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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Loved it for the first 2/3rds, then it zigged when I wanted a zag.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A difficult book to rate. On some levels this book was very good. The setting was lovely and immersive and the characters were interesting and unique; the writing was also very solid and well done.
The problem I had was that I just never cared about anything that was happening to any of them. Not once did I find myself remotely concerned or even interested in any of the plot for this book.
I'll keep this author on my radar because again, there was alot to like here It just never came together in any way for me.
The problem I had was that I just never cared about anything that was happening to any of them. Not once did I find myself remotely concerned or even interested in any of the plot for this book.
I'll keep this author on my radar because again, there was alot to like here It just never came together in any way for me.
Interesting at first, kept me enticed through most of the middle, and then I completely lost interest with the end.
The book retained an old-world charm which made for a quaint, comforti reading experience. As a debut novel, I think it was very good but it could have been amazing. It has elements of mystery, romance, fantasy and historical fiction but doesn't really achieve justice towards them - perhaps a case of incorporating a lot and it being slightly underwhelming as a result. There are some places where the ambiguity is interesting but others where it is plain confusing.
I appreciated most of the primary characters such as Mori, Thaniel, Grace but felt the interactions could have been written to have more impact. The undifferentiated dialogue was confusing in some places. I really liked the focus on science from one character viewpoint and the clockwork specimens from another but they all were a bit vague and underdeveloped.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but there was a sense of missed potential.
I appreciated most of the primary characters such as Mori, Thaniel, Grace but felt the interactions could have been written to have more impact. The undifferentiated dialogue was confusing in some places. I really liked the focus on science from one character viewpoint and the clockwork specimens from another but they all were a bit vague and underdeveloped.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but there was a sense of missed potential.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's never a good sign when I let a book rest for days without picking it up. With this book I fell for the gorgeous cover and the premise. It's not a badly written book. I very much enjoyed the elements of Victorian London and the tinkering of watchmaking. There's a mechanical octopus for christ sake. I didn't empathise with any of the characters, found it a bit convoluted and that romance, for me, came out of nowhere.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail
A weird but wonderful tale about clockwork and time-bending in Victorian London. Including understated romance and quirky elements like a mechanical octopus.