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crowyhead's review
4.0
Another cracking good read in the series that began with Larklight and continued in Starcross.
Art and Myrtle Mumby are ready for a peaceful Christmas with their family and with Jack Havoc and the rest of his valorous crew. Alas, a distress call from Georgium Sidus (known in less polite circles as "Uranus") sends the Mumbys and several agents of the British Empire across the solar system once again. When they arrive at their destination, they are met with a brand new horror: gigantic space moths! But why do the pilots of these monstrous creatures seem so familiar, and what sinister mastermind is behind their warlike workings?
Art and Myrtle Mumby are ready for a peaceful Christmas with their family and with Jack Havoc and the rest of his valorous crew. Alas, a distress call from Georgium Sidus (known in less polite circles as "Uranus") sends the Mumbys and several agents of the British Empire across the solar system once again. When they arrive at their destination, they are met with a brand new horror: gigantic space moths! But why do the pilots of these monstrous creatures seem so familiar, and what sinister mastermind is behind their warlike workings?
mackle13's review
3.0
I've been waiting for this book for awhile - first waiting for it to be published, and then waiting for it in paperback. Finally I got tired of waiting, and nabbed it from the library so I could read it.
I've enjoyed the series a lot, and this book continues to boy's-own adventure tale with the touches of Victoriana Imperialism in the far reaches of space. This time, however, we are threatened by an external foe - the Mothstorm.
In this entry, I enjoyed the bits that Myrtle narrated more than Art's. Myrtle is still annoyingly prim, though there are times when he adventurer spirit shines through. Moreso, though, her bits were more personal. Art's bits seemed a bit, I dunno - distant.
Also, all the references to the post-story time sort of killed a lot of potential suspense, because you knew that everything would turn out. I mean, you pretty much know that going into these stories, anyway, but, in this you really knew. It's almost like reading a history, in a way, and, I dunno, between the narration style and the lack of suspense, some of his parts were a bit ho-hum - so it's kinda a shame that his parts are the majority.
But, anyway - I said in my last review that this is a fun, adventure series with some indefinable quality holding it back from being a solid 4. The same is sadly true in this last installment - but, still, I'll take what I can get. :)
I've enjoyed the series a lot, and this book continues to boy's-own adventure tale with the touches of Victoriana Imperialism in the far reaches of space. This time, however, we are threatened by an external foe - the Mothstorm.
In this entry, I enjoyed the bits that Myrtle narrated more than Art's. Myrtle is still annoyingly prim, though there are times when he adventurer spirit shines through. Moreso, though, her bits were more personal. Art's bits seemed a bit, I dunno - distant.
Also, all the references to the post-story time sort of killed a lot of potential suspense, because you knew that everything would turn out. I mean, you pretty much know that going into these stories, anyway, but, in this you really knew. It's almost like reading a history, in a way, and, I dunno, between the narration style and the lack of suspense, some of his parts were a bit ho-hum - so it's kinda a shame that his parts are the majority.
But, anyway - I said in my last review that this is a fun, adventure series with some indefinable quality holding it back from being a solid 4. The same is sadly true in this last installment - but, still, I'll take what I can get. :)
kailey_luminouslibro's review
4.0
A mysterious cloud is approaching the solar system from deep space, and of course only Arthur and Myrtle can solve the mystery and save the British Empire and the nine planets (along with some asteroids and dwarf planets). They are joined by our favorite old characters and a few new ones, as they travel between the planets to fight for Queen and country.
I loved everything about this book! The plot, the characters, the hilarious writing, the world-building, the mystery, the adventure, and every single dramatic chapter all kept me reading for hours on end. This is one of those books where there isn't a good place to stop reading. You just have to keep going through the next chapter and the next.
It's wonderful to see how the entire trilogy is wrapped up beautifully in this last book. The plot comes together really well to solve problems and answer questions that have been hanging since the first book. I love how each thread of the story resolves into this great ending!
I am amazed at how imaginative this fantasy world is. The aliens and their strange cultures are all so intricate and well-formed, right down to the diseases, commerce, and vegetation of each planet. I love that it is set in a steam-punk 1850s British Empire full of space travel that has expanded to Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. It's such an interesting solar system, and each planet has it's own history and people who live there.
The writing style is very humorous with that sort of dry humor that I love. I was delighted at how some of the characters are doing their best to have good manners and polite modesty in the middle of their outlandish adventures. We may be about to be blown to smithereens by space pirates, but let us not forget proper courtesy and decorum. The whole book is hilarious!
The characters are really varied and interesting. They come from all sorts of backgrounds, and I loved the character development for so many of them. They change and grow and learn from one another.
Myrtle has some excellent development as she learns that she is stronger and more resourceful than she thought. She does NOT faint every time something dangerous happens, as a properly-educated young lady should do. Instead she begins to take little steps towards saving herself, instead of waiting for a hero to rescue her as a demure young lady should do. And through those little steps she moves on to bigger steps, until finally she gains enough confidence in her own abilities to have the courage to jump into the fray and save everyone.
I only wish there were more books in this series!
I loved everything about this book! The plot, the characters, the hilarious writing, the world-building, the mystery, the adventure, and every single dramatic chapter all kept me reading for hours on end. This is one of those books where there isn't a good place to stop reading. You just have to keep going through the next chapter and the next.
It's wonderful to see how the entire trilogy is wrapped up beautifully in this last book. The plot comes together really well to solve problems and answer questions that have been hanging since the first book. I love how each thread of the story resolves into this great ending!
I am amazed at how imaginative this fantasy world is. The aliens and their strange cultures are all so intricate and well-formed, right down to the diseases, commerce, and vegetation of each planet. I love that it is set in a steam-punk 1850s British Empire full of space travel that has expanded to Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. It's such an interesting solar system, and each planet has it's own history and people who live there.
The writing style is very humorous with that sort of dry humor that I love. I was delighted at how some of the characters are doing their best to have good manners and polite modesty in the middle of their outlandish adventures. We may be about to be blown to smithereens by space pirates, but let us not forget proper courtesy and decorum. The whole book is hilarious!
The characters are really varied and interesting. They come from all sorts of backgrounds, and I loved the character development for so many of them. They change and grow and learn from one another.
Myrtle has some excellent development as she learns that she is stronger and more resourceful than she thought. She does NOT faint every time something dangerous happens, as a properly-educated young lady should do. Instead she begins to take little steps towards saving herself, instead of waiting for a hero to rescue her as a demure young lady should do. And through those little steps she moves on to bigger steps, until finally she gains enough confidence in her own abilities to have the courage to jump into the fray and save everyone.
I only wish there were more books in this series!
amdame1's review
4.0
Book 3 in the Larklight series. Language is a bit old-fashioned and may be too complex for less skilled readers. Definite boy appeal with an authentic young male voice for the narrator. Clever sharing of the narrative voice by including excerpts from Art's sister's journal as well, to continue the story accurately when the two are separated.
curlyhairedbooklover's review
5.0
Loved it!!! But when i finished it and went to get my next book realised i have the first book lined up to read later ;D WHOOPS!!! But still a great book.
melerihaf's review
4.0
I didn't think it was as fabulous as the first two, but still great. I laughed aloud multiple times. Be aware, though, that there's not a lot of retelling what happened in earlier books. I generally like that, but I could not remember who Grindle was, so I was confused for a little while. So yeah. Read this at the same time as the other two.
singinglight's review
4.0
Mothstorm
by Philip Reeve
Another third book set in Victorian England, although a very different Victorian England than Lady Emily's, Mothstorm begins with the Mumby family intending to celebrate a quiet Christmas at home in Larklight with their friends. Unfortunately, a message of danger arrives and the whole gang promptly goes off to rescue the world (for the third time in a year). I always enjoy Arthur's very British Boy style, especially when interposed with Myrtle's journal entries. Apparently, this is the last in the trilogy? I'm sorry to see the last of the Mumby's and confess that I hope Reeve and Wyatt will return to the series at some point.
by Philip Reeve
Another third book set in Victorian England, although a very different Victorian England than Lady Emily's, Mothstorm begins with the Mumby family intending to celebrate a quiet Christmas at home in Larklight with their friends. Unfortunately, a message of danger arrives and the whole gang promptly goes off to rescue the world (for the third time in a year). I always enjoy Arthur's very British Boy style, especially when interposed with Myrtle's journal entries. Apparently, this is the last in the trilogy? I'm sorry to see the last of the Mumby's and confess that I hope Reeve and Wyatt will return to the series at some point.
purlewe's review
5.0
Another cracking good steampunk novel. I seem to be enjoying these. I would definitely say age range is between 9-11 and I plan on buying these for my niece now that I've read the trilogy.
I don't want to spoil it for others.. I just think the storytelling is wonderful and the drawing are top-notch.
I don't want to spoil it for others.. I just think the storytelling is wonderful and the drawing are top-notch.
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