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aarnireads's review
3.0
A decently entertaining little adventure.
I'm only docking points because some parts seemed like they should have had more polishing: it wasn't always clear who was talking in a scene, or a pronoun was in the wrong place and so forth. The book doesn't really have a huge coherent plot either in my opinion, and Grace's POV felt a little distant from Thaniel's.
My favourites, surprisingly enough, were Mori and Matsumoto. Mori is a sweet bean and Matsumoto is just fun.
I'm only docking points because some parts seemed like they should have had more polishing: it wasn't always clear who was talking in a scene, or a pronoun was in the wrong place and so forth. The book doesn't really have a huge coherent plot either in my opinion, and Grace's POV felt a little distant from Thaniel's.
My favourites, surprisingly enough, were Mori and Matsumoto. Mori is a sweet bean and Matsumoto is just fun.
merrydrummer's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ellathelibrarian's review
2.0
I lost the story about 3/4 through and couldn't tell you what happened. A disappointing read.
angie_98's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I just didn't get excited by the story one bit. It was just boring, but not dull enough to dnf the book completely
oshild's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
monkeyboystiff's review
On paper should be my perfect book, but I found it really hard to read and follow, and extremely boring! Gave up two thirds in, just trudging through it
gabudell's review
2.0
I was really looking forward to this book just going off the setting and the ‘soft magic’ atmosphere I was promised (which was present) but there were so many plot-holes, set-ups that never resolved and most of the characters didn’t even have any common sense despite the narrator describing their intellect and academic abilities in some cases.
One of the main things that bothered me was the fact that, in this novel set in Victorian England, when it is revealed that one of the main characters has a clockwork octopus, our protagonist doesn’t acknowledge this as strange, impressive or anything out of the ordinary. Not only would this be worth a reaction in a modern setting but in Victorian London I would expect the characters to have a bigger reaction to technology achievement and breakthroughs. This is just one example and probably the least likely to cause spoilers.
On top of this, the dialogue was very blocky and shallow in addition to the incredibly declarative writing style that made it so I was never fully engrossed into the narrative.
One of the main things that bothered me was the fact that, in this novel set in Victorian England, when it is revealed that one of the main characters has a clockwork octopus, our protagonist doesn’t acknowledge this as strange, impressive or anything out of the ordinary. Not only would this be worth a reaction in a modern setting but in Victorian London I would expect the characters to have a bigger reaction to technology achievement and breakthroughs. This is just one example and probably the least likely to cause spoilers.
On top of this, the dialogue was very blocky and shallow in addition to the incredibly declarative writing style that made it so I was never fully engrossed into the narrative.
qludwig's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book. Even the ones that were not likeable were very compelling. I think it’s also very well done that the author allows characters to have biases and opinions that would be standard to the time even if from a modern viewpoint it risks making them a less likeable character. I think this works so well because it’s shown to not be views that come from active hate but that’s how they’ve been raised to think and they can grow beyond that prejudice if given the right opportunity.
The book does a good job of acknowledging and showing the broader societal discrimination various groups faced while also not having a story that is just about their struggles and traumas. They are allowed to have joy and build lives for themselves in the corners of a society that looks down on them. To me it strikes a good balance of decent historical accuracy while also tell stories that get to show the moments of joy that existed in marginalized communities even during times of oppression.
My biggest issue with the book was the pacing. Well the first three quarters were interesting they were very slowly paced. Which I didn’t mind but then the climax of the story pacing felt breakneck by comparison and felt a bit rushed at the end. I just felt the ending could have been given a bit more time to breath particularly as the rest of it felt like a wander through the characters lives.
Would definitely recommend it was a very sweet book overall but does contain some very tense moments.
The book does a good job of acknowledging and showing the broader societal discrimination various groups faced while also not having a story that is just about their struggles and traumas. They are allowed to have joy and build lives for themselves in the corners of a society that looks down on them. To me it strikes a good balance of decent historical accuracy while also tell stories that get to show the moments of joy that existed in marginalized communities even during times of oppression.
My biggest issue with the book was the pacing. Well the first three quarters were interesting they were very slowly paced. Which I didn’t mind but then the climax of the story pacing felt breakneck by comparison and felt a bit rushed at the end. I just felt the ending could have been given a bit more time to breath particularly as the rest of it felt like a wander through the characters lives.
Would definitely recommend it was a very sweet book overall but does contain some very tense moments.
frmeden's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Homophobia