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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Wow. A random purchase in a Tauranga bookstore turned out to be one of the best fantasy books I've ever read. Well written, the attention to detail is staggering, and the plot (thus far -it's the first book in a trilogy) is incredibly compelling. Can't wait for March to read part II.
Rossamund is a boy who is an orphan (or in the book’s term, a foundling). A young boy with an unfortunate name. The boys and girls in the orphanage, when they reach a certain age, were given a choice in career. Rossamund was chosen as a lamplighter for the army. Rossamund goes on an epic journey to reach his destination and his career.
I enjoyed that Rossamund was so innocent and easily distracted from his path, despite his obvious worry that he wouldn’t make it in time and/or lose his position. He managed to make friends and a few enemies along the way. It was a grand adventure with him.
I enjoyed the addition of Miss Europe. At first, I wasn’t sure if she was going to kill Rossamund. But she ended up being a mother figure to him.
That was a running theme. Each of the characters in the book became some sort of a parental figure, as much as they became a friend. They gave Rossamund the sense of family that he was missing.
I definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for a unique story filled with monsters, steampunk themes, arcane magicks and science. This was a great novel and a wonderful find.
I enjoyed that Rossamund was so innocent and easily distracted from his path, despite his obvious worry that he wouldn’t make it in time and/or lose his position. He managed to make friends and a few enemies along the way. It was a grand adventure with him.
I enjoyed the addition of Miss Europe. At first, I wasn’t sure if she was going to kill Rossamund. But she ended up being a mother figure to him.
That was a running theme. Each of the characters in the book became some sort of a parental figure, as much as they became a friend. They gave Rossamund the sense of family that he was missing.
I definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for a unique story filled with monsters, steampunk themes, arcane magicks and science. This was a great novel and a wonderful find.
I really wanted to like this book as the premise sounded interesting. I just couldn't get very far into it. I just felt like it didn't really grab me and with me being as busy as I am, I don't have time for something that doesn't really get me from the start. I just seem to be in a book slump lately too. Bummer.
Rossamünd Bookchild, a foundling, has been conscripted to serve the continent as a Lamplighter, who keeps travelers safe on their way through the roads of the continent... But first he has to make it there.
I love this book enormously. The world building in this story is amazing, down to the last details. Cornish, primarily an illustrator, included character and monster illustrations throughout the story to add even more depth. Not only does this volume have maps of this fictional world, there's a glossary. I eat this stuff up.
But it's also been years since I read it, so as I finally want to finish the series, I decided to do a refresher on the first two volumes. And I'm so glad I did!
It's an gripping adventure that I think really bridges the gap between middle grade and young adult fiction. The main character is on the younger side, so there's no romance, and the violence, while absolutely present, is definitely not too gory.
I highly recommend to anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure novel, and especially to advanced middle school readers! (The first time I read this book, I think I was in 8th grade.)
I love this book enormously. The world building in this story is amazing, down to the last details. Cornish, primarily an illustrator, included character and monster illustrations throughout the story to add even more depth. Not only does this volume have maps of this fictional world, there's a glossary. I eat this stuff up.
But it's also been years since I read it, so as I finally want to finish the series, I decided to do a refresher on the first two volumes. And I'm so glad I did!
It's an gripping adventure that I think really bridges the gap between middle grade and young adult fiction. The main character is on the younger side, so there's no romance, and the violence, while absolutely present, is definitely not too gory.
I highly recommend to anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure novel, and especially to advanced middle school readers! (The first time I read this book, I think I was in 8th grade.)
I'm not really sure waht to say about this book. It wasn't bad, really, but it wasn't very good, either. I think some of the ideas and people were interesting enough that it could've been better - even though there were some times where I was rolling my eyes because the conveniences and stupidity at times sort of strained credulity.
One of the things I liked most about the book was
This book was very much set-up. Generally I don't like it when series take a whole first book to set up the general story - but, because I think the story and characters do have potential, I'll probably give this one another shot and read book two, and see how it goes. I'm not in a great hurry to get around to it, though.
One of the things I liked most about the book was
Spoiler
the budding complexity of the nature of the monsters. In the beginning, it's a very basic "monsters = evil" set-up, but as the story and characters progress, we find that not all of them are, but since most people think they are, and since it's a huge deal to be seen as a "monster sympathized", this puts some strain on our protagonist. It could certainly develop into an interesting sort of morality tale.This book was very much set-up. Generally I don't like it when series take a whole first book to set up the general story - but, because I think the story and characters do have potential, I'll probably give this one another shot and read book two, and see how it goes. I'm not in a great hurry to get around to it, though.
I find it most difficult to review something when it's lukewarm.
There wasn't anything I disliked about this book obviously written for a younger crowd. Yet there wasn't anything that really excited me, either. It was a good story, with interesting characters. The narration was good. I like the fantasy setting; had it been set in the real world, I can't see that it would be interesting enough to continue the series. I can see that it's going to hold an interesting analogous theme about prejudice and oppression - but it's not subtle. But, since I got all three audiobooks out at the same time, I will at least get through the second book.
There wasn't anything I disliked about this book obviously written for a younger crowd. Yet there wasn't anything that really excited me, either. It was a good story, with interesting characters. The narration was good. I like the fantasy setting; had it been set in the real world, I can't see that it would be interesting enough to continue the series. I can see that it's going to hold an interesting analogous theme about prejudice and oppression - but it's not subtle. But, since I got all three audiobooks out at the same time, I will at least get through the second book.
Loved the world building but the characters, names and plot were all pretty lacklustre. Maybe it picks up in books 2 and 3.
Ok where to start with such an interesting premise, I was originally going to give this book 4 stars as the story was interesting and kept good pace. If not for the 120 pages of dictionary like reading at the back i would have finished it in 2 days. it would have been a wonderful story if the characters had become more fleshed out over the course of the 300 pages. It would have left me feeling more enthralled. Overall the book had a good story, too many unanswered questions and information that could probably be guessed at. If you use the end part throughout it breaks the immersion but does provide a greater insight to the world, if not the characters. I will still try the rest of the series but wont be reading the extra at the end anymore. Just too much like being back at school, repetitive and boring.
It was okay. Definitely a good start to a series, but not as captivating as I thought it would be.