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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
This is less of a book than an introductory novella to a book. I wish the author and publisher had held off on releasing it until the next part was ready. It only just whetted the appetite before coming to an abrupt end. Looking forward to reading the actual book when it arrives.
Wow. I loved this. It seemed so... effortless. It's just a really well written story with a likable protagonist in an interesting setting with poignant themes.
Plus she is an amazing narrator.
Plus she is an amazing narrator.
I told myself I'd try to write a review--however short it might be--for every book I read this year, so here goes...
I love novellas. I love that they're essentially having a revival. But it seems (in my limited experience of them so far anyway) that it's a format difficult to tackle and get right for some reason. Rarely do I think "This should be longer" when reading short stories. Sometimes I *wish* there was more because I find the world and/or characters fascinating, but usually the stories are constructed--it feels--with their eventual length in mind. Novellas, due to their longer length which more often than not rub elbows with short novel lengths seem to invite grander ideas that eventually feel unfinished or rushed. Not all novellas, mind, but definitely more often than other short(er) fiction I've read.
This is definitely the case here. I know it's the first in a series (duology so far and I haven't read the second one yet) so it's not required to have everything wrapped up neatly, but even taking that into consideration, this just felt like the opening of a much longer novel (and I've read other novellas that were first in series that did not feel that way). There were some interesting ideas here that I really enjoyed about magic, a conspiracy, sibling relationships, a protagonist wound tight from all the secrets about herself she's keeping for the sake of others on the verge of cracking... but. It stopped when it was getting interesting.
And it suffered from a few clichés which unfortunately I couldn't tell if they were being played straight (boring) or were being set up to be subverted (could be interesting)--such as the beautiful mage from the school who takes an interest in our protagonist. And we know he is utterly, amazingly, knee-melting beautiful because our heroine cannot stop mentioning it every time she's in his presence in almost cliché purple prose, and how alluring he is, and how annoyed she is by it, but also how she can't help leaning in... you get the gist. I was hoping that it would come out, somehow, that he has a glamour, or uses some kind of spell/charm, since it was so--in my opinion--over the top, bodice-ripper-like in not a good way. Unfortunately, no such information was provided and I ended the book thinking that no, it was probably just meant to be read as the beginning of an obvious romance. But again, I haven't read the sequel.
3 stars because it was a quick, sometimes enjoyable read, with decent writing, but ultimately I found it disappointing. I will read the sequel eventually, though, out of curiosity, and I hope some questions will be answered, and some character growth will happen.
I love novellas. I love that they're essentially having a revival. But it seems (in my limited experience of them so far anyway) that it's a format difficult to tackle and get right for some reason. Rarely do I think "This should be longer" when reading short stories. Sometimes I *wish* there was more because I find the world and/or characters fascinating, but usually the stories are constructed--it feels--with their eventual length in mind. Novellas, due to their longer length which more often than not rub elbows with short novel lengths seem to invite grander ideas that eventually feel unfinished or rushed. Not all novellas, mind, but definitely more often than other short(er) fiction I've read.
This is definitely the case here. I know it's the first in a series (duology so far and I haven't read the second one yet) so it's not required to have everything wrapped up neatly, but even taking that into consideration, this just felt like the opening of a much longer novel (and I've read other novellas that were first in series that did not feel that way). There were some interesting ideas here that I really enjoyed about magic, a conspiracy, sibling relationships, a protagonist wound tight from all the secrets about herself she's keeping for the sake of others on the verge of cracking... but. It stopped when it was getting interesting.
And it suffered from a few clichés which unfortunately I couldn't tell if they were being played straight (boring) or were being set up to be subverted (could be interesting)--such as the beautiful mage from the school who takes an interest in our protagonist. And we know he is utterly, amazingly, knee-melting beautiful because our heroine cannot stop mentioning it every time she's in his presence in almost cliché purple prose, and how alluring he is, and how annoyed she is by it, but also how she can't help leaning in... you get the gist. I was hoping that it would come out, somehow, that he has a glamour, or uses some kind of spell/charm, since it was so--in my opinion--over the top, bodice-ripper-like in not a good way. Unfortunately, no such information was provided and I ended the book thinking that no, it was probably just meant to be read as the beginning of an obvious romance. But again, I haven't read the sequel.
3 stars because it was a quick, sometimes enjoyable read, with decent writing, but ultimately I found it disappointing. I will read the sequel eventually, though, out of curiosity, and I hope some questions will be answered, and some character growth will happen.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyed much more upon reread. Looking forward to the sequel.
Well I trust absolutely no one in this bar and desperately need to know what happens next.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
* A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I sat down intending to read a few pages of Brother’s Ruin and an hour and a half later I was finished. I haven’t read many novellas, but I can say that this is definitely one of the best I’ve read. I dearly wish this had been a full length novel, only so I could have enjoyed it for several more intense hours of reading. Fortunately, this is the first book in Emma Newman’s Industrial Magic series, so I have more to look forward to!
Brother’s Ruin is set in a version of 1800’s era London where magic exists and plays an important role in society. The downside to being talented is that the mage’s family must submit them for an official test with the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts, otherwise the family members can face prison time or a fine. Charlotte Gunn is a talented illustrator, caring sister, and un-tested mage. Her parents and fiancé are unaware of both her income as an illustrator and her less mundane talents… her brother on the other hand is aware of both of her secrets. Until Ben came down with an illness, Charlotte had been secretly supporting him through his schooling and topping up her parents’ coffers on occasion. An unusual set of circumstances has brought the entire Gunn household in contact with members of the Royal Society and it’s becoming more difficult to keep her gifts hidden.
Charlotte is surprisingly detailed, especially considering she’s only given 160 pages to shine, and that while a world is being unfolded simultaneously. This alternate, magical London is fantastically interesting- Emma Newman manages to squeeze in political dissent, sinister plots, and even a bit of amateur spying. I’ve found that most of the novellas leave me wanting more, but in a negative way. That is not the case with Brother’s Ruin at all- this leaves me wanting more in the very best of ways.
Overall, if you’re going to pick up a novella this year, you would do well to pick Brother’s Ruin. I can only hope that the sequels will be soon in coming because I’m dying to know what happens next!
I sat down intending to read a few pages of Brother’s Ruin and an hour and a half later I was finished. I haven’t read many novellas, but I can say that this is definitely one of the best I’ve read. I dearly wish this had been a full length novel, only so I could have enjoyed it for several more intense hours of reading. Fortunately, this is the first book in Emma Newman’s Industrial Magic series, so I have more to look forward to!
Brother’s Ruin is set in a version of 1800’s era London where magic exists and plays an important role in society. The downside to being talented is that the mage’s family must submit them for an official test with the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts, otherwise the family members can face prison time or a fine. Charlotte Gunn is a talented illustrator, caring sister, and un-tested mage. Her parents and fiancé are unaware of both her income as an illustrator and her less mundane talents… her brother on the other hand is aware of both of her secrets. Until Ben came down with an illness, Charlotte had been secretly supporting him through his schooling and topping up her parents’ coffers on occasion. An unusual set of circumstances has brought the entire Gunn household in contact with members of the Royal Society and it’s becoming more difficult to keep her gifts hidden.
Charlotte is surprisingly detailed, especially considering she’s only given 160 pages to shine, and that while a world is being unfolded simultaneously. This alternate, magical London is fantastically interesting- Emma Newman manages to squeeze in political dissent, sinister plots, and even a bit of amateur spying. I’ve found that most of the novellas leave me wanting more, but in a negative way. That is not the case with Brother’s Ruin at all- this leaves me wanting more in the very best of ways.
Overall, if you’re going to pick up a novella this year, you would do well to pick Brother’s Ruin. I can only hope that the sequels will be soon in coming because I’m dying to know what happens next!
This is the start of a new series of Gaslight fantasies. I found it to be the rare case where the author's skill invoked certain present day realities that added to the urgency and ultimate anxiety of the narrative.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2017/05/brother-brother-brother.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2017/05/brother-brother-brother.html
This was a quick fun read with magic, promising characters and adventure.