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ramakn22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
emmiebee's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was made up of so many pieces that should have fit together to make a fun, light, adventure read, but just didn't.
Like many I didn't realize it was a middle grade read vs YA which is not a problem for me, you adjust to the differences in pacing. If that was the only issue, it would've gotten a much better rating than it did.
I really tried to like it, steampunk, vampires, werewolves, espionage, the power of friendship, and an outsider whose natural curiosity lends to them dismantling a devious scheme. In writing it's just about perfect. Until the only black character shows up and for some reason the world is racist? A world with aeronautic pirates, vampires, and werewolves and casual racism against black people for no apparent reason... cool.
So now instead of trying to enjoy a book that I should by all rights enjoy, I'm now trying to convince myself to keep reading it. And right when I let my guard down, our MC begins misgendering (?) one of her friends? It's unclear, but still feels icky especially on the heels of racism because black people exist.
And then at about the 60% mark the book doubled down on the casual racism 😩
The saddest part is the relationship between the characters would not have changed at all if the racism had been removed. All the same tension, and scandal, would have been there had he been exactly who he was and no one had cared about the color of his skin. Just why? Why did it need to be there?
I probably would've given the series another shot had that one aspect of the world building not been there, but as it is I doubt I'm continuing despite enjoying the end.
Like many I didn't realize it was a middle grade read vs YA which is not a problem for me, you adjust to the differences in pacing. If that was the only issue, it would've gotten a much better rating than it did.
I really tried to like it, steampunk, vampires, werewolves, espionage, the power of friendship, and an outsider whose natural curiosity lends to them dismantling a devious scheme. In writing it's just about perfect. Until the only black character shows up and for some reason the world is racist? A world with aeronautic pirates, vampires, and werewolves and casual racism against black people for no apparent reason... cool.
So now instead of trying to enjoy a book that I should by all rights enjoy, I'm now trying to convince myself to keep reading it. And right when I let my guard down, our MC begins misgendering (?) one of her friends? It's unclear, but still feels icky especially on the heels of racism because black people exist.
And then at about the 60% mark the book doubled down on the casual racism 😩
The saddest part is the relationship between the characters would not have changed at all if the racism had been removed. All the same tension, and scandal, would have been there had he been exactly who he was and no one had cared about the color of his skin. Just why? Why did it need to be there?
I probably would've given the series another shot had that one aspect of the world building not been there, but as it is I doubt I'm continuing despite enjoying the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
chasesys's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
disnelyse's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexism
Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, and Body shaming
mydearwatsonbooks's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Gun violence
angelbabe_cj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Violence, and Gun violence
effectordinary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
FUN really fun. Steampunk world and spy school tropes combined. I like the protagonist and her relationships with the other characters. A lot of subtle interpersonal details that make the friendships feel realistic despite the speculative fiction setting.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Racism
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