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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I loved this book! Arabella was a serious badass throughout all of it. I loved how the science behind space travel was explained because it was so creative, but also felt like it could be real. On the ship, even after Arabella's gender was revealed, she still demanded the same respect from her sexist male officers, which would have been a bold move in the 1800's, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. There were so many plot twists, so the book ended up being completely different than what I thought it would be at the beginning. Overall, it was a great read and I definitely recommend it.
Okay, while I loved this book, it shouldn't really be classified as Science Fiction. I'm not big on SF, I'm more of a Fantasy person, but my husband is totally into SF and he cringed so hard anytime I talked about things in this book. Yes, there is space travel, but the science behind it is total fantasy! I loved it, I loved that the science was so ridiculously wrong and fantastical. Need an example? They can breathe in space, so need for space suits or airtight ships. I'm not a big fan of space usually but this fantastical version of space I can totally get on board with.
My only actual issue is that the romance (if you can even call it that honestly) was lackluster, it seemed entirely one sided. Even in the very end, I still wasn't sure if his feelings were anything more than esteem and respect. It mainly only bothers me because it came so close to being great. I didn't need making out in the closet or some huge display, but I felt like we could have been given something more. An argument could be made that the romance aspects of this book shouldn't really matter because the story was about Arabella's journey back to Mars, but so much of the book kept coming back to her feelings that I felt disappointed.
My only actual issue is that the romance (if you can even call it that honestly) was lackluster, it seemed entirely one sided. Even in the very end, I still wasn't sure if his feelings were anything more than esteem and respect. It mainly only bothers me because it came so close to being great. I didn't need making out in the closet or some huge display, but I felt like we could have been given something more. An argument could be made that the romance aspects of this book shouldn't really matter because the story was about Arabella's journey back to Mars, but so much of the book kept coming back to her feelings that I felt disappointed.
TW spoilers - first off how does this have such a high rating. Second Who is reading streampunk and thinks this is good representation. This is reskining racism and sexism and then throwing in a character who disagrees with the status quo of it and saying that its okay. Im surprised she didn't get raped. Let's talk about the captin and the stario types he falls into or the racism of the crew or how the alien race is talked about by arabella as if "well the good aliens wouldn't do that." As if that isn't a stariotype in and of itself. Let's talk about the laundry list of things wrong with this book like it's not verging on harmful media. Everytime i wanted to put it down and never pick it up ever again I realized I wanted to write this review and if I hadn't read it thr whole way though then I would feel like I hadn't given it a fair chance. Third this is just a book with identity issues there were so many problems with not only the plot line but also with the characters and genre was edging towards fantasy with how much I had to suspend my disbelief of reality. When I think steam punk I don't usually think space travel. But even more then that there were little things Like the surgeon of the crew was basically like "I'm to busy to take care of the caption so you the lowest ranking member of the crew you take care of the caption" which just felt lazy to me at this point I am stretching my imagination so far because like come on my man you want me to belive that ships can fly though a space that has breathable oxygen to other planets enhabeted by aliens on boats propelled by steam powered balloons and fans but also that woman are less then men and less capable then men and that the lowest member of a staff would some how be able to surge up the ranks and be given the duty of taken care of the caption even if he was unconscious... there is a limit to the amount one can stretch the suspension of disbelief. This book tried and tested me.
3.5 stars
Steampunk is an interesting genre. I struggle a lot when science is purposefully discarded; atmosphere between Earth and Mars, for example, is difficult to accept, even for the sake of having a steampunk story involving a British colony on Mars. Basically all of the space travel part of it was hard to accept, and that was most of the book. The story itself, on the other hand was well done and interesting. The end was predictable though. And. Overall, not bad if you can handle a lack of science.
Steampunk is an interesting genre. I struggle a lot when science is purposefully discarded; atmosphere between Earth and Mars, for example, is difficult to accept, even for the sake of having a steampunk story involving a British colony on Mars. Basically all of the space travel part of it was hard to accept, and that was most of the book. The story itself, on the other hand was well done and interesting. The end was predictable though. And
Spoiler
her massive crush was never not painful
What fun - ships in space - yes, ships from water to air to space. Jules Verne could not have done better. Leave the hard science and practicality behind, jump in to the action, and enjoy the story from Mars to Earth and back to Mars again. Arabella is simply delightful in all her adventurous, rebellious, Regency, steampunk glory.
Such a fun steampunk adventure! I really liked this one.
When I first picked this up, I was a bit put-off by the opening (somewhat stilted language + made-up Martian language littering the first few pages), but made a second attempt a few days later and very much enjoyed this. Much less Regency romance and much more Master & Commander, which I hadn't expected, even though the jacket illustration gives a creditable hint(I love that David Levine's website says "Arabella Ashby is a Patrick O’Brian girl in a Jane Austen world."). I do hope there will be a sequel, if only because I'd like to learn more about the mysterious Captain Singh and his clockwork navigation calculator (and possible android) Adiim. I've read a review on Tor.com that mentioned some crankiness with the fact that Levine's steampunk doesn't transcend the received colonialism of 19th century history--but the reviewer did enjoy the fun of the novel despite the problematic nature of its world-building. I will concede on that opinion, but will confess to having my blinders on while reading (and thoroughly liking) the novel.
I wasn't the biggest fan of this - I found it rather tropey (girl disguised as boy goes into a traditionally male field etc. etc.) and except for it being set in the air, there didn't really seem to be anything too original about it and I have read a lot better books that used these tropes.
Now this was wonderful! It had airships, mars colonies, aliens, a young woman masquerading as a man, pirats and so much adventure. It also had wonderful and creative worldbuilding. As always the regency era is an interesting backdrop and no less in this strange steampunky version. I really love how detailed it was and that we got quite a bit of day to day life in the story, without it ever being dull.
It did take a bit to get into gear but once it did I was hypnotized.
It did take a bit to get into gear but once it did I was hypnotized.