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owlishbookish's review
2.0
This review originally appeared on Book Brats on December 15, 2013.
I’ve been sitting on this review for quite some time now. In fact, it’s been 3 1/2 MONTHS since I read it. I’ve been stewing, you see. A Clockwork Heart is the second book in Liesel Schwarz’s series, The Chronicle of Light and Shadow, the first book of which, A Conspiracy of Alchemists, I rather enjoyed. There were some character flaws I didn’t much care for, but the plot was sound and it was an entertaining read. A Clockwork Heart, however, is an entirely different story. The best word I can use to describe my reaction to this book is “rage.” I am not exaggerating when I say I felt so angry by the time I finished this one. Those aforementioned character flaws were worse rather than better, which just should not be by the time a second book rolls out. The plot I enjoyed in the first book was still there, but it was so overshadowed by the idiocy of the characters involved that I was simply turned off.
When we first meet Elle in A Conspiracy of Alchemists, she is an independent go-getter who doesn’t take any crap from anyone, no matter their pedigree or what they may have against her. She is also horrendously stubborn, however, which leads to some ridiculous reactions on her part. At first, this was fairly easy to overlook in favor of the adventure she was in the middle of, but in A Clockwork Heart, I found myself simply wanting to smack her. I have never seen such a deterioration of character between a first and second book. Gone is her steadfast adherence to her ideals. When Marsh, who has turned out to be a controlling ass hat of a husband, delivers an ultimatum regarding a charter he doesn’t want Elle to take, she goes from standing her ground and starting the journey to listening to a random character we’ve only just met and turning her airship around. She thinks she’s silly for not listening to Marsh in the first place. I think she’s an idiot for not clearing the air with him before she leaves. They both messed up horribly and I just couldn’t forgive either character for it. That’s just one example of many when it comes to these characters’ idiotic capers, but even that was enough to leave a sour taste in my mouth.
The plot that comprises A Clockwork Heart was this book’s saving grace. It’s hard not to drum up some enthusiasm when there are clockwork zombies on the loose. Add to that Marsh’s heart being (literally) stolen by another and you have some seriously creepy stuff going on. Thank goodness for Loisa, who was the real redeeming character in this installment. She is a woman/vampire who is not to be trifled with. You can’t help but admire the more solid quality she lends to the plot once she enters the story. She is largely to thank for my ability to even finish A Clockwork Heart.
When all is said and done, I am not a happy camper with this series. Having started out enjoying myself and so quickly coming to disliking what I was reading doesn’t really bode well for me reading the next book. Even with the shocking end of A Clockwork Heart, I just don’t know if I have it in me to find out what happens next. This book was saved by its plot and a single character, but I don’t know if the series will live to see another day in my reading repertoire. A Clockwork Heart was such a disappointment for me that the best I’m likely to eke out is keeping an eye out for others’ opinions of the third book. I guess we’ll just have to wait to see where we go from here.
I’ve been sitting on this review for quite some time now. In fact, it’s been 3 1/2 MONTHS since I read it. I’ve been stewing, you see. A Clockwork Heart is the second book in Liesel Schwarz’s series, The Chronicle of Light and Shadow, the first book of which, A Conspiracy of Alchemists, I rather enjoyed. There were some character flaws I didn’t much care for, but the plot was sound and it was an entertaining read. A Clockwork Heart, however, is an entirely different story. The best word I can use to describe my reaction to this book is “rage.” I am not exaggerating when I say I felt so angry by the time I finished this one. Those aforementioned character flaws were worse rather than better, which just should not be by the time a second book rolls out. The plot I enjoyed in the first book was still there, but it was so overshadowed by the idiocy of the characters involved that I was simply turned off.
When we first meet Elle in A Conspiracy of Alchemists, she is an independent go-getter who doesn’t take any crap from anyone, no matter their pedigree or what they may have against her. She is also horrendously stubborn, however, which leads to some ridiculous reactions on her part. At first, this was fairly easy to overlook in favor of the adventure she was in the middle of, but in A Clockwork Heart, I found myself simply wanting to smack her. I have never seen such a deterioration of character between a first and second book. Gone is her steadfast adherence to her ideals. When Marsh, who has turned out to be a controlling ass hat of a husband, delivers an ultimatum regarding a charter he doesn’t want Elle to take, she goes from standing her ground and starting the journey to listening to a random character we’ve only just met and turning her airship around. She thinks she’s silly for not listening to Marsh in the first place. I think she’s an idiot for not clearing the air with him before she leaves. They both messed up horribly and I just couldn’t forgive either character for it. That’s just one example of many when it comes to these characters’ idiotic capers, but even that was enough to leave a sour taste in my mouth.
The plot that comprises A Clockwork Heart was this book’s saving grace. It’s hard not to drum up some enthusiasm when there are clockwork zombies on the loose. Add to that Marsh’s heart being (literally) stolen by another and you have some seriously creepy stuff going on. Thank goodness for Loisa, who was the real redeeming character in this installment. She is a woman/vampire who is not to be trifled with. You can’t help but admire the more solid quality she lends to the plot once she enters the story. She is largely to thank for my ability to even finish A Clockwork Heart.
When all is said and done, I am not a happy camper with this series. Having started out enjoying myself and so quickly coming to disliking what I was reading doesn’t really bode well for me reading the next book. Even with the shocking end of A Clockwork Heart, I just don’t know if I have it in me to find out what happens next. This book was saved by its plot and a single character, but I don’t know if the series will live to see another day in my reading repertoire. A Clockwork Heart was such a disappointment for me that the best I’m likely to eke out is keeping an eye out for others’ opinions of the third book. I guess we’ll just have to wait to see where we go from here.
mackle13's review
1.0
1.5
I debated about whether to go up to 2 or down to 1, but decided it had to be a 1.
First let me say that I wasn't exactly wowed by the first book in the series, but I liked it enough to give this second book a shot. (I gave it 2.5 bumped to 3).
And I must admit those covers... they call to me...
*ahem*
But, honestly, this book died for me within the first few chapters. Elle and Marsh - already a bit annoying and inconsistent in the first book - were just... ugh...
So, they're married 6 months and it's not going well. Elle wants to remain free-spirited and independent, and Marsh, 'cause he worries, suddenly gets all "you will be by my side as befitting the duties of a wife" (paraphrased) and, yes, both needed to compromise and both were a bit in the wrong - but I wanted to smack the overbearing Marsh upside his thick damn skull.
But, of course, as the story progresses you discover all this drama is manufactured bullshit to make the plot more angsty.
Well, if it was meant to make me care more - it failed. It failed hard.
So, anyway - stuff happens, and Elle has to save Marsh and discover the source of the Tickers.
I mentioned in my review of my first book that the world building was interesting, but haphazard. Moreso in this book. For one, there's the Tickers - pseudo-zombies who get their hearts replaced with clockwork.
Wait, what? How does this work? I mean, obviously there's magi-tech involved - but come the fuck on. I'm not exactly a surgeon - but I'm pretty sure swapping out some bits and cauterizing some blood vessels does not surgery make.
I guess there's always some level of handwavium going on in these books - but this was just too much for me. Maybe if other elements of the book were more compelling I could've overlooked it - but, no.
Speaking of too much,
And then there's the Lady in White. Usually a term referred to a ghost, in this she's an elemental witch. But she's also kind of inhuman - so a sort of fae? A ghost witch fae? I don't freaking know. Nobody knows.
And, lastly, Elle - the Oracle. Who is so bone-fucking-stupid I can't even breathe properly. I mean, she
And then she finally figures it out and wishes she hadn't banished them, but her mother had told her she could unbanish them - so... so figure it the fuck out, bitch!
I mean, honestly, it's like she didn't even try to have a lick of sense.
And the dialogue is wretched (i.e.). I don't know if it was going for humor, but it didn't seem to be... it just seemed to be bad.
The secondary characters are nigh interchangeable, it's all very telly over showy and, really, there's nothing redeemable about this story at all.
Except the cover.
My gods, the cover...
***
Summary: Halfway decent world/story massacred by terrible writing.
I debated about whether to go up to 2 or down to 1, but decided it had to be a 1.
First let me say that I wasn't exactly wowed by the first book in the series, but I liked it enough to give this second book a shot. (I gave it 2.5 bumped to 3).
And I must admit those covers... they call to me...
*ahem*
But, honestly, this book died for me within the first few chapters. Elle and Marsh - already a bit annoying and inconsistent in the first book - were just... ugh...
So, they're married 6 months and it's not going well. Elle wants to remain free-spirited and independent, and Marsh, 'cause he worries, suddenly gets all "you will be by my side as befitting the duties of a wife" (paraphrased) and, yes, both needed to compromise and both were a bit in the wrong - but I wanted to smack the overbearing Marsh upside his thick damn skull.
But, of course, as the story progresses you discover all this drama is manufactured bullshit to make the plot more angsty.
Well, if it was meant to make me care more - it failed. It failed hard.
So, anyway - stuff happens, and Elle has to save Marsh and discover the source of the Tickers.
I mentioned in my review of my first book that the world building was interesting, but haphazard. Moreso in this book. For one, there's the Tickers - pseudo-zombies who get their hearts replaced with clockwork.
Wait, what? How does this work? I mean, obviously there's magi-tech involved - but come the fuck on. I'm not exactly a surgeon - but I'm pretty sure swapping out some bits and cauterizing some blood vessels does not surgery make.
I guess there's always some level of handwavium going on in these books - but this was just too much for me. Maybe if other elements of the book were more compelling I could've overlooked it - but, no.
Speaking of too much,
Spoiler
a thousand people disappear, and it's barely a blip in the newspapers? I mean, I know the cops were involved and shit - but come on!And then there's the Lady in White. Usually a term referred to a ghost, in this she's an elemental witch. But she's also kind of inhuman - so a sort of fae? A ghost witch fae? I don't freaking know. Nobody knows.
And, lastly, Elle - the Oracle. Who is so bone-fucking-stupid I can't even breathe properly. I mean, she
Spoiler
banishes the Oracle voices, and they tell her they won't be able to come back if she banishes them - and then she's like "hey ladies, where are you? Oh, I guess you're off pouting."And then she finally figures it out and wishes she hadn't banished them, but her mother had told her she could unbanish them - so... so figure it the fuck out, bitch!
I mean, honestly, it's like she didn't even try to have a lick of sense.
And the dialogue is wretched (i.e.
Spoiler
"The time for playing games is over. You must die without delay," and "And now you will die, Oracle. And with this opening in the void, all Shadow creatures will be free." - because we must telegraph all the action with bad dialogue!The secondary characters are nigh interchangeable, it's all very telly over showy and, really, there's nothing redeemable about this story at all.
Except the cover.
My gods, the cover...
***
Summary: Halfway decent world/story massacred by terrible writing.
stevevig's review against another edition
1.0
Please delete this book. It is not by Fay Weldon. The correct information is contained here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16169846-a-clockwork-heart
Thank you
Thank you
amyextradot's review
1.0
*****************SPOILER ALERT*********************************
*
*
*
*
Marsh dies/turns into a wraith/acts like a dick when he's alive.
I liked the first book, but the second installment seems so disjointed from the first that it seemed like a stand alone. The characters were annoying, the plot was discombobulated and it just wasn't a fun read.
*
*
*
*
Marsh dies/turns into a wraith/acts like a dick when he's alive.
I liked the first book, but the second installment seems so disjointed from the first that it seemed like a stand alone. The characters were annoying, the plot was discombobulated and it just wasn't a fun read.
samantha_randolph's review
4.0
"Elle and her husband, Marsh, have been through a lot. Now that things seem to be a little safer, Elle is happily flying once more on her ships and Marsh is enjoying inventing, but the two aren't on the same page anymore. Marsh can't understand why Elle insists on flying alone, and Elle can't understand why Marsh can't understand. Their differences drive them to a fight that leaves them separated. By the time Elle comes back to apologize, Marsh has gone missing. She will soon discover that next time she sees him, his heart may be entirely be her's anymore." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=42722
denizyildiz's review
2.0
This was one of the most disappointing books I read in 2013.
Seriously! Especially because I totally adored the first one. Just like so many another second book disappointment of 2013. But to be honest, if i wouldn't have loved the first one so much, I would have never even given this one 2 Stars.
The world building here is just as good as in A Conspiracy of Alchemists. I think this is one hell of a steampunk world Schwarz has come up with. It has the right amount of gadgets and great amount of fantasy in it.
The plot was not to bad but I simply coudn't get into this book because honestly where the first book shone was the character building. The chemistry between Ella and Marsh was was made the first book so amazing. In this Ella was annoying, spoilt and selfish. I just felt irritated by her throughout the entire novel.
I found the villains just too over the top btw. And the entire character building just not good enough when compared to the first book.
The whole thing felt lack-lustre and shadow of it's predecessor. But despite that I am planning to read the next novel. Because honestly I am hoping this is just second book syndrome! As I have with so many second books in 2013.
ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Seriously! Especially because I totally adored the first one. Just like so many another second book disappointment of 2013. But to be honest, if i wouldn't have loved the first one so much, I would have never even given this one 2 Stars.
The world building here is just as good as in A Conspiracy of Alchemists. I think this is one hell of a steampunk world Schwarz has come up with. It has the right amount of gadgets and great amount of fantasy in it.
The plot was not to bad but I simply coudn't get into this book because honestly where the first book shone was the character building. The chemistry between Ella and Marsh was was made the first book so amazing. In this Ella was annoying, spoilt and selfish. I just felt irritated by her throughout the entire novel.
I found the villains just too over the top btw. And the entire character building just not good enough when compared to the first book.
The whole thing felt lack-lustre and shadow of it's predecessor. But despite that I am planning to read the next novel. Because honestly I am hoping this is just second book syndrome! As I have with so many second books in 2013.
ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
sarahneil's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
About 7 years after reading the first in the series, I finally got around to reading the second. I was expecting more of a sky pirate vibe (which, thankfully I'll get in the 3rd book based on the title), so this storyline was not what I was expecting. Regardless, it was still an enjoyable read although not an incredibly thrilling one. After being introduced to Captain Dashwood in the opening on the book, I hoped that he would be more involved (again... hoping that is the case in the 3rd)!
This series is a great mix for all paranormal and steampunk fans.
About 7 years after reading the first in the series, I finally got around to reading the second. I was expecting more of a sky pirate vibe (which, thankfully I'll get in the 3rd book based on the title), so this storyline was not what I was expecting. Regardless, it was still an enjoyable read although not an incredibly thrilling one. After being introduced to Captain Dashwood in the opening on the book, I hoped that he would be more involved (again... hoping that is the case in the 3rd)!
This series is a great mix for all paranormal and steampunk fans.
tien's review against another edition
3.0
Please note this is a review of second book of The Chronicles of Light and Shadow and there may be spoilers in respect to book 1: A Conspiracy of Alchemist (you can check my review on book1, here)
I mentioned in my review for book 1, A Conspiracy of Alchemist, that I think the ending was somewhat dissatisfactory due to some ‘decision’ which I thought was quite silly in consideration of the situation. It took me some time to decide that I would like to know which direction the author is taking with this series and it was truly surprising. A Clockwork Heart turns out to be a darker read that I never would have suspected.
It was a rocky beginning. I just thought Elle was being such a brat and utterly selfish that it was all I could do from strangling her myself. The saving factor was a minor character, Ducky, who basically said what I wanted to say to Elle (*kowtow* thank you, Ducky!). From then on, I could see that maybe this book is worth the read, after all. Even then, there were still a couple of Elle’s decisions that I couldn’t live it. It wasn’t until towards the end where Elle’s picked up (and I’ll have to wait and see in the next instalment!) where I might actually start liking her again.
I have to believe that Elle’s rash and somewhat asinine decisions are what make this book. A little unfortunate that without these, the plot will not go in the direction it has. You will find A Clockwork Heart to be supernatural-steampunk world where Light and Shadow have collided; with the existence of an evil villainess who wanted to rule the world, clockwork-zombies, the tricksy Shadow’s world & characters –all who wanted a piece of the Light. It is a darker sort of paranormal-fantasy filled with actions but not so much romance.
If you are hoping for more of romance (i.e. Elle and Hugh) from book 1, then you will be sorely disappointed. However, if you are open enough to appreciate the direction of the story, then there is a chance you would like it. For myself, due to the frustration I experienced with Elle, the story (along with Ducky), I only just managed to finish the read with an average sort of feeling.
Thank you, Del Rey, for copy of eARC via Netgalley
I mentioned in my review for book 1, A Conspiracy of Alchemist, that I think the ending was somewhat dissatisfactory due to some ‘decision’ which I thought was quite silly in consideration of the situation. It took me some time to decide that I would like to know which direction the author is taking with this series and it was truly surprising. A Clockwork Heart turns out to be a darker read that I never would have suspected.
It was a rocky beginning. I just thought Elle was being such a brat and utterly selfish that it was all I could do from strangling her myself. The saving factor was a minor character, Ducky, who basically said what I wanted to say to Elle (*kowtow* thank you, Ducky!). From then on, I could see that maybe this book is worth the read, after all. Even then, there were still a couple of Elle’s decisions that I couldn’t live it. It wasn’t until towards the end where Elle’s picked up (and I’ll have to wait and see in the next instalment!) where I might actually start liking her again.
I have to believe that Elle’s rash and somewhat asinine decisions are what make this book. A little unfortunate that without these, the plot will not go in the direction it has. You will find A Clockwork Heart to be supernatural-steampunk world where Light and Shadow have collided; with the existence of an evil villainess who wanted to rule the world, clockwork-zombies, the tricksy Shadow’s world & characters –all who wanted a piece of the Light. It is a darker sort of paranormal-fantasy filled with actions but not so much romance.
If you are hoping for more of romance (i.e. Elle and Hugh) from book 1, then you will be sorely disappointed. However, if you are open enough to appreciate the direction of the story, then there is a chance you would like it. For myself, due to the frustration I experienced with Elle, the story (along with Ducky), I only just managed to finish the read with an average sort of feeling.
Thank you, Del Rey, for copy of eARC via Netgalley
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
I did have some problems with this one, and I'm not sure why, I did enjoy it to an extent, the story was good, but I didn't really connect with the characters. I get it that an independent woman would have issues with independence in a victorian world, but wouldn't there be some sort of honeymoon period where both parties want to be close?
It is dark and the clockwork hearts are interesting and the ramifications of all this are going to have repercussions I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the next book but I'd like to get to know the characters better.
It is dark and the clockwork hearts are interesting and the ramifications of all this are going to have repercussions I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the next book but I'd like to get to know the characters better.