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jclark0153's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jennreadsforsanity's review
2.0
The writing style of this story made it interesting but not exciting. The made things are endearing. It's fun to see them move through the world and find a place. The MC is quite brave and inspiring.
karenmomrucker's review
4.0
Quite enjoyable. Too short, though. I wanted to explore that world more.
onemanbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
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The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Having a name like Tchaikovsky--that's a lot to live up to. If Made Things is any indication, Adrian Tchaikovsky is holding up pretty good.
I think the most talented writers are ones who can build a whole world in less that 200 pages, and that's what's happened here.
This is a clever story about magic, thievery, and what happens when you mix the two. It's a bit fantasy and a bit steam punk. Living puppets, unlikely friendships, street rats sticking to to the upper class. I loved this world and I want to read more of it. There were so many great details and hints to a bigger story to be told. Lot's of great one-liners, too. Check this one out:
Cool, right?
I found this story very readable and enjoyable. A whole bunch of creativity packed into just a few pages. I'd love to read more of this world. I'll have to check out Tchaikovsky's other books while I wait.
Maybe I'll listen to The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, too.
18 and up. Towards the end the f-bomb count tipped over the edge as some of the more foul-mouthed thieves took center stage.
Happy Reading!
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Having a name like Tchaikovsky--that's a lot to live up to. If Made Things is any indication, Adrian Tchaikovsky is holding up pretty good.
I think the most talented writers are ones who can build a whole world in less that 200 pages, and that's what's happened here.
This is a clever story about magic, thievery, and what happens when you mix the two. It's a bit fantasy and a bit steam punk. Living puppets, unlikely friendships, street rats sticking to to the upper class. I loved this world and I want to read more of it. There were so many great details and hints to a bigger story to be told. Lot's of great one-liners, too. Check this one out:
The workshops of her mind were minting sincerity in unprecedented quantities, depressing the market for years to come with their adulterated coinage.
Cool, right?
I found this story very readable and enjoyable. A whole bunch of creativity packed into just a few pages. I'd love to read more of this world. I'll have to check out Tchaikovsky's other books while I wait.
Maybe I'll listen to The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, too.
18 and up. Towards the end the f-bomb count tipped over the edge as some of the more foul-mouthed thieves took center stage.
Happy Reading!
nataliya_x's review
3.0
Tchaikovsky-lite. Still quite good, and has some teeth, but tends to hold back the bite.
It’s a straightforward fantasy adventure with homunculi, thieves and mages, a quick and easy read under the surface of which you sense just a hint of deeper and darker themes, but it barely brushes against them. And so I assume it would be well-suited for a bit younger reader - although it’s not entirely cozy or warm/fuzzy.
It’s a good read on a chilly rainy afternoon, curled up in a chair under a warm blanket. It’s entertaining and with a good flow, and is never boring — but doesn’t quite leave a deep impression — and I think it was meant to be just that, a fun palate-cleanser. From any other author it would have been a great read, but we all know that Tchaikovsky can do better.
3.5 stars.
———
Buddy read with Carol and Stephen.
“[…]If you were a thief in Loretz, then your fingers itched for the magic the place was famous for.”
It’s a straightforward fantasy adventure with homunculi, thieves and mages, a quick and easy read under the surface of which you sense just a hint of deeper and darker themes, but it barely brushes against them. And so I assume it would be well-suited for a bit younger reader - although it’s not entirely cozy or warm/fuzzy.
“This city is ruled by magicians who hoard their magic. The poor are ruled by thieves who hoard gold and what magic they can get. Anything the human girl has can be taken from her.”
It’s a good read on a chilly rainy afternoon, curled up in a chair under a warm blanket. It’s entertaining and with a good flow, and is never boring — but doesn’t quite leave a deep impression — and I think it was meant to be just that, a fun palate-cleanser. From any other author it would have been a great read, but we all know that Tchaikovsky can do better.
“It’s not skill that makes them mage-lords. It’s a fat inheritance, is all. So: no different to any other city, save the nature of where the power comes from.”
3.5 stars.
———
Buddy read with Carol and Stephen.
carltocs's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sashas_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A brilliantly crafted dark fantasy novella. I loved the plot, the setting, and the characters. Magical homunculi, magical artificers, thieves and thief-lords, golems and corrupt magicians. Great ingredients, right?
I hope that the author will come back to this universe some day. And I will definitely be reading more Adrian Tchaikovsky :)
I hope that the author will come back to this universe some day. And I will definitely be reading more Adrian Tchaikovsky :)
booksmithscientist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I feel like this book was just way more complicated than it should have been. Typically, Tchaikovsky's work is highly detailed and carefully weaves science with reality but for this one it needed to be simpler. Things were a little jumpy and disjointed which didn't make for a smooth read (IMO!) BUT I did really enjoy the concept. The execution just wasn't there for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
saiita's review against another edition
Nothing grabbed me, didn't care about the lead character or why the story was happening.