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karenteacher's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking forward to the sequel to Arabella of Mars, and it was worth the wait! Arabella continues to flout the traditional norms of her society in a variety of ways - for good and worthy reasons, with good and worthy results. I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and will be rereading Arabella of Mars to remind myself of the details in the first volume, and then rereading this one - both in the near future.
plantedreading's review against another edition
2.0
The things that I liked least in the first book became more central in this book, lackluster one-sided relationships and sluggish politics.
The relationships between the characters are frustrating or dull for the majority of the book. Also, I could've skipped their time in the prison camp, which slowed the pace of the story to a crawl. I'm glad that I finished it, because the last bit of the book returned to what I enjoyed in the first. I'm debating on if I'd try the next book in the series.
The relationships between the characters are frustrating or dull for the majority of the book. Also, I could've skipped their time in the prison camp, which slowed the pace of the story to a crawl. I'm glad that I finished it, because the last bit of the book returned to what I enjoyed in the first. I'm debating on if I'd try the next book in the series.
bookwormmichelle's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED the first Arabella book, and was pretty excited for this one. But in the first part of the book, I was pretty disappointed. When the action picked up later I was much happier. But the early part, about Arabella and her chaperone (ugh) and flirting with the new character, Captain Fox--argh. I wanted to shake that girl. Also this one seemed sometimes over the "improbability" line into "ridiculous" territory---Venusian animals that fart hydrogen that can be used to fly metal ships? OK. Um. I am also still having trouble "seeing" these ships and how they fight in my head, I guess. My mental movie stalls out here sometimes. LOL. But in the end it was fun enough that I mostly forgot the problems and just enjoyed the book.
strikingthirteen's review against another edition
3.0
Arabella is patiently waiting with her brother on Mars for her fiancé, Captain Singh, to return from his travels in order from them to be married. Of course, the good Captain ends up captured by the French and held in a iron camp before he can do so! Arabella, as those of you who have read the first book know, is not one to sit idly by and wait for his relief. It's back to the airships and off to her captain's rescue wish us along for the ride!
Arabella's heroics stand up to her previous hands, but a bit more so as she deals with her chaperone on his journey and the roguish Captain Fox. There are the French of course, as well as the Venetians that we meet to. Arabella has a different perspective than her contemporaries and it is that perspective that allows them their victories as this team of crewmates, and family, works together.
Also there are battles. Battles are fun.
Arabella's heroics stand up to her previous hands, but a bit more so as she deals with her chaperone on his journey and the roguish Captain Fox. There are the French of course, as well as the Venetians that we meet to. Arabella has a different perspective than her contemporaries and it is that perspective that allows them their victories as this team of crewmates, and family, works together.
Also there are battles. Battles are fun.
difelicj's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know what it was about this book, but it took me forever to get into it and to enjoy the story. I found the writing to be a bit of a slog - there was a lot of unnecessary detail and description and to be honest I skimmed about half of the book...I just couldn't read every word - it would have taken me another week to finish this.
I really enjoyed the actual plot of this story, and Arabella and Singh's relationship - however I did find the addition of Captain Fox to be a little annoying, and contrived, but ultimately it did make sense for the situation. Because of the writing and style of this series, I do however, find it hard to really connect with Arabella and understanding her feelings towards Captain Singh - they don't feel deep and the connection seems strained at times, but overall I can understand their feelings for each other.
Overall, once you can get past the overly descriptive writing , this is a fun adventure story and I quite enjoy the concept of the airships and the backdrop of the Napoleonic war.
I really enjoyed the actual plot of this story, and Arabella and Singh's relationship - however I did find the addition of Captain Fox to be a little annoying, and contrived, but ultimately it did make sense for the situation. Because of the writing and style of this series, I do however, find it hard to really connect with Arabella and understanding her feelings towards Captain Singh - they don't feel deep and the connection seems strained at times, but overall I can understand their feelings for each other.
Overall, once you can get past the overly descriptive writing , this is a fun adventure story and I quite enjoy the concept of the airships and the backdrop of the Napoleonic war.
beccak's review against another edition
3.0
More of a 3.5 star review. When Arabella's fiancée, Captain Singh, finds himself captured by Napoleon's supporters on Venus, Arabella rushes to the rescue. I didn't find this book as satisfying or well-paced as the first book in the series, but I adore Arabella. I also found some of the psychology a little...eh? As a result there's a bit of a romance thingy that I think is not well tied up. But the stuff about languages is neat, and I like the complexity with which Levine presents the Venusians, and the "aether" battles are super fun.
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