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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay okay okay okay. Breathe. Just breathe.
I am absolutely floored. This was an amazingly well-written book with a rich steampunk world that doesn't feel clichéd. It's beautifully crafted and none of the characters fell flat, not even the minor ones.
The chemistry between Thaniel and Mori? Splendid. Their delicate bond and the fact that Mori waited for TEN YEARS? I'm positively sobbing.
And let's talk about Katsu! The most adorable little thingy I've ever stumbled upon while reading.
I loved this so much. One of the best novels I've read in a long time. Can't wait to read the sequels.
I mean I'm a mess right now so I can't really write a proper review.
I am absolutely floored. This was an amazingly well-written book with a rich steampunk world that doesn't feel clichéd. It's beautifully crafted and none of the characters fell flat, not even the minor ones.
The chemistry between Thaniel and Mori? Splendid. Their delicate bond and the fact that Mori waited for TEN YEARS? I'm positively sobbing.
And let's talk about Katsu! The most adorable little thingy I've ever stumbled upon while reading.
I loved this so much. One of the best novels I've read in a long time. Can't wait to read the sequels.
I mean I'm a mess right now so I can't really write a proper review.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
This book is mostly historical fiction with a touch of magical realism. It's set in Victorian London, and follows Thaniel Steepleton, a clerk with the Home Office, Keita Mori, a watchmaker, and Grace Carrow, a student. Thaniel receives a mysterious watch one day, which later leads him to be saved from a bomb. The watch leads him to Mori, a watchmaker, and through him he comes to meet Grace.
It's a very strange story. I spent most of it thinking that the setting was quite good, and wonderfully described, and loving the character of Mori, and somewhat liking Thaniel, and the rest of the story I wondered why on earth Grace was in it, and what on earth was happening. The plot was very meandering and I found there wasn't quite enough of it for me to rate this book very highly. The characterisation was okay, but still not quite enough. It took me a while to warm up to Thaniel, and the only character I really liked was Mori.
I didn't like Grace at all - I found her aversion to women quite irritating, and her actions towards the end were confusing. I kind of understood her reasons, but I didn't think it was really enough for her to do what she did, and her callousness turned me off.
I did quite like Katsu, the clockwork octopus that Mori keeps as a pet, and the touches of magical realism, but overall this fell a bit flat for me.
It's a very strange story. I spent most of it thinking that the setting was quite good, and wonderfully described, and loving the character of Mori, and somewhat liking Thaniel, and the rest of the story I wondered why on earth Grace was in it, and what on earth was happening. The plot was very meandering and I found there wasn't quite enough of it for me to rate this book very highly. The characterisation was okay, but still not quite enough. It took me a while to warm up to Thaniel, and the only character I really liked was Mori.
I didn't like Grace at all - I found her aversion to women quite irritating, and her actions towards the end were confusing. I kind of understood her reasons, but I didn't think it was really enough for her to do what she did, and her callousness turned me off.
I did quite like Katsu, the clockwork octopus that Mori keeps as a pet, and the touches of magical realism, but overall this fell a bit flat for me.
Not quite sure what to say about this book. I really enjoyed parts of it, as who can resist a clockwork octopus, but other parts I wasn't sure about and I can't quite put my finger on what bothered me. I liked the slow build up and introduction to Thaniel and the 1880s setting with its mixture of fact and fantasy. I think part of my problem was the characterisation of Mori and Grace, both of whom I appreciated more at the beginning than I did at the end, which felt a little rushed. A strange clockwork fantasy, which was interesting rather than wholly successful.
hopeful
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
Good book overall. Oddly, I do feel like this is a book that would be artistically improved by some more overt sexual tension, or even a sexy scene.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No