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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to get into book similar to this with to high of expectations and end up quite disappointed in them. Maybe I like the idea of them more then the book itself. Anyways, this was just ok, kind of fun in some part but wished Tiffany Trent had added a bit more. But it was entertaining for a while and I might read the next book in the series
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Vespa Nyx and Syrus Reed live on opposite sides of the economic tracks in New London. Vespa works in her father's museum-- tending to stuffed sylphids, frozen Sphinxes, and categorizing new species of Unnaturals in the shadow of the Empresses' myth refineries.
Syrus lives with his family of Tinkers near the outskirts of town, at one with the forest and the spirits that live there, especially the Manticore.
When Vespa's father gets mixed up with people bent on stealing the Manticore's clockwork heart--and thus spreading the Creeping Waste that makes a toxic desert of the surrounding lands, Vespa will learn truths about herself, magic, and just how the Empress makes myth-- the power that runs all mechanical objects in her world.
This is an imaginative, rich world. The town of New London itself, how it got there, the layered intrigues in the story-- make for an engrossing read that invokes all the senses of your imagination.
Vespa's first person narrative is fun to read and true to her emerging-adult character. Syrus, for me, had the more interesting journey, but I felt disconnected from him, and a major transformation he undergoes later in the book seems to not impact him very much.
Things got a little cloudy about 2/3 of the way through the story for me with the running hither and thither after people, and I felt the consequences of Syrus' loss and transformation, as well as that of romantic interest and magician Bayne were explored just enough to whet my appetite but still leave me feeling hungry for the full implications.
But on the strength of the world and the myth-building alone I would recommend this book to YA readers. As a seasoned reader and adult, I could foresee some of the unpleasant surprises engineered by the bad guy (s) so I lost some of the enjoyment a less jaded reader might derive from the unraveling plot.
This Book's Snack Rating: Doritos, for the spicy fun of Manticores and clockwork hearts featuring a compellingly crunchable heroine
Syrus lives with his family of Tinkers near the outskirts of town, at one with the forest and the spirits that live there, especially the Manticore.
When Vespa's father gets mixed up with people bent on stealing the Manticore's clockwork heart--and thus spreading the Creeping Waste that makes a toxic desert of the surrounding lands, Vespa will learn truths about herself, magic, and just how the Empress makes myth-- the power that runs all mechanical objects in her world.
This is an imaginative, rich world. The town of New London itself, how it got there, the layered intrigues in the story-- make for an engrossing read that invokes all the senses of your imagination.
Vespa's first person narrative is fun to read and true to her emerging-adult character. Syrus, for me, had the more interesting journey, but I felt disconnected from him, and a major transformation he undergoes later in the book seems to not impact him very much.
Things got a little cloudy about 2/3 of the way through the story for me with the running hither and thither after people, and I felt the consequences of Syrus' loss and transformation, as well as that of romantic interest and magician Bayne were explored just enough to whet my appetite but still leave me feeling hungry for the full implications.
But on the strength of the world and the myth-building alone I would recommend this book to YA readers. As a seasoned reader and adult, I could foresee some of the unpleasant surprises engineered by the bad guy (s) so I lost some of the enjoyment a less jaded reader might derive from the unraveling plot.
This Book's Snack Rating: Doritos, for the spicy fun of Manticores and clockwork hearts featuring a compellingly crunchable heroine
librovert's review against another edition
3.0
I'm giving this three stars for now, but I just finished and am still chewing on it. The book combines steampunk and mythological creatures in a way I've never seen before and I loved it. But, the amount of information given to the reader about the world was a little unbalanced and I felt a bit overwhelmed being tossed into the world like I was. It took a while to get going and the two storylines didn't converge enough for me to feel like they were both necessary to the story outside of giving a full view of the world. Hmmm. I might come back with more comments tomorrow after I stew on this one a bit. :)
catladylover94's review against another edition
4.0
good, kinda slow at first, but it got better after the middle and the ending was great as well
missprint_'s review against another edition
2.0
This is fun but suffers from vapid steampunk syndrome. I liked parts and the world was fun but not enough to stick around for book two.
ashybear02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Torture
antivancrowe's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, this book was probably not that good for 4 stars. It was still a fun and enjoyable book! It was pretty predicitable with all the major events. I saw them coming from a mile away. The antagonist was obvious and one of the big secrets in the book was obvious.
BUT! It was a really enjoyable read and the characters were very likeable. I enjoyed Vespa, Bayne and Syrus's character a lot. I have to say it was an interesting take on a steampunk society.
BUT! It was a really enjoyable read and the characters were very likeable. I enjoyed Vespa, Bayne and Syrus's character a lot. I have to say it was an interesting take on a steampunk society.
i_will_papercut_a_bish's review against another edition
4.0
Refreshingly different steampunk with a fantasy twist! I wish it could have been a chapter or two longer to tie up more loose ends, but as a whole, I found it very enjoyable. The author does a fantastic amount of world building in one short book, so casual skimming will likely leave you confused. You'll need to stay on your toes and infer to keep up. Definitely left me curious and wanting more.
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I don't know why, but I thought this would have a lot of teenage angst in it. Surprisingly not! It did have a feel teeny bits that made me roll my eyes a bit, but Vespa actually had some character development.
The world Trent has created is pretty interesting - I think I kept reading more because I wanted to know more about the world than out of interest for the characters and story.
I don't know why, but I thought this would have a lot of teenage angst in it. Surprisingly not! It did have a feel teeny bits that made me roll my eyes a bit, but Vespa actually had some character development
Spoiler
(she became less bratty, I thought so anyway)The world Trent has created is pretty interesting
Spoiler
and I loved the terrible twist on their "technology" where it was actually energy from killing elementals, as well as how wights are created and such. It was surprisingly God damn dark and Trent didn't shy away from it at all.chaosrayne's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted so much more from this book. It started strong and some of the world building was pretty bold. Not necessarily innovative but at least old elements were pieced together in a fresh fashion.
It was good enough to finish but the characters lacked depth and the book wrapped up way too quickly and neatly. If there's a sequel I might give it a shot but only if I've got nothing more interesting to read first.
It was good enough to finish but the characters lacked depth and the book wrapped up way too quickly and neatly. If there's a sequel I might give it a shot but only if I've got nothing more interesting to read first.