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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
This is quite a romp. Each chapter has quite a bit of action. It felt like a screenplay, with a ton going on visually, and very little character development. Serious steampunk fans will not enjoy it, because it misses its mark there. The setting, the idea of the weapons, and the clothing are correct but it is to steampunk as The Wild Wild West is to steampunk. That said, it is still a good adventure story if one does not mind the Gossip Girl feel of it. Some deeper, more interesting ideas are presented but not really explored, ie, when someone helps you in life, how much do you owe them in return? Cora, Nellie, and Michiko are all indebted to men who "saved" them in one way or another and now two of them are deeply devoted to their (owners?) patrons. Adding the Eastern element to the mix was genius and refreshing. Kress also adds a muddled Middle Eastern element in the mention of the magician. There are plot holes the size of Texas, (why is Raheem importing uranium?), secret lairs in the tunnels of the London underground, airships, and grave robbers. What's not to like? If you can get past the sheer girly-ness of the story (Nellie is a hard pill to swallow) and like the characters for what they are trying to do (save London) instead of what they are wearing (tons of glitter!) then it is a fun read. I would hand this to a teen or tween who likes any YA series with pastel covers and who wants to try something new.
Finally! A Steampunk novel that I actually enjoyed reading! I remember putting a status on goodreads that read that I have given up on steampunk novels for good because I've had multiple failed attempts with very popular and highly rated steampunks. I am so happy that I picked up The Friday Society because it was kick butt and so freaking empowering! Of course, the team work between three unlikely different girls to solve a london mystery was a bonus, and the addition of all the technology in medieval london has finally worked for me. I think what made The Friday Society a great read for me was the characters, which is why they will be the highlight of this review.
The novel is told from three POVs, Cora the scientist, Nellie the magician, and Michiko the samurai. All of these three girls are assistants but want more from their life. Cora and Nellie are happy under fair and great bosses but Michiko's boss needed a punch or two in the face because of how rude and horrible he was. The three girls meet up under horrific conditions, which is witnessing a crime scene. I have to say, Adrienne didn't rush the whole teaming up and fighting crimes plot. I often find it difficult to take some novels seriously when an ordinary girl would have something happen to her one minute and the next she figures out her destiny and true calling and is so confident in what she will do for the rest of her life. For The Friday Society, each girl had her doubt in pursuing investigating the mystery, one was scared of her boss finding out, the other was scared for the reputation for her boss, and the third was honestly fearless and wanted to finally do something by herself without being bossed around. Each had very plausible and complex reasons that added to their depth as characters.
The conversations between the girls was hilarious, Nellie is the girly girl type and Cora is more serious and a natural leader, while Michiko could barely speak english. So imagine how they communicated together huh? I loved every single one of these girls. They were interesting, funny, independent, and a need for girlfriends to hang with. As for the plot, it was incredible. Adrienne Kress didn't only focus on the mysterious deaths, but each girl had her own side story. Wether it was a romantic one, in the case of Nellie and Cora, or a teacher-pupil one for Michiko. I did feel at times that the plot moved a bit slow but I was never bored. I loved how the girls stayed true to themselves even with the obstacles they faced and that they didn't become super women just because they took up the mission of unraveling the mystery. They were ordinary (as ordinary as can be) girls who needed each other's help to get each other through locked places, Nellie's profession, out of near death situations, and help each other realize that their true calling isn't to just be an assistant of some man, but to take matters in their own hands and help the people of london fight crime and bring justice to them.
The novel is told from three POVs, Cora the scientist, Nellie the magician, and Michiko the samurai. All of these three girls are assistants but want more from their life. Cora and Nellie are happy under fair and great bosses but Michiko's boss needed a punch or two in the face because of how rude and horrible he was. The three girls meet up under horrific conditions, which is witnessing a crime scene. I have to say, Adrienne didn't rush the whole teaming up and fighting crimes plot. I often find it difficult to take some novels seriously when an ordinary girl would have something happen to her one minute and the next she figures out her destiny and true calling and is so confident in what she will do for the rest of her life. For The Friday Society, each girl had her doubt in pursuing investigating the mystery, one was scared of her boss finding out, the other was scared for the reputation for her boss, and the third was honestly fearless and wanted to finally do something by herself without being bossed around. Each had very plausible and complex reasons that added to their depth as characters.
The conversations between the girls was hilarious, Nellie is the girly girl type and Cora is more serious and a natural leader, while Michiko could barely speak english. So imagine how they communicated together huh? I loved every single one of these girls. They were interesting, funny, independent, and a need for girlfriends to hang with. As for the plot, it was incredible. Adrienne Kress didn't only focus on the mysterious deaths, but each girl had her own side story. Wether it was a romantic one, in the case of Nellie and Cora, or a teacher-pupil one for Michiko. I did feel at times that the plot moved a bit slow but I was never bored. I loved how the girls stayed true to themselves even with the obstacles they faced and that they didn't become super women just because they took up the mission of unraveling the mystery. They were ordinary (as ordinary as can be) girls who needed each other's help to get each other through locked places, Nellie's profession, out of near death situations, and help each other realize that their true calling isn't to just be an assistant of some man, but to take matters in their own hands and help the people of london fight crime and bring justice to them.
You can see the original review at Read. Sleep. Repeat.
This was me at Barnes and Noble the day I picked up “The Friday Society”:
Ohh what a pretty cover, but that’s not what I came here for (leaves YA section). Hmm I love this place. I wonder what radio station this is? Ohh pretty calendar. Look it’s that pretty cover again… Wait. How did I get back to the YA section? *Leaves YA section again* Ommm Starbucks…but I don’t drink coffee…BUT they do have cookies (makes a thinking face). Ohh the YA section!
I wish I was exaggerating a bit but honestly this is what my brain does all the time. And do you want to know the kicker? I completely forgot what I was supposed to be picking up! But that’s neither here nor there. You came here to read a review on The Friday Societyor I have you chained to a chair and am forcing you to read this and a review is what you shall receive. :)
First let me just get out the few things that seriously got under my skin. Like:
The multiple POV's
I can usually get through a story that has two point of views fairly easy, but The Friday Society had three points of view and on of them couldn't even speak English! Don't get me wrong it was written very well and there were no grammatical errors, but I personally had a hard time staying tuned into the book.
The pace
This book is 437 pages long. About 150 of those pages were completely and utterly unnecessary to me. I know you have to build up a foundation when it come to writing but I just felt like there was too much story and not enough of the action I craved.
Callum
I will not get into the character that was Callum since he is not exactly a main character but I hated his freaking guts. With every fiber of my being I HATED him.
Now that I have aired out my dislikes lets get to the stuff I loved. Such as:
The characters (yelps in excitement)
I loved everything there was to Cora, Nellie, and Michiko. It was like 3 pieces to a puzzle coming together to give you the perfect heroine.
Cora was calculating and freaking brillant. She designed and created a pair of night vision goggles at 16 for heavens sakes! How can she not be awesome?!!
Nellie was a underestimated sweetheart that can find a way out of any and every situation. I can't and won't go into the stuff she gets out of but heaven knows I envy this girl.
Michiko (sighs with happiness). Michiko was the fighter of the group, not that all the girls couldn't stand up for themselves, it's just that Michiko could have killed you before you even notice she was there with her samurai ninja style. Even though she only knew a handful of English I really did love her dedication and adaptability.
The writing
I know your accusing me of being wishy washy but I promise I'm not! The 3 POV's aggravated me but the way Kress wrote the book in general was stunning. There was so much detail, and even though I'm not a fan of the multipe POV's you could tell that each character was there own person, so I was never confused on whose head I was in.
The story
Even though it drag a bit I loved the mystery of everything. Typically, I don't have the attention span necessary to sit through a whole mystery novel, but I just felt like wherever my girls went there was something exciting happening. From decapitated doctors, to sword fighting mysteries in the fog, to "disappearing" acts, to steamy and unexpected kisses. If it wasn't for the occasional lags throughout the book it would have been a easy 5 star read. I really did like it and I can't express how happy I am that I stumbled upon it that day. I do wish I could remember what I originally went into the store for though. It's so frustrating having something right there, but not being able to grab it. And I'm off track again aren't I?
The point is The Friday Society had me huffing and puffing at every single person who decided to walk in my office while I was reading it. I seriously just wanted to send out a property wide memo that said:
This was me at Barnes and Noble the day I picked up “The Friday Society”:
Ohh what a pretty cover, but that’s not what I came here for (leaves YA section). Hmm I love this place. I wonder what radio station this is? Ohh pretty calendar. Look it’s that pretty cover again… Wait. How did I get back to the YA section? *Leaves YA section again* Ommm Starbucks…but I don’t drink coffee…BUT they do have cookies (makes a thinking face). Ohh the YA section!
I wish I was exaggerating a bit but honestly this is what my brain does all the time. And do you want to know the kicker? I completely forgot what I was supposed to be picking up! But that’s neither here nor there. You came here to read a review on The Friday Society
First let me just get out the few things that seriously got under my skin. Like:
The multiple POV's
I can usually get through a story that has two point of views fairly easy, but The Friday Society had three points of view and on of them couldn't even speak English! Don't get me wrong it was written very well and there were no grammatical errors, but I personally had a hard time staying tuned into the book.
The pace
This book is 437 pages long. About 150 of those pages were completely and utterly unnecessary to me. I know you have to build up a foundation when it come to writing but I just felt like there was too much story and not enough of the action I craved.
Callum
I will not get into the character that was Callum since he is not exactly a main character but I hated his freaking guts. With every fiber of my being I HATED him.
Now that I have aired out my dislikes lets get to the stuff I loved. Such as:
The characters (yelps in excitement)
I loved everything there was to Cora, Nellie, and Michiko. It was like 3 pieces to a puzzle coming together to give you the perfect heroine.
Cora was calculating and freaking brillant. She designed and created a pair of night vision goggles at 16 for heavens sakes! How can she not be awesome?!!
Nellie was a underestimated sweetheart that can find a way out of any and every situation. I can't and won't go into the stuff she gets out of but heaven knows I envy this girl.
Michiko (sighs with happiness). Michiko was the fighter of the group, not that all the girls couldn't stand up for themselves, it's just that Michiko could have killed you before you even notice she was there with her samurai ninja style. Even though she only knew a handful of English I really did love her dedication and adaptability.
The writing
I know your accusing me of being wishy washy but I promise I'm not! The 3 POV's aggravated me but the way Kress wrote the book in general was stunning. There was so much detail, and even though I'm not a fan of the multipe POV's you could tell that each character was there own person, so I was never confused on whose head I was in.
The story
Even though it drag a bit I loved the mystery of everything. Typically, I don't have the attention span necessary to sit through a whole mystery novel, but I just felt like wherever my girls went there was something exciting happening. From decapitated doctors, to sword fighting mysteries in the fog, to "disappearing" acts, to steamy and unexpected kisses. If it wasn't for the occasional lags throughout the book it would have been a easy 5 star read. I really did like it and I can't express how happy I am that I stumbled upon it that day. I do wish I could remember what I originally went into the store for though. It's so frustrating having something right there, but not being able to grab it. And I'm off track again aren't I?
The point is The Friday Society had me huffing and puffing at every single person who decided to walk in my office while I was reading it. I seriously just wanted to send out a property wide memo that said:
Octavia is reading today. While I understand this is a foreign concept to many of you, respect and understand that Octavia is not here to work.
p.s. Octavia is also the most awesomest person you will ever know…she is so great we are going to send out a second memo just to elaborate.
That is all. :)
2.5 Stars
I felt awkward for most of the book. The dialogue was really awkward and the entire thing was just generally awkward.
I felt awkward for most of the book. The dialogue was really awkward and the entire thing was just generally awkward.
Murder and mystery bring together 3 very different girls in different situations; set in steampunk England. Lots of action, adventure, and laughs.
Kress' first YA novel. Made me want to go put her adult novels on hold as well.
Kress' first YA novel. Made me want to go put her adult novels on hold as well.
Girl power steampunk mystery. I had a bad feeling when the protagonists go from discovering a disbodied head to, essentially, a slumber party. I'm happy to report that did not set the tone for the rest of the novel and the three heroines turned out to be well-written young women dealing with a society that doesn't really want their independent thought.
(rewriting this review cuz I figured out why I wasn't too fond of this book)
I loved Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, and Timothy and the Dragon's Gate is proving to be just as good. I expected the Friday Society to be right up there with them. But it really wasn't.
It was just kind of...meh. I saw the two villains coming from a mile away--the main baddy was revealed in much the same style as Pirate Captain Steele, and it was easy to put two and two together to figure out Side Antagonist.
I thought about it for a while, and the main thing that made me disappointed with this book was that it just seemed...empty. There weren't nearly as many of the fun, crazy characters and situations that we had in the Alex books. It also seemed like Kress toned herself down a bit when it came to her writing style. There wasn't as much of the hilarious metaphors and commentary.
As far as main characters go, this book is okay. Michiko was my favorite, especially since she had a "little brother interest" instead of a love interest. I know that most girls my age like romance in books, but I'll take a good friendship or sibling relationship (siblingship?) any day.
Also, Cora was irritatingly stupid when it came to whatshisface. Just sayin'.
Anyway, it's a good read, but probably not something I'll be coming back to for a while.
I loved Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, and Timothy and the Dragon's Gate is proving to be just as good. I expected the Friday Society to be right up there with them. But it really wasn't.
It was just kind of...meh. I saw the two villains coming from a mile away--the main baddy was revealed in much the same style as Pirate Captain Steele, and it was easy to put two and two together to figure out Side Antagonist.
I thought about it for a while, and the main thing that made me disappointed with this book was that it just seemed...empty. There weren't nearly as many of the fun, crazy characters and situations that we had in the Alex books. It also seemed like Kress toned herself down a bit when it came to her writing style. There wasn't as much of the hilarious metaphors and commentary.
As far as main characters go, this book is okay. Michiko was my favorite, especially since she had a "little brother interest" instead of a love interest. I know that most girls my age like romance in books, but I'll take a good friendship or sibling relationship (siblingship?) any day.
Also, Cora was irritatingly stupid when it came to whatshisface. Just sayin'.
Anyway, it's a good read, but probably not something I'll be coming back to for a while.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, this one was a slooooow start. At times the anachronistic voice was jarring, but it gradually became less so. Whether it was the writing or merely my becoming used to it, I couldn't tell you. It was a slow build, but I do feel it paid off in the end. The last third of this book brought it up to three stars. It was excellent. Recommend. Actually, planning on recommending it to my little sister (she's more the demographic than I am, I think ;) ).
finished 5/17/13
Three interesting young women in a Victorian/steampunk London come together to solve a murder. Each of the ladies has interesting skills to add to the investigation and have great amounts of agency. I really hope this is the first in a series because I am not ready to let go of Cora, Nellie and Michiko yet!
Three interesting young women in a Victorian/steampunk London come together to solve a murder. Each of the ladies has interesting skills to add to the investigation and have great amounts of agency. I really hope this is the first in a series because I am not ready to let go of Cora, Nellie and Michiko yet!