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litartist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thexgrayxlady's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Tonal whiplash - The Novel
This book has bursts of fun steampunk action, marred by dull, melodramatic character interactions. It's too bad because when it's fun it's really fun. There's tempered glass swords and mechanical cats. There's a really fun escape sequence from the crumbling mansion of a mad inventor. Then, when the plot isn't revolving around an annoying and dull arranged marriage, it runs on moon logic. The villain's plan is absolutely BANANAS. When the heroine says, "What the bloody fucking hell is going on?" I was right there with her.
This book has bursts of fun steampunk action, marred by dull, melodramatic character interactions. It's too bad because when it's fun it's really fun. There's tempered glass swords and mechanical cats. There's a really fun escape sequence from the crumbling mansion of a mad inventor. Then, when the plot isn't revolving around an annoying and dull arranged marriage, it runs on moon logic. The villain's plan is absolutely BANANAS. When the heroine says, "What the bloody fucking hell is going on?" I was right there with her.
kimlynn77's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable, quick read with likeable characters. Zombies included! I want a Click of my own!
kayteeem's review against another edition
Enjoyable light steampunk, with lighter-than-air pirates, music, clockwork, Victorian balls, and mad scientists. A nice start to the series.
mamap's review against another edition
2.0
Steampunk adventure. Very PG-13, though, why they are using modern swear words in the 1800's, I'll never know.
She has nothing, but a name and he is a young man from America left with nothing after pirates take his captain and the dirigible they were flying in.
Oh, and there's a plague.
She's older - He's younger.
Stilted. A summer read.
She has nothing, but a name and he is a young man from America left with nothing after pirates take his captain and the dirigible they were flying in.
Oh, and there's a plague.
She's older - He's younger.
Stilted. A summer read.
veronica87's review against another edition
2.0
started out okay but got progressively sillier. The romance angle lacked any heat or chemistry so that didn't help.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
This was exactly what the doctor ordered - plenty of the things that make the genre of Steampunk without so much British voices in the writing - this had humor and wit without being overly drive or obtuse - Zombie's (which, is not my number one thing right now - too many) but it is okay because it is not in the forefront and it has a purpose being, 'Hey, look, Zombies!' - the gadgetry and the characters was fun and enjoyable as well - extremely enjoyable read for me.
lauralh05's review
3.0
Ugh. I was really into this book for the 1st 3/4...Victorian clockwork, zombies, airmen & pirates...lots of interesting action! I got that Alice was trying to figure out who she was, trying to resolve her non-traditional interest in all things clockwork with the fact that society had a different idea of who she was and how she needed to live. Being drawn away from her daily traditional life and running off to immediately investigate things that came up without waiting around for a man to take care of it as would have apparently been proper for their society? It was clear where her heart lay.
I also felt it was a bit over-the-top how quickly Alice went from her "What would society think?! I could never be an Ad Hoc woman!" persona to suddenly being perfectly fine feeling up & canoodling with a guy she was not engaged to. It just seemed like someone flipped a switch. It seemed like it would have been more natural for her to want to do those things but still hold herself back a bit.
There were a few more things that bothered me at the end, but I can't remember them just now. All I can say is that after loving the first half of the book, I was a bit disappointed in the second half. I would still like to read the second book to see what happens however.
Spoiler
I couldn't stand Norbert, and I was rooting for Gavin the whole time, but I feel the scene where she finally left Norbert for Gavin was lacking. After she walked back into the theater I felt like there should have been a "final straw" scene with Norbert...or else, why have her go back in at all? It just seemed strange.I also felt it was a bit over-the-top how quickly Alice went from her "What would society think?! I could never be an Ad Hoc woman!" persona to suddenly being perfectly fine feeling up & canoodling with a guy she was not engaged to. It just seemed like someone flipped a switch. It seemed like it would have been more natural for her to want to do those things but still hold herself back a bit.
There were a few more things that bothered me at the end, but I can't remember them just now. All I can say is that after loving the first half of the book, I was a bit disappointed in the second half. I would still like to read the second book to see what happens however.
meijhen's review against another edition
3.0
Certainly entertaining. I'll look for the sequels as well.