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almondcookies's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun book, but it felt very contained - like the author was holding back. Very akin to being shown the inner workings of an underwater plankton community, when in fact, we should be looking at the whole ocean and the vast majority of sea life underneath. Does that make sense? I hope so. That's the best analogy I could think of.
There's more at play that we aren't privy to, especially as this is supposed to be the start of 'The Fall of the Gaslit Empire'. Where is the fall? Where is the revolution? (Spoiler: I've just finished the second book, which is more fun than this one, but I'm still waiting for it). Fundamentally, there are some problems with managing expectations. I picked up this book expecting the downfall of an era, but instead I got The Adventures Of A MC That Lives Dual Lives. Which would be completely fine and very fun. If that's what I thought I was getting.
There were a few things made me question whether I missed something. For example, Julia's parents were suddenly very keen on helping her, even though they didn't know of her double life, or the circumstances behind why the Duke and the Patent Office were after her. It's also implied by Julia at the start of the book, that if her parents knew, they'd want her to cease interaction with Elizabeth, so what gives?
I did really enjoy the set up and look into the world of showmen and illusionists. The world building was a bit hit and miss for me, but the part that really carried was the world of the bullet catchers. Considering this was a steampunk setting, I didn't see much of that coming through until the alchemic machine came in. Then again, isn't that more alchemy than steam punk?
Last note: for the entire duration of the book, I kept asking myself, why on earth is this called The Bullet Catcher's Daughter? The MC's father isn't even alive!
Biggest plot twist of the book - the titular character is not the MC. It is the person who commissions her. She's not an aristocrat, she's a bullet catcher's daughter in disguise. An important one too, it seems. Or rather, what she holds is important.
There's more at play that we aren't privy to, especially as this is supposed to be the start of 'The Fall of the Gaslit Empire'. Where is the fall? Where is the revolution? (Spoiler: I've just finished the second book, which is more fun than this one, but I'm still waiting for it). Fundamentally, there are some problems with managing expectations. I picked up this book expecting the downfall of an era, but instead I got The Adventures Of A MC That Lives Dual Lives. Which would be completely fine and very fun. If that's what I thought I was getting.
There were a few things made me question whether I missed something. For example, Julia's parents were suddenly very keen on helping her, even though they didn't know of her double life, or the circumstances behind why the Duke and the Patent Office were after her. It's also implied by Julia at the start of the book, that if her parents knew, they'd want her to cease interaction with Elizabeth, so what gives?
I did really enjoy the set up and look into the world of showmen and illusionists. The world building was a bit hit and miss for me, but the part that really carried was the world of the bullet catchers. Considering this was a steampunk setting, I didn't see much of that coming through until the alchemic machine came in. Then again, isn't that more alchemy than steam punk?
Last note: for the entire duration of the book, I kept asking myself, why on earth is this called The Bullet Catcher's Daughter? The MC's father isn't even alive!
Biggest plot twist of the book - the titular character is not the MC. It is the person who commissions her. She's not an aristocrat, she's a bullet catcher's daughter in disguise. An important one too, it seems. Or rather, what she holds is important.
emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
5.0
The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter is the kind of book that you finish and then immediately want to reread to see how they did it. This book is expertly crafted, laying out clues and red herrings while taking the reader on a whirlwind chase through a world of steam cars and airships, circuses and secrets. I had so much fun reading this book. It's probably the best piece of Steampunk I've read.
alyinsx's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I know it’s the first book in a series but I think there wasn’t enough time actually setting up the plot. We spent a lot of time running around with Elizabeth without actually accomplishing anything.
goblinqueen13's review against another edition
There is a lot of world building and not enough action to hold my attention. I really wanted to like this book but it was to slow of a read for me.
jmorgynwhite's review against another edition
Ever read a book and can’t remember whether you finished it? This is that book. I was drawn into the interesting gas-lit world. I didn’t quite buy into the twin cross-dressing idea but heck, the world was interesting.
In the long haul the writer lost me in the details. I was confused by the underlying plot and none of the other characters (save for maybe the agent) were memorable. I liked the idea of the living on the boat but it was hard to buy once the story set up and more of the world was revealed. Elizabeth Barnabas tries to be badass but the story falls short of making me feel like she really is.
Disappointing.
In the long haul the writer lost me in the details. I was confused by the underlying plot and none of the other characters (save for maybe the agent) were memorable. I liked the idea of the living on the boat but it was hard to buy once the story set up and more of the world was revealed. Elizabeth Barnabas tries to be badass but the story falls short of making me feel like she really is.
Disappointing.
kiersomething's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting for a few reasons. The steampunk elements were always compelling, and I loved the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. I was very interested in all of Elizabeth's ways of evading people and the different arms of the law, and I was really interested in how she used people's underestimation of her against them again and again.
The pace at the beginning felt very choppy to me, and I'm not sure why the chapters were so short. Since it was the beginning of this new world, I wanted and expected more deep dives into situations or characters, but it felt like the pace settled into a groove I was happy with after the first 5 chapters or so.
Everything considered, it was a good, enjoyable read, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to read the next book to see where Elizabeth's life leads her next.
The pace at the beginning felt very choppy to me, and I'm not sure why the chapters were so short. Since it was the beginning of this new world, I wanted and expected more deep dives into situations or characters, but it felt like the pace settled into a groove I was happy with after the first 5 chapters or so.
Everything considered, it was a good, enjoyable read, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to read the next book to see where Elizabeth's life leads her next.
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
Bought this used at my local library for $.50. I wasn't expecting much but oh man, this was amazing! I had a little trouble catching onto the time and place of the world. But once I did it was a wild ride. And I loved every second of it.
b33dubs's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting concept...so poorly executed. Why did I finish it? Eh, I had nothing better to read at the time.
weltenkreuzer's review against another edition
3.0
Solide steampunk-angehauchte Alternate-History-Geschichte mit spannenden Ansätzen, aber ohne das gewisse Etwas.
skycladmp's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE this book. The author created such a believable alternate history that I felt myself going, "Oh, of course". I'm not usually into steampunk novels but this had just the right balance of steampunk technology and story. Elizabeth Barnabus is a very well-written character and it was fun to work out the mystery with her. The supporting characters were all well-developed as well. No one suffered from a dropped side plot. I hope Julia gets a bigger part in the next book, as I'm really looking forward to reading it.