Reviews

Chatarra by Pádraig Kenny

miss_collins's review against another edition

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3.25

Started strong, but lost me in the last 3/4s. Finished it more to say I finished than for enjoyment.

hayleybeale's review against another edition

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3.0

Set between the wars in an alternate steampunk England, this novel brings some charm and exciting adventure to a story about home and family. See my full review here

popatschi's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

leskit's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 I wanted to like this more. There's quite a bit of good stuff and the story is appealing. It just felt very uneven with a lot unexplained. What is the great war they talk about at the end of the book? It's just kind of thrown in there. Would have liked to give this 4 stars, but just can't.

alongreader's review against another edition

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3.0

A sweet story about a 'proper' boy who's anything but. I loved the friendships between Christopher and the other characters, and how each one had their own personality. They jumped off the page.

I love books that make me think about what being human actually means, and this one did it beautifully. This would be a great classroom read to lead into a discussion about discrimination and hate, although those aren't the main part of the story.

A great read, I hope it does really well.

I received an ARC which did not affect my review in any way.

cimorene1558's review against another edition

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5.0

I love it! Please give me more charming robots saving each other and the world!

vickylovesreading's review against another edition

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4.0

A lovely and somewhat emotional story of what it means to be human. I figured out a few of the twists and turns very quickly but it was a fun story that was easy to read.

biblioamyy's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5.
It was a lovely read and I loved how the robots all seemed so human. It’s a really nice and easy read! The ending was so so lovely too! It finished it off nicely!

bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition

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4.0

Follow the ragtag band of mechanicals as they search for Christopher, who has been abducted by someone who wants to discover his deepest secrets.

Throughout this gripping adventure, set in an England of alternative 1930s where mechanicals (robots) are common, there is a huge nod to ‘The Wizard of Oz’, a curmodgeonly wizard, evil witch, someone longing for home, and a ragtag band of friends who are on their own journeys of discovery.

Pádraig has developed a wonderfully believable world where Pinocchio was burnt on a bonfire through fear, but Gepetto (Runcible) kept developing his creations, perfecting them, but there was always fear. Therefore a set of rules were developed to make the mechanicals acceptable.

The pace is perfect and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, always one step ahead of you keeping you wanting more. This is accompanied by some of the best described locations ever, some of which are very dark indeed.

It feels like the start of a new fictional universe which I would be more than happy to explore further.

I will just leave with one last thing, Round Rob.

georgemay's review against another edition

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adventurous funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0