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authorheatherw's review
4.0
It was fantastic to return to the world Connolly had created in Ironskin. I really found the setting enchanting and I liked the unique spin on fey lore. Copperhead also cleared up some confusion I had about the fey and the Great War that had occurred between the fairies and the human population.
I was glad to see the story continued, especially after the ambiguous ending of the last novel. I had liked Jane’s sister Helen in the first book and I was happy to see her character come to the forefront of the plot. I had found Jane boring at times and I think Helen’s flighty personality added a little levity to the heaviness of the novel.
The characters from the first book were back, but I was hoping for more of the romance between Jane and Edward to be continued. There is romance in the book, but the plot isn’t driven by Helen’s love life. Copperhead was definitely not a retelling of Jane Eyre like the first book. Although readers would benefit from reading the first book, it’s not necessary. The story was easy to follow and the end finished the story arc nicely.
My only complaint would be that I felt like the plot was a little slow moving for my tastes. This was an issue I had in the first book. However, once things started to happen, the novel became a real page turner. The descriptions were beautiful and I did try to take my time and enjoy the world building efforts put in by the author.
I liked the feminist undertones of the novel and there were a lot of thought-provoking themes like how far will women go for beauty. The author is a talented writer and I loved the book’s Gothic feel.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received a copy of the novel for review from the publisher.
I was glad to see the story continued, especially after the ambiguous ending of the last novel. I had liked Jane’s sister Helen in the first book and I was happy to see her character come to the forefront of the plot. I had found Jane boring at times and I think Helen’s flighty personality added a little levity to the heaviness of the novel.
The characters from the first book were back, but I was hoping for more of the romance between Jane and Edward to be continued. There is romance in the book, but the plot isn’t driven by Helen’s love life. Copperhead was definitely not a retelling of Jane Eyre like the first book. Although readers would benefit from reading the first book, it’s not necessary. The story was easy to follow and the end finished the story arc nicely.
My only complaint would be that I felt like the plot was a little slow moving for my tastes. This was an issue I had in the first book. However, once things started to happen, the novel became a real page turner. The descriptions were beautiful and I did try to take my time and enjoy the world building efforts put in by the author.
I liked the feminist undertones of the novel and there were a lot of thought-provoking themes like how far will women go for beauty. The author is a talented writer and I loved the book’s Gothic feel.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received a copy of the novel for review from the publisher.
keu482's review
5.0
This is the only one in the series where I didn't find any outside references and since the other two had them I'm sure I'm missing something. However since I love Helen the best of the three heroines I'm sure I'll find something in a future re-read.
This book picks up shortly after the point that IronSkin ends. Helen has made some bad choices in an effort to fit in with her new husband's social circle and now she's determined to set things right again. The copperHead group stands in her way, and the restrictions they place on women and minorities are getting harder to navigate safely. This book also has some lovely feminist themes, but won't choke you to death with them :)
This book picks up shortly after the point that IronSkin ends. Helen has made some bad choices in an effort to fit in with her new husband's social circle and now she's determined to set things right again. The copperHead group stands in her way, and the restrictions they place on women and minorities are getting harder to navigate safely. This book also has some lovely feminist themes, but won't choke you to death with them :)
amyellerlewis's review
4.0
Lovely follow up to IRONSKIN . Esp loved the introduction of new characters, and society ladies going to war w hat pins.
specs's review
4.0
Maybe because I didn't go into this one thinking about the high bar of Jane Eyre, I enjoyed Copperhead more than Ironskin. But also, I think Connolly's writing got better in the second book (which. good! well done, Tina!). Also this one featured a scene of high-society women in silk dresses attacking a warehouse of domineering husbands wielding hat pins & letter openers. I am so into that.
lizshayne's review
3.0
Oh, look. A series. I wonder if the next book is going to be an homage to Wuthering Heights, since this one is riffing on Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Which is way more subtle than basing the first one on Jane Eyre and not just because fewer people have read Anne than Charlotte.
It suffered a bit from not quite living up to the first book. Some of the plotting felt a bit less tight and Connolly has her characters in danger for pretty much the entire story, which means that the moments of actual tension are...less tense.
On the other hand, it had some amazing scenes in it and the continued use development of the Edwardian-era world was very cool. Definitely enjoyed this book.
It suffered a bit from not quite living up to the first book. Some of the plotting felt a bit less tight and Connolly has her characters in danger for pretty much the entire story, which means that the moments of actual tension are...less tense.
On the other hand, it had some amazing scenes in it and the continued use development of the Edwardian-era world was very cool. Definitely enjoyed this book.
reader_fictions's review
3.0
You know, it’s kind of funny, in a sad way, how the opinions of others can affect me. I really enjoyed Ironskin, but it wasn’t all that popular with most of my blogger friends. As such, I was a bit afraid that I wouldn’t like Copperhead, as though I had been in wrong in my own assessment. It’s sort of my natural state to doubt myself, though I wish it weren’t. Clearly, I should have trusted my opinion, because I really enjoyed Copperhead as well, marginally more than Ironskin in fact.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
ptrhansen's review
5.0
Took a little bit to go going but once I was into the book it was hard to put down. It is a different point of view from the first book but after getting into the new headspace it was a great story.
nilchance's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book even more than the first, because it thought about the reasons for and consequences of the treatment from the first book. Helen was endearing. Also, suffrage! Lesbians! Sexy dwarves!
accidentalspaceexplorer's review
4.0
I liked Ironskin's sequel. Helen's perspective on the fey conflict, as well as her look into some of the beginnings of feminism in a very different context than the world we know is fascinating. Also, I enjoyed the character development in the book, as it was less a "oh my God new experiences have completely changed me" and more of a gradual transition from one mindset to another.
miroen's review
4.0
Book 2. Everything I said about Ironskin, still applies, only this time I love the main character in all her insecure glory, and the pacing starts fast and keeps wrapping the characters in ever-tighter coils of intrigue. So. 4 stars and big kudos to the author. Go read Ironskin first, or be prepared to accept a lot of world-building details on faith. This story moves more lightly and quickly in large part because it alludes to history and magical procedure without delving into the nitty-gritty nearly as much as the first book.
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