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timburbage's review against another edition
4.0
So we are back in the world of Mortal Engines, though not as we know it...
Fever Crumb is a great main character. She starts off very clear in her own mind about what is rational, and what are unrational unnecessary emotions. Throughout the story she finds out about herself, her past and her future. I like her as a main character, and I want to see more of her.
One of the main characters she meets is Kit Solent. His story takes some very interesting twists and turns, and I really hope we find out more that happened to him. Not because anything is unfinished, I just really like what he becomes.
Charley Shallow doesn't interact with Fever too much, and we use him to find out what is happening in London. These parts were okay, and we get to see London before it's move to municipal Darwinism.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars for me is the Scriven. They felt really out of place in this world, and I can't put my finger on why. They just didn't feel part of Mortal Engines, and were more like some other YA dystopian idea thrown into this. Maybe I'm just missing the point.
Fever Crumb is a great main character. She starts off very clear in her own mind about what is rational, and what are unrational unnecessary emotions. Throughout the story she finds out about herself, her past and her future. I like her as a main character, and I want to see more of her.
One of the main characters she meets is Kit Solent. His story takes some very interesting twists and turns, and I really hope we find out more that happened to him. Not because anything is unfinished, I just really like what he becomes.
Charley Shallow doesn't interact with Fever too much, and we use him to find out what is happening in London. These parts were okay, and we get to see London before it's move to municipal Darwinism.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars for me is the Scriven. They felt really out of place in this world, and I can't put my finger on why. They just didn't feel part of Mortal Engines, and were more like some other YA dystopian idea thrown into this. Maybe I'm just missing the point.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
There is something so amazing about hearing an author read his own work. Had I read this, I have no idea if I would have loved it as much as I did. But hearing Phillip Reeve read each line, act out each voice and personality - it was near impossible to not just follow his tale right through.
Instead, I know I loved it. The world, technology, and interesting characters had an amazing magic and mystery. I will definitely finish the series
And hopefully make it to the sister series as well!
Instead, I know I loved it. The world, technology, and interesting characters had an amazing magic and mystery. I will definitely finish the series
And hopefully make it to the sister series as well!
z_bookfluencer's review against another edition
5.0
"It is irrational to build machines whose principles you do not understand and whose actions you cannot predict." -Philip Reeves, Fever Crumb
Fever Crumb is an interesting read set in a futuristic London, where a new job sets events into motion that spirals quickly out of control. Fever Crumb does read on the young side of YA, and it does have some darker themes and events. There is mystery and dread. There is a likable main character and intriguing supporting characters.
Fevered Crumb is told in multiple perspectives and sometimes broken timeline. The writing style has a very pleasant agreeableness that allowed very quick reading.
There is great characterization, and the mannerisms of the characters felt realistic.
I found it incredibly interesting of the ramifications of teaching Fever to withhold her emotions and how her mannerisms affected those around her.
I found Fever endearing and easy to read for.
The first half of Fever Crumb has a mysterious tone because the more events unfolded, questions arise as to who/what Fever is.
There are interesting twists to the story. I feel if you are well read and/or have great foreshadowing skills, said twists are not surprising, but no less interesting.
In some scenes, the sense of dread was heavy and captivating. Unfortunately, the feeling of doom was obviously quite awful for the characters or pertained to.
There are some tragic events.
Despite the fact that the tone of the story read quite young, there are some macabre/horroresque elements to the story. These aspects of the story I am most referring to would be the usage of corpses as tools/soldiers. When the corpses are used, it is in a manner that is near dishonorable and insensitive in the treatment of the corpses.
I can see Fever Crumb translating to the screen well.
The ending was left open-ended.
Overall, Fever Crumb was very well written and an engrossing read. I would recommend Fever Crumb to other readers who enjoy a mysterious coming of age story, featuring darker events, within a futuristic London setting.
Fever Crumb is an interesting read set in a futuristic London, where a new job sets events into motion that spirals quickly out of control. Fever Crumb does read on the young side of YA, and it does have some darker themes and events. There is mystery and dread. There is a likable main character and intriguing supporting characters.
Fevered Crumb is told in multiple perspectives and sometimes broken timeline. The writing style has a very pleasant agreeableness that allowed very quick reading.
There is great characterization, and the mannerisms of the characters felt realistic.
I found it incredibly interesting of the ramifications of teaching Fever to withhold her emotions and how her mannerisms affected those around her.
I found Fever endearing and easy to read for.
The first half of Fever Crumb has a mysterious tone because the more events unfolded, questions arise as to who/what Fever is.
There are interesting twists to the story. I feel if you are well read and/or have great foreshadowing skills, said twists are not surprising, but no less interesting.
In some scenes, the sense of dread was heavy and captivating. Unfortunately, the feeling of doom was obviously quite awful for the characters or pertained to.
There are some tragic events.
Despite the fact that the tone of the story read quite young, there are some macabre/horroresque elements to the story. These aspects of the story I am most referring to would be the usage of corpses as tools/soldiers. When the corpses are used, it is in a manner that is near dishonorable and insensitive in the treatment of the corpses.
I can see Fever Crumb translating to the screen well.
The ending was left open-ended.
Overall, Fever Crumb was very well written and an engrossing read. I would recommend Fever Crumb to other readers who enjoy a mysterious coming of age story, featuring darker events, within a futuristic London setting.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars because the protagonist is a textbook passive character until the last few chapters. Her lack of agency really drains the urgency from the story.
Awesome worldbuilding, though - a whimsical far-future post-apocalyptic world that's jam-packed with clever details, silly jokes, and the odd David Bowie reference. Exciting action scenes and some beautiful human moments between parents and children (which is something you don't always get in YA, for some reason).
I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the sequel, but the ending was fulfilling enough that I'm considering it.
Awesome worldbuilding, though - a whimsical far-future post-apocalyptic world that's jam-packed with clever details, silly jokes, and the odd David Bowie reference. Exciting action scenes and some beautiful human moments between parents and children (which is something you don't always get in YA, for some reason).
I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the sequel, but the ending was fulfilling enough that I'm considering it.
burntnorth's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dang702's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
smalefowles's review against another edition
3.0
On the one hand, this is imaginative and original. YA fantasy is churning out so many identical paper cutouts, that it's a relief to find something a bit different. Plus it has murderous paper cutouts!
On the other hand, it didn't quite gel for me. I liked the protagonist, since I am always amused by characters who try to suppress their emotions, but the plot just didn't seem very weighty. They are trying to get a vault open, and then they do. Perhaps the next book will have more plot, but I don't know if I'll bother to find out.
On the other hand, it didn't quite gel for me. I liked the protagonist, since I am always amused by characters who try to suppress their emotions, but the plot just didn't seem very weighty. They are trying to get a vault open, and then they do. Perhaps the next book will have more plot, but I don't know if I'll bother to find out.
jonnyh9's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A fun setting and fun characters
, sadly too fast to really connect to any of them but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
, sadly too fast to really connect to any of them but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
This book was what I expected, which unfortunately wasn't much. I expected there to be too much going on with insufficient backstory/context, unlikable characters, but overall a strong perspective on the world (and an interesting world at that!).
I honestly can't tell if Reeve thinks he's creating likable characters, or making unlikable characters that are supposed to annoy the reader. I really struggle to tell who I'm supposed to like vs. not, because I generally don't like any of his creations.
I recommend to fans of Mortal Engines, if you liked that series, you won't be disappointed. If you didn't like the series (like me), you will continue to not-like these books.
I honestly can't tell if Reeve thinks he's creating likable characters, or making unlikable characters that are supposed to annoy the reader. I really struggle to tell who I'm supposed to like vs. not, because I generally don't like any of his creations.
I recommend to fans of Mortal Engines, if you liked that series, you won't be disappointed. If you didn't like the series (like me), you will continue to not-like these books.
bingled's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0