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roshk99's review against another edition
2.0
The story line was boring, but the only interesting part was the setting in outer space. Not impressive and poorly organized
jaii_26's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
fluegel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mandygris's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this. A magical steampunk spaceship house? Yes please.
I had to abandon at 70%.
I had to abandon at 70%.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
1.0
I discarded this book after only a couple chapters. The writing is too clunky and stilted and I just couldn't get into the story. The author falls into the common trap of being so eager to introduce us to his world he info-dumps on every page. The result is a disconnected story that is mostly passive and past tense.
grandgranini's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun. Steampunk for the under fifteen set. I liked the "Mortal Engines" young adult books by Reeve, but for this series he aims at a slightly younger demographic. The plot moves at a fast pace and the ideas are many, colorful and bizarre (A rich industrialist is replaced by a mechanical alter ego piloted by a small alien creature, space is not empty but filled with aether that's breathable, the rings of Saturn are spun into a "world wide web" (heh) by giant spiders). Perfect reading for an evening spent at the airport waiting for a connecting flight.
emilyhardy's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. This book is amazing. If you haven't read it, then go read it...Like, now.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
3.0
I read the Mortal Engines quartet by Philip Reeve with my children and loved it. This book was written before it and was not nearly as good. It is in the silly scifi genre with a tinge of steampunk, like a worse Douglas Adams. Set in an alternative history where Isaac Newton discovered a powerful anti-gravitational engine powered by alchemy, the British Empire has all of its ossified traits but is now spread throughout the solar system. A brother and sister enter into a mortal battle with white spiders based on the planet Saturn and team up with an interplanetary pirate named Jack. You get the idea. Was genuinely witty at times, but the "adventures of" genre has its limits in terms of a genuinely suspenseful plot and the silliness undermines the world building and the characters are all pretty stock. But not terrible or anything and my children liked it.