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![Steal the Sky [Dramatized Adaptation] by Megan E. O'Keefe](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/dpb255twz8h46upq4fh4ajagkvxt)
3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
O’Keefe, Megan E. Steal the Sky. Scorched Continent No. 1. Angry Robot, 2016.
I quite liked O’Keefe’s most recent book, Velocity Weapon, so I thought I would dip into her debut novel, Steal the Sky, which shows her ability as a world-builder. The story is a little bit steam punk—at least there are lighter than air machines. It is a little bit paranormal fantasy; certain people are sensitive to a material that makes lighter-than-air travel possible. It also makes several other paranormal or quasi-magical abilities possible. The rulers struggle to keep the sensitives under their thumbs mining the magic stuff without developing their abilities very far. Our protagonists, meanwhile, work to free the minors in a style that resembles a traditional pirate tale. An interesting read, taken all in all.
I quite liked O’Keefe’s most recent book, Velocity Weapon, so I thought I would dip into her debut novel, Steal the Sky, which shows her ability as a world-builder. The story is a little bit steam punk—at least there are lighter than air machines. It is a little bit paranormal fantasy; certain people are sensitive to a material that makes lighter-than-air travel possible. It also makes several other paranormal or quasi-magical abilities possible. The rulers struggle to keep the sensitives under their thumbs mining the magic stuff without developing their abilities very far. Our protagonists, meanwhile, work to free the minors in a style that resembles a traditional pirate tale. An interesting read, taken all in all.
I got this book as part of a Humble Bundle, so really had no preconceptions going in -- I opened it up, and had a go.
There's a lot to love in this story -- fabulous world building, lovingly detailed characters, a whole lot of fascinating scenes. But it was exhausting reading. I kept losing track of what was going on, who was where, what I was supposed to care about. And yes, I get that life is a bit like that.
If I'd realised that this story as a whole is the prologue to a war story, it might have made more sense. As it was, it was trying to do that and be a small time story about a small time criminal at the same time. And I just never fell in love with the story, the plot, or the characters. I might read the second book, if it appears in front of me, but I'm not going to go looking for it.
There's a lot to love in this story -- fabulous world building, lovingly detailed characters, a whole lot of fascinating scenes. But it was exhausting reading. I kept losing track of what was going on, who was where, what I was supposed to care about. And yes, I get that life is a bit like that.
If I'd realised that this story as a whole is the prologue to a war story, it might have made more sense. As it was, it was trying to do that and be a small time story about a small time criminal at the same time. And I just never fell in love with the story, the plot, or the characters. I might read the second book, if it appears in front of me, but I'm not going to go looking for it.
4,5 stars
This book was awesome!! Exactly what my heart needed. Im always in for conmen and heists. I loved the writing, it was hilarious. All the characters were interesting and Detan immediately waltzed into my heart. Great setting, I really like books set in the desert and i found the magic/selium part interesting and it took a bit of time until i understood it.
This book was awesome!! Exactly what my heart needed. Im always in for conmen and heists. I loved the writing, it was hilarious. All the characters were interesting and Detan immediately waltzed into my heart. Great setting, I really like books set in the desert and i found the magic/selium part interesting and it took a bit of time until i understood it.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More a 3.5 stars.
"an epic steam punk firefly" says the recommendation on the back.
whilst I can't say I agree with that statement, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The relaxed way in which the author built the world and characters made this such a silky read.
A good first book set up, ready for book two.
I wouldn't call this an epic adventure (yet. who knows in book 2, it certainly has the potential) it was definitely full of interesting shenanigans.
"an epic steam punk firefly" says the recommendation on the back.
whilst I can't say I agree with that statement, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The relaxed way in which the author built the world and characters made this such a silky read.
A good first book set up, ready for book two.
I wouldn't call this an epic adventure (yet. who knows in book 2, it certainly has the potential) it was definitely full of interesting shenanigans.
My youngest brother absolutely insisted I read this, and I'm glad I did! I thought this was a good-but-not-excellent entry in the steampunk tradition. I enjoyed reading it and am currently looking forward to the sequel, with some caveats.
The good:
-the colonial setting was interesting. I enjoyed the interplay between the different blocs of forces - the colonial government across the sea, the local government and nobility, the riff-raff on the streets, and oppressed indentured class, largely separate and insulated from the poor. There was definitely a lot of love about that!
-the actual SETTING, in terms of geographical location.
-The female characters are, by and large, written very well. They make you want to learn more about them.
The bad:
-the male characters. In contrast to the female characters, I actually found them sort of dull and insipid - caricatures more than people. This is a shame because Detan is driving the story plot, but I often wanted to skip over his sections. It felt similar to the problem that (some) male writers often have in writing good female characters; I think this is something that can only be cured by time and practise, so hopefully Detan will feel more like a person in the next book.
-the language used for dialogue felt pretty twee and annoying; I'm hoping that will be toned down a bit.
-the plot wasn't bad, but it was fairly obvious halfway through that this was going to be a 'how the band got together' story. That would have been a better B plot than A plot - it would have been good for there to be a book-specific quest, rather than just concentrating on the overall series plot. I'm hoping the author will balance that better in the future.
All in all, not a bad read! I would read it again.
The good:
-the colonial setting was interesting. I enjoyed the interplay between the different blocs of forces - the colonial government across the sea, the local government and nobility, the riff-raff on the streets, and oppressed indentured class, largely separate and insulated from the poor. There was definitely a lot of love about that!
-the actual SETTING, in terms of geographical location.
-The female characters are, by and large, written very well. They make you want to learn more about them.
The bad:
-the male characters. In contrast to the female characters, I actually found them sort of dull and insipid - caricatures more than people. This is a shame because Detan is driving the story plot, but I often wanted to skip over his sections. It felt similar to the problem that (some) male writers often have in writing good female characters; I think this is something that can only be cured by time and practise, so hopefully Detan will feel more like a person in the next book.
-the language used for dialogue felt pretty twee and annoying; I'm hoping that will be toned down a bit.
-the plot wasn't bad, but it was fairly obvious halfway through that this was going to be a 'how the band got together' story. That would have been a better B plot than A plot - it would have been good for there to be a book-specific quest, rather than just concentrating on the overall series plot. I'm hoping the author will balance that better in the future.
All in all, not a bad read! I would read it again.
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016/comments_02/steal_the_sky.html
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A decent enough adventure, though it took until the 2/3 mark to find its footing. I didn't connect much with any of the characters with the exception of Pelkaia. Her motivations and drive were clear, and her actions drove the story - which is more than I can say for the rest of the characters. I almost wish Ripka was a minor character instead of a narrator. She spent so much of the book being impersonated by Pelkaia, it's near impossible to tell what parts of her personality and character were her, or the doppel. It would have been better if we knew nothing about her at all.
The tease of a premise at the end has me interested enough to check out the next installment, but I remain overall neutral on the book.
The tease of a premise at the end has me interested enough to check out the next installment, but I remain overall neutral on the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Trafficking, Medical trauma