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melhara's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute children's sci-fi book about two kids, Art and Myrtle, who live in Larklight, a house that floats in space somewhere 'north' of the moon (where is north when you're in outer-space?)
On an unfortunate afternoon, Larklight came under attack by giant evil space spiders, forcing Art and Myrtle to escape to the moon. There, they meet Jack Havock and his alien pirate crew. Together, they travel through space to find a way to save Larklight.
I wasn't too fond of the whole 1800's setting and weird 'science' that took place in [b: Larklight|287892|Larklight (Larklight, #1)|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438032062s/287892.jpg|3981653]. [a: Philip Reeve|27379|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1436868938p2/27379.jpg] describes space as if it were a body of water where spaceships look like ships. Where you can find space-whales and space-squids and Icthyomorphs (or alien fishes) swimming freely across the aether. Where humans can survive in space and swim from one point to another. Quite nonsensical, really. But I imagine it would be a highly enjoyable world for a child to read about.
What I did enjoy, were the wonderful illustrations. Kudos to [a: David Wyatt|70032|David Wyatt|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] for the beautiful ink drawings.
On an unfortunate afternoon, Larklight came under attack by giant evil space spiders, forcing Art and Myrtle to escape to the moon. There, they meet Jack Havock and his alien pirate crew. Together, they travel through space to find a way to save Larklight.
I wasn't too fond of the whole 1800's setting and weird 'science' that took place in [b: Larklight|287892|Larklight (Larklight, #1)|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438032062s/287892.jpg|3981653]. [a: Philip Reeve|27379|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1436868938p2/27379.jpg] describes space as if it were a body of water where spaceships look like ships. Where you can find space-whales and space-squids and Icthyomorphs (or alien fishes) swimming freely across the aether. Where humans can survive in space and swim from one point to another. Quite nonsensical, really. But I imagine it would be a highly enjoyable world for a child to read about.
What I did enjoy, were the wonderful illustrations. Kudos to [a: David Wyatt|70032|David Wyatt|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] for the beautiful ink drawings.
curiouslibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This is a 3.5 from me. It's basically steampunk and old style serials for kids. It is rollicking, imaginative, adventurous fun. You have people riding around in wooden, open-air, aether-ships. With Victorian mores. Trying to defeat giant spider-like aliens. With help from space-pirates. Really, what more could you want?
I did find that I couldn't read more than a few chapters in a sitting without getting bored. But when I read a few chapters, put the book down, and picked it up later or the next day, it was always exciting. And the pen and ink illustrations kept adding just the right imaginative touch.
Good fun for grades 5-8.
I did find that I couldn't read more than a few chapters in a sitting without getting bored. But when I read a few chapters, put the book down, and picked it up later or the next day, it was always exciting. And the pen and ink illustrations kept adding just the right imaginative touch.
Good fun for grades 5-8.
elusivesue's review against another edition
5.0
If this is a young adult version of 'steampunk,' maybe I should give that genre a closer look. I really enjoyed this quick-moving book -- the author balanced details of the setting (and explanations for all the science) with the story and characters. Although the relationships between a couple of the main characters were very predictable, I didn't mind, as some things that happened were very unpredictable.
It reminded me at times of a good serial with lots of cliffhangers.... I would definitely read this aloud to a class of 4-6 graders (if I had an english class to read to...).
It reminded me at times of a good serial with lots of cliffhangers.... I would definitely read this aloud to a class of 4-6 graders (if I had an english class to read to...).
amberacks12's review against another edition
3.0
It was cleverly written and I loved the little illustrations throughout, but the story wasn't very exciting or gripping. Just mildly diverting.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/05/book-review-larklight.html
Check out my review on my blog!
Check out my review on my blog!
ksd1441's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 -
Philip Reeve has a strong talent for creating and building worlds. The setting alone deserves a 5. It's sort of an alternative history really, set in Victorian England mid-1850s, but in space. Sir Newton's discovery of gravity went much further in this world, leading to space travel and ether ships and the expansion of the British Empire onto other planets. Of course, there are also a wide assortment of creatures living on the worlds of our solar system, including ichthyomorphs that glide through space, deadly trees on Venus, giant Potter Moths on the moon, and four-armed creatures from Jupiter's satalite Io. What a fantastic world. And it all starts with two British youngsters living in a house in space, orbiting the Earth.
Our narrator for most of the story, Art, was very entertaining and exceedingly British. The dry humor was everywhere, and the observations of everything around him were truly that of a twelve-year-old boy. His sister, Myrtle, was a bit annoying at first, but that's because she was totally engrossed in what it meant to be a British Lady. Needless to say, when she finally figured out that she didn't need to swoon and wait for a hero to save her, I was quite happy. Jack Havock and his crew of misfits were equally fantastic. I actually would have liked more from Jack's point of view, outside of his backstory.
I suppose my only problem with this book is that it lagged in places, but the action in others balanced that out. I laughed out loud often enough and the British wit made me smile. For those readers out there who do not understand "British," it may be a bit difficult to connect with the characters. I thought it played out much like an episode of Doctor Who, and I think any fan of the show will appreciate the High-Fantasy-in-Space this book thrives on.
Oh, and another reason to not like spiders.
Philip Reeve has a strong talent for creating and building worlds. The setting alone deserves a 5. It's sort of an alternative history really, set in Victorian England mid-1850s, but in space. Sir Newton's discovery of gravity went much further in this world, leading to space travel and ether ships and the expansion of the British Empire onto other planets. Of course, there are also a wide assortment of creatures living on the worlds of our solar system, including ichthyomorphs that glide through space, deadly trees on Venus, giant Potter Moths on the moon, and four-armed creatures from Jupiter's satalite Io. What a fantastic world. And it all starts with two British youngsters living in a house in space, orbiting the Earth.
Our narrator for most of the story, Art, was very entertaining and exceedingly British. The dry humor was everywhere, and the observations of everything around him were truly that of a twelve-year-old boy. His sister, Myrtle, was a bit annoying at first, but that's because she was totally engrossed in what it meant to be a British Lady. Needless to say, when she finally figured out that she didn't need to swoon and wait for a hero to save her, I was quite happy. Jack Havock and his crew of misfits were equally fantastic. I actually would have liked more from Jack's point of view, outside of his backstory.
I suppose my only problem with this book is that it lagged in places, but the action in others balanced that out. I laughed out loud often enough and the British wit made me smile. For those readers out there who do not understand "British," it may be a bit difficult to connect with the characters. I thought it played out much like an episode of Doctor Who, and I think any fan of the show will appreciate the High-Fantasy-in-Space this book thrives on.
Oh, and another reason to not like spiders.
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
monicakessler's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent children's sci-fi fantasy book. Larklight took a while to hook me but it's undoubtedly a well-written and well-structured piece of work. Eventful, and adventurous, not only is the plotline exciting but the book is written with a great deal of humour.
Unlike the Infernal Devices books by Cassandra Clare (not to be confused with Philip Reeve's own book, Infernal Devices ((eyeroll @CC)*) ), the spirit of Victorian London is captured much better in this steampunk-ish SFF tale similarly set in the 1800s. The mannerisms, language and jokes adhere much better to the expectations of the time, and there are some delightful moments from that, such as Art's horrified "don't overexert yourself!" at one point in the drama.
Although the characters are fun and enjoyable, they still have plenty of room for development, which I'm sure will take place in the sequels. The band of pirates are great but some of them seem to be a little flat. A star has been knocked off not only for this but also because I didn't enjoy the book at first - not really sure why, since the writing was good and the action started almost immediately. Also, a lot of the humour will be lost on what I'm guessing is the intended target audience - children - because they won't get all the references. This is fine in passing moments but there are a few significant scenes that will lose their charm. For instance, a character sings the hymn, "To be a pilgrim" to scare off aliens; this will not make much of an impression on modern children who probably have never heard that hymn.
4.25* for being a fun adventure with good wit. Enjoyed the tiny Mortal Engines reference too!
*Can I just say the more I read of Cassandra Clare and Philip Reeve, the more I find that CC has used items from PR's books? From naming to antagonists, there is a lot of similarity now between this series and her Infernal devices series, which was published 5 years later... Anyway...
Unlike the Infernal Devices books by Cassandra Clare (not to be confused with Philip Reeve's own book, Infernal Devices ((eyeroll @CC)*) ), the spirit of Victorian London is captured much better in this steampunk-ish SFF tale similarly set in the 1800s. The mannerisms, language and jokes adhere much better to the expectations of the time, and there are some delightful moments from that, such as Art's horrified "don't overexert yourself!" at one point in the drama.
Although the characters are fun and enjoyable, they still have plenty of room for development, which I'm sure will take place in the sequels. The band of pirates are great but some of them seem to be a little flat. A star has been knocked off not only for this but also because I didn't enjoy the book at first - not really sure why, since the writing was good and the action started almost immediately. Also, a lot of the humour will be lost on what I'm guessing is the intended target audience - children - because they won't get all the references. This is fine in passing moments but there are a few significant scenes that will lose their charm. For instance, a character sings the hymn, "To be a pilgrim" to scare off aliens; this will not make much of an impression on modern children who probably have never heard that hymn.
4.25* for being a fun adventure with good wit. Enjoyed the tiny Mortal Engines reference too!
*Can I just say the more I read of Cassandra Clare and Philip Reeve, the more I find that CC has used items from PR's books? From naming to antagonists, there is a lot of similarity now between this series and her Infernal devices series, which was published 5 years later... Anyway...
mslibrarynerd's review against another edition
4.0
Steampunk space pirates! Giant spiders from outer space! Adventure, fights, and the exploration of our solar system full of magnificent alien species. Clearly written by someone who watches Firefly and with Star Trek references, this book has lovely illustrations of horrible creatures and a fun story.