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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Infernal Devices makes sure that the post-apocalypse world Reeve has created continues to grow in new and exciting ways. Yet at the core of this exciting world of characters, inventions and locations, is the important theme of family. The Natsworthys are at the heart of this story; they are the characters we root for. In a way the whole extended world is merely a backdrop to the complicated relationships between this one family. It helps to ground the novel in a reality the readers can connect with.
Infernal Devices picks up 15 years after Predator's Gold, with Wren Natsworthy, Tom and Hester's daughter, chafing against the confined edges of her safe, small life aboard Anchorage-in-Vineland. Having never known the harrowing world of the Hunting Ground, she doesn't understand the complacency of Anchorage's adults. She wants adventure in the great wide somewhere.
The past returns to haunt, this time it's after Caul. Former Lost Boy and enamored of Freya, Caul is a loner and tinkerer ill at ease aboard his stationary home. It's him they seek when adventure arrives from underneath - Lost Boys, in a submarine, sent by Uncle from Grimsby. Caul declines to help, but Wren sees her chance. All she has to do is steal the item the Lost Boys came for: the mysterious Tin Book.
No story element makes me more nervous that the generation gap. Just because we loved a parent in a story in a world, doesn't mean we'll love their kid. Not all stories can evolve. (I'm looking at you, Keira Cass, for that The Heir garbage.) But Infernal Devices is a worthy successor. Wren is a perfect combination of her parents, raised on and romanticizing their adventures. She's easily understandable. Tom and Hester have aged perfectly: still their own stark selves, softened by age and safety.
The story is a whizz-bang: The Lost Boys are discovered, Wren is kidnapped onto the very sub she wanted to board. She and her captor, a small boy named Fishcake, stumble into a brilliant plot point: the raft city of Brighton, which lures in Lost Boys to enslave them. Who's the mayor? Pennyroyal! The gang is all here. Wren also meets a boy named Theo with an important Anti-Traction League story to tell.
Everything about this book is great. The settings soar, the plots are twisting and diabolical, but always palatable and easy to read. Wren's peril is real, but still fun, and Tom and Hester are launched back into the roles we loved best. Politics, war, adventure, escape - it's all here, as good as ever.
The past returns to haunt, this time it's after Caul. Former Lost Boy and enamored of Freya, Caul is a loner and tinkerer ill at ease aboard his stationary home. It's him they seek when adventure arrives from underneath - Lost Boys, in a submarine, sent by Uncle from Grimsby. Caul declines to help, but Wren sees her chance. All she has to do is steal the item the Lost Boys came for: the mysterious Tin Book.
No story element makes me more nervous that the generation gap. Just because we loved a parent in a story in a world, doesn't mean we'll love their kid. Not all stories can evolve. (I'm looking at you, Keira Cass, for that The Heir garbage.) But Infernal Devices is a worthy successor. Wren is a perfect combination of her parents, raised on and romanticizing their adventures. She's easily understandable. Tom and Hester have aged perfectly: still their own stark selves, softened by age and safety.
The story is a whizz-bang: The Lost Boys are discovered, Wren is kidnapped onto the very sub she wanted to board. She and her captor, a small boy named Fishcake, stumble into a brilliant plot point: the raft city of Brighton, which lures in Lost Boys to enslave them. Who's the mayor? Pennyroyal! The gang is all here. Wren also meets a boy named Theo with an important Anti-Traction League story to tell.
Everything about this book is great. The settings soar, the plots are twisting and diabolical, but always palatable and easy to read. Wren's peril is real, but still fun, and Tom and Hester are launched back into the roles we loved best. Politics, war, adventure, escape - it's all here, as good as ever.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood
Moderate: Slavery, War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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:
N/A
I really enjoyed this one, it's not my favourite in the series though as I feel it lost its way a little bit compared to the first 2...I wasn't sure about the ending either, but overall I still enjoyed
I am disappointed that there was not a whole lot of depth to the characters, but the plot was entertaining. There are a lot of one dimensional female characters in this book. It is all about how the women look, with their men at the center of their universe, and not much beyond that (semi-spoiler details ahead to back my point). Hester always looking ugly and needing Tom to give her validation. Hester has the potential to be a dynamic character with a rough past, mixed emotions, and the ability to be a ruthless fighter AND a loving wife and mom. Freya has gained weight and is waiting around for Caul to settle down. Are we going to talk about how she is a hero when she takes the lead on saving a bunch of children, or was that just an expected minor plot point because she plays the spinster teacher character now? Wasn’t she a margravine? Boo Boo is just a pretty face belonging to Pennyroyal. How about a little backstory or cleaver personality? Even Wren is tied up in Fishcake and Theo instead of taking the lead on her own adventure.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was really looking forward to seeing Vineland get establish and all, so I was disappointed with the time jump from book 2 to 3. HOWEVER, I did really appreciate the story once I accepted that we were moving forward despite my objections! I can't wait to find out where the final book takes us!! I'm nervous for everyone!!
(Also, apparently no one knows how to die in this series.)
(Also, apparently no one knows how to die in this series.)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated