Scan barcode
jerseygrrrl's review
2.0
I agree with most of the reviews. This is a book with great potential that isn't executed as well as it should have been. The main character, Evvie, is fantastic. Unpredictable, determined, clever, ethically consistent, but with sometimes dubious morals. She's quite wonderful. The plot, however, drags and the ending is dull. I was most engaged during the first forty pages. Then it seemed like the writer ran out of steam. Too bad.
barnesm31's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Its what it says on the cover "a Far Eastern steampunk tale of espionage, distant empires and thrilling exploits, with a dynamic heroine"
I enjoyed the characters in the story Evvie is a fascinating, quick-witted main character who has become used to only relying on herself. Placed in numerous difficult situations in the course of her life, she’s always able to fight her way through, even against seemingly impossible odds. She’s refreshingly no-nonsense and matter-of-fact. It's impossible not to cheer for her.
What’s most interesting in this novel is the continued pattern of people trying to control Evvie, and Evvie basically running circles around them. This is most apparent in the case of Holmforth, the government agent who forces Evvie into the boarding school, mainly because he thinks Evvie has inherited some sort of magical ability from her mother, which would allow Evvie to control her mother’s Etheric machines. In reality, Evvie knows (and so does the reader) that this has nothing to do with any sort of inherited ability. She doesn’t even really understand how the machines work. Throughout most of the novel, Holmforth thinks he’s in control, but he really isn’t—and even though Evvie is frequently in a position where she doesn’t have any real power, she always manages to improve her situation.
Loved it and looking forward to the sequel.
I enjoyed the characters in the story Evvie is a fascinating, quick-witted main character who has become used to only relying on herself. Placed in numerous difficult situations in the course of her life, she’s always able to fight her way through, even against seemingly impossible odds. She’s refreshingly no-nonsense and matter-of-fact. It's impossible not to cheer for her.
What’s most interesting in this novel is the continued pattern of people trying to control Evvie, and Evvie basically running circles around them. This is most apparent in the case of Holmforth, the government agent who forces Evvie into the boarding school, mainly because he thinks Evvie has inherited some sort of magical ability from her mother, which would allow Evvie to control her mother’s Etheric machines. In reality, Evvie knows (and so does the reader) that this has nothing to do with any sort of inherited ability. She doesn’t even really understand how the machines work. Throughout most of the novel, Holmforth thinks he’s in control, but he really isn’t—and even though Evvie is frequently in a position where she doesn’t have any real power, she always manages to improve her situation.
Loved it and looking forward to the sequel.
kentcryptid's review
4.0
Emotionally compelling steampunk tale with a great theme of female inventiveness and rebelliousness. I really liked the main character, and I hope Gaie Sebold will write more in this world.
nwhyte's review
4.0
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3824697.html
Steampunk is not always my thing, but this is a good mashup of an alternate technological Victorian England, with also uneasy coexistence with the fey and the Otherworld, while also engaged in colonial oppression in China, all told from the point of view of an orphan girl who goes to spy school. Fun stuff.
Steampunk is not always my thing, but this is a good mashup of an alternate technological Victorian England, with also uneasy coexistence with the fey and the Otherworld, while also engaged in colonial oppression in China, all told from the point of view of an orphan girl who goes to spy school. Fun stuff.
carolined314's review
4.0
A Victorian-era steampunk/fantasy romp. Despite some early stereotypical language that made me flinch, this whole story had the air of fun and menace that just kept me reading. Delicate, lovely language with characters I wanted to hug or kill.
themadblonde's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
4.0
pers's review against another edition
5.0
A right rip-roaring read! Steampunk meets Charles Dickens. More please!
More...