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cdoors's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
klparmley's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun. If you liked Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel books, you will probably enjoy this. And vice versa.
helloiammikki's review against another edition
3.0
I guess it was just something other than what I expected, and I had a hard time really getting into it. I didn't care much for all the cloaks and dagger mystery stuff; I just wanted to read about witches and time travel. You also reeeaaally need to suspend your disbelief in order for the story to make sense. I know there are people who feel like scifi and fantasy don't need to 'be realistic', but if you're going to set something in a real world setting, it does. The science obviously doesn't have to be infallible, but stuff about procedure, communication and security was very unrealistic here, in my opinion. I also felt the story was very drawn out, and there was a part in the middle where it dragged so much I almost gave up. And the ending was a tad unsatisfying to me too. Giving it three stars because the idea is fun, and the writing is decent, but the reading experience was closer to two stars for me.
heybalestoo's review against another edition
4.0
Magic, which was once prevalent and useful, disappears in 1851. And, though witches survive through the generations, their skills and knowledge are no longer being handed down from mother to daughter.
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
Neal Stephenson for Connie Willis fans. And Neal Stephenson fans whose favorite Stephenson includes the Baroque Cycle and Reamde.
Time travel! Magic! Banter! 700+ pages filled with absurd acronyms and bureaucracy-mocking! It almost felt like it was pandering to me. I really couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading a not-quite-right Connie Willis book, which was distracting. And the character building was hit-and-miss - the male lead, in particular, remained kind of a sketch.
The end is a bit quick and tidy, and feels like a start to a series. Which... I guess I would read? It'd some hybrid creature that takes some of the style of my vacation reading (Ilona Andrews, Seanan McGuire) but grafts it onto Neal Stephenson plotting, so sure, sign me up. Apparently I should check out some more Nicole Galland.
Time travel! Magic! Banter! 700+ pages filled with absurd acronyms and bureaucracy-mocking! It almost felt like it was pandering to me. I really couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading a not-quite-right Connie Willis book, which was distracting. And the character building was hit-and-miss - the male lead, in particular, remained kind of a sketch.
The end is a bit quick and tidy, and feels like a start to a series. Which... I guess I would read? It'd some hybrid creature that takes some of the style of my vacation reading (Ilona Andrews, Seanan McGuire) but grafts it onto Neal Stephenson plotting, so sure, sign me up. Apparently I should check out some more Nicole Galland.
crimsoncor's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow this was fantastic. A real blend of Stephenson's historic novels (The Baroque Cycle) with his early humor stuff (Zodiac, the criminally under-appreciated The Big U), with more than a generous hint of Connis Willis' time-travel excellence. Completely not what I expected but maybe even more enjoyable because of that.
readsacb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Magic, science, time travel and work politics with a sense of wit thrown in what is not to like.
I found this book in a used bookstore never having heard of it, & I am happy I decided to read it. I enjoyed the story & am looking forward to reading the sequel.
That being said, it might not be for those who do not enjoy longer books or do not want to deal with office politics in a book. While I liked how it was woven into the book in a realistic manner, I could see where if you have either never had to deal with this aspect of the world or just really want to get away from it in a book that it might turn you off of this book.
If none of this turns you off, give it a read. This is a fun adventurous time.
I found this book in a used bookstore never having heard of it, & I am happy I decided to read it. I enjoyed the story & am looking forward to reading the sequel.
That being said, it might not be for those who do not enjoy longer books or do not want to deal with office politics in a book. While I liked how it was woven into the book in a realistic manner, I could see where if you have either never had to deal with this aspect of the world or just really want to get away from it in a book that it might turn you off of this book.
If none of this turns you off, give it a read. This is a fun adventurous time.
revisins's review against another edition
4.0
Jaunty and fun. Layered and multi-disciplined. The various formats found within the pages make the story have a more a lived in feel. When you got time travel to contend with--it's important to see how it effects everyone else in the narrative world.
This book was a lot of fun. Perhaps too brisk in some parts and to laden in others. It's a balancing act that mostly works.
Did this book need another 300 pages? Perhaps...or perhaps only a 100 more with a culling of 50 existing. Again...the balancing act.
Well worth the time of the read. Take a chance. I'd read more in this multiverse.
This book was a lot of fun. Perhaps too brisk in some parts and to laden in others. It's a balancing act that mostly works.
Did this book need another 300 pages? Perhaps...or perhaps only a 100 more with a culling of 50 existing. Again...the balancing act.
Well worth the time of the read. Take a chance. I'd read more in this multiverse.