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xeni's review against another edition
4.0
While reading this book I always felt that I should be enjoying it more than I was. I liked the premise a lot. I liked a lot of the elements (the split England into Republic and Kingdom, the fact that the protagonist is both herself and her brother, the circus moments) but I am not sure I liked them together.
I kept having to push myself to continue reading. I often found myself just putting down the book and not being too inclined to pick it up again. But it was well written, it was interesting, it had something special and different. I just don't think it entirely worked for me.
I wanted to love this book far more than I did. In it's elements it's perfect for me: alt-history britain which splits off into Republic and Kingdom halves, however the actual main power in this world is the Patent Office. The protagonist is a woman (but at the same time also her twin brother who never actually existed, but was a creation in her childhood her circus-running father helped her maintain) who is hired to investigate a missing nobleman from the Kingdom.
It is at times a mystery, at times an adventure tale. Elizabeth ends up living at a different circus for a while. Then she's on the run (again) across to the Kingdom this time, where she is a fugitive. It's all quite a lot, and I think I would have loved it more if I wasn't always on the edge of my seat. I dislike that much tension.
Also I did not understand a lot of the character motivations, I did not understand a lot of this world. I think it was grittier and darker than it intended to be; than the surface appears. It was a tough read for a myriad of reasons, not all of which I have understood yet.
But it's also incredibly unique, rather well written, plays around with interesting gender issues in a patriarchal world that you don't often see.
I kept having to push myself to continue reading. I often found myself just putting down the book and not being too inclined to pick it up again. But it was well written, it was interesting, it had something special and different. I just don't think it entirely worked for me.
I wanted to love this book far more than I did. In it's elements it's perfect for me: alt-history britain which splits off into Republic and Kingdom halves, however the actual main power in this world is the Patent Office. The protagonist is a woman (but at the same time also her twin brother who never actually existed, but was a creation in her childhood her circus-running father helped her maintain) who is hired to investigate a missing nobleman from the Kingdom.
It is at times a mystery, at times an adventure tale. Elizabeth ends up living at a different circus for a while. Then she's on the run (again) across to the Kingdom this time, where she is a fugitive. It's all quite a lot, and I think I would have loved it more if I wasn't always on the edge of my seat. I dislike that much tension.
Also I did not understand a lot of the character motivations, I did not understand a lot of this world. I think it was grittier and darker than it intended to be; than the surface appears. It was a tough read for a myriad of reasons, not all of which I have understood yet.
But it's also incredibly unique, rather well written, plays around with interesting gender issues in a patriarchal world that you don't often see.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The pacing was a bit off, and it took me a bit to get into this story. But this was generally a satisfying read. I'm just not sure I like the characters or world enough to continue with this series.
csdaley's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. A little steampunk. A little mystery. A great alternate earth to dive into. I will be reading the next one for sure.
ghost_cat99's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rilester's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shonaj29's review against another edition
5.0
Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire is a series trilogy of books written by Rod Duncan. They’re set in a dystopian 2009 and are about a female protagonist, Elizabeth Barnabus. Elizabeth lives a double life - as herself and as her brother, the private detective. If you are a fan of dystopian sci-fi fiction then this is a series for you.
The Bullet Catcher’s Daughter - Elizabeth is trying to solve the mystery of a missing aristocrat and a mass of arcane machines. Rogues, freaks and self-proclaimed alchemists of a travelling circus are what stands between Elizabeth the and the truth. 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.
The Bullet Catcher’s Daughter - Elizabeth is trying to solve the mystery of a missing aristocrat and a mass of arcane machines. Rogues, freaks and self-proclaimed alchemists of a travelling circus are what stands between Elizabeth the and the truth. 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.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book more I think I should have. The basic story has been done before, so there were no surprises about where it was going. I really liked all the showmanship talk throughout the book. The misdirection, the sleight of hand etc.
Another plus point is the world. The UK is split up, with republicans and royalists. It is also set I the 19th century- with the gas lights the new wonder - hence the series name. The two halves of the country are very different. the north drab and primary and proper, with the south being more liberal and colourful.
The next book is on my watch list to get.
The audible narration was excellent as well.
Another plus point is the world. The UK is split up, with republicans and royalists. It is also set I the 19th century- with the gas lights the new wonder - hence the series name. The two halves of the country are very different. the north drab and primary and proper, with the south being more liberal and colourful.
The next book is on my watch list to get.
The audible narration was excellent as well.
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
3.0
Oh yes, alright. A fair start to a trilogy. The narrative trots along nicely and all the characters had their allegiances and motivations. I wanted to read this book for the steampunk, and while I'm not disappointed in the worldbuilding, I think I'd want to see a live-action movie adaptation or something, just for that visual richness.
If John Farthing from the Patent Office is being set up as a love interest, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Actually, for a moment there I thought. I think I'll keep reading. I'd like to see how Elizabeth's adventures continue. It looks like there are several plot-lines being set up.
If John Farthing from the Patent Office is being set up as a love interest, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Actually, for a moment there I thought
Spoiler
Julia was going to be a love interest for Elizabeth's "brother"...annmarie_in_november's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. Audio book read by Gemma Whelan.
Outstanding - and a surprise. I'd almost given up on steampunk - too many run-ins with infuriating alpha males and female protagonists being managed/coerced/sexually manipulated by them. Despite the 1,000+ reviews for this on Audible I avoided it for months. So glad I gave it a try. I loved it from the first scene, where we meet our protagonist Elizabeth Barnabus disguised as her alter ego - her 'brother' - a deception which allows her to live alone as an unmarried woman on a house boat (otherwise frowned upon) and earn a living as a private detective (otherwise impossible).
Great Britain is split into the Kingdom of Southern England and Wales, multicultural, colourful and socially free but ruled by the whims of aristocrats, and the Anglo-Scottish Republic, more staid and rigid, harsher on women's rights, but ruled by democracy. Elizabeth, born into a circus in the Kingdom, fled to the Republic when her father's debts were sold to a duke who claimed Elizabeth as his rightful payment.
The novel shows us all the small details that comprise her dual existence, cleverly arranged so that she can flip between her male and female personas without discovery (my favourite aspect), while also mapping out the expansive history of this alternate universe where celebration of the Regency-era Luddites has replaced Christmas, and a distinct anti-technology movement is managed by the global Patent Office, which monitors unseemly advances in the sciences.
To earn the money to save her boat, which is her home, her office and the base of her entire double life, Elizabeth chases a mysterious device across the border between Kingdom and Republic, travels with a circus, faces agents of the Patent Office and confronts the long-standing warrant for her arrest. I'm amazed at the amount of information, action and changes of scenery the novel packed in, while still, in every chapter, holding true to Elizabeth's character, to her core intelligence and well-reasoned planning, her understandable fear and the admirable self-restraint she shows under pressure.
Will definitely be listening to book 2!
Outstanding - and a surprise. I'd almost given up on steampunk - too many run-ins with infuriating alpha males and female protagonists being managed/coerced/sexually manipulated by them. Despite the 1,000+ reviews for this on Audible I avoided it for months. So glad I gave it a try. I loved it from the first scene, where we meet our protagonist Elizabeth Barnabus disguised as her alter ego - her 'brother' - a deception which allows her to live alone as an unmarried woman on a house boat (otherwise frowned upon) and earn a living as a private detective (otherwise impossible).
Great Britain is split into the Kingdom of Southern England and Wales, multicultural, colourful and socially free but ruled by the whims of aristocrats, and the Anglo-Scottish Republic, more staid and rigid, harsher on women's rights, but ruled by democracy. Elizabeth, born into a circus in the Kingdom, fled to the Republic when her father's debts were sold to a duke who claimed Elizabeth as his rightful payment.
The novel shows us all the small details that comprise her dual existence, cleverly arranged so that she can flip between her male and female personas without discovery (my favourite aspect), while also mapping out the expansive history of this alternate universe where celebration of the Regency-era Luddites has replaced Christmas, and a distinct anti-technology movement is managed by the global Patent Office, which monitors unseemly advances in the sciences.
To earn the money to save her boat, which is her home, her office and the base of her entire double life, Elizabeth chases a mysterious device across the border between Kingdom and Republic, travels with a circus, faces agents of the Patent Office and confronts the long-standing warrant for her arrest. I'm amazed at the amount of information, action and changes of scenery the novel packed in, while still, in every chapter, holding true to Elizabeth's character, to her core intelligence and well-reasoned planning, her understandable fear and the admirable self-restraint she shows under pressure.
Will definitely be listening to book 2!