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gillianw's review
5.0
I put off reading this for awhile, mostly because steampunk hasn't been a genre that has interested me very much. But I ended up reading (and enjoying) my first steampunk novel in late 2015 so I thought it was about time I picked up Prosperity and gave it a chance.
I'm so happy I did.
This book was a completely unexpected treat. I'm not sure why it was unexpected because I adore Alexis Hall's writing. But I had read a small sample and thought the language and the style would be off-putting and hard to connect with on an emotional level.
It wasn't like that at all.
Reading Prosperity is like reading poetry. It's beautiful and nuanced and charming and every bit as exciting as a novel with inter-dimensional Kraken's should be. I loved the style and imagery, the characters, the story - everything. Hall's writing feels graceful and thoughtful, as if every word was chosen with care and consideration. It never feels stilted or predictable.
Prosperity is a rich and gorgeous story. I'm only sorry it took me this long to read it. 5 stars
I'm so happy I did.
This book was a completely unexpected treat. I'm not sure why it was unexpected because I adore Alexis Hall's writing. But I had read a small sample and thought the language and the style would be off-putting and hard to connect with on an emotional level.
It wasn't like that at all.
Reading Prosperity is like reading poetry. It's beautiful and nuanced and charming and every bit as exciting as a novel with inter-dimensional Kraken's should be. I loved the style and imagery, the characters, the story - everything. Hall's writing feels graceful and thoughtful, as if every word was chosen with care and consideration. It never feels stilted or predictable.
Prosperity is a rich and gorgeous story. I'm only sorry it took me this long to read it. 5 stars
mturner1334's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
joshhall13's review against another edition
4.0
Really funny in many subtle ways this author worded things. Also, The MC's voice gaining vocabulary through the book was a impressively done. One of my favorite quotes from later in the book. "Uhhhn, quoth I."
The slang the author created. Immaculate and immersive into exactly what you would picture a 18th century steampunk past-dystopia would sound like.
Many of the story elements went under the radar for me due to that slang, though. I had to focus heavily on the words, wordplay, & context that some of the plot drowned out in the noise, sadly. Especially during some of the more densely action packed sections.
The slang the author created. Immaculate and immersive into exactly what you would picture a 18th century steampunk past-dystopia would sound like.
Many of the story elements went under the radar for me due to that slang, though. I had to focus heavily on the words, wordplay, & context that some of the plot drowned out in the noise, sadly. Especially during some of the more densely action packed sections.
hamalee's review
4.25
Probably should have read this before Liberty, but both were still plenty enjoyable.
lalexvp's review against another edition
3.0
Vibes like a steampunk Firefly with queer people and airships rather than space. Yet somehow didn’t totally spark anything for me. I acknowledge the fabulous skill of Alexis Hall and I know this one is super rad, just not for me.
faithd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
I probably would have dnf-ed this if I wasn't doing it as a buddy read. It is written in phonetic dialect, which I normally don't mind at all, but this particular dialect (I don't even know what kind of dialect you would call this?), I was having a really hard time with.
It didn't help that the story takes place in a fantasy world that works differently than ours, or that there are straight made up words and phrases mixed in with the archaic words/phrases. Perhaps it's easier to read this if you're British? I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm American, or maybe I'm just not very smart, but I was ready to throw in the towel a few times.
In any case, I was wishing there was a glossary, so I started making one (see below), feel free to fill in the gaps if you know them!
As far as the story itself, it started to pick up for me at about the 50% mark. THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. (sorry for the caps, it's just, I feel like it helps to be prepared). There is a bit of a love triangle going on, but we get the perspective of the not-chosen-one (think: Jacob from Twilight, or Eric from Phantom of the Opera). It was a bold choice, and in my opinion, it paid off. It is an interesting world with lots of adventure, well-developed characters (I think my fave was the non-binary ship captain) and a little humor too .
Also...there are kraken! But not the sexy kind...boo
There are a few steamy scenes and they are *chef's kiss*
Here is my glossary for Prosperity, hope it helps:
Glims - eyes
Conk - nose??
Nowt - nothing
Clicketing - f*cking
Cove - guy/man
Mebbe - maybe
Sommat - something
Sky hooks - I think they're like anchors in the sky for airships, aetherships, and “sky towns” like Prosperity
Aethership - A fancy airship?? I think they go faster than airships or something….
Phlogiston - A valuable (and explosive) substance mined from clouds
fin/forefin - arm/forearm
bob/bobbed - to steal from someone
Swinking - f*cking
Tantwivy - ?????
Nib/Nibby/Nibbing - No clue…maybe “f*ck” again?
Wosserscope - telescope
Fogle - a handkerchief???
Stag - see/glimpse
It didn't help that the story takes place in a fantasy world that works differently than ours, or that there are straight made up words and phrases mixed in with the archaic words/phrases. Perhaps it's easier to read this if you're British? I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm American, or maybe I'm just not very smart, but I was ready to throw in the towel a few times.
In any case, I was wishing there was a glossary, so I started making one (see below), feel free to fill in the gaps if you know them!
As far as the story itself, it started to pick up for me at about the 50% mark. THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. (sorry for the caps, it's just, I feel like it helps to be prepared). There is a bit of a love triangle going on, but we get the perspective of the not-chosen-one (think: Jacob from Twilight, or Eric from Phantom of the Opera). It was a bold choice, and in my opinion, it paid off. It is an interesting world with lots of adventure, well-developed characters (I think my fave was the non-binary ship captain) and a little humor too .
Also...there are kraken! But not the sexy kind...boo
There are a few steamy scenes and they are *chef's kiss*
Here is my glossary for Prosperity, hope it helps:
Glims - eyes
Conk - nose??
Nowt - nothing
Clicketing - f*cking
Cove - guy/man
Mebbe - maybe
Sommat - something
Sky hooks - I think they're like anchors in the sky for airships, aetherships, and “sky towns” like Prosperity
Aethership - A fancy airship?? I think they go faster than airships or something….
Phlogiston - A valuable (and explosive) substance mined from clouds
fin/forefin - arm/forearm
bob/bobbed - to steal from someone
Swinking - f*cking
Tantwivy - ?????
Nib/Nibby/Nibbing - No clue…maybe “f*ck” again?
Wosserscope - telescope
Fogle - a handkerchief???
Stag - see/glimpse
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
mikibooks's review against another edition
4.0
Antes que nada, aquellas cosas que no me gustaron tanto de Prosperity no tienen que ver con mis limitaciones idiomáticas. Si bien al principio me tomó un tiempo agarrarle el ritmo, al cabo de algunas páginas el lenguaje fue tomando cierta lógica y pude seguir el criterio del autor detrás de algunas palabras. Decidí avanzar en la lectura con calma y perseverancia, anotando palabras y significados que aparecían con más regularidad. Hasta me armé mi propio diccionario "Piccadilly - Castellano".
Con lo cual, las posibles críticas al libro (que no son muchas) no se explican por mi condición de tercermundista. La creatividad del autor para construir este libro es digna de destacar. Sí, ya sé que la tiene, pero no por eso deja de ser más complejo de leer para un no angloparlante. De hecho los diferentes registros lingüísticos asociados a cada personaje están muy bien pensados y elaborados. Como me dijo alguien muy acertadamente, me gustaría saber quién tendría ganas de darle la misma oportunidad a un libro escrito en castellano de origen latinoamericano, que tuviera las mismas barreras lingüísticas, en el registro usado al escribirlo y en la premisa. Por ejemplo, se me ocurre el Martín Fierro *insertar risita diabólica*
Volviendo al libro, me gustó que me llevara por diversas emociones definidas, aunque me sentí sobre todo angustiada y sofocada la mayor parte del tiempo, aún con su resolución final, que me dejó triste y con cierta pesadumbre en el corazón. Eso es un mérito del libro, claro está, pero igual no me resultó del todo placentero en este caso.
Siempre estoy lista para saltar a una buena historia steampunk y esta en particular logra desarrollar los elementos muy bien.
Me hubiera gustado quizás un poco más de desarrollo del contexto político-social del universo que plantea, que apenas si se vislumbra de a pedazos (quizás se explaye un poco más en los otros libros), y que el eje no girara siempre en torno a los personajes y lo que les sucede. Pero ese supongo que sería otro libro. Sobre ellos, Milord y Byron Kae se llevan todos mis pompones.
Así que se trata desde ya de una obra escrita por una mano talentosa, dedicada a ofrecer material de calidad a sus lectores y que se nota que trabaja conscientemente para ello. Me reconforta haber enfrentado el desafío de leerlo, de superar mis propias trabas y mi ignorancia con el idioma, y poder comprenderlo y sentirlo a pesar de ello. Ha sido un lindo viaje que espero recorrer pronto otra vez.
Él anda siempre juyendo,
siempre pobre y perseguido,
no tiene cueva ni nido,
como si juera maldito,
porque el ser gaucho... barajo!
el ser gaucho es un delito.
Con lo cual, las posibles críticas al libro (que no son muchas) no se explican por mi condición de tercermundista. La creatividad del autor para construir este libro es digna de destacar. Sí, ya sé que la tiene, pero no por eso deja de ser más complejo de leer para un no angloparlante. De hecho los diferentes registros lingüísticos asociados a cada personaje están muy bien pensados y elaborados. Como me dijo alguien muy acertadamente, me gustaría saber quién tendría ganas de darle la misma oportunidad a un libro escrito en castellano de origen latinoamericano, que tuviera las mismas barreras lingüísticas, en el registro usado al escribirlo y en la premisa. Por ejemplo, se me ocurre el Martín Fierro *insertar risita diabólica*
Volviendo al libro, me gustó que me llevara por diversas emociones definidas, aunque me sentí sobre todo angustiada y sofocada la mayor parte del tiempo, aún con su resolución final, que me dejó triste y con cierta pesadumbre en el corazón. Eso es un mérito del libro, claro está, pero igual no me resultó del todo placentero en este caso.
Siempre estoy lista para saltar a una buena historia steampunk y esta en particular logra desarrollar los elementos muy bien.
Me hubiera gustado quizás un poco más de desarrollo del contexto político-social del universo que plantea, que apenas si se vislumbra de a pedazos (quizás se explaye un poco más en los otros libros), y que el eje no girara siempre en torno a los personajes y lo que les sucede. Pero ese supongo que sería otro libro. Sobre ellos, Milord y Byron Kae se llevan todos mis pompones.
Así que se trata desde ya de una obra escrita por una mano talentosa, dedicada a ofrecer material de calidad a sus lectores y que se nota que trabaja conscientemente para ello. Me reconforta haber enfrentado el desafío de leerlo, de superar mis propias trabas y mi ignorancia con el idioma, y poder comprenderlo y sentirlo a pesar de ello. Ha sido un lindo viaje que espero recorrer pronto otra vez.
Él anda siempre juyendo,
siempre pobre y perseguido,
no tiene cueva ni nido,
como si juera maldito,
porque el ser gaucho... barajo!
el ser gaucho es un delito.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man. What is there so say that hasn't already been said?
- Gorgeous, expressive, really creative writing and manipulation of English to give us a new 19th century slang that painted pictures in your mind. It took a while to get used to, certainly, but wasn't difficult to read at all.
- A protagonist who wormed his way into my heart from the very first. It's not every day I get a black, queer, dyslexic street punk who gets to reluctantly save the world and fall in love (twice!) along the way. I LOVE Piccadilly so much. I don't think I would have loved this story half as much if it hadn't been told through his eyes.
- Absolutely FANTASTIC world-building, from the aerial travel to the phlogiston and its uses to the city in the air to the eldritch nightmares lurking the skies. It was super creative all over.
- A great cast of diverse characters. I was delighted with Byron Kae, and I hope they, as well as their relationship with Dil, get more screen time in the rest of the series. Miss Grey was wonderful. (“I am trying,” she said betwixt gritted teeth, “to fuck.” My heroine.) And my opinion on Milord never really got a chance to settle, but I adored Ruben/Milord, and I was rooting for them 90%. (The other 1o% of course being for Ruben/Piccadilly, which I couldn't help but love.) It's true, Ruben does makes everyone around him better.
- Just a really fun story in general! I laughed out loud more than once.
I enjoyed this book a LOT, I can't stop grinning. I will say that there was a lot of ableist language that the book could have definitely done without, but otherwise? Definitely a favourite. I recommend it highly.
4.5
- Gorgeous, expressive, really creative writing and manipulation of English to give us a new 19th century slang that painted pictures in your mind. It took a while to get used to, certainly, but wasn't difficult to read at all.
- A protagonist who wormed his way into my heart from the very first. It's not every day I get a black, queer, dyslexic street punk who gets to reluctantly save the world and fall in love (twice!) along the way. I LOVE Piccadilly so much. I don't think I would have loved this story half as much if it hadn't been told through his eyes.
- Absolutely FANTASTIC world-building, from the aerial travel to the phlogiston and its uses to the city in the air to the eldritch nightmares lurking the skies. It was super creative all over.
- A great cast of diverse characters. I was delighted with Byron Kae, and I hope they, as well as their relationship with Dil, get more screen time in the rest of the series. Miss Grey was wonderful. (“I am trying,” she said betwixt gritted teeth, “to fuck.” My heroine.) And my opinion on Milord never really got a chance to settle, but I adored Ruben/Milord, and I was rooting for them 90%. (The other 1o% of course being for Ruben/Piccadilly, which I couldn't help but love.) It's true, Ruben does makes everyone around him better.
- Just a really fun story in general! I laughed out loud more than once.
I enjoyed this book a LOT, I can't stop grinning. I will say that there was a lot of ableist language that the book could have definitely done without, but otherwise? Definitely a favourite. I recommend it highly.
4.5
calville's review against another edition
4.0
So many good things! Diverse cast! Sex-positive and people being different kinds of queer all over the place! Lovecraft and steampunk, two great tastes that taste great together! Yearning, so much yearning!
On the downside, the plot is... kind of all over the place. Do not look here for a page-turning coherent narrative arc. The book is utterly enjoyable even so, I'm just saying it might have been better if there'd been a more traditional rising action and falling action, etc. The worldbuilding is also not totally clear, which usually drives me nuts, but here the characters were awesome enough that it didn't really bother me, because I cared so much about what happened to them.
To conclude, I enjoyed the hell out of this book, but some basic craft/technique issues knocked off a star. Give it a chance, you'll probably love it!
On the downside, the plot is... kind of all over the place. Do not look here for a page-turning coherent narrative arc. The book is utterly enjoyable even so, I'm just saying it might have been better if there'd been a more traditional rising action and falling action, etc. The worldbuilding is also not totally clear, which usually drives me nuts, but here the characters were awesome enough that it didn't really bother me, because I cared so much about what happened to them.
To conclude, I enjoyed the hell out of this book, but some basic craft/technique issues knocked off a star. Give it a chance, you'll probably love it!