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sorrel's review
5.0
I am so glad that this book turned out the way that it did! A little bit of me was dreading reading it and being disappointed, like I have with so many other Steampunk books that I have read. Luckily this book avoided the horrible cliches. I mean yes, there was a pretty girl who dressed up as a boy and there was an attractive man who was forced to work against her, but this book delivered this plot line so well. Elizabeth, the main character, was pretty but not amazingly so, she didn't deny it and it was not constantly referenced. Besides from this, she was strong without being alienating and cold and had faced unfortunate circumstances without becoming self-pitying and she was kind without being pious and irritating. Best of all, she wasn't "perfect".
This book delivered an interesting plot line with an unexpected twist at the end. Even the setting was imaginative and original; the whole republic and Kingdom of England and South Wales idea was so well thought out. The descriptions of the circus and the characters within them were so good. It was completely different to anything else I'd ever read before and I loved it.
Definite read :-)
This book delivered an interesting plot line with an unexpected twist at the end. Even the setting was imaginative and original; the whole republic and Kingdom of England and South Wales idea was so well thought out. The descriptions of the circus and the characters within them were so good. It was completely different to anything else I'd ever read before and I loved it.
Definite read :-)
dashausfrau's review
4.0
"Though you live and travel all the years of your life in the gap between that which is known and that which is not known, yet you will have explored but a fraction of that vast land." - The Bullet Catcher's Handbook.
Very clever & well-written steampunk.
Very clever & well-written steampunk.
bhalpin's review
5.0
Just irresistible. Super-competent heroine, great world building, cool plot twists, suspense, characters that were both likeable and believable--really just a perfect adventure novel. I was completely caught up in it and found nothing to quibble with.
One element I really liked was that this doesn't take place in an alternative Victorian past, but, rather, in an alternative sort-of-present where technological innovation has been suppressed. I also liked the idea of Great Britain split between a kingdom and a republic. So, yeah, great world building, but mostly just top-notch entertainment.
Glad I snagged all three in the series in the Humble Bundle. Looking forward to diving into the next one.
One element I really liked was that this doesn't take place in an alternative Victorian past, but, rather, in an alternative sort-of-present where technological innovation has been suppressed. I also liked the idea of Great Britain split between a kingdom and a republic. So, yeah, great world building, but mostly just top-notch entertainment.
Glad I snagged all three in the series in the Humble Bundle. Looking forward to diving into the next one.
ailsabristow's review
4.0
Listened to on Audio.
A steampunk fantasy set in an alternative (and divided) Britain, with a heroine who cross-dresses to maintain her double identity as her own brother? YES PLEASE. This is a smart fantasy book, which benefits from complicated and fascinating political intrigues, a tense mystery, a heavy dose of circuses and trickery, and a kick ass heroine to boot. Thoroughly enjoyable.
A steampunk fantasy set in an alternative (and divided) Britain, with a heroine who cross-dresses to maintain her double identity as her own brother? YES PLEASE. This is a smart fantasy book, which benefits from complicated and fascinating political intrigues, a tense mystery, a heavy dose of circuses and trickery, and a kick ass heroine to boot. Thoroughly enjoyable.
bookadventurer's review
4.0
In this steampunk novel, Elizabeth Barnabus lives on her own in the restrictive, Calvinist-esque society of the Anglo-Scottish Republic. For propriety's sake, and to facilitate her private eye investigations, she tells everyone she lives with her brother, a private investigator. In truth, as the daughter of one of the greatest illusionists of her time, she disguises herself as her brother as she conducts her work, when she pays her rent, and whenever he is required to assuage her neighbors' curiosity or concern. This book encompasses one of her investigations, involving the Duke and Duchess of Bletchley, from Elizabeth's home country - which Elizabeth fled in exile after a nobleman decided he wanted her, impoverished her family, and bought up all their debts so he could claim her as payment. The Duchess of Bletchley asks Elizabeth to find her missing brother, who escaped punishment for using forbidden (un-patented) technology. While Elizabeth agrees to take on the case, the danger that comes with it give her pause. Along the way, she falls in with circus performers, evades pursuit by the Patent Office (tasked with the regulation and prohibition of new, un-patented technologies), and disguises herself as many different characters.
The world was incredibly complex and unique, but not really my kind of place. With a mix of Calvinist/Puritan culture and a more open, capitalist society that are loosely connected as member states of the same empire, the setting felt a bit weird. Mostly, I found the time frame confusing. While the descriptions seemed to place it in the more familiar alternate Victorian setting, the history seemed to place it much later. Perhaps the world had been altered too much for me to make sense of it. But there were planes, and steamcoaches, and wagons - and it was difficult for me to reconcile all of those. At one point, I imagined the society to be either Victorian or 16th century, and then I confused it with the 20th century (where the planes come in). The complexity of the world-building made the world seem a bit squashed into the page limit. All the same, it was a refreshing change from the overtly Victorian-based period so common in steampunk.
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, and the barest hints at a romance. There are quite a few interesting supporting characters - including the timid circus boy, the cunning fortune teller, the naive young neighbor in love with an exciting phantom man, and some unsavory bad guys: the gambling, greedy rent collector, one or two Patent Office agents, and several sly circus troupe members. The romance is predictable, but how it will develop is still unknown. The naive young neighbor, who has a crush on Elizabeth's nonexistent brother, stands out as an endearing character. Melodramatic, loyal, and clever, she shines when she is given an opportunity to act outside of the narrow bounds allowed her by society. No character is drawn entirely in white or black - each has his or her kind and cruel moments, except for the despicable duke who ruined Elizabeth's life. The overly curious neighbor who is just dying to catch Elizabeth unawares, to meet her nocturnal brother, becomes a very supportive neighbor when disaster strikes.
The denouement completely surprised, even while it fit the story and plot. I like an undetected plot twist, and this one slipped right by. Aside from that, there's tons of action, danger, suspense, and mystery - all very engaging, and kept me eagerly reading to find out what trouble Elizabeth would get herself into (and out of) next.
The sly tricks and sleights of hand that Elizabeth uses to stay out of trouble are thrilling and suspenseful - she very nearly doesn't escape several times. What I especially enjoyed about Elizabeth is her resourcefulness and resilience. Not only has she made a new life for herself, on her own and in a strange country, as a teenager, but she uses her quick wits, daring, and knowledge of the "bullet-catcher's" (illusionist's) art to get her out of tight corners. And she almost always rescues herself, too. The descriptions of her disguises, of how she turns her appearance into that of a man, are thorough and well thought out - she doesn't just put on different clothes, she puts on pieces of different clothes, and assumes a different attitude. The details made her transformations convincing. Overall, she's really a great strong heroine to read.
The only thing that doesn't really ring true is her love for the Kingdom, its brightness, its emotions, its gaudiness. Mostly she seems to be living to pay her rent and buy her tea, and to investigate the missing person case. She thinks a lot about the circumstances that led her to the disappointing, gloomy, and gray society of the Republic, but the Kingdom pales in comparison to the evocation of atmosphere in the Republic. The plot felt more about Elizabeth keeping her head above water than about her exile. Similarly, I'm not sure anything felt very real to me in this novel, as if I were just skimming the surface of the world and the characters, without really getting a good glimpse at what lay beneath. The characters, and the world, seemed distant.
While the main plot elements all wrap up satisfactorily, the glossary hints at more adventures for Elizabeth Barnabus. I may not rush out to buy it in stores, or put my name on a waiting list at the library, but I will probably pick it up. I would recommend this one for fans of steampunk, alternate historical fiction, and science fiction.
*Advance e-copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Want more like this one? Check out the read-alikes.
The world was incredibly complex and unique, but not really my kind of place. With a mix of Calvinist/Puritan culture and a more open, capitalist society that are loosely connected as member states of the same empire, the setting felt a bit weird. Mostly, I found the time frame confusing. While the descriptions seemed to place it in the more familiar alternate Victorian setting, the history seemed to place it much later. Perhaps the world had been altered too much for me to make sense of it. But there were planes, and steamcoaches, and wagons - and it was difficult for me to reconcile all of those. At one point, I imagined the society to be either Victorian or 16th century, and then I confused it with the 20th century (where the planes come in). The complexity of the world-building made the world seem a bit squashed into the page limit. All the same, it was a refreshing change from the overtly Victorian-based period so common in steampunk.
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, and the barest hints at a romance. There are quite a few interesting supporting characters - including the timid circus boy, the cunning fortune teller, the naive young neighbor in love with an exciting phantom man, and some unsavory bad guys: the gambling, greedy rent collector, one or two Patent Office agents, and several sly circus troupe members. The romance is predictable, but how it will develop is still unknown. The naive young neighbor, who has a crush on Elizabeth's nonexistent brother, stands out as an endearing character. Melodramatic, loyal, and clever, she shines when she is given an opportunity to act outside of the narrow bounds allowed her by society. No character is drawn entirely in white or black - each has his or her kind and cruel moments, except for the despicable duke who ruined Elizabeth's life. The overly curious neighbor who is just dying to catch Elizabeth unawares, to meet her nocturnal brother, becomes a very supportive neighbor when disaster strikes.
The denouement completely surprised, even while it fit the story and plot. I like an undetected plot twist, and this one slipped right by. Aside from that, there's tons of action, danger, suspense, and mystery - all very engaging, and kept me eagerly reading to find out what trouble Elizabeth would get herself into (and out of) next.
The sly tricks and sleights of hand that Elizabeth uses to stay out of trouble are thrilling and suspenseful - she very nearly doesn't escape several times. What I especially enjoyed about Elizabeth is her resourcefulness and resilience. Not only has she made a new life for herself, on her own and in a strange country, as a teenager, but she uses her quick wits, daring, and knowledge of the "bullet-catcher's" (illusionist's) art to get her out of tight corners. And she almost always rescues herself, too. The descriptions of her disguises, of how she turns her appearance into that of a man, are thorough and well thought out - she doesn't just put on different clothes, she puts on pieces of different clothes, and assumes a different attitude. The details made her transformations convincing. Overall, she's really a great strong heroine to read.
The only thing that doesn't really ring true is her love for the Kingdom, its brightness, its emotions, its gaudiness. Mostly she seems to be living to pay her rent and buy her tea, and to investigate the missing person case. She thinks a lot about the circumstances that led her to the disappointing, gloomy, and gray society of the Republic, but the Kingdom pales in comparison to the evocation of atmosphere in the Republic. The plot felt more about Elizabeth keeping her head above water than about her exile. Similarly, I'm not sure anything felt very real to me in this novel, as if I were just skimming the surface of the world and the characters, without really getting a good glimpse at what lay beneath. The characters, and the world, seemed distant.
While the main plot elements all wrap up satisfactorily, the glossary hints at more adventures for Elizabeth Barnabus. I may not rush out to buy it in stores, or put my name on a waiting list at the library, but I will probably pick it up. I would recommend this one for fans of steampunk, alternate historical fiction, and science fiction.
*Advance e-copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Want more like this one? Check out the read-alikes.
expendablemudge's review
4.0
Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Elizabeth Barnabus lives a double life—as herself and as her brother, the private detective. She is trying to solve the mystery of a disappearing aristocrat and a hoard of arcane machines. In her way stand the rogues, freaks and self-proclaimed alchemists of a travelling circus.
But when she comes up against an agent of the all-powerful Patent Office, her life and the course of history will begin to change. And not necessarily for the better…
July 2020 UPDATE The first book in the series featuring Elizabeth Barnabus is on Kindle sale for $1.99!!
My Review: Fantasy novel. Four-and-a-half stars. Why are you still staring at this screen? Click over to Amazon or whichever bookery you patronize and order one. It is a Moral Imperative. Seriously.
1/19/16: A few private messages suggested I expand on my exhortation. Okay, here goes: Any writer who can, WITHOUT infodumping, bring me directly into a fantastical and outrageously unlikely alternate steampunk world earned your scarce book-buying dollars. He made me *believe* that, in an illusory world, illusionists could be so important and so vital that the law enforcement agency of the whole world will hunt them down and imprison them. He gave such reality to the conundrum of how to simply exist as a woman in the world he's made that I was wincing, squirming, and blushing for the privilege that being male has always brought.
Please believe me...this is powerful storytelling talent working so smoothly you can't feel the strain. I loved the first book, and am 50pp into the second. This is the shazizzle, as we used to say years ago.
The Publisher Says: Elizabeth Barnabus lives a double life—as herself and as her brother, the private detective. She is trying to solve the mystery of a disappearing aristocrat and a hoard of arcane machines. In her way stand the rogues, freaks and self-proclaimed alchemists of a travelling circus.
But when she comes up against an agent of the all-powerful Patent Office, her life and the course of history will begin to change. And not necessarily for the better…
July 2020 UPDATE The first book in the series featuring Elizabeth Barnabus is on Kindle sale for $1.99!!
My Review: Fantasy novel. Four-and-a-half stars. Why are you still staring at this screen? Click over to Amazon or whichever bookery you patronize and order one. It is a Moral Imperative. Seriously.
1/19/16: A few private messages suggested I expand on my exhortation. Okay, here goes: Any writer who can, WITHOUT infodumping, bring me directly into a fantastical and outrageously unlikely alternate steampunk world earned your scarce book-buying dollars. He made me *believe* that, in an illusory world, illusionists could be so important and so vital that the law enforcement agency of the whole world will hunt them down and imprison them. He gave such reality to the conundrum of how to simply exist as a woman in the world he's made that I was wincing, squirming, and blushing for the privilege that being male has always brought.
Please believe me...this is powerful storytelling talent working so smoothly you can't feel the strain. I loved the first book, and am 50pp into the second. This is the shazizzle, as we used to say years ago.
wolvereader's review
4.0
Set in a world where the International Patent Office hunts down disruptive technology and ensures that progress stays at Victorian levels, we follow our cross-dressing heroine on a suspenseful chase via horse cart, dirigible and gypsy wagon, through the conservative Anglo-Scottish Republic and into the Kingdom of England in search of a missing aristocrat.
This was a fun book with a steampunk-ish slant, and a well-imagined alternate history. I'll read the next one in the series.
This was a fun book with a steampunk-ish slant, and a well-imagined alternate history. I'll read the next one in the series.
jmorgynwhite's review
2.0
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.
larondaflyingpaperbacks's review
4.0
You can see my full review here!
I haven't read this in a while, but I do remember liking it. It's original, we have a capable main character and no. romance. Which at the time is a rare thing. I was expecting some actual bullet catching, but no such luck. Instead, I got a a woman cross dressing as her fictional private investigating brother doing a reluctant job. The pacing was slow, but it's a fun story with twist I didn’t see coming.
I haven't read this in a while, but I do remember liking it. It's original, we have a capable main character and no. romance. Which at the time is a rare thing. I was expecting some actual bullet catching, but no such luck. Instead, I got a a woman cross dressing as her fictional private investigating brother doing a reluctant job. The pacing was slow, but it's a fun story with twist I didn’t see coming.
laurielle's review
3.0
El planteamiento es interesante, pero en la forma de narrar se le nota que es una primera novela (o, al menos, de las primeras). Nos presentan a la protagonista como una espía experta que lleva 5 años manteniendo una doble vida, pero durante la historia a la pobre la pillan sin parar y su "doble vida" apenas le es útil. Si me hubieran dicho que éste era el primer caso de su vida, sería más creíble.
Pese a todo, se deja leer y hay un par de escenas bastante interesantes. No obstante, en cuanto lo acabé me fui corriendo a leer Soulless porque steampunk. Y porque lo echaba de menos.
Pese a todo, se deja leer y hay un par de escenas bastante interesantes. No obstante, en cuanto lo acabé me fui corriendo a leer Soulless porque steampunk. Y porque lo echaba de menos.