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sayshara's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
As I was reading, I kept comparing to other books I had read, notably Airborn by Kenneth Oppel and The True Story of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. These are two of my all time favorite middle grade novels and Arabella had a similar feel.
I did enjoy the descriptions of how the ship worked and the rapid pace of the adventure, but as an adult I found the Martian colonization to be very Victorian and much of the story felt like the Georgette Heyer romances I read in middle school. That is, I guess, the target audience.
I did enjoy the descriptions of how the ship worked and the rapid pace of the adventure, but as an adult I found the Martian colonization to be very Victorian and much of the story felt like the Georgette Heyer romances I read in middle school. That is, I guess, the target audience.
doceon's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Good stuff, a stirring adventure in Tom Swift style. Pretty compelling, though the romance failed to convince. I’ll probably read the next in the series.
saintswitchblade's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I'm conflicted. I love the concept and I love Arabella, which is rare because I never like main characters, but this book is so clearly written by an older white man that I can't get passed the flaws in the story and I hated the end. I don't want to go into much detail because I can't mark spoilers at this moment, but I will say it fell quite short of it's potential.
hrh_victoria's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Review: I took a bit of a break from reading for fun before the summer began, and the books I've read so far this summer haven't quite hit the spot until Arabella of Mars. Levine creates a compelling new world in this series, from the Martian culture to the world of automatons. While the circumstances of the plot and (at times) the characters seemed a little contrived, as though pushed into new situations by invisible strings, the world and the lure of Arabella kept me hooked.
Review: I took a bit of a break from reading for fun before the summer began, and the books I've read so far this summer haven't quite hit the spot until Arabella of Mars. Levine creates a compelling new world in this series, from the Martian culture to the world of automatons. While the circumstances of the plot and (at times) the characters seemed a little contrived, as though pushed into new situations by invisible strings, the world and the lure of Arabella kept me hooked.
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic story, in more than one sense, and executed with a masterful confidence and style. The writing is elegant and precise, the plot is creative and well-constructed, and the details of the world are meticulously yet seamlessly presented.
I can't help but compare this book to two others involving traveling to Mars by unconventional means: Michael J. Martinez's The Daedalus Incident and Felix Gilman's The Revolutions. Although there are superficial similarities with both, this book surpasses them in practically every way. Compared to the Gilman book, it's the tone that distinguishes this one; here we have a fun and exciting adventure as opposed to a morose descent into gloom. And although this story has even more in common with The Daedalus Incident, the polished writing, as well as the accuracy and consistency, make this book superior. The nautical concepts and terminology used here are brilliantly thought out, to the point where travel between planets by wooden sailing vessel seems quite logical given the physics of this universe. Interestingly, Martinez is mentioned in the acknowledgements, but again, Levine has produced a much better elaboration of the concept.
The characters are interesting and well drawn, with the exception of the more minor crew members, who sometimes seem to have been pulled in and repurposed as needed. Only two more significant complaints about the book: first, the trope of girl passing as boy has never rung true for me in any story, and this one is no exception. No doubt it's happened in reality, and surely there are those who are fooled, but it just seems unbelievable to me that none of those who Arabella interacts closely with would even be suspicious. And second, the tidy resolutions of the two major conflicts in the book came across as a bit too easy for me. Not that there isn't hardship leading up to them, but the quick and easy wrap-ups are a little bit of a stretch.
But those are minor concerns, and overall this book is a fine achievement, enjoyable to read in almost every way. Highly recommended.
I can't help but compare this book to two others involving traveling to Mars by unconventional means: Michael J. Martinez's The Daedalus Incident and Felix Gilman's The Revolutions. Although there are superficial similarities with both, this book surpasses them in practically every way. Compared to the Gilman book, it's the tone that distinguishes this one; here we have a fun and exciting adventure as opposed to a morose descent into gloom. And although this story has even more in common with The Daedalus Incident, the polished writing, as well as the accuracy and consistency, make this book superior. The nautical concepts and terminology used here are brilliantly thought out, to the point where travel between planets by wooden sailing vessel seems quite logical given the physics of this universe. Interestingly, Martinez is mentioned in the acknowledgements, but again, Levine has produced a much better elaboration of the concept.
The characters are interesting and well drawn, with the exception of the more minor crew members, who sometimes seem to have been pulled in and repurposed as needed. Only two more significant complaints about the book: first, the trope of girl passing as boy has never rung true for me in any story, and this one is no exception. No doubt it's happened in reality, and surely there are those who are fooled, but it just seems unbelievable to me that none of those who Arabella interacts closely with would even be suspicious. And second, the tidy resolutions of the two major conflicts in the book came across as a bit too easy for me. Not that there isn't hardship leading up to them, but the quick and easy wrap-ups are a little bit of a stretch.
But those are minor concerns, and overall this book is a fine achievement, enjoyable to read in almost every way. Highly recommended.
blatanville's review against another edition
4.0
A terrific book. More like 4½ ⭐s.
Take a Regency England-era colony, stir in Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom, some RL Stevenson (I'm thinking "Kidnapped'), a bit of pre-steampunk (coal punk?), and an interesting, believable main character, good supporting characters, and voila! An adventure novel with brains and heart that teens and adults should enjoy.
I look forward to reading the sequels.
Take a Regency England-era colony, stir in Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom, some RL Stevenson (I'm thinking "Kidnapped'), a bit of pre-steampunk (coal punk?), and an interesting, believable main character, good supporting characters, and voila! An adventure novel with brains and heart that teens and adults should enjoy.
I look forward to reading the sequels.
doublearegee's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely 3.75 stars. A cheesy, steampunky, enjoyable space opera. The very end was a little melodramatic and sort of fell with a thud, but overall I enjoyed this.
kortirion's review against another edition
3.0
There was a lot to like about this story. It's steampunk regency-ish science fiction that imagines space as conforming to then-current scientific thought: no vacuum and atmosphere everywhere. It's possible to sail to Mars in a ship with sails and hot air balloons.
I liked the story until Arabella had to resume her female identity and lost most of her power, esteem, and enjoyment of life. Regardless of the fact that others' treatment of her was probably accurate for the time period, I didn't enjoy it.
I liked the story until Arabella had to resume her female identity and lost most of her power, esteem, and enjoyment of life. Regardless of the fact that others' treatment of her was probably accurate for the time period, I didn't enjoy it.
lilyevangeline's review against another edition
3.0
Read almost entirely during a particularly slow shift at work, between scribing for visits with a surprisingly high number of patients who believed they had UTIs but did not (hint: it was STDs).
This, thankfully, did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, though it did make for somewhat disjointed reading experience.
This book is basically your average female-dresses-as-a-male-to-go-on-a-ship adventure, except the young woman in question was raised on Mars (is trying to get back to Mars) and the ship is flying through the space. The less you think about it, the more it makes sense. It's all the usual scenes, with space privateers, an unplanned stop at an asteroid for refueling, lots of bothersome pulling at large ropes, and, of course, a mutiny. Arabella, with little but her knowledge of Mars and hidden gift for automatons, must keep her cover, save the ship, and get back to Mars in time to warn her brother of their devious relative.
The world is imaginative and fun, if the politics and emotional complexity of our villains seemed a bit simplistic. Personally, I felt our romantic interest (aforementioned handsome captain) was rather undeveloped, but Arabella was compelling enough to make up for it. When all is said and done, I had quite a good time.
This, thankfully, did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, though it did make for somewhat disjointed reading experience.
This book is basically your average female-dresses-as-a-male-to-go-on-a-ship adventure, except the young woman in question was raised on Mars (is trying to get back to Mars) and the ship is flying through the space. The less you think about it, the more it makes sense. It's all the usual scenes, with space privateers, an unplanned stop at an asteroid for refueling, lots of bothersome pulling at large ropes, and, of course, a mutiny. Arabella, with little but her knowledge of Mars and hidden gift for automatons, must keep her cover, save the ship, and get back to Mars in time to warn her brother of their devious relative.
The world is imaginative and fun, if the politics and emotional complexity of our villains seemed a bit simplistic. Personally, I felt our romantic interest (aforementioned handsome captain) was rather undeveloped, but Arabella was compelling enough to make up for it. When all is said and done, I had quite a good time.