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claremmcm's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
celtypengu's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
reallynotconor's review against another edition
3.0
So this takes place hundreds of years before mortal engines, and the world remains unique with taxi-like services that are just guys on steroids who carry you around in a box or the introduction of Scrivens, but with all of these being introduced into the world of mortal engines, what happened to these things later on? That's the thing about prequals. You can't introduce new things like this without someone raising that question, and I actually really enjoy the world-building aspects. This feels more like a fantasy book than a sci-fi book, which is neat, but there is a downside to this. With the introduction of so many things and the small implications of what is to come, it feels disconnected from the world of Mortal Engines. This gets fixed in the sequels, but this feels like a standalone fantasy book and not a puzzle piece in an overarching story.
The characters are honestly the worst part of the book. The protagonist, Fever Crumb, is bland and unlikeable, showing no real interest in anything that isn't productive; she will critique anything that holds any kind of emotion whilst placing herself and her guild on a pedestal for having none; she is kind of unbearable for the majority of this book. The Skinner duo of Bagman Creech and Charlie Shallow kind of annoyed me. Bagman Creech is supposed to be an intimidating Scrivener hunter who would skin them alive, but his knife has "It isn't genocide, it's just rock and roll" carved into it, which is just so horrible, and Charlie just felt like a little puppy following him around. Dr. Crumb is a lot like Fever seeing as he raised her, but they do deeply care for each other, and he is more often than not the one to show it. Wavey Godshawk is just not it, guys; she is just really hard to read whenever she pops up, and yet everyone she works with apparently loves her; it's unbelievable to me that she has so many friends and admirers.
The plot of the book felt really short as I read it, thinking that it was just a little over 100 pages in a day. Little did I know it was actually 336 pages. It felt so much shorter, and the plot felt smaller on scale, taking place over only a couple of days. Don't get me wrong, it had some great moments, but the pacing of the book made it feel so short. I genuinely thought these were short stories similar to Night Flights (review coming soon) except not an anthology series
All in all, this book has a lot of issues, but if you are a fan of the Mortal Engines series, then I would recommend reading it just for another look into the world.
World 8/10
Characters 4/10
Plot 6/10
overall enjoyment 6.5/10
The characters are honestly the worst part of the book. The protagonist, Fever Crumb, is bland and unlikeable, showing no real interest in anything that isn't productive; she will critique anything that holds any kind of emotion whilst placing herself and her guild on a pedestal for having none; she is kind of unbearable for the majority of this book. The Skinner duo of Bagman Creech and Charlie Shallow kind of annoyed me. Bagman Creech is supposed to be an intimidating Scrivener hunter who would skin them alive, but his knife has "It isn't genocide, it's just rock and roll" carved into it, which is just so horrible, and Charlie just felt like a little puppy following him around. Dr. Crumb is a lot like Fever seeing as he raised her, but they do deeply care for each other, and he is more often than not the one to show it. Wavey Godshawk is just not it, guys; she is just really hard to read whenever she pops up, and yet everyone she works with apparently loves her; it's unbelievable to me that she has so many friends and admirers.
The plot of the book felt really short as I read it, thinking that it was just a little over 100 pages in a day. Little did I know it was actually 336 pages. It felt so much shorter, and the plot felt smaller on scale, taking place over only a couple of days. Don't get me wrong, it had some great moments, but the pacing of the book made it feel so short. I genuinely thought these were short stories similar to Night Flights (review coming soon) except not an anthology series
All in all, this book has a lot of issues, but if you are a fan of the Mortal Engines series, then I would recommend reading it just for another look into the world.
World 8/10
Characters 4/10
Plot 6/10
overall enjoyment 6.5/10
ireitlitam's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great j-fic book that would appeal to middle school age kids who like dystopian fiction, science fiction or mysteries. The pace of the plot is steady throughout the novel with no real slow points. The main character Fever is passive but grows into herself throughout the story to a satisfying decision. The surrounding cast are well written. The world of this new London is not entirely clear yet but there are interesting tidbits thrown in to hint at a much wider world beyond the city gates. Since all 3 volumes of the series are published there is no need to wait for the next.
findthosedreams's review
4.0
I was really excited about this book. It seemed like it had been a while since ive read a good one, and it had a lot of potential. however, it seemed to end in a funny spot. i think the last several chapters of this book should be the first chs of the next one. it didnt seem resolved at the end.
iffer's review
3.0
I love the steampunk/dieselpunk (result of being a post-apocalyptic setting) setting, and this is very engaging, with the right amount of action threaded together by descriptive language and a tinge of mystery. There's potential here, but this is very much a first book in a series. I'm curious about the rest in the series, and will probably check out the next one to see if the series starts fulfilling its promise. Although I liked the character of Fever Crumb, I enjoyed the characters in Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles more.
jubaju's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoy Reeve's books both in the way he writes them and what he puts in them. The writing is very simple and straightforward and the content tends to follow the same vein. There are some twists and turns here and there but overall you know where you're going, you're just along for the ride.
I do agree with most low-rated reviews that this prequel series is a lot less developed than the main one, but it is still enjoyable enough to read. It seems to be intended for a younger audience than Mortal Engines and has lighter themes, but that might change as the trilogy develops.
I'll definitely be picking up the following books in this series, even if the plot didn't hook me in as much a s the original series, just for the writing.
I enjoy Reeve's books both in the way he writes them and what he puts in them. The writing is very simple and straightforward and the content tends to follow the same vein. There are some twists and turns here and there but overall you know where you're going, you're just along for the ride.
I do agree with most low-rated reviews that this prequel series is a lot less developed than the main one, but it is still enjoyable enough to read. It seems to be intended for a younger audience than Mortal Engines and has lighter themes, but that might change as the trilogy develops.
I'll definitely be picking up the following books in this series, even if the plot didn't hook me in as much a s the original series, just for the writing.
sadys_shelves's review
4.0
The setting of this story is unique, as are the characters themselves. Within moments the the reader is inside of Fever's head. Fever's place in the world begins small and certain, but she is awkwardly, but realistically thrust into a world she had never really visioned being part of... after all, scientists observe, they don't partake.
On one hand it is an intriguing look at what it is to be raised by men of science, particularly as a girl, and discovering how to interact and question the world. On the other it is a serious inquiry on how one can discover themselves outside of the definitions and labels afforded to them through their lineage and social "calling."
Like all stories of this nature, the journey seems to have just begun. I am eager to find out what awaits Ms. Crumb.
On one hand it is an intriguing look at what it is to be raised by men of science, particularly as a girl, and discovering how to interact and question the world. On the other it is a serious inquiry on how one can discover themselves outside of the definitions and labels afforded to them through their lineage and social "calling."
Like all stories of this nature, the journey seems to have just begun. I am eager to find out what awaits Ms. Crumb.
kairosdreaming's review
2.0
Ok, so there's a lot of Young Adult Dystopian themed books out there. But I heard this one was pretty good, so I decided to give it a try. I was not so impressed and there's a few things I wish I would have known before reading the book that I know now.
Fever Crumb is the first book in a trilogy. But it's not actually the first book set in this future world. Apparently, there's a whole other series that people recommend you read first in order to understand Fever Crumb's world. But nowhere on the cover or description does it say that, so if you're like me, and start here, you probably won't care much for the series either.
Fever Crumb is a young girl who's been raised by Engineers. This means that she was taught absolute logic and no emotions and to help them with their scientific endeavors. So when she is chosen to go outside their house to help another Engineer do archaeological studies, she is apprehensive, even though that isn't logical. But everything outside is irrational, and because of her unique looks, the local population believes she is a dreaded Scriven (evolved human that was decimated by regular humans), and they would like nothing better than to eliminate her. Add to that memories surfacing that make no sense, Fever is not sure how to adjust in her new world.
Fever is hard to like. Because of all the cold logic she applies she doesn't exactly give you the warm fuzzies or even make you want to care about her. That's ok, she's supposed to be that way, but it makes for an odd protagonist. The man who raised her is also quite cold but I did like the Engineer that took her in to help with research. He may have had selfish motives but he was kind to her. And the Scriven, well we never really know their motives so I don't think they were developed all that well. Sure we understand what they did, just not the why of it.
This book is hurried, with random description and facts thrown in. It was hard to keep track of things. Different technology was thrown in and the author acted like you already understood it and proceed to plow ahead with his story. This might be ok if you had read his other series (and why at the beginning of this review I mentioned that little tidbit) but for anyone just entering in, it does not endear us to Fever's world. Additionally, things happen to fast to be believable and I think the entire book happens over the course of only a few days. As Fever would put it, it just isn't logical. And the whole history of Fever's parents, well that was kind of unbelievable too. The only thing I did like about the writing was the references to popular culture now. Sure it was a little cutsie, but it was amusing.
I can't say I have any desire to continue reading this series or the original one that inspired it. Which is unusual for me, usually I like to finish what I start. But I just couldn't get into this book at all and was relieved when it was over.
Fever Crumb
Copyright 2009
325 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Fever Crumb is the first book in a trilogy. But it's not actually the first book set in this future world. Apparently, there's a whole other series that people recommend you read first in order to understand Fever Crumb's world. But nowhere on the cover or description does it say that, so if you're like me, and start here, you probably won't care much for the series either.
Fever Crumb is a young girl who's been raised by Engineers. This means that she was taught absolute logic and no emotions and to help them with their scientific endeavors. So when she is chosen to go outside their house to help another Engineer do archaeological studies, she is apprehensive, even though that isn't logical. But everything outside is irrational, and because of her unique looks, the local population believes she is a dreaded Scriven (evolved human that was decimated by regular humans), and they would like nothing better than to eliminate her. Add to that memories surfacing that make no sense, Fever is not sure how to adjust in her new world.
Fever is hard to like. Because of all the cold logic she applies she doesn't exactly give you the warm fuzzies or even make you want to care about her. That's ok, she's supposed to be that way, but it makes for an odd protagonist. The man who raised her is also quite cold but I did like the Engineer that took her in to help with research. He may have had selfish motives but he was kind to her. And the Scriven, well we never really know their motives so I don't think they were developed all that well. Sure we understand what they did, just not the why of it.
This book is hurried, with random description and facts thrown in. It was hard to keep track of things. Different technology was thrown in and the author acted like you already understood it and proceed to plow ahead with his story. This might be ok if you had read his other series (and why at the beginning of this review I mentioned that little tidbit) but for anyone just entering in, it does not endear us to Fever's world. Additionally, things happen to fast to be believable and I think the entire book happens over the course of only a few days. As Fever would put it, it just isn't logical. And the whole history of Fever's parents, well that was kind of unbelievable too. The only thing I did like about the writing was the references to popular culture now. Sure it was a little cutsie, but it was amusing.
I can't say I have any desire to continue reading this series or the original one that inspired it. Which is unusual for me, usually I like to finish what I start. But I just couldn't get into this book at all and was relieved when it was over.
Fever Crumb
Copyright 2009
325 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com