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humvee's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy young adult novels with spunky female protagonists, you'll enjoy "Emilie and the Hollow World"! The titular character is young, perhaps a bit impetuous, and doesn't always make the wisest choices. But she has a good heart, is loyal, brave, and resourceful. If you like Scott Westerfeld's Pretties and Leviathan series, I think you'll like this character and this book as well.
shelvesofsecrets's review against another edition
4.0
Emilie and the Hollow World is a fun-filled adventure book full of (very) exotic locations and a loveable heroine. I was pretty excited to read this one after reading the blurb and it certainly didn't disappoint! Definitely recommended to young steampunk fans!
I honestly fell in love with Emilie right from the start. I loved how fearless, yet clueless she was. She ended up being extremely resourceful, which is something I always admire in my characters. The other characters were awesome as well, especially the ladies: Rani and Lady Marlende, who were both seriously kick-ass!
Emilie and the Hollow World is primarily an adventure book, there is nothing in the way of romance (although an opening is left for one to develop in future books). In fact, it could probably be considered as a middle grade read based on the writing style and lack of romance/questionable content. However, lovers of adventures and steampunk and great young heroines will definitely enjoy this one, regardless of their age!
The main negative for me is that once in a while the writing style would annoy me. Perhaps because it of the more middle-grade slant of the story, but some sentences were too short and actually distracted me from the story. For example, a sentence consisting of only: Uh oh. I think this may be more of a personal gripe, but none-the-less, there it is. The other negative for me was how readily everyone accepted Emilie, which felt a little unrealistic to me. However, it set the stage for a great story, so I won't complain too much!
Overall, Emilie and the Hollow World was a fun read full of adventure, with a very likeable heroine. I am definitely excited for the series to continue!
I honestly fell in love with Emilie right from the start. I loved how fearless, yet clueless she was. She ended up being extremely resourceful, which is something I always admire in my characters. The other characters were awesome as well, especially the ladies: Rani and Lady Marlende, who were both seriously kick-ass!
Emilie and the Hollow World is primarily an adventure book, there is nothing in the way of romance (although an opening is left for one to develop in future books). In fact, it could probably be considered as a middle grade read based on the writing style and lack of romance/questionable content. However, lovers of adventures and steampunk and great young heroines will definitely enjoy this one, regardless of their age!
The main negative for me is that once in a while the writing style would annoy me. Perhaps because it of the more middle-grade slant of the story, but some sentences were too short and actually distracted me from the story. For example, a sentence consisting of only: Uh oh. I think this may be more of a personal gripe, but none-the-less, there it is. The other negative for me was how readily everyone accepted Emilie, which felt a little unrealistic to me. However, it set the stage for a great story, so I won't complain too much!
Overall, Emilie and the Hollow World was a fun read full of adventure, with a very likeable heroine. I am definitely excited for the series to continue!
raven9949's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
It’s just mind-boggling to me that Martha Wells can write so many absolutely convincing worlds so well.
erica_sff's review against another edition
4.0
Emilie & the Hollow World is a fun romp of an adventure in the proud Vernian tradition of of journeys to the center of the earth, with its own unique twists.
Our heroine is a semi-accidental stow-away who in some ways is along for the ride, yet she is clever and brave and becomes increasingly confident and competent as the book progresses, more than earning her keep.
The writing style and pacing make it straddle the line between Middle Grade and YA, making it a reasonable choice for advanced readers of Middle Grade, or an easy romp for YA or adult readers.
Despite the young audience, the book treats questions like encountering foreign cultures with welcome nuance, and the various peoples met in travel narrative have clearly been well thought through, with individuals acting out of their own complex motivations.
The book also explores ideas of gender expectations, friendship, and various moral quandaries without bogging down in any of them.
Lots of fun. I couldn't wait to rush off to Emilie's next adventure.
Our heroine is a semi-accidental stow-away who in some ways is along for the ride, yet she is clever and brave and becomes increasingly confident and competent as the book progresses, more than earning her keep.
The writing style and pacing make it straddle the line between Middle Grade and YA, making it a reasonable choice for advanced readers of Middle Grade, or an easy romp for YA or adult readers.
Despite the young audience, the book treats questions like encountering foreign cultures with welcome nuance, and the various peoples met in travel narrative have clearly been well thought through, with individuals acting out of their own complex motivations.
The book also explores ideas of gender expectations, friendship, and various moral quandaries without bogging down in any of them.
Lots of fun. I couldn't wait to rush off to Emilie's next adventure.
moirwyn's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun little steampunk adventure story.
That said... a few thoughts.
- this is marketed as YA but doesn't feel like it. Younger kids would have no problem with it.
- the main character has no depth. She's a lens through which to experience the adventure, but doesn't feel like a fully fleshed person.
- low to no emotional stakes. It doesn't have the emotional resonance of the Murderbot series, nor does it challenge you to think or feel things. It's just a romp through a world in the center of the planet.
That said... a few thoughts.
- this is marketed as YA but doesn't feel like it. Younger kids would have no problem with it.
- the main character has no depth. She's a lens through which to experience the adventure, but doesn't feel like a fully fleshed person.
- low to no emotional stakes. It doesn't have the emotional resonance of the Murderbot series, nor does it challenge you to think or feel things. It's just a romp through a world in the center of the planet.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
"Creeping along the docks in the dark, looking for the steamship Marry Bell, Emilie was starting to wonder if it might be better to just walk to Silk Harbor."
From the first sentence, [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] pulls you into an incredible adventure and leaves you out of breath. We follow Emilie, sixteen-year-old orphan girl who ran away from the her guardians. Emilie just wanted to escape to her cousin in the other city, but fate had other plans for her. Because, one wrong ship and confusing battle later, Emily is a stowaway, but not on a steam-ship. No, she's on a ship powered by magical aetheric currents that is bound to a dangerous expedition to another world inside the planet (yep the planet is hollow).
Fantasy, adventure and journey to the center of the planet - comparison to the Jules Verne's [b:Journey to the Center of the Earth|32829|Journey to the Center of the Earth|Jules Verne|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320394940s/32829.jpg|1924715] is mandatory. But although Martha Wells's novel has the same spirit of adventure, discovery and wonder, this is not a retelling and worlds we are about to discover are unique and original.
We don't learn much about Emilie's country of origin except that it's similar to Western European culture in 19th century, so I think that [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] can not be labeled as neither steampunk or alternative history. No, as soon as we embark on the expedition, this novel is pure fantasy. And the Hollow World is FULL OF WONDERS for us to discover. After Books of the Raksura series, Martha Wells again leaves me breathless with her wonderful descriptions of sunken cities, original cultures and species.
I liked Emilie very much. I think she really grows up in this book. Emilie finds courage and learns from her mistakes. I especially liked the fact that there is NO ROMANCE. Yes you heard me. Emilie is a real tomboy and enjoys climbing and making mischief with her friends. She never had any other interest in boys. Some would say that it's not normal for a 16-year old girl but as we discover more reasons why Emilie ran away from home and how her guardians treated her, I think that you can better understand why she never allowed herself to look at any boy from a romantic angle. And, realistic or not, I found no romance aspect refreshing.
I feel like a broken record, but I must repeat again how I simply adore Martha Wells style of writing. It's so fluid and easy to read that you will with surprise reach the end of the book in no time. Although the ending is not a cliffhanger and [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] is currently a stand-alone novel, I would love to read more about Emilie and her adventures. Lucky for me, I saw at Martha Well's website that 'Emilie and the Sky World' is going to be published in 2014 by Strange Chemistry and I honestly can say that I can't wait!
My rating: 4.5 stars
I recommend this book to fans of: Jules Verne, adventure and/or fantasy books for any age, travelling expeditions, discovering new species and continents...
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
From the first sentence, [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] pulls you into an incredible adventure and leaves you out of breath. We follow Emilie, sixteen-year-old orphan girl who ran away from the her guardians. Emilie just wanted to escape to her cousin in the other city, but fate had other plans for her. Because, one wrong ship and confusing battle later, Emily is a stowaway, but not on a steam-ship. No, she's on a ship powered by magical aetheric currents that is bound to a dangerous expedition to another world inside the planet (yep the planet is hollow).
Fantasy, adventure and journey to the center of the planet - comparison to the Jules Verne's [b:Journey to the Center of the Earth|32829|Journey to the Center of the Earth|Jules Verne|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320394940s/32829.jpg|1924715] is mandatory. But although Martha Wells's novel has the same spirit of adventure, discovery and wonder, this is not a retelling and worlds we are about to discover are unique and original.
We don't learn much about Emilie's country of origin except that it's similar to Western European culture in 19th century, so I think that [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] can not be labeled as neither steampunk or alternative history. No, as soon as we embark on the expedition, this novel is pure fantasy. And the Hollow World is FULL OF WONDERS for us to discover. After Books of the Raksura series, Martha Wells again leaves me breathless with her wonderful descriptions of sunken cities, original cultures and species.
I liked Emilie very much. I think she really grows up in this book. Emilie finds courage and learns from her mistakes. I especially liked the fact that there is NO ROMANCE. Yes you heard me. Emilie is a real tomboy and enjoys climbing and making mischief with her friends. She never had any other interest in boys. Some would say that it's not normal for a 16-year old girl but as we discover more reasons why Emilie ran away from home and how her guardians treated her, I think that you can better understand why she never allowed herself to look at any boy from a romantic angle. And, realistic or not, I found no romance aspect refreshing.
I feel like a broken record, but I must repeat again how I simply adore Martha Wells style of writing. It's so fluid and easy to read that you will with surprise reach the end of the book in no time. Although the ending is not a cliffhanger and [b:Emilie and the Hollow World|15799424|Emilie and the Hollow World|Martha Wells|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352131418s/15799424.jpg|19285956] is currently a stand-alone novel, I would love to read more about Emilie and her adventures. Lucky for me, I saw at Martha Well's website that 'Emilie and the Sky World' is going to be published in 2014 by Strange Chemistry and I honestly can say that I can't wait!
My rating: 4.5 stars
I recommend this book to fans of: Jules Verne, adventure and/or fantasy books for any age, travelling expeditions, discovering new species and continents...
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
eating_or_reading's review
It was pleasant enough but I struggled to connect to the characters and wasn’t grabbed by the plot so decided to spend time on another read.
kapellosaur's review
3.0
I came to Martha Wells via the Murderbot series and so it's interesting to see an example of her earlier work, particularly given this is written very differently to Murderbot: it's third-person (though does track the single named protagonist throughout), aimed at a younger audience, and fits more in the steampunk genre than sci-fi.
I found the plot engaging enough but did struggle to empathise with Emilie, who isn't as closed emotionally as Murderbot (nowhere near it!) but I think her experience isn't communicated quite as well here. The worldbuilding was okay, though the scienfification of magic didn't quite hold together for me, and the sexual dimorphism of the non-human species felt far too human to be believable. As with Murderbot, there are a lot of secondary characters, and I did struggle to remember quite who all of them were at any given point.
I would be curious to read the second book of the series, but I might give it a bit of time first; I don't think I'm eager enough for more here to dive straight into it.
I found the plot engaging enough but did struggle to empathise with Emilie, who isn't as closed emotionally as Murderbot (nowhere near it!) but I think her experience isn't communicated quite as well here. The worldbuilding was okay, though the scienfification of magic didn't quite hold together for me, and the sexual dimorphism of the non-human species felt far too human to be believable. As with Murderbot, there are a lot of secondary characters, and I did struggle to remember quite who all of them were at any given point.
I would be curious to read the second book of the series, but I might give it a bit of time first; I don't think I'm eager enough for more here to dive straight into it.
linguana's review against another edition
2.0
My full review is over here.
This book started out very promising, only to do lots of little things wrong along the way and disappoint with a predictable, lukewarm ending.
This book started out very promising, only to do lots of little things wrong along the way and disappoint with a predictable, lukewarm ending.