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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
The Sin in the Steel started out really promising. The dynamic between brilliant, detached Buc and the strong, kind Eld grabbed my attention from the beginning. It isn't quite a Sherlock and Watson vibe as thankfully Buc is more aware of how the world works than Sherlock typically is. The balance between Buc and Eld is great, though, and kept me invested in the story for at least the first hundred pages.
The two main things I struggled with in The Sin in the Steel were the world-building and the character development. I'm pretty open to different world-building methods, particularly in debuts, as long as it's done in a way where I have a sufficient sense of how the world works. I was baffled about the various religious groups and their politics, which initially seemed insignificant but was getting increasingly more important as the book went on. If I don't understand some of the key players in a world, it's hard to feel invested in the stakes of the story.
The number one reason I set this book aside was the character development. The archetypes Buc and Eld fit into appeal to me enough that I didn't need a ton of additional character development at the beginning to have a fun time. As the book went on, though, I started to care less and less about these characters. With Buc in particular it seemed like there just wasn't more to her than the genius who doesn't communicate plans and pretends not to care about people but does. As most of the book is narrated from Buc's perspective, this ended up making for a frustrating reading experience. Her tragic backstory kept being teased as the reason for Buc's behavior. I don't like when trauma is set up to be a plot device and/or character development reveal, which is where it felt like this was headed. We still hadn't gotten the reason for Buc's behavior when I set the book down at 73%.
I liked the concept of a dynamic duo solving mysteries on pirate ships but sadly the execution just did not work for me.
The two main things I struggled with in The Sin in the Steel were the world-building and the character development. I'm pretty open to different world-building methods, particularly in debuts, as long as it's done in a way where I have a sufficient sense of how the world works. I was baffled about the various religious groups and their politics, which initially seemed insignificant but was getting increasingly more important as the book went on. If I don't understand some of the key players in a world, it's hard to feel invested in the stakes of the story.
The number one reason I set this book aside was the character development. The archetypes Buc and Eld fit into appeal to me enough that I didn't need a ton of additional character development at the beginning to have a fun time. As the book went on, though, I started to care less and less about these characters. With Buc in particular it seemed like there just wasn't more to her than the genius who doesn't communicate plans and pretends not to care about people but does. As most of the book is narrated from Buc's perspective, this ended up making for a frustrating reading experience. Her tragic backstory kept being teased as the reason for Buc's behavior. I don't like when trauma is set up to be a plot device and/or character development reveal, which is where it felt like this was headed. We still hadn't gotten the reason for Buc's behavior when I set the book down at 73%.
I liked the concept of a dynamic duo solving mysteries on pirate ships but sadly the execution just did not work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, War
I recieved an ARC from BookishFirst after reading the first two chapters. I was excited to read this book after reading the first two chapters and the summary. However, the whole book didn't live up to my expectations for a mystery-fantasy-adventure (perhaps because I'm also reading Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn and was unintentionally comparing the two).
The plot was confusing and twisted in a way that's appropriate for mystery novels. One of the reasons I kept reading was because I was hoping that things would become more clear and the mystery would be solved. The mystery was solved--kinda--but not in a way that came with the satisfaction at the end of a good mystery. In a similar vein on the fantasy side of things, the world-building was solid, but not particularly interesting or clear-cut.
I appreciated the author's inclusion and centering of characters of color and powerful (queer) women. Buc's character develops over the course of the novel, but the rest of the characters stay static and appear and disappear haphazardly (lending to the confusing plot).
Overall, this was an ok debut novel. It seems set up for a sequel, so maybe the loose ends will get tied up in that.
The plot was confusing and twisted in a way that's appropriate for mystery novels. One of the reasons I kept reading was because I was hoping that things would become more clear and the mystery would be solved. The mystery was solved--kinda--but not in a way that came with the satisfaction at the end of a good mystery. In a similar vein on the fantasy side of things, the world-building was solid, but not particularly interesting or clear-cut.
I appreciated the author's inclusion and centering of characters of color and powerful (queer) women. Buc's character develops over the course of the novel, but the rest of the characters stay static and appear and disappear haphazardly (lending to the confusing plot).
Overall, this was an ok debut novel. It seems set up for a sequel, so maybe the loose ends will get tied up in that.
I am privileged to be in Ryan's writing group and from his first WIP, I knew he was going to be published. I'm so happy for him that SIN IN THE STEEL--which also passed through our group--is his debut, and what a debut it is! Adventure on the high seas, magic run rampant, and a heroine with a wit sharper than a sword's edge. Be prepared to keep flipping the page with this one, folks.
To start off my review, some of my comments are going to be probably unpopular opinions. I feel like I’ve seen this before. On a movie. With pirates, only the main character in that was a lot more entertaining, and I actually liked him. I won’t say exactly what I’m talking about, but it felt very similar to an already existing franchise. And that’s okay. I did enjoy this book, it just felt like I had seen it before when I’d liked it a lot more.
Wins
- Ryan Van Loans writing style is very rich. I don’t know how else to describe it, but his setting the scene, and world building was super impressive. I didn’t feel like there was a lot of fluff like I’ve noticed with books lately, and the writing flowed very easily.
- Some of the characters were amazing. Chan Sha has got to be one of my top 15 characters of all time. She was absolutely amazing and I loved her
- The fact that we got a book that swears as often as these characters do. It was extremely refreshing, but maybe it’s just the YA books i read. I did enjoy that Ryan didn’t mind going there
Opportunities
- I didn’t like Buc in the slightest. She was meant to be a very strong female hero who pushed the boundaries, and I just felt like she was a spoiled, know-it-all rude character. Eld was super uninteresting and I’ve met him before, and didn’t like him then either.
- It wasn’t super original. What actually happens is different (obviously) but it just felt like it’d been done before
- I don’t know why this is becoming a trend, but I really don’t like it. When we go from first person for 90% of the book, but there’s 10% that’s in third person. Those parts are extremely jarring in any novel, and I really don’t like it, and don’t understand why it’s becoming more common.
- How “smart” Buc is. I’m doing a separate bullet on this solely for the fact that it wasnt a plot device to advance the story, it wasn’t necessary, but we heard a lot about the books she had read and what quotes came from it. It felt unnecessary to me. And it annoyed me the way she flaunted it. especially when she was all about books in the beginning and that’s never brought up again.
- I didn’t love the ending. This would’ve been better as a stand-alone in my opinion. I will check out the second book when it comes out to see if I like it, but it could’ve definitely stood alone.
All in all, I didn’t hate this book. I feel like this review is very criticizing at this point, but I did enjoy the story. It was a fun quick little read that I would’ve enjoyed a lot more when I was a bit younger. I probably would’ve liked Buc as a teenager, but as an adult she was far from one of my favorite characters. Ryan’s writing style is very unique and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the world, and hopefully the next book centers around a certain character whom I loved!
Wins
- Ryan Van Loans writing style is very rich. I don’t know how else to describe it, but his setting the scene, and world building was super impressive. I didn’t feel like there was a lot of fluff like I’ve noticed with books lately, and the writing flowed very easily.
- Some of the characters were amazing. Chan Sha has got to be one of my top 15 characters of all time. She was absolutely amazing and I loved her
- The fact that we got a book that swears as often as these characters do. It was extremely refreshing, but maybe it’s just the YA books i read. I did enjoy that Ryan didn’t mind going there
Opportunities
- I didn’t like Buc in the slightest. She was meant to be a very strong female hero who pushed the boundaries, and I just felt like she was a spoiled, know-it-all rude character. Eld was super uninteresting and I’ve met him before, and didn’t like him then either.
- It wasn’t super original. What actually happens is different (obviously) but it just felt like it’d been done before
- I don’t know why this is becoming a trend, but I really don’t like it. When we go from first person for 90% of the book, but there’s 10% that’s in third person. Those parts are extremely jarring in any novel, and I really don’t like it, and don’t understand why it’s becoming more common.
- How “smart” Buc is. I’m doing a separate bullet on this solely for the fact that it wasnt a plot device to advance the story, it wasn’t necessary, but we heard a lot about the books she had read and what quotes came from it. It felt unnecessary to me. And it annoyed me the way she flaunted it. especially when she was all about books in the beginning and that’s never brought up again.
- I didn’t love the ending. This would’ve been better as a stand-alone in my opinion. I will check out the second book when it comes out to see if I like it, but it could’ve definitely stood alone.
All in all, I didn’t hate this book. I feel like this review is very criticizing at this point, but I did enjoy the story. It was a fun quick little read that I would’ve enjoyed a lot more when I was a bit younger. I probably would’ve liked Buc as a teenager, but as an adult she was far from one of my favorite characters. Ryan’s writing style is very unique and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the world, and hopefully the next book centers around a certain character whom I loved!
I really enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down. This is a book that I would read many times. This will also be an author that I will follow and be excited to read the next book.
I love how detailed the author is and how the story was developed to keep you guessing as to what would happen and how it would end. The characters were easily relatable. Buc and Eld were my favorite characters because through all the hardships that they had they still managed to stick together.
I liked how the author put in how the characters personalities and ideas were interwoven into the story.
I went through so many emotions but it was worth it. I did not see what was coming at the end and was pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book.
I love how detailed the author is and how the story was developed to keep you guessing as to what would happen and how it would end. The characters were easily relatable. Buc and Eld were my favorite characters because through all the hardships that they had they still managed to stick together.
I liked how the author put in how the characters personalities and ideas were interwoven into the story.
I went through so many emotions but it was worth it. I did not see what was coming at the end and was pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book.
I really tried to get in this, but I just never even started caring about the characters, much less the plotline. Clearly other people like it, so more for them, I say -- Sherlock has been done better, so has fantasy adventure. I'll go find another to please me.
See my review on The Nerd Daily:
https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-the-sin-in-the-steel-by-ryan-van-loan/
https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-the-sin-in-the-steel-by-ryan-van-loan/
I received The Sin in the Steel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Sin in the Steel is the first novel in The Fall of the Gods series by Ryan Van Loan. It's a series that mixes many elements together in order to create something fun an exciting. Pirates, magic, dead gods can all be found. Oh and a Sherlockian twist as well.
Buc is a prodigy, plain and simple. She grew up as a street rat, but once handed an ounce of knowledge she suddenly couldn't get enough of it. With the ex-soldier Eld taking care of her, keeping her safe while she developed her mind, it felt like she was unstoppable.
Now Buc and Eld have been tasked to solve a crime, under penalty of death if they fail. All they have to do is take on pirates, the infamous Widowmaker, and maybe a dead god or two. No big deal, right?
“But while the world may be driven by knowledge, it runs on gold. The hard kind. And if my plans were to succeed, that was the kind of leverage I needed. I saw my chance, placed my wager, and took my seat at the table.”
The Sin in the Steel is a brilliant and fast-paced read, one that you're not going to want to put down. At least, I know I didn't! I loved all of the themes that went into this book, but especially the combination of pirate vibes and Sherlockian logic. It made for something fun and different.
Buc is the highlight of the novel, without a doubt. She's a brilliant mind, one that sometimes has too much processing all at once. I felt like this aspect was portrayed very nicely. That she grew up on the streets isn't forgotten, though it does make her love of reading all the more impressive.
The world and magic within were absolutely fascinating. I would honestly read a dozen more books set in this world, and still feel like there was more to learn. For that reason, I am very much looking forward to any and all sequels.
The Sherlockian elements were fun, and on the whole, pretty well done. I wouldn't have minded seeing just a touch more of that, as clearly Buc has a brilliant mind. Albeit it frequently felt like that mind was doing a better job of getting her into more trouble than anything (sound familiar?). I actually adore that other elements were pulled from Sherlock, instead of just his wits and need to solve mysteries. It's refreshing. Even if it sometimes results with people wanting to strangle Buc.
I should probably mention one thing: the ages in the ARC I read are different from the ages in the finished book. Knowing that going into this read made a major difference (especially if looking at other reviews is any indication). The relationship between Buc and Eld is not nearly so creepy. Though it does take the edge off some of their age-related jokes, for good or for ill.
I'm curious to see where this story is going to lead in the long run. It feels like whatever Buc has started will eventually change her world, on a smaller and more personal scale as well as on a much grander one.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Sin in the Steel is the first novel in The Fall of the Gods series by Ryan Van Loan. It's a series that mixes many elements together in order to create something fun an exciting. Pirates, magic, dead gods can all be found. Oh and a Sherlockian twist as well.
Buc is a prodigy, plain and simple. She grew up as a street rat, but once handed an ounce of knowledge she suddenly couldn't get enough of it. With the ex-soldier Eld taking care of her, keeping her safe while she developed her mind, it felt like she was unstoppable.
Now Buc and Eld have been tasked to solve a crime, under penalty of death if they fail. All they have to do is take on pirates, the infamous Widowmaker, and maybe a dead god or two. No big deal, right?
“But while the world may be driven by knowledge, it runs on gold. The hard kind. And if my plans were to succeed, that was the kind of leverage I needed. I saw my chance, placed my wager, and took my seat at the table.”
The Sin in the Steel is a brilliant and fast-paced read, one that you're not going to want to put down. At least, I know I didn't! I loved all of the themes that went into this book, but especially the combination of pirate vibes and Sherlockian logic. It made for something fun and different.
Buc is the highlight of the novel, without a doubt. She's a brilliant mind, one that sometimes has too much processing all at once. I felt like this aspect was portrayed very nicely. That she grew up on the streets isn't forgotten, though it does make her love of reading all the more impressive.
The world and magic within were absolutely fascinating. I would honestly read a dozen more books set in this world, and still feel like there was more to learn. For that reason, I am very much looking forward to any and all sequels.
The Sherlockian elements were fun, and on the whole, pretty well done. I wouldn't have minded seeing just a touch more of that, as clearly Buc has a brilliant mind. Albeit it frequently felt like that mind was doing a better job of getting her into more trouble than anything (sound familiar?). I actually adore that other elements were pulled from Sherlock, instead of just his wits and need to solve mysteries. It's refreshing. Even if it sometimes results with people wanting to strangle Buc.
I should probably mention one thing: the ages in the ARC I read are different from the ages in the finished book. Knowing that going into this read made a major difference (especially if looking at other reviews is any indication). The relationship between Buc and Eld is not nearly so creepy. Though it does take the edge off some of their age-related jokes, for good or for ill.
I'm curious to see where this story is going to lead in the long run. It feels like whatever Buc has started will eventually change her world, on a smaller and more personal scale as well as on a much grander one.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
it never really gripped me and then i sensed a romance coming. but i liked the prose and the pirates
I originally read the excerpt on this book on Bookish First and I was definitely intrigued. It sounded like the setup for an awesome book. Mages, Gods, a sarcastic female protagonist. But it just wasn't the book for me.
The detail on the ship & Elds excursion were pretty detailed and I want to say geared more towards men but that sounds sexist and that's not how it came across. It just isn't your typical ladylike fantasy read.
The detail on the ship & Elds excursion were pretty detailed and I want to say geared more towards men but that sounds sexist and that's not how it came across. It just isn't your typical ladylike fantasy read.