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fyrier's review against another edition
5.0
I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. I've enjoyed it as much as the Mortal Engines books, it's the perfect compliment, explaining some part of the plot and history of the world while introducing new characters, with such depth and visions it's impossible not to like them.
I'll probably reread the book, as it's so packed with information and the story is so entangled it became difficult to follow at times. I love how unsure everything is with this author, I learned from the Mortal Engines that everything could happened at any time, but this book takes it to the next level. I love how well the story builds up and leads to a sequence of events while maintaining this uncertainty. I also fell in love with the way the characters are written. I've said it before, but it amazes me how every character counts, even the secondary or background characters are so well thought, with histories of their own and a sense of purpose that I've seen lack in other stories.
Last of the year (and decade) but the best so far.
I'll probably reread the book, as it's so packed with information and the story is so entangled it became difficult to follow at times. I love how unsure everything is with this author, I learned from the Mortal Engines that everything could happened at any time, but this book takes it to the next level. I love how well the story builds up and leads to a sequence of events while maintaining this uncertainty. I also fell in love with the way the characters are written. I've said it before, but it amazes me how every character counts, even the secondary or background characters are so well thought, with histories of their own and a sense of purpose that I've seen lack in other stories.
Last of the year (and decade) but the best so far.
mindi_r's review against another edition
5.0
At first I had a hard time entering the world of Fever Crumb. It is set in the future, but in one that is definitely less "advanced" than our current time. Technology has gone backward. The novel felt very "steampunky" to me, but it doesn't fit the definition.
Anyway.... the story is quite good, and the action kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm now considering reading Pullman's Mortal Engine quartet based on this prequel.
Anyway.... the story is quite good, and the action kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm now considering reading Pullman's Mortal Engine quartet based on this prequel.
aklibrarychick's review against another edition
4.0
A very compelling story. I was drawn in immediately to this bleak future London. Fever is an appealing main character, and the world that Reeve creates is at once recognizable and foreign. Having never read any of the Mortal Engines series, this prequel was my introduction to this world, and I must say it's very engaging and I'm planning to read more of Fever's adventures.
I listened to this as an audiobook read by the author and it was marvelously done.
I listened to this as an audiobook read by the author and it was marvelously done.
holtfan's review against another edition
2.0
This book gets two stars because the beginning interested me and because the writing was kinda good.
Kinda.
Otherwise...it just didn't do it for me. At all. While the plot elements reminded me of a combination of
[b:The Lab|5332742|The Lab|Jack Heath|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267387470s/5332742.jpg|5400228] and [b:Skulduggery Pleasant|2039283|Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant, #1)|Derek Landy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255642045s/2039283.jpg|909082] I found it rather lacking.
Fever (what kind of a name is Fever anyway?) Crumb has been raised by a bunch of old guys who shave their heads bald and work at being rational. No emotions. And they live in a giant head where the door is a nostril. Fever, at fourteen, is their youngest and only female member. The story begins with her being sent off to help the archaeologist Kit Solent at his new dig. Suddenly she starts experiencing weird memories and emotions that aren't her own, knowing things she shouldn't know, and getting herself tangled up in an invading army...
Sooo, yeah. If the plot stuck to the little synopsis on the back, it might have been good.
Maybe.
The beginning wasn't to bad. It was interesting and I thought I might learn to like Fever, Dr. Crumb, and even Kit Solent. But then it started getting weird. Invading armies, different races, ruling overlords all got jumbled and confusing. I started getting bored with the plot, reading only because I liked the way the words worked together. (like I said, good writing)
It was disturbing and weird and overall, I wouldn't recommend it. I know it tries to set up for a sequel, but I have no interest in reading it.
Kinda.
Otherwise...it just didn't do it for me. At all. While the plot elements reminded me of a combination of
[b:The Lab|5332742|The Lab|Jack Heath|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267387470s/5332742.jpg|5400228] and [b:Skulduggery Pleasant|2039283|Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant, #1)|Derek Landy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255642045s/2039283.jpg|909082] I found it rather lacking.
Fever (what kind of a name is Fever anyway?) Crumb has been raised by a bunch of old guys who shave their heads bald and work at being rational. No emotions. And they live in a giant head where the door is a nostril. Fever, at fourteen, is their youngest and only female member. The story begins with her being sent off to help the archaeologist Kit Solent at his new dig. Suddenly she starts experiencing weird memories and emotions that aren't her own, knowing things she shouldn't know, and getting herself tangled up in an invading army...
Sooo, yeah. If the plot stuck to the little synopsis on the back, it might have been good.
Maybe.
The beginning wasn't to bad. It was interesting and I thought I might learn to like Fever, Dr. Crumb, and even Kit Solent. But then it started getting weird. Invading armies, different races, ruling overlords all got jumbled and confusing. I started getting bored with the plot, reading only because I liked the way the words worked together. (like I said, good writing)
It was disturbing and weird and overall, I wouldn't recommend it. I know it tries to set up for a sequel, but I have no interest in reading it.
sarahconnor89757's review against another edition
3.0
The normal cliche book for YA (I'm not a fan of YA) but it's so cute and stylish and nichey in the right kind of niche for me that I give it a thumbs up.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Great Prequel to the Mortal Engines. Interesting Characters
elevetha's review against another edition
1.0
Bland. Boring. Sub Par. Waste of my time. Confusing at times. Weak. Just not worth a read in any way.
I picked it up thinking that I love [a:Phillip Reeve|4346535|Phillip Reeve|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg]'s other series, Larklight, and so I might enjoy this one. Not at all. In no way.
I picked it up thinking that I love [a:Phillip Reeve|4346535|Phillip Reeve|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg]'s other series, Larklight, and so I might enjoy this one. Not at all. In no way.
numbskullery's review against another edition
3.0
I found it sort of hard to continually read this book, because of my short attention span. It received a 3 star mostly because I couldn't read it more than 5 pages at a time and the author treats death like nothing ie "This person died" and that is all. Nothing really sad about the situation. But I really thought the plot was interesting. The future is really creatively created, it's probably unlike anything anybody has ever thought of the future to be.
katiespina's review against another edition
4.0
The best way to describe the success of this book is to compare it to another, similar book's shortcomings. City of Bones is similar in a teenage, female protagonist who isn't sure of her parentage, and that parentage is tied into her destiny.
In City of Bones, this is pounded over the head by page 10, and reading the rest of the story is boring because you know exactly where it's going.
Fever Crumb is a surprise and enjoyable read because where Fever comes from isn't more important than who she is. The story grows because people stop being who they pretend to be for a higher purpose and become true to who they are. Those are my favorite stories. Finding your genuine self and staying true to it.
I don't plan on continuing the series, but twenty years ago, I would have devoured them all.
In City of Bones, this is pounded over the head by page 10, and reading the rest of the story is boring because you know exactly where it's going.
Fever Crumb is a surprise and enjoyable read because where Fever comes from isn't more important than who she is. The story grows because people stop being who they pretend to be for a higher purpose and become true to who they are. Those are my favorite stories. Finding your genuine self and staying true to it.
I don't plan on continuing the series, but twenty years ago, I would have devoured them all.