You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Not as compelling as the first book, but a great set-up for the third!
I wanted to like this book more, but I personally felt that the ending was lacking. It felt rushed, and there were too many unanswered questions or things that I think were supposed to function as answers, but didn't really tell me anything. I went into this second book hoping for a bit more background and what exactly Incarceron is, where the Portal exists, and where all of the power is coming from to keep the worlds sustained if it's a supposed dystopian world.
I guess I just wanted more elaboration on the world/more world-building. It doesn't feel like a complete story to me.
I guess I just wanted more elaboration on the world/more world-building. It doesn't feel like a complete story to me.
Riveting from beginning to the end. My only problem with the book was the ending. It seemed that she was trying to wrap up all the story lines, but still leaving herself some wiggle room for a sequel. I would definitely read more in this series. The characters were wonderfully flawed, yet vulnerable enough for you to care about them. The writing keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
This was a well crafted book, but it was not for me. I give it a rating of 2.75
Ok, this book isn't exactly good, but weirdly comforting as just, like, fast-paced adventure storytelling. And for plumbing a superweird combo of scifi and historical fantasy that I might need to write about...
I read the ARC of Sapphique- It was better than Incarceron, that much I can say.
My head is spinning so fast after finishing this book. I thought the craziest book I have ever read was “Skin Hunger” by Kathleen Duey but I was wrong!! “Sapphique” just blow me away!
All my theories ended up in the trash! I have to admit in a lot of chapters I was so confused… Let’s say a lot of things were going on at the same time! But that doesn’t mean I did not enjoy the book. I wasn’t feeling the same rush as “Incarceron” but it definitely kept me guessing and wondering how everything was going to come to an end.
Overall the book is great! A bit confusing at times but incredible well done!
All my theories ended up in the trash! I have to admit in a lot of chapters I was so confused… Let’s say a lot of things were going on at the same time! But that doesn’t mean I did not enjoy the book. I wasn’t feeling the same rush as “Incarceron” but it definitely kept me guessing and wondering how everything was going to come to an end.
Overall the book is great! A bit confusing at times but incredible well done!
If Catherine Fisher's first book about the live prison was imaginative, then Sapphique is even more original, even if a bit slower moving. The world outside isnt as perfect as Finn had imagined it, and things get more complicated when someone appears also claiming to be Prince Giles. Meanwhile, the prison grows impatient for the thing which made it so hardened and evil: an escape outside.
The book is ultimately a satisfying sequel containing some new revelations about the world which were both unexpected and brilliant. it does lack some of the original charm and thrill of Incarceron, but that doesn't keep it from being an enjoyable story with a unique mix of science fiction and fantasy elements.
The book is ultimately a satisfying sequel containing some new revelations about the world which were both unexpected and brilliant. it does lack some of the original charm and thrill of Incarceron, but that doesn't keep it from being an enjoyable story with a unique mix of science fiction and fantasy elements.
First impressions: I just adore how well Catherine Fisher creates the worlds of Incarceron and Outside. She definitely pulls you in, and the opening chapter here does not disappoint. We follow one of our main characters from inside the prison, attending a magic show that quickly evolves into something more. The dark, oily world of Incarceron is absolutely compelling.
Lasting impressions: This book lost me at a couple of points, where the action slowed and I wasn't sure where the story was going so I almost gave up. It's sad because the characters and world here are so incredible that it's truly a shame that the plot wasn't equally as brilliant.
Conflicting impressions: Like the first book, this one left a few too many gaps for my taste. I felt like Fisher didn't explain things as fully as she could have in order to ease our understanding of what was going on.
Overall impressions: It's hard to say much about this book without giving away the ending of the previous book, Incarceron. The important thing to know is that Incarceron is a living prison, and some of the prisoners inside are still trying to get out. They have to battle the prison for control of a glove believed to reveal the way out. Meanwhile, Outside, the Warden of Incarceron's daughter, Claudia, is trying to lead a revolt against the Queen and free the prisoners of Incarceron.
Catherine Fisher writes dark, complex, complicated novels, so I had a very hard time deciding what kind of rating to give this book, or even processing how I really felt about it. The world Outside the prison, and the prison Incarceron itself, are not good places to be. As such, there are no easy answers about where one would prefer to exist, or whose life is truly better. Because of this, I had a hard time deciding who to root for.
Do I root for the death of Incarceron, and with it the millions of prisoners still trapped inside? Or do I root for the prison to open, freeing the prisoners but unleashing them on a dying society?
I couldn't really answer those questions, which I think explained my confusion and uncertainty with the book. This was equally balanced, however, with beautiful prose and colorful characters. I loved the people, and while all the main characters are back from the first book, we got some interesting new ones as well.
One of the best things about these books is the simple fact that Fisher writes so beautifully. It took me longer than usual to read this book because I wanted to savor every word and phrase. Even though I got a little frustrated at times that I didn't quite know what the overarching goal of the story was, I really enjoyed the journey because of Fisher's gift with words.
Despite the lack of details that I like, and the seeming lack of a fully realized direction for the story, I did enjoy this book a lot. The fantasy steampunk world of Outside coupled with the dystopian prison is fascinating and unlike anything else I've read. Fisher wins major bonus points for originality and writing style. I recommend both books if you're looking for something different, challenging, and thought-provoking to read.
Lasting impressions: This book lost me at a couple of points, where the action slowed and I wasn't sure where the story was going so I almost gave up. It's sad because the characters and world here are so incredible that it's truly a shame that the plot wasn't equally as brilliant.
Conflicting impressions: Like the first book, this one left a few too many gaps for my taste. I felt like Fisher didn't explain things as fully as she could have in order to ease our understanding of what was going on.
Overall impressions: It's hard to say much about this book without giving away the ending of the previous book, Incarceron. The important thing to know is that Incarceron is a living prison, and some of the prisoners inside are still trying to get out. They have to battle the prison for control of a glove believed to reveal the way out. Meanwhile, Outside, the Warden of Incarceron's daughter, Claudia, is trying to lead a revolt against the Queen and free the prisoners of Incarceron.
Catherine Fisher writes dark, complex, complicated novels, so I had a very hard time deciding what kind of rating to give this book, or even processing how I really felt about it. The world Outside the prison, and the prison Incarceron itself, are not good places to be. As such, there are no easy answers about where one would prefer to exist, or whose life is truly better. Because of this, I had a hard time deciding who to root for.
Do I root for the death of Incarceron, and with it the millions of prisoners still trapped inside? Or do I root for the prison to open, freeing the prisoners but unleashing them on a dying society?
I couldn't really answer those questions, which I think explained my confusion and uncertainty with the book. This was equally balanced, however, with beautiful prose and colorful characters. I loved the people, and while all the main characters are back from the first book, we got some interesting new ones as well.
One of the best things about these books is the simple fact that Fisher writes so beautifully. It took me longer than usual to read this book because I wanted to savor every word and phrase. Even though I got a little frustrated at times that I didn't quite know what the overarching goal of the story was, I really enjoyed the journey because of Fisher's gift with words.
Despite the lack of details that I like, and the seeming lack of a fully realized direction for the story, I did enjoy this book a lot. The fantasy steampunk world of Outside coupled with the dystopian prison is fascinating and unlike anything else I've read. Fisher wins major bonus points for originality and writing style. I recommend both books if you're looking for something different, challenging, and thought-provoking to read.