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tregina's review against another edition
3.0
A mixed bag, really, but overall enjoyable. There were some questionable worldbuilding choices and stereotypes abound, but it was also a unique take on the genre. The moments of horror were really the standouts for me, superbly chilling.
laureenreads's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly good book. It wasn't what I expected--I kept expecting more of a steam punk sort of feeling, but instead this was more of an alternate history and Saint Tesla playing an important background role. All the same, there was a fair bit of predictability, and it followed the same basic formula of the genre without any major differences. It was still a good story, and I really enjoyed reading it.
that_kitten's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much, for the most part. It's very well-written, and the blend of steampunk "science" and magic was well-planned and almost reminiscent of a Miyazaki film -- a feeling that was accentuated by the pro-environment, anti-industrialism tone. This book is most definitely in the realm of magical/supernatural steampunk, rather than science fiction in tone. It paints a picture of an alternate universe where New Londoners demonized the natural, magical world in favor of a "logical scientific" one. Magical creatures ("Unnaturals") are kept in museums, practicing magic is punishable by death, and the people who still live with the forest outside the city ("Tinkers") are captured and enslaved in the city's factories.
This book had a unique narration style, which took some getting used to. It's told in dual-POV, but the alternating chapters are told in first-person present (Vespa, our heroine) and third-person present (Syrus, a pre-teen Tinker boy). It's a style I haven't seen much of before, and it was strange, but it worked for the most part. The voice is about what you'd expect from a Victorian-style novel set in London, which is to say very proper and... Victorian. With some odd modern-day flair thrown in? Hm. Sometimes it felt like there was a little too much attention paid to the clothes/description/niceties, which slowed down the pacing, but if you're into those sorts of details, it'll probably work for you. Some of the characters/names are difficult to keep straight for reasons I won't spoil, but... yeah.
The descriptions were lovely, and the story itself was a good one. If you enjoy a plot along the lines of the girl with powers she didn't know she had, the boy trying to protect magic from those who would abuse it, and a journey toward protecting the forest, you'll dig this. There's a romantic subplot that I feel pretty "meh" about. It wasn't bad, but it felt sudden and I didn't get very much chemistry. Still, I thought it was mostly well-handled, and it didn't overtake the main storyline. There's a lot packed into this book, and I'm a little surprised to see it's the first in a series, because this one seemed to wrap up very nicely (people who hate cliffhangers, take note).
Overall, and enjoyable read and a great, well-written addition to the YA Steampunk genre.
This book had a unique narration style, which took some getting used to. It's told in dual-POV, but the alternating chapters are told in first-person present (Vespa, our heroine) and third-person present (Syrus, a pre-teen Tinker boy). It's a style I haven't seen much of before, and it was strange, but it worked for the most part. The voice is about what you'd expect from a Victorian-style novel set in London, which is to say very proper and... Victorian. With some odd modern-day flair thrown in? Hm. Sometimes it felt like there was a little too much attention paid to the clothes/description/niceties, which slowed down the pacing, but if you're into those sorts of details, it'll probably work for you. Some of the characters/names are difficult to keep straight for reasons I won't spoil, but... yeah.
The descriptions were lovely, and the story itself was a good one. If you enjoy a plot along the lines of the girl with powers she didn't know she had, the boy trying to protect magic from those who would abuse it, and a journey toward protecting the forest, you'll dig this. There's a romantic subplot that I feel pretty "meh" about. It wasn't bad, but it felt sudden and I didn't get very much chemistry. Still, I thought it was mostly well-handled, and it didn't overtake the main storyline. There's a lot packed into this book, and I'm a little surprised to see it's the first in a series, because this one seemed to wrap up very nicely (people who hate cliffhangers, take note).
Overall, and enjoyable read and a great, well-written addition to the YA Steampunk genre.
rollforlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Really nice world building, really meh characters and story. The alternation between first and third person for the two viewpoint characters bothered me.
books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
Vespa Nyx is joking around with a stuffy patron when the paralytic field suspending a sphinx in New London’s Museum of Unnatural History is suddenly disabled. She later claims to her father, the head of the museum, that she was pushed from behind. This time the field was much stronger than the one she took down at Miss Marmalade’s Seminary for Young Ladies of Quality that led to her expulsion a year earlier. Working for her father at the Museum ever since, Vespa prefers the life of a Scientist. She secretly desires to be the first female Pedant in several generations rather than to become a wife and mother as is expected of her. When she is aided by the unfamiliar Pedant Lumin, she is shocked to discover her father dislikes him even more than she does.
Not wanting to leave Vespa alone after her incident, she goes with her father and his creepy assistant, Charles Waddingly. Nicknamed The Wad by Vespa, she feels hurt that her father has replaced her. When she awakens during the carriage ride and doesn’t remember the trip, her father brushes off her concerns. Soon the carriage is stopped by a small gang of highwaymen who demand all of their valuables and ask for the strongbox. Vespa steps forward, trying to put on a brave face, and tells them that they will be sorry if they take it. A voice calls out saying that she is right and a small clan of Tinkers emerges from the other side of the road. The highwaymen scurry off and the Tinkers come forward. Stating that they know what is in the trunk and that they can have all the Waste if they really want it, the Tinkers demand payment for their rescue. When a Tinker, Syrus, spies the jade frog that Vespa carries in her purse to remind her of her mother, he takes it and leaves the money behind. Vespa vows to get her frog back and to find out what exactly is in the chest.
When some unnaturals escape in the laboratory, The Wad stays behind while Vespa goes off in search of a containment unit. Struggling to get it to a lift, Vespa runs into Pedant Lumin. He offers to take the unit upstairs while Vespa goes off to get her father. Vespa is told by the receptionist that her father is not to be disturbed. She forces her way into his office and stumbles upon several Pedants and museum directors in protective gear with the strongbox open. It is full of the Waste from the forest and Vespa slowly backs her way out to keep from contaminating anything else.
Vespa makes her way back to the laboratory and finds Pedant Lumin with only one sylphid, who he has trained, where there should have been a roomful; of them. Confused, Vespa studies Lumin and her thoughts turn to whether or not he is going to kiss her and if that is what she wants. What she doesn’t expect is for him to reveal that he is an Architect of Athena (a warlock) and that he believes Vespa is a witch!
Elsewhere, the Empress’ guards come to the abandoned rail yard to Cull Tinkers to work in the refinery. Syrus is the only member of the reed clan to escape. He goes to visit the Manticore deep in the forest. He laments that he wishes the Manticor4e could do something to protect the Tinkers who protect her. She says that she always thought there was nothing she could do but realizes that she was mistaken. The Manticore tells Syrus to bring her the witch and they will be able to free his family.
Is Vespa Nyx a witch and what does this mean for her future? Just who is pedant Lumin and is he truly a warlock? What secret does Charles Waddingly hide? Why is Vespa’s father experimenting with the Waste? Will Syrus be able to help the Manticore and save the forest and the clan families? And will Vespa be able to rise about it all when the situation calls for it?
A book with tons of action and adventure set in a steam punk, fantasy realm with a splash of romance, readers will be clamoring for more of Vespa Nyx. Ms. Trent is currently working on book two.
Not wanting to leave Vespa alone after her incident, she goes with her father and his creepy assistant, Charles Waddingly. Nicknamed The Wad by Vespa, she feels hurt that her father has replaced her. When she awakens during the carriage ride and doesn’t remember the trip, her father brushes off her concerns. Soon the carriage is stopped by a small gang of highwaymen who demand all of their valuables and ask for the strongbox. Vespa steps forward, trying to put on a brave face, and tells them that they will be sorry if they take it. A voice calls out saying that she is right and a small clan of Tinkers emerges from the other side of the road. The highwaymen scurry off and the Tinkers come forward. Stating that they know what is in the trunk and that they can have all the Waste if they really want it, the Tinkers demand payment for their rescue. When a Tinker, Syrus, spies the jade frog that Vespa carries in her purse to remind her of her mother, he takes it and leaves the money behind. Vespa vows to get her frog back and to find out what exactly is in the chest.
When some unnaturals escape in the laboratory, The Wad stays behind while Vespa goes off in search of a containment unit. Struggling to get it to a lift, Vespa runs into Pedant Lumin. He offers to take the unit upstairs while Vespa goes off to get her father. Vespa is told by the receptionist that her father is not to be disturbed. She forces her way into his office and stumbles upon several Pedants and museum directors in protective gear with the strongbox open. It is full of the Waste from the forest and Vespa slowly backs her way out to keep from contaminating anything else.
Vespa makes her way back to the laboratory and finds Pedant Lumin with only one sylphid, who he has trained, where there should have been a roomful; of them. Confused, Vespa studies Lumin and her thoughts turn to whether or not he is going to kiss her and if that is what she wants. What she doesn’t expect is for him to reveal that he is an Architect of Athena (a warlock) and that he believes Vespa is a witch!
Elsewhere, the Empress’ guards come to the abandoned rail yard to Cull Tinkers to work in the refinery. Syrus is the only member of the reed clan to escape. He goes to visit the Manticore deep in the forest. He laments that he wishes the Manticor4e could do something to protect the Tinkers who protect her. She says that she always thought there was nothing she could do but realizes that she was mistaken. The Manticore tells Syrus to bring her the witch and they will be able to free his family.
Is Vespa Nyx a witch and what does this mean for her future? Just who is pedant Lumin and is he truly a warlock? What secret does Charles Waddingly hide? Why is Vespa’s father experimenting with the Waste? Will Syrus be able to help the Manticore and save the forest and the clan families? And will Vespa be able to rise about it all when the situation calls for it?
A book with tons of action and adventure set in a steam punk, fantasy realm with a splash of romance, readers will be clamoring for more of Vespa Nyx. Ms. Trent is currently working on book two.
kimlynn77's review against another edition
4.0
I call this one an alternate universe steampunk. Why, you may ask? Well, the mechanicals are run by MYTH instead of steam or gears. I found this take intriguing and the story a great read. Teens with a bent towards environmentalism will enjoy it, too. Reading some passages made me fear for the future of OUR Earth.
tinynavajo's review against another edition
3.0
Alright, this was good, but not my favorite when it comes to steampunk. I think what I loved most about this book was the magic. Vespa Nyx is the daughter of a museum curator in a place called New London. This is where things got confusing. I wasn't really sure where this world was set. The premise was excellent, but the execution of it was confusing. And the character development felt both rushed and slow all at the same time.
Magic and steampunk are usually my favorite genres, but this one just didn't feel like it lived up to the potential that it had. While a good start, I finished the book, and I want to continue reading the series, it's not the best out there. There are better books to read that are a combination of steampunk and magic.
Magic and steampunk are usually my favorite genres, but this one just didn't feel like it lived up to the potential that it had. While a good start, I finished the book, and I want to continue reading the series, it's not the best out there. There are better books to read that are a combination of steampunk and magic.
cursivequeen's review against another edition
3.0
This was enjoyable. Maybe it's because I haven't read a lot of the steampunk genre, but I felt that that vocabulary used sometimes made it a little difficult to understand/picture it in your head
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of Bibliophile.
The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent is one of those books that sat on my TBR for a long while that I wished I had read sooner. It is a creative look at a parallel world and such a fun story.
Vespa Nyx loves working on the exhibits in The Museum of Unnatural History where her father is the curator. Unlike most girls her age, Vespa is not at all concerned about making a good marriage. She wants to be a Pendant and study the world around her and all the Unnaturals she can find. There hasn't been a female Pendant since the first Emporer's daughter, Athena, and she is not remembered well. In addition to being a Pendant she was also a witch. She was executed. When Vespa discovers that she too has powerful magic, her entire world is turned upside down and everything she thought she believed in shattered.
In the rail yards on the outskirts of New London, Syrus Reed lives with his family of Tinkers. Closely bound to the magic of the land, the Tinkers are shunned and looked down upon by the residents of New London. But when the Unnatural who is keeping the world's magic in balance demands Syrus bring her a witch, his search leads him to New London, Vespa, and a young man who is a member of a group bent on breaking the Empire's tyranny on the Unnaturals and the world. The three must band together and their choices may save-or break-the world.
The Unnaturalists is told in alternating first and third person perspectives. The first person is from the point of view of Vespa and the third follows the adventures of Syrus. I enjoyed both of them as characters. Vespa is very much trapped by the constraints of her society and the expectations of others, but I like how she managed to work her own will within those restraints. She knows she wants something different than the life planned for her, but also recognizes this is not a part of her reality. She tries to adjust as much as she can, but as her magic begins to make itself known, she is imperiled and has to make rather difficult decisions with little guidance. Syrus is also a wonderful character. A few years younger than Vespa, he is more impetuous. He is also angry. Angry at what is being done to his world and what has happened to his family. These traits cause him to run into a lot of trouble, but he is wily and capable. Vespa and Syrus do not get off to a great start as he steals form her on their first meeting. Eventually the learn to work together and respect each other though, bound together by their mutual respect and friendship with a mysterious wizard who is acting as a Pendant at the museum. (Honestly, Bayne aka. Hal is my favorite character and I would have really liked it if we had some chapters form his perspective too.)
The world Trent created in The Unnatrualists is a fascinating one in which people traveled from our world into a parallel realm of magic led by Tesla through a portal. Here they recreated much of what they left behind and built up a strict religion around science. All magic is heresy. The original Emperor enslaved the world's magic in order to make himself immortal. Not an original concept of villainy as far as fantasy goes, but that is actually only a small step to explain how the magical forces came under the tyrannical rule of the government. Through her world Trent explores themes of fanaticism, propaganda, the plight and exploitation of the marginalized, and the corrosive power of manufactured fear. She does all this while maintaining a quick pace. The book is hard to put down and is such a fun read. I'm very much looking forward to reading the sequel, The Tinker King.
The Unnatrualists is considered YA and is shelved in the Teen section of my library, but is a book perfect for older MG readers too. (My daughter is reading it now.)
The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent is one of those books that sat on my TBR for a long while that I wished I had read sooner. It is a creative look at a parallel world and such a fun story.
Vespa Nyx loves working on the exhibits in The Museum of Unnatural History where her father is the curator. Unlike most girls her age, Vespa is not at all concerned about making a good marriage. She wants to be a Pendant and study the world around her and all the Unnaturals she can find. There hasn't been a female Pendant since the first Emporer's daughter, Athena, and she is not remembered well. In addition to being a Pendant she was also a witch. She was executed. When Vespa discovers that she too has powerful magic, her entire world is turned upside down and everything she thought she believed in shattered.
In the rail yards on the outskirts of New London, Syrus Reed lives with his family of Tinkers. Closely bound to the magic of the land, the Tinkers are shunned and looked down upon by the residents of New London. But when the Unnatural who is keeping the world's magic in balance demands Syrus bring her a witch, his search leads him to New London, Vespa, and a young man who is a member of a group bent on breaking the Empire's tyranny on the Unnaturals and the world. The three must band together and their choices may save-or break-the world.
The Unnaturalists is told in alternating first and third person perspectives. The first person is from the point of view of Vespa and the third follows the adventures of Syrus. I enjoyed both of them as characters. Vespa is very much trapped by the constraints of her society and the expectations of others, but I like how she managed to work her own will within those restraints. She knows she wants something different than the life planned for her, but also recognizes this is not a part of her reality. She tries to adjust as much as she can, but as her magic begins to make itself known, she is imperiled and has to make rather difficult decisions with little guidance. Syrus is also a wonderful character. A few years younger than Vespa, he is more impetuous. He is also angry. Angry at what is being done to his world and what has happened to his family. These traits cause him to run into a lot of trouble, but he is wily and capable. Vespa and Syrus do not get off to a great start as he steals form her on their first meeting. Eventually the learn to work together and respect each other though, bound together by their mutual respect and friendship with a mysterious wizard who is acting as a Pendant at the museum. (Honestly, Bayne aka. Hal is my favorite character and I would have really liked it if we had some chapters form his perspective too.)
The world Trent created in The Unnatrualists is a fascinating one in which people traveled from our world into a parallel realm of magic led by Tesla through a portal. Here they recreated much of what they left behind and built up a strict religion around science. All magic is heresy. The original Emperor enslaved the world's magic in order to make himself immortal. Not an original concept of villainy as far as fantasy goes, but that is actually only a small step to explain how the magical forces came under the tyrannical rule of the government. Through her world Trent explores themes of fanaticism, propaganda, the plight and exploitation of the marginalized, and the corrosive power of manufactured fear. She does all this while maintaining a quick pace. The book is hard to put down and is such a fun read. I'm very much looking forward to reading the sequel, The Tinker King.
The Unnatrualists is considered YA and is shelved in the Teen section of my library, but is a book perfect for older MG readers too. (My daughter is reading it now.)