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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know where I found this book and why it landed on my wishlist, but it must have had partly to do with the beautiful cover. So, when a few weeks ago I saw someone selling this book with a few matching bookmarks I didn't hesitate and got the book right away. Not that that means I read a book soon. For that I had a little help from the reading challenge my friends and I created. I was in need of a book with a group of misfits. This book was a perfect fit.
If you're looking for some deep and complicated historical story this book might not really be your thing. However, if you're like me and don't like to be bothered with too many historical details, although I do enjoy historical settings, this book is perfect. The book is a quick, easy and most of all very entertaining read and although the descriptions of this version of Paris aren't too detailed, I still think the atmosphere came across perfectly.
Of course it were the characters in this book really stealing the show. Yes, they also could have gotten a few more layers, but they were easy to like and easy to root for. And that's partly because they are all very different. They have different backgrounds and different personalities and that's why they work so great as a team. They might not have a true mastermind, but honestly? Part of the fun is that their plans aren't always executed so perfectly. Sometimes solving a mess is more interesting to read than a plan coming perfectly together.
I also really liked the added layer of magic/science in this book. Although the book doesn't dive too deeply into the how, it's quite clear why the outcome of the experiments is so interesting for all parties involved in the conflict. It's even easier to understand why they don't want the other to have it. Well, her. Because the book does manage to make clear that this experiment is very much a girl. With dreams and wishes and most of all rights worth fighting for.
I'm looking forward to the sequel!
If you're looking for some deep and complicated historical story this book might not really be your thing. However, if you're like me and don't like to be bothered with too many historical details, although I do enjoy historical settings, this book is perfect. The book is a quick, easy and most of all very entertaining read and although the descriptions of this version of Paris aren't too detailed, I still think the atmosphere came across perfectly.
Of course it were the characters in this book really stealing the show. Yes, they also could have gotten a few more layers, but they were easy to like and easy to root for. And that's partly because they are all very different. They have different backgrounds and different personalities and that's why they work so great as a team. They might not have a true mastermind, but honestly? Part of the fun is that their plans aren't always executed so perfectly. Sometimes solving a mess is more interesting to read than a plan coming perfectly together.
I also really liked the added layer of magic/science in this book. Although the book doesn't dive too deeply into the how, it's quite clear why the outcome of the experiments is so interesting for all parties involved in the conflict. It's even easier to understand why they don't want the other to have it. Well, her. Because the book does manage to make clear that this experiment is very much a girl. With dreams and wishes and most of all rights worth fighting for.
I'm looking forward to the sequel!
catgiven94's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
shoutman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zzaarraa's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
artemisieae's review against another edition
Listen, I tried so hard to like this. It has everything I enjoy: French Revolution, a rag tag band with a heist plot, found family, queer romance, weird science-y magic??? And I cannot tell you how little I care about it, definitely not enough to finish the last 40% let alone read two other works.
jane_kelsey's review against another edition
3.0
This book started really well for me, I really enjoyed the direction in which is what going, but it went downhill for me after that and I just do not feel like continuing... I cannot get past the ridiculousness of the plot at this point, with these teenagers who think they know what they are doing when they're not. They have no actual "qualifications" and I cannot stop thinking that it's just not working for me.
Al was my favourite character so far for me, if I would've continued would've been for his wit because Camille annoyed me more and more as time went on...
Al was my favourite character so far for me, if I would've continued would've been for his wit because Camille annoyed me more and more as time went on...
bstayslay's review against another edition
3.0
I love an ensemble cast with a heist plot. Plus, I’ve never read a book set in the French Revolution. Despite all of that, this felt a bit flat. I wasn’t interested or invested in the characters or their journey and I was not particularly surprised by the “twist.” I don’t feel compelled to continue the trilogy.
achilleanshelves's review against another edition
5.0
(4.5 stars)
I had such amazing fun reading this, this was probably one of the most enjoyable and fun books I've read of the year which is bizarre considering it's dealing with a protagonist who has lost her parents to the guillotine. The writing style is so dynamic and the conflict is set out in such a swash-buckling manner that made these pages so easy to turn. Cam and Ada's relationship was also dealt with so perfectly and their conflict never felt like it was for the sake of conflict, it was grounded in the plot and realistic for the time.
I had such amazing fun reading this, this was probably one of the most enjoyable and fun books I've read of the year which is bizarre considering it's dealing with a protagonist who has lost her parents to the guillotine. The writing style is so dynamic and the conflict is set out in such a swash-buckling manner that made these pages so easy to turn. Cam and Ada's relationship was also dealt with so perfectly and their conflict never felt like it was for the sake of conflict, it was grounded in the plot and realistic for the time.
ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
Glad to finish this one. I wish it had been a stand alone, because I don’t necessarily want to read the sequel.
It’s dense, and heavy. Not the story (which is kind of fun and adventurous) or the world (which is a little bit grim with a lot of promise and hope)… it’s the writing. The writing is dense, and convoluted and just… blah.
I wanted to love it, and did not.
It’s dense, and heavy. Not the story (which is kind of fun and adventurous) or the world (which is a little bit grim with a lot of promise and hope)… it’s the writing. The writing is dense, and convoluted and just… blah.
I wanted to love it, and did not.