageous it gets them in trouble more often than not… After all, there’s a war going on, and ideas have no place in war time. Especially ideas based on machines built by Harry, that may or may not work.
There’s a witty dryness to Harry’s narration that I appreciated, and I loved how old-timey The Rise of Ransom City felt. This is one of those stories that could so easily have not worked, but it does. The world-building is excellent, and realistic. The Agents, the Linesmen, the war-weary townspeople, the Engines, and Harry — I could actually see them in my mind as I read Harry’s story autobiography. And Harry’s escapades are nothing if not entertaining.
The only thing I can nitpick on, is Ransom City itself. I wanted to know if it lived up to Harry’s dreams and expectations… My nitpicking notwithstanding, this should be on the pick-up list for steampunk fans who love the wild west!
drey’s rating: Excellent!
We meet his traveling companions, and watch as they live the life of traveling salesmen shaking the dust from town to town, selling an idea so outrageous it gets them in trouble more often than not… After all, there’s a war going on, and ideas have no place in war time. Especially ideas based on machines built by Harry, that may or may not work.
There’s a witty dryness to Harry’s narration that I appreciated, and I loved how old-timey The Rise of Ransom City felt. This is one of those stories that could so easily have not worked, but it does. The world-building is excellent, and realistic. The Agents, the Linesmen, the war-weary townspeople, the Engines, and Harry — I could actually see them in my mind as I read Harry’s story autobiography. And Harry’s escapades are nothing if not entertaining.
The only thing I can nitpick on, is Ransom City itself. I wanted to know if it lived up to Harry’s dreams and expectations… My nitpicking notwithstanding, this should be on the pick-up list for steampunk fans who love the wild west!
drey’s rating: Excellent!
beckylej's review against another edition
5.0
Harry Ransom has entrusted Elmer Merrial Carson in sharing his story. It arrived in pieces -- sometimes incomplete, prompting Carson to go to great lengths to track down the missing pages. But this is it, in Ransom's own words. He recounts his adventures and antics beginning with his childhood years, the Ransom Process and his travels to Jasper City, and his sometimes heroics. Ransom's biggest hope is that his name will be known.
THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY is a companion to Felix Gilman's THE HALF-MADE WORLD. In fact, fans of that first book will notice that Ransom crosses paths with Liv and Creedmore in the first part of his tale. No worries if you have yet to read HALF-MADE WORLD, RISE OF RANSOM CITY serves as a great intro to Gilman's created world.
It is a world in which two rival forces -- the Gun and the Line -- have been warring for quite some time. It is also a world that somewhat resembles ours at the end of the nineteenth century, but in Gilman's world there are the Folk and there's magic and, of course, the Gun and the Line.
Gilman's style and world building are quite amazing. THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY is funny and engaging and the story moves along at a swift pace, all of which makes this book quick and entertaining. I'd also bet that it leaves more readers than just myself begging for more of Gilman's (or Ransom's) world. Fortunately for myself, I've yet to read THE HALF-MADE WORLD, which means I get to return very soon!
Because this is Ransom's story, and it is told through Ransom's "writings," the glimpses of this world through Ransom's eyes are sometimes quite brief. It makes for an interesting perspective but it also leaves the reader wondering about quite a bit of the world's history and mythos. This, perhaps, is where reading THE HALF-MADE WORLD first would be a benefit. I prefer Gilman's method, however, in that while I personally would love to know more about the Gun and the Line and the Folk and such, there's no massive info dump to worry about. Instead, pieces of the world's mythos are gleaned through Ransom's story and I trust that I'll learn more through Gilman's other installments.
Fans of quirky fiction, fantasy, and/or steampunk (and likely weird westerns, too) are sure to enjoy THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY.
THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY is a companion to Felix Gilman's THE HALF-MADE WORLD. In fact, fans of that first book will notice that Ransom crosses paths with Liv and Creedmore in the first part of his tale. No worries if you have yet to read HALF-MADE WORLD, RISE OF RANSOM CITY serves as a great intro to Gilman's created world.
It is a world in which two rival forces -- the Gun and the Line -- have been warring for quite some time. It is also a world that somewhat resembles ours at the end of the nineteenth century, but in Gilman's world there are the Folk and there's magic and, of course, the Gun and the Line.
Gilman's style and world building are quite amazing. THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY is funny and engaging and the story moves along at a swift pace, all of which makes this book quick and entertaining. I'd also bet that it leaves more readers than just myself begging for more of Gilman's (or Ransom's) world. Fortunately for myself, I've yet to read THE HALF-MADE WORLD, which means I get to return very soon!
Because this is Ransom's story, and it is told through Ransom's "writings," the glimpses of this world through Ransom's eyes are sometimes quite brief. It makes for an interesting perspective but it also leaves the reader wondering about quite a bit of the world's history and mythos. This, perhaps, is where reading THE HALF-MADE WORLD first would be a benefit. I prefer Gilman's method, however, in that while I personally would love to know more about the Gun and the Line and the Folk and such, there's no massive info dump to worry about. Instead, pieces of the world's mythos are gleaned through Ransom's story and I trust that I'll learn more through Gilman's other installments.
Fans of quirky fiction, fantasy, and/or steampunk (and likely weird westerns, too) are sure to enjoy THE RISE OF RANSOM CITY.