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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Gorgeous book! I haven't liked a story recently as much as I liked this one, mostly because i'm terrible at choosing books, but also because THE CHARACTERS I WAS ROOTING FOR CAME OUT WELL.
Whether or not the cliffhanger ending gave credence to Grace's idea that Mori was a wicked old puppeteer pulling the strings doesn't matter. I liked the fact that the book gave Mori his time to shine, as the main character. That Natasha Pulley made him so likeable that any insinuations didn't matter. And therefore, that she gave him a good ending with Thaniel (darling Thaniel!), forged him a relationship with his former enemy (Williamson), and made him technically the hero of the books (from catching the real bad guys). And Thaniel was lovely, and level-headed through it all. Especially through Grace's constant spouting at him (can you tell I didn't like her?)
Little details matter and I liked the clear description of the Japanese village, the signs that Mori's future may be changing (in his voice, or the way he acted), and even the set up of Grace's experiments. I could even imagine Matsumoto right in front of me, speaking in his posh British accent and affections.
True, the book's twists and turns could get confusing now and then. I think she was trying to throw a lot more on to the plate than she could simply explain, but overall it was still executed really well. 4 stars for plot and execution, and another 0.5 stars because I was so happy with the ending!
Whether or not the cliffhanger ending gave credence to Grace's idea that Mori was a wicked old puppeteer pulling the strings doesn't matter. I liked the fact that the book gave Mori his time to shine, as the main character. That Natasha Pulley made him so likeable that any insinuations didn't matter. And therefore, that she gave him a good ending with Thaniel (darling Thaniel!), forged him a relationship with his former enemy (Williamson), and made him technically the hero of the books (from catching the real bad guys). And Thaniel was lovely, and level-headed through it all. Especially through Grace's constant spouting at him (can you tell I didn't like her?)
Little details matter and I liked the clear description of the Japanese village, the signs that Mori's future may be changing (in his voice, or the way he acted), and even the set up of Grace's experiments. I could even imagine Matsumoto right in front of me, speaking in his posh British accent and affections.
True, the book's twists and turns could get confusing now and then. I think she was trying to throw a lot more on to the plate than she could simply explain, but overall it was still executed really well. 4 stars for plot and execution, and another 0.5 stars because I was so happy with the ending!
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite the fairly interesting set up, I couldn't get into this at all. Thaniel and Grace are nicely introduced, but the longer the story goes the weaker their characterisation gets. The world building also falls apart when you think about it too much.
It was so promosing! But it didn’t manage to tie in everything for me. Like why pain’t up Grace as such a central character and her research but then nothing comes of it. The bombings in the beginning and the irish makes you think they will be a big part of the story. It just felt like it promised to much.
But it was still very well written and had a gripping, beautiful love story. And loved the steampunk elements of it all.
But it was still very well written and had a gripping, beautiful love story. And loved the steampunk elements of it all.
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Whimsical and heartwarming while action-packed and full of twists and turns
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked this book, thought it was really fun & unique, BUT I think the reasons behind Grace's actions were never fully clear or explained. Her aspect of of the story felt kind of invalid to me.
It was an okay book. Slightly steampunk'ish in that there was clockwork in it that couldn't be done today in any form that was novel but not amazing to the characters involved. There's some clairvoyance, a bit of a terrorist/bomber mystery, studies of the properties of the all pervasive aether, and some odd bits of relationship drama but the story as a whole didn't really gel for me. Too much stuff either tied up with a bow or left unresolved at the end.