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kirbybeaton's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cakt1991's review against another edition
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I find myself once again at a loss with The Brass Queen, as it reminds me again why steampunk is so hit-or-miss for me. To be fair, this book being comped to the Parasol Protectorate should probably have been a red flag; I hated book one, and didn’t get why people were so in love with that series.
I will say I think Elizabeth Chatsworth has potential as a writer, and with fairly engaging prose even amid the other myriad flaws. But it only made up for it so much, and I eventually couldn’t take it anymore.
Steampunk world building almost always confuses me unless the author takes extra care with it, and I wasn’t a fan of the way it was done here. It didn’t feel well thought out to balance the historical and steampunk/fantastical elements, and ultimately just left me feeling disconnected.
And the characters failed to engage me whatsoever. I had a feeling there was meant to be some sort of humorous interplay between Constance and Trusdale, but it wasn’t there. And the characters generally lacked depth, only going so far as, “she’s intelligent and stubborn!” And Trusdale is just a nothing character, more show than substance.
Based on what I’ve seen, I’m definitely in the minority on this one, but that is to be expected. I think if you u love steampunk more, or are looking for something similar in the vein of Parasol Protectorate, you’ll probably love this book.
I find myself once again at a loss with The Brass Queen, as it reminds me again why steampunk is so hit-or-miss for me. To be fair, this book being comped to the Parasol Protectorate should probably have been a red flag; I hated book one, and didn’t get why people were so in love with that series.
I will say I think Elizabeth Chatsworth has potential as a writer, and with fairly engaging prose even amid the other myriad flaws. But it only made up for it so much, and I eventually couldn’t take it anymore.
Steampunk world building almost always confuses me unless the author takes extra care with it, and I wasn’t a fan of the way it was done here. It didn’t feel well thought out to balance the historical and steampunk/fantastical elements, and ultimately just left me feeling disconnected.
And the characters failed to engage me whatsoever. I had a feeling there was meant to be some sort of humorous interplay between Constance and Trusdale, but it wasn’t there. And the characters generally lacked depth, only going so far as, “she’s intelligent and stubborn!” And Trusdale is just a nothing character, more show than substance.
Based on what I’ve seen, I’m definitely in the minority on this one, but that is to be expected. I think if you u love steampunk more, or are looking for something similar in the vein of Parasol Protectorate, you’ll probably love this book.
s_brina's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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