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itsnotalakeitsanocean's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I picked this up because I fell in love with the premise when I heard about it. While it was a good read I don't think it fully lived up to my expectations. Admittedly part of it was my fault for ignoring the massive, extremely obvious hints that this was going to be focused on the romance over the idea of a society of swashbuckling sky pirate ladies with Victorian sensibilities, but with a hell of a premise like that can you blame me?
I've only read the complimentary preview of the next book at the end of the story, and I hope that Holton manages to do more worldbuilding between the two feuding societies and maybe tones the romance down a tad (or gives her couples dynamics that feed into the plot better).
One thing I will say:
Note to any aspiring authors: If you have to lampshade at the end your heroine was just kind of there at the end and didn't contribute anything meaningful, that's not good writing even if it's supposed to be for comedic effect. It's just annoying.
Some other assorted things I liked:
I've only read the complimentary preview of the next book at the end of the story, and I hope that Holton manages to do more worldbuilding between the two feuding societies and maybe tones the romance down a tad (or gives her couples dynamics that feed into the plot better).
One thing I will say:
Some other assorted things I liked:
- It's a decent example of enemies to lovers. I still think Ned was a bit of a flat character who existed to give Cecilia what she needed, but he was funny enough.
- I think I'm in the minority when I say that the writing style didn't bother me, having read similar styles before (e.g. Jasper Fforde).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Murder
alisoun's review against another edition
adventurous
3.75
This was fun and enjoyable. I loved the concept of the flying houses.
Loved how ned was just so head over heels from first sight. I love insta love from one partner!
I did enjoy the Flowery language lol but it did sometimes get a bit much. I also wanted a bit more 🌶️ if ya know what I mean. Like ONE more scene at the end!
I also wanted a bit more priateing. I would have loved a scene of them stealing some jewels or something from a house like they talked about a lot!
Loved how ned was just so head over heels from first sight. I love insta love from one partner!
I did enjoy the Flowery language lol but it did sometimes get a bit much. I also wanted a bit more 🌶️ if ya know what I mean. Like ONE more scene at the end!
I also wanted a bit more priateing. I would have loved a scene of them stealing some jewels or something from a house like they talked about a lot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
This book was not at all what I expected, in a good way! As is my deal, I go in to most books not knowing much, so I was expecting a fairly typical historical romance. I was pleasantly surprised to be immediately thrown into a world of pirates (fancy high society lady pirates), floating/flying houses, and adventure! The romance is there yes, but it's definitely a sub-plot in my opinion. Listening to the audiobook of this I think was crucial because the voices of the characters, especially like the older British ladies was key. It was a romp of a good time and def not a typical read!
Oh also if you're a Bronte fan, their books are referenced like A LOT. A character in the book knew/was related to the Brontes? Having not read any, there seemed to be a lot of jokes that went kind of over my head. Definitely seemed like 'spoilers' for Wuthering Heights in particular.
I did find that there were a couple too many characters though and on audiobook I had a hard time keeping them all straight. So I was confused for honestly a lot of the book and unable to follow the what was going on, but the vibes were impeccable so tbh I didn't mind! I also think the pacing towards the end got a little off cause there's this big climactic scene, but then several more chapters after which seemed to drag on a bit and then kind of another smaller climactic moment.
Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for something historical but different!
3/5 🌶️
Oh also if you're a Bronte fan, their books are referenced like A LOT. A character in the book knew/was related to the Brontes? Having not read any, there seemed to be a lot of jokes that went kind of over my head. Definitely seemed like 'spoilers' for Wuthering Heights in particular.
I did find that there were a couple too many characters though and on audiobook I had a hard time keeping them all straight. So I was confused for honestly a lot of the book and unable to follow the what was going on, but the vibes were impeccable so tbh I didn't mind! I also think the pacing towards the end got a little off cause there's this big climactic scene, but then several more chapters after which seemed to drag on a bit and then kind of another smaller climactic moment.
Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for something historical but different!
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
shay_starlessxsea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a lighthearted romp humorously told, with a swig of casual gun violence, occasional swashbuckling, and graphic sex.
In this, the first book in the Dangerous Damsels trilogy, we are introduced to a world of magical realism where aristocratic pirates pilot flying houses that are mounted with canon and guns. Raised to be a ladylike scoundrel, with savvy and decorum, our main character is a young woman who has not yet been accepted into her Society as an adult. This coming of age story deals with a woman facing her evil father, choosing her own path, engaging in the martial art of Polite Conversation, and facing the warring parts of her psyche, both emotional and rational.
Although not especially diverse in its lineup of characters, it is fiercely anti-Patriarchy.
Good fun if not very deep. Pass the popcorn, there's a love.
In this, the first book in the Dangerous Damsels trilogy, we are introduced to a world of magical realism where aristocratic pirates pilot flying houses that are mounted with canon and guns. Raised to be a ladylike scoundrel, with savvy and decorum, our main character is a young woman who has not yet been accepted into her Society as an adult. This coming of age story deals with a woman facing her evil father, choosing her own path, engaging in the martial art of Polite Conversation, and facing the warring parts of her psyche, both emotional and rational.
Although not especially diverse in its lineup of characters, it is fiercely anti-Patriarchy.
Good fun if not very deep. Pass the popcorn, there's a love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Alcohol, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Drug use, Kidnapping, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, Death, and Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, and Stalking
gwenythepooh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the writing style but I couldn’t handle too much of it at once without starting to miss details. The story was fun but it took me forever to read as it just didn’t keep me as enthralled as I’d hoped given the fun writing style. The magic system is intriguing and I hope to learn more about it in the next installment of the series.
The villain was odd to say the least - my biggest problem with the story is I don’t think he could have pulled off half of the things he supposedly did.
Mood for reading this book: use the fancy tea pot on a day you need a laugh or are trying to cheer yourself up.
The villain was odd to say the least - my biggest problem with the story is I don’t think he could have pulled off half of the things he supposedly did.
Mood for reading this book: use the fancy tea pot on a day you need a laugh or are trying to cheer yourself up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Misogyny
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Gun violence
buildingtaste's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a 2020s novel with an excellent conceit must be deeply in want of better execution. I feel bad giving this such a low rating, as it is probably one of the better conceived 2020s novels of the ones I've tried, but once again, after the elevator pitch is over, the book collapses like an under-baked teacake. And under-baked is the overarching theme: we are given rather thin sketches of the titular society, a teeming cast of characters, an intergenerational revenge plot nodding heavily to the Brontes, and a requisite romance. All of them are glossed over in favour of comic asides which, after a few repetitions of (and that was rather a funny bit there, er, wasn't it?) seems more like an author's lack of faith in their own prose than a stylistic choice.
Most egregious here, though, is something I can't blame Holton for, because it seems to be more a convention of the historical fantasy-romance genre than anything: Cecilia is just the least interesting person in the bunch. And we have to stick with her a good 80% of the time. When your heroine sums up her role in the story with a glib "I'm afraid I've done nothing to advance the plot," and it's true, a good editor should perk up and recommend doing something about that. Cecilia, despite her bog-standard spunk, finds herself constantly outpaced and outsmarted, by the titular society, by the love interest, and by her villainous father. Not once does she get to be heroic on her own terms, and she's so baldly horny for Ned that her internal refrain of "well-I-never" gets dull.
So. Janky start. But I think the world of Wisteria has some real promise--I'd be interested in reading a short fiction anthology delving more into the lore of historical Lady Scoundrels and the senior ladies.
Most egregious here, though, is something I can't blame Holton for, because it seems to be more a convention of the historical fantasy-romance genre than anything: Cecilia is just the least interesting person in the bunch. And we have to stick with her a good 80% of the time. When your heroine sums up her role in the story with a glib "I'm afraid I've done nothing to advance the plot," and it's true, a good editor should perk up and recommend doing something about that. Cecilia, despite her bog-standard spunk, finds herself constantly outpaced and outsmarted, by the titular society, by the love interest, and by her villainous father. Not once does she get to be heroic on her own terms, and she's so baldly horny for Ned that her internal refrain of "well-I-never" gets dull.
So. Janky start. But I think the world of Wisteria has some real promise--I'd be interested in reading a short fiction anthology delving more into the lore of historical Lady Scoundrels and the senior ladies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, and Sexism
A teenaged character and young adult character have a sexual relationship. It is played for comedy, with the younger character repeatedly lying about her age and the adult acting distraught about the revelation. Characters drink on several occasions and a character gets drunk without real consent or awareness that alcohol will intoxicate her; this character vomits while drunk. The backstory of a character involves being abandoned by his parents. The lower class characters are usually fearful, superstitious, and deemed foolish. Most characters are kidnapped and imprisoned. The backstory of multiple characters involve their mothers being murdered in front of them. The main character's aunt is controlling and overbearing. Alcohol and cocaine pastilles are used by characters. A verbal spar of two characters involves multiple fatphobic remarks. Most characters have and use guns with murderous intent, though no one dies from a gunshot in the text. There is cousin marriage. The villain's primary motivation is named as misogyny. There is a chapter dedicated to a sex scene (Chapter 20).imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Murder, Misogyny, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, and Blood