Reviews

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen

leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition

4.0

I have loved the first two Steampunk books by Allen. I have really come to love Rapunzel retellings and was excited to see what Allan could do with it with the steampunk element. These books can be read as a stand alone but I think you really need to read the first two as other characters and events from those books are mentioned throughout. I felt it was a little slow at the beginning but I loved the submersible. I loved the history and magic she incorporated. I loved Eugene and Sam. I felt the ending was resolved a little too quickly, not as big of a "battle" as the second book, but still enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the fourth book. I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

heather_pluim's review against another edition

5.0

I love a good fairytale retelling and this one was amazing! I can't wait for the next one.

kristaallysa's review against another edition

3.0

Hazel and Sam set off on a long journey, from London to Romania, at the request of Hazel's long lost uncle in order to help save a sister she didn't even know existed. 

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, so had high expectations for this one. The Lady in the Coppergate Tower had an interesting premise, but the storytelling fell flat for me. It seemed like it was a whole book where very little happened. There was little character development, and I really didn't care much about them. The plot, which could have been very interesting, ended up feeling rather bland.

The best part of the book was the automaton, Eugene. He was funny and added some interest to an otherwise kinda meh story.

amelia990's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I'd summarize the book in one sentence by saying this story follows Hazel and Sam as they travel to Eastern Europe with Hazel's long-lost uncle after learning Hazel's twin sister is in trouble and that Hazel is the only one who can help.  The book was fine, although I found the summary provided on the book misleading.  The front cover says the story is a steampunk Rapunzel retelling, which was part of why I picked it up.  I haven't seen a lot of Rapunzel retellings and there are interesting things that could be done with that story.  Unfortunately, there is very little from Rapunzel and only at the end where a few details from the fairy tale are wedged in despite not being needed for the plot.  The novel pulls far more inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula than it does from Rapunzel.  (Although don't worry if you don't like horror; there is no horror here).  The other thing I was promised from the book cover was that the two leads were pining but struggling with a class divide.  This is mentioned maybe twice and resolved in the first couple chapters; it's not an ongoing plot complication.  I would have happily overlooked the misleading nature of the book cover had the book made me care about the characters, but neither felt very well developed and I felt no connection to either.  I'd call this one "could have been a cool idea, but failed in execution"

estherpew's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

kelliepalmer's review against another edition

3.0

This wasn’t my favorite out of the author’s steampunk romances. There were parts that left me confused at how Hazel was really related to Petrescu. I didn’t feel much of a connection between Sam and Hazel. I wish that Marit and Hazel had a little bit more of a story at the end. Like once they met, show me a little bit of how they figured out how to connect as sisters and healers.

hilsaa's review against another edition

2.0

2.5

lauralovestoread's review against another edition

3.0

I read this to get a taste of steam punk and it was an enjoyable read. Definitely different from my typical genre, but it was good to read this book that was part historical fiction and part futuristic dystopian.

I wish that I had read the other two previous books before reading, so that I could grasp the characters but it does read as a stand-alone book also.


Thank you netgalley for this free digital copy. All thoughts are my own

witandsin's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

alissabar's review against another edition

3.0

2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #12 A book inspired by myth/legend/folklore