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additionaddiction's review
4.0
While reading this story I had to stop and really think if I'd ever read any other steampunk books before. I'm pretty sure the only other book I've read set in a steampunk world was [b:Bone Song|874977|Bone Song (Tristopolis, #1)|John Meaney|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179103208s/874977.jpg|1726064] and that was half steampunk half gothic and more of an alternate reality.
An Airship Named Desire seemed to take place in a "what could be" future of steampunk. I think I'd actually call this "steampunk-lite" because there was just enough of it to set the stage but no so much that you felt like you might get run over by a giant steam-powered arachnid at any moment.
I think my biggest complaint with the book is that it was too short. Just about when the climax was occurring I realized that I was pretty invested in these characters. It seems like the author may have left the plot somewhat open for a possible sequel? I'd love to find out more of the history of their world and learn the subtleties that lead to such a different future than what we would imagine now.
One good thing about the story being short(er) is that it doesn't lack for action. I don't think a single chapter goes by without a cutlass being drawn or a gun being reloaded. And actually, this may not have been that short of a story, I read the Kindle version and I have a hard time gauging the length of stories when I read on there (except for [b:Existence|13039884|Existence|David Brin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1326053679s/13039884.jpg|18203750] which was the last book I read and was way, way too long).
There's a lot of other things I'd like to mention, but they'd almost all be spoilers, and I generally try not to have spoilage in my reviews. One thing I will say, not really spoiling anything, is that I'm always a sucker for good logos/symbols in stories, and when a certain organization's insignia was described I immediately thought "That'd be a cool tattoo."
So all-in-all a very enjoyable read. If there happens to be a "Return of An Airship Named Desire" I'll definitely be picking up a copy.
An Airship Named Desire seemed to take place in a "what could be" future of steampunk. I think I'd actually call this "steampunk-lite" because there was just enough of it to set the stage but no so much that you felt like you might get run over by a giant steam-powered arachnid at any moment.
I think my biggest complaint with the book is that it was too short. Just about when the climax was occurring I realized that I was pretty invested in these characters. It seems like the author may have left the plot somewhat open for a possible sequel? I'd love to find out more of the history of their world and learn the subtleties that lead to such a different future than what we would imagine now.
One good thing about the story being short(er) is that it doesn't lack for action. I don't think a single chapter goes by without a cutlass being drawn or a gun being reloaded. And actually, this may not have been that short of a story, I read the Kindle version and I have a hard time gauging the length of stories when I read on there (except for [b:Existence|13039884|Existence|David Brin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1326053679s/13039884.jpg|18203750] which was the last book I read and was way, way too long).
There's a lot of other things I'd like to mention, but they'd almost all be spoilers, and I generally try not to have spoilage in my reviews. One thing I will say, not really spoiling anything, is that I'm always a sucker for good logos/symbols in stories, and when a certain organization's insignia was described I immediately thought "That'd be a cool tattoo."
So all-in-all a very enjoyable read. If there happens to be a "Return of An Airship Named Desire" I'll definitely be picking up a copy.
gnostalgia's review
4.0
An Airship Named Desire is a fast-paced dose of steampunk pulp fiction. Most steampunk fans should eat this up.
Basically, it’s a “thieves unwittingly steal” (insert the name and properties of the MacGuffin) story. Having said that, I really enjoyed it.
The characters were nicely fleshed out and interesting. The action really made the book and had me hooked from the start.
One the downside, I didn’t like the overuse of “I”.
I inhaled the lusterless air…
I ran a hand over my pistol…
I slowly lifted…
I dropped my pack…
I wiped my clammy palms…
Despite my minor quibbles with the book, it’s an entertaining read for those of us who enjoy steampunk. McIntyre is a fine story-teller. I highly recommend An Airship Named Desire and give it a solid 4 stars out of 5. It’s a great bang for your steampunk buck!
Basically, it’s a “thieves unwittingly steal” (insert the name and properties of the MacGuffin) story. Having said that, I really enjoyed it.
The characters were nicely fleshed out and interesting. The action really made the book and had me hooked from the start.
One the downside, I didn’t like the overuse of “I”.
I inhaled the lusterless air…
I ran a hand over my pistol…
I slowly lifted…
I dropped my pack…
I wiped my clammy palms…
Despite my minor quibbles with the book, it’s an entertaining read for those of us who enjoy steampunk. McIntyre is a fine story-teller. I highly recommend An Airship Named Desire and give it a solid 4 stars out of 5. It’s a great bang for your steampunk buck!
xan_van_rooyen's review
4.0
“At least once on every smuggling job, we reached a point where any sane person would have run screaming.” – I love this opening line! There’s an undercurrent of black humour in this book as evidenced by this first line. We also learn something very important about the protagonist Bea in this opening line when she does not behave as a sane person would.
What I Liked: The world. The alternate history and whole sky-pirate element is fascinating and handled very well. Although I know nothing about airships, I never struggled to imagine what these vessels looked like or how they worked. I also really liked Bea. She’s the epitome of a strong female character who can fight shoulder to shoulder with the boys and then slip into something feminine and be a girl. I love that this character wasn’t a complete tomboy.
What I Didn’t Like: There’s a lot of action in this story. The first few chapters are all action and at some point it got too much. I needed some down time, a moment to catch my breath from the frenetic pace. Also, I realise that steampunk might not be the genre for me. While I enjoy the neo-Victorian aspects, they just don’t grab me as much as some of the other -punk genres do.
Bonus Points: The Morlocks! And that subtle but ever-present dark humour.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. If you enjoy a swashbuckling action-adventure of the steampunk persuasion then you will love this book. The writing is solid and the world is interesting. I’d definitely keep my eye on this author in the future.
What I Liked: The world. The alternate history and whole sky-pirate element is fascinating and handled very well. Although I know nothing about airships, I never struggled to imagine what these vessels looked like or how they worked. I also really liked Bea. She’s the epitome of a strong female character who can fight shoulder to shoulder with the boys and then slip into something feminine and be a girl. I love that this character wasn’t a complete tomboy.
What I Didn’t Like: There’s a lot of action in this story. The first few chapters are all action and at some point it got too much. I needed some down time, a moment to catch my breath from the frenetic pace. Also, I realise that steampunk might not be the genre for me. While I enjoy the neo-Victorian aspects, they just don’t grab me as much as some of the other -punk genres do.
Bonus Points: The Morlocks! And that subtle but ever-present dark humour.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. If you enjoy a swashbuckling action-adventure of the steampunk persuasion then you will love this book. The writing is solid and the world is interesting. I’d definitely keep my eye on this author in the future.
overhillunderhill's review
2.0
I have a lot of issues with An Airship Named Desire. First and foremost, I acknowledge that I would probably have rated this a little higher if I’d had lower expectations going in, but this is a book about Airship Pirates led by a woman, why wouldn’t my expectations be high.
My biggest issue here is that it was just poor writing. The characters were very two-dimensional. The language was cliché and repetitive. The plot was boring and predictable. The fight scenes were very clinical.
Also, this is a female lead character written by a female author and I still caught myself eye-rolling at the male-gaze of it all. This includes things like we’re set in an alternate future and yet our lead is in a corset and getting shit for wearing pants and not a skirt. She instantly considered an ex of her love interest a whore for being a little rude to her. It’s ridiculous.
I wish I liked it more. I really do.
My biggest issue here is that it was just poor writing. The characters were very two-dimensional. The language was cliché and repetitive. The plot was boring and predictable. The fight scenes were very clinical.
Also, this is a female lead character written by a female author and I still caught myself eye-rolling at the male-gaze of it all. This includes things like we’re set in an alternate future and yet our lead is in a corset and getting shit for wearing pants and not a skirt. She instantly considered an ex of her love interest a whore for being a little rude to her. It’s ridiculous.
I wish I liked it more. I really do.
see_sadie_read's review
3.0
This was basically all right, but not overly satisfying. As action packed as it was, it tended toward simplistic solutions to problems. For example, the time the crew managed to guess the three-digit combination to a box they knew nothing about (on the first try even). Hell, half the time I can't even figure out my own locker combination, let alone a combination set by an unknown person, for an unknown purpose. So, yeah, sometimes things worked out a little too easily, but it was also a fun romp.
However, all that action comes at a price. This book starts with it and it never abates. And while that's exciting it leaves no time to slow down and get to know the characters or the world. I really felt this lack of depth. I also thought it was a bit predictable and the open ending (not a cliffhanger per se, but not all questions answered) chaffed a bit.
All in all, if you're looking for some airship fluff that doesn't require much mental participation this will do the trick. It's a fun but shallow read.
However, all that action comes at a price. This book starts with it and it never abates. And while that's exciting it leaves no time to slow down and get to know the characters or the world. I really felt this lack of depth. I also thought it was a bit predictable and the open ending (not a cliffhanger per se, but not all questions answered) chaffed a bit.
All in all, if you're looking for some airship fluff that doesn't require much mental participation this will do the trick. It's a fun but shallow read.
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