Scan barcode
vylotte's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun, fast read, about a woman in a steampunky alternate Europe working as a private investigator. Only, to do so she must often disguise herself as her alter ego "twin" brother. Luckily, her upbringing in a travelling carnival has given her the skills and quick wit to swap personas at will.
The plucky private investigator solving a mystery genre is not my favorite, though I did enjoy this novel, the writing was stealthily deep and lush, which elevated this above others in similar milieus. While there is plenty of action and fantastical trappings, there was an underlying sense of disquiet in the restrictive role of women, shown quite effectively as genders are swapped as needed.
Nominated for the 2014 Philip K Dick awards.
The plucky private investigator solving a mystery genre is not my favorite, though I did enjoy this novel, the writing was stealthily deep and lush, which elevated this above others in similar milieus. While there is plenty of action and fantastical trappings, there was an underlying sense of disquiet in the restrictive role of women, shown quite effectively as genders are swapped as needed.
Nominated for the 2014 Philip K Dick awards.
benm's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
schlinkles's review against another edition
3.0
I'm curious where this story will go from here. I was confused a lot of the time about the world in which this happens. Hints of backstory were given, but not enough to make everything clear. I didn't dislike this book, but I'm not sure I liked it either which is disappointing because I had high hopes
bandit's review
4.0
**ARC provided by Angry Robot and Netgalley**
I had no idea what to expect from The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter – but boy, was it a nice surprise!
Intriguing characters?
Check.
Exciting plot?
Check.
Meticulous world-building?
Check.
This novel has it all.
It's beautifully written too - Rod Duncan has a way with words.
Edwin Barnabus is a private detective, a good one at that, hired by the Duchess of Bletchley to search for her missing brother. Respectable enough...except Edwin Barnabus isn’t really who he says he is. He isn’t even a he. Edwin Barnabus is actually Elizabeth Barnabus, a young woman who escaped to the Anglo-Scottish Republic, safe from the clutches of the Duke of Northampton.
Elizabeth Barnabus sets out on her journey to find the missing aristocrat, encountering strange machines, shifty circus folk and a fair few sticky situations, oh, and that agent of the Patent Office..
The world building in The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter is spectacular, really well thought out. I read a lot of dystopian fiction, so I’m used to alternate societies (some questionable), and Rod Duncan manages to create a world which is not only compelling but incredibly believable (I even googled some history at one point because I was that convinced…oops). There’s a glossary at the end, which is helpful, although I managed to pick up most of the history through Elizabeth’s narration and occasional flashbacks, which were nicely placed within the story.
I’ll admit that it took me a couple of chapters to really get into the story, but I did find myself hooked, refusing to put my kindle away in spite of my phone telling me that it was in fact 4:30am. I had to get to the end (which rewarded me with a very nice plot twist that I did not see coming – although maybe I should have, with all the allusions to, well, illusion.).
Looking forward to the sequel!
I had no idea what to expect from The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter – but boy, was it a nice surprise!
Intriguing characters?
Check.
Exciting plot?
Check.
Meticulous world-building?
Check.
This novel has it all.
It's beautifully written too - Rod Duncan has a way with words.
Edwin Barnabus is a private detective, a good one at that, hired by the Duchess of Bletchley to search for her missing brother. Respectable enough...except Edwin Barnabus isn’t really who he says he is. He isn’t even a he. Edwin Barnabus is actually Elizabeth Barnabus, a young woman who escaped to the Anglo-Scottish Republic, safe from the clutches of the Duke of Northampton.
Elizabeth Barnabus sets out on her journey to find the missing aristocrat, encountering strange machines, shifty circus folk and a fair few sticky situations, oh, and that agent of the Patent Office..
The world building in The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter is spectacular, really well thought out. I read a lot of dystopian fiction, so I’m used to alternate societies (some questionable), and Rod Duncan manages to create a world which is not only compelling but incredibly believable (I even googled some history at one point because I was that convinced…oops). There’s a glossary at the end, which is helpful, although I managed to pick up most of the history through Elizabeth’s narration and occasional flashbacks, which were nicely placed within the story.
I’ll admit that it took me a couple of chapters to really get into the story, but I did find myself hooked, refusing to put my kindle away in spite of my phone telling me that it was in fact 4:30am. I had to get to the end (which rewarded me with a very nice plot twist that I did not see coming – although maybe I should have, with all the allusions to, well, illusion.).
Looking forward to the sequel!
lsneal's review
3.0
I found this one a bit slow to start, but it eventually sucked me in. I particularly liked the explanation as to why this society remained stuck in a particular state of technological and fashion development - in this world, the overarching power is an international patent office (the "gas-lit empire" of the series title) that strictly polices inventions to fulfill the Luddite dream of protecting the working man from developments that will erase the need for manual labor.
tdeshler's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining introduction to the series. The reader is thrown into an alternate history with little preamble, but is given little snippets of explanation throughout. I look forward to the rest of the series.
abetterjulie's review against another edition
4.0
First, I LOVE the cover of this book. The plot is riveting, the characters have depth, and I never figured out the twist that was coming. I love clever stories!
elusivity's review
3.0
2.5 STARS
I found this mostly... Underwhelming.
The detective-seeking-lost-person-with-forbidden-treasure part was woefully thin and completely predictable.
For a place dumbed the Gas-Lit Empire, there was very little steam punk technology. The main setting was Victorian, with its strict code of social morality. And yes, there was flight by airship, and the main McGuffin wasa laser created by mystery chemicals . Beyond that... Nope.
The ending was like deflating a balloon, and obliterated even my half-hearted enjoyment of the first 3/4.
Sigh.
I found this mostly... Underwhelming.
The detective-seeking-lost-person-with-forbidden-treasure part was woefully thin and completely predictable.
For a place dumbed the Gas-Lit Empire, there was very little steam punk technology. The main setting was Victorian, with its strict code of social morality. And yes, there was flight by airship, and the main McGuffin was
The ending was like deflating a balloon, and obliterated even my half-hearted enjoyment of the first 3/4.
Sigh.
ghostmuppet's review
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.
badcushion's review
5.0
I'm much better at writing about terrible books than ones I love, but I'm going to give it a shot.
In this world, the Industrial Revolution was shorted out by a proper Luddite rebellion, and instead of the glories of modern-day 1973, we find ourselves in a post-Victoria, perma-Victorian England...well not England, but the part of Britain that became the Republic....okay it's a little complicated but not that bad. Point is, this steampunk world has a solid historical framework, which makes it feel less like a clockwork fancy and more like an actual world, with actual people and politics and forces of social change. In this book, we follow Elizabeth Barnabus, who grew up in a circus but now lives on the run, working as a detective...well actually it's her brother who's the detective....well that's complicated too, but it's worth it. She's barely scraping by when she's offered a job by a duchess, who's looking for her brother....the duchess' brother not Elizabeth's brother, though there's some overlap in the two stories as well....but I promise it all makes sense and will work out in the end without making you want to rend your garments.
There are traveling shows, alchemists, nobles and workers, and over it all the strict eye of the Patent Office, making sure nobody gets too creative with unlicensed inventions or anything which might shake the social order. Duncan has created a fabulous world in all senses, vivid and complex, moving the reader from a canalside narrow boat to a circus wagon to the heart of London with equal ease. The characters are fully formed, motivations are profoundly human, and the story is gripping. Also, basically, I loved this book. I was totally immersed in the world, but was also captivated by the small things - the smells of the filthy back streets, the rock and creak of the narrow canal boat, and of course, the tick of clockworks. It was lovely. Do you like steampunk? Read this book. Do you like mysteries? Read this book. Do you like good books? Read this book!
In this world, the Industrial Revolution was shorted out by a proper Luddite rebellion, and instead of the glories of modern-day 1973, we find ourselves in a post-Victoria, perma-Victorian England...well not England, but the part of Britain that became the Republic....okay it's a little complicated but not that bad. Point is, this steampunk world has a solid historical framework, which makes it feel less like a clockwork fancy and more like an actual world, with actual people and politics and forces of social change. In this book, we follow Elizabeth Barnabus, who grew up in a circus but now lives on the run, working as a detective...well actually it's her brother who's the detective....well that's complicated too, but it's worth it. She's barely scraping by when she's offered a job by a duchess, who's looking for her brother....the duchess' brother not Elizabeth's brother, though there's some overlap in the two stories as well....but I promise it all makes sense and will work out in the end without making you want to rend your garments.
There are traveling shows, alchemists, nobles and workers, and over it all the strict eye of the Patent Office, making sure nobody gets too creative with unlicensed inventions or anything which might shake the social order. Duncan has created a fabulous world in all senses, vivid and complex, moving the reader from a canalside narrow boat to a circus wagon to the heart of London with equal ease. The characters are fully formed, motivations are profoundly human, and the story is gripping. Also, basically, I loved this book. I was totally immersed in the world, but was also captivated by the small things - the smells of the filthy back streets, the rock and creak of the narrow canal boat, and of course, the tick of clockworks. It was lovely. Do you like steampunk? Read this book. Do you like mysteries? Read this book. Do you like good books? Read this book!