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clauleesi's review against another edition
1.0
Even though the premise sounded absolutely amazing, I found 'Brother's Ruin' to be extremely bland and unimpressive - in short, this was a huge disappointment, especially as this was published by Tor, which otherwise only puts out wonderful books.
Very negative review up ahead, y'all.
At the back of this book, we're promised magicians in a steampunk setting and are then basically told things that happen in the last parts of the book. Not only that, but everything sounded both way cooler in the synopsis and we were also told things that didn't really happen at all. What is the sinister plot that Charlotte discovers? How is she protecting her city? We simply got promised way more than what we got.
As for Charlotte, I couldn't find myself caring for her at all - she was a dull shell, that had no real personality traits or anything that made her unique and interesting, we were just supposed to accept that she was. To be honest, I didn't care about anything in this book.
The magic system was bloody useless as it was not explained at all. The characters were ridiculous and infuriating and had no real personalities whatsoever. Ending was expected, writing was like that of a childish fanfic, and the only positive thing I can think of was that I flew through it - which isn't too grand as it was only a short novella. Now I'm just happy to be done with it so that I can continue on to something that won't be like a chicken without any fucking seasoning that then claims to be delicious, proper, flavoured food.
Nope, this definitely wasn't for me.
Very negative review up ahead, y'all.
At the back of this book, we're promised magicians in a steampunk setting and are then basically told things that happen in the last parts of the book. Not only that, but everything sounded both way cooler in the synopsis and we were also told things that didn't really happen at all. What is the sinister plot that Charlotte discovers? How is she protecting her city? We simply got promised way more than what we got.
As for Charlotte, I couldn't find myself caring for her at all - she was a dull shell, that had no real personality traits or anything that made her unique and interesting, we were just supposed to accept that she was. To be honest, I didn't care about anything in this book.
The magic system was bloody useless as it was not explained at all. The characters were ridiculous and infuriating and had no real personalities whatsoever. Ending was expected, writing was like that of a childish fanfic, and the only positive thing I can think of was that I flew through it - which isn't too grand as it was only a short novella. Now I'm just happy to be done with it so that I can continue on to something that won't be like a chicken without any fucking seasoning that then claims to be delicious, proper, flavoured food.
Nope, this definitely wasn't for me.
linaria's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the 1800s, where magic exists and those in possession of it must enroll in compulsory service with the Crown. Charlotte 'Charlie' has always known she possessed some magic, but she desires a life outside of service to the Crown. She is engaged and even has her own income as an illustrator.
When Charlie's father falls on hard times, he reports his son, Ben to the magnus hoping to use the money to pay off his debts. Except, Ben is a pretty weak mage, so the payout may not be very much. Charlie is concerned about the money her father owes, and how to help her brother fake his tests. Not to mention the mysterious Magnus Hopkins, who clearly knows more about her hidden talents than he is letting on.
It was a fun, if short novella, and I'm excited to read the follow-up, Weavers Lament.
When Charlie's father falls on hard times, he reports his son, Ben to the magnus hoping to use the money to pay off his debts. Except, Ben is a pretty weak mage, so the payout may not be very much. Charlie is concerned about the money her father owes, and how to help her brother fake his tests. Not to mention the mysterious Magnus Hopkins, who clearly knows more about her hidden talents than he is letting on.
It was a fun, if short novella, and I'm excited to read the follow-up, Weavers Lament.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
This is less of a book than an introductory novella to a book. I wish the author and publisher had held off on releasing it until the next part was ready. It only just whetted the appetite before coming to an abrupt end. Looking forward to reading the actual book when it arrives.
titusfortner's review
5.0
Wow. I loved this. It seemed so... effortless. It's just a really well written story with a likable protagonist in an interesting setting with poignant themes.
Plus she is an amazing narrator.
Plus she is an amazing narrator.
saguaros's review against another edition
3.0
I told myself I'd try to write a review--however short it might be--for every book I read this year, so here goes...
I love novellas. I love that they're essentially having a revival. But it seems (in my limited experience of them so far anyway) that it's a format difficult to tackle and get right for some reason. Rarely do I think "This should be longer" when reading short stories. Sometimes I *wish* there was more because I find the world and/or characters fascinating, but usually the stories are constructed--it feels--with their eventual length in mind. Novellas, due to their longer length which more often than not rub elbows with short novel lengths seem to invite grander ideas that eventually feel unfinished or rushed. Not all novellas, mind, but definitely more often than other short(er) fiction I've read.
This is definitely the case here. I know it's the first in a series (duology so far and I haven't read the second one yet) so it's not required to have everything wrapped up neatly, but even taking that into consideration, this just felt like the opening of a much longer novel (and I've read other novellas that were first in series that did not feel that way). There were some interesting ideas here that I really enjoyed about magic, a conspiracy, sibling relationships, a protagonist wound tight from all the secrets about herself she's keeping for the sake of others on the verge of cracking... but. It stopped when it was getting interesting.
And it suffered from a few clichés which unfortunately I couldn't tell if they were being played straight (boring) or were being set up to be subverted (could be interesting)--such as the beautiful mage from the school who takes an interest in our protagonist. And we know he is utterly, amazingly, knee-melting beautiful because our heroine cannot stop mentioning it every time she's in his presence in almost cliché purple prose, and how alluring he is, and how annoyed she is by it, but also how she can't help leaning in... you get the gist. I was hoping that it would come out, somehow, that he has a glamour, or uses some kind of spell/charm, since it was so--in my opinion--over the top, bodice-ripper-like in not a good way. Unfortunately, no such information was provided and I ended the book thinking that no, it was probably just meant to be read as the beginning of an obvious romance. But again, I haven't read the sequel.
3 stars because it was a quick, sometimes enjoyable read, with decent writing, but ultimately I found it disappointing. I will read the sequel eventually, though, out of curiosity, and I hope some questions will be answered, and some character growth will happen.
I love novellas. I love that they're essentially having a revival. But it seems (in my limited experience of them so far anyway) that it's a format difficult to tackle and get right for some reason. Rarely do I think "This should be longer" when reading short stories. Sometimes I *wish* there was more because I find the world and/or characters fascinating, but usually the stories are constructed--it feels--with their eventual length in mind. Novellas, due to their longer length which more often than not rub elbows with short novel lengths seem to invite grander ideas that eventually feel unfinished or rushed. Not all novellas, mind, but definitely more often than other short(er) fiction I've read.
This is definitely the case here. I know it's the first in a series (duology so far and I haven't read the second one yet) so it's not required to have everything wrapped up neatly, but even taking that into consideration, this just felt like the opening of a much longer novel (and I've read other novellas that were first in series that did not feel that way). There were some interesting ideas here that I really enjoyed about magic, a conspiracy, sibling relationships, a protagonist wound tight from all the secrets about herself she's keeping for the sake of others on the verge of cracking... but. It stopped when it was getting interesting.
And it suffered from a few clichés which unfortunately I couldn't tell if they were being played straight (boring) or were being set up to be subverted (could be interesting)--such as the beautiful mage from the school who takes an interest in our protagonist. And we know he is utterly, amazingly, knee-melting beautiful because our heroine cannot stop mentioning it every time she's in his presence in almost cliché purple prose, and how alluring he is, and how annoyed she is by it, but also how she can't help leaning in... you get the gist. I was hoping that it would come out, somehow, that he has a glamour, or uses some kind of spell/charm, since it was so--in my opinion--over the top, bodice-ripper-like in not a good way. Unfortunately, no such information was provided and I ended the book thinking that no, it was probably just meant to be read as the beginning of an obvious romance. But again, I haven't read the sequel.
3 stars because it was a quick, sometimes enjoyable read, with decent writing, but ultimately I found it disappointing. I will read the sequel eventually, though, out of curiosity, and I hope some questions will be answered, and some character growth will happen.
chrstn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Enjoyed much more upon reread. Looking forward to the sequel.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
Well I trust absolutely no one in this bar and desperately need to know what happens next.
riccii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
powder_and_page's review against another edition
5.0
* A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I sat down intending to read a few pages of Brother’s Ruin and an hour and a half later I was finished. I haven’t read many novellas, but I can say that this is definitely one of the best I’ve read. I dearly wish this had been a full length novel, only so I could have enjoyed it for several more intense hours of reading. Fortunately, this is the first book in Emma Newman’s Industrial Magic series, so I have more to look forward to!
Brother’s Ruin is set in a version of 1800’s era London where magic exists and plays an important role in society. The downside to being talented is that the mage’s family must submit them for an official test with the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts, otherwise the family members can face prison time or a fine. Charlotte Gunn is a talented illustrator, caring sister, and un-tested mage. Her parents and fiancé are unaware of both her income as an illustrator and her less mundane talents… her brother on the other hand is aware of both of her secrets. Until Ben came down with an illness, Charlotte had been secretly supporting him through his schooling and topping up her parents’ coffers on occasion. An unusual set of circumstances has brought the entire Gunn household in contact with members of the Royal Society and it’s becoming more difficult to keep her gifts hidden.
Charlotte is surprisingly detailed, especially considering she’s only given 160 pages to shine, and that while a world is being unfolded simultaneously. This alternate, magical London is fantastically interesting- Emma Newman manages to squeeze in political dissent, sinister plots, and even a bit of amateur spying. I’ve found that most of the novellas leave me wanting more, but in a negative way. That is not the case with Brother’s Ruin at all- this leaves me wanting more in the very best of ways.
Overall, if you’re going to pick up a novella this year, you would do well to pick Brother’s Ruin. I can only hope that the sequels will be soon in coming because I’m dying to know what happens next!
I sat down intending to read a few pages of Brother’s Ruin and an hour and a half later I was finished. I haven’t read many novellas, but I can say that this is definitely one of the best I’ve read. I dearly wish this had been a full length novel, only so I could have enjoyed it for several more intense hours of reading. Fortunately, this is the first book in Emma Newman’s Industrial Magic series, so I have more to look forward to!
Brother’s Ruin is set in a version of 1800’s era London where magic exists and plays an important role in society. The downside to being talented is that the mage’s family must submit them for an official test with the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts, otherwise the family members can face prison time or a fine. Charlotte Gunn is a talented illustrator, caring sister, and un-tested mage. Her parents and fiancé are unaware of both her income as an illustrator and her less mundane talents… her brother on the other hand is aware of both of her secrets. Until Ben came down with an illness, Charlotte had been secretly supporting him through his schooling and topping up her parents’ coffers on occasion. An unusual set of circumstances has brought the entire Gunn household in contact with members of the Royal Society and it’s becoming more difficult to keep her gifts hidden.
Charlotte is surprisingly detailed, especially considering she’s only given 160 pages to shine, and that while a world is being unfolded simultaneously. This alternate, magical London is fantastically interesting- Emma Newman manages to squeeze in political dissent, sinister plots, and even a bit of amateur spying. I’ve found that most of the novellas leave me wanting more, but in a negative way. That is not the case with Brother’s Ruin at all- this leaves me wanting more in the very best of ways.
Overall, if you’re going to pick up a novella this year, you would do well to pick Brother’s Ruin. I can only hope that the sequels will be soon in coming because I’m dying to know what happens next!
old_tim's review
4.0
This is the start of a new series of Gaslight fantasies. I found it to be the rare case where the author's skill invoked certain present day realities that added to the urgency and ultimate anxiety of the narrative.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2017/05/brother-brother-brother.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2017/05/brother-brother-brother.html