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A review by mackle13
Larklight by Philip Reeve
3.0
3.5
A steampunkish space adventure based on the old Victorian adventure stories, complete with huzzahs! to the glorious Empire - but also those against the Empire and characters pointing out how not so glorious it is to come about and muck with people quite happy on their own, thanks much.
It's hard to really say whether this is sci-fi or fantasy. One would expect sci-fi since there are aliens and space adventures; however, there's nothing remotely realistic about the science, what with people running around and breathing quite happily on the moon, in space, on Mars, etc. It's also not entirely steampunk, even though it's set in Victoriana, since, while some tech, like automatons, are steam power, the ships themselves are alchemically engineered.
But, whatever - pish tosh and all that.
The story was pretty predictable, but the narration, mostly via the perspective of young Art, but sometimes through the endearingly annoying Myrtle, who does get better as the story progresses.
But, really, space pirates and aliens and alchemy and giant spiders and rip-roaring adventures - what's not to like? Very much a plot driven book, it falters a bit with characterization, though there are funny quirks, like Myrtle worrying about propriety and her dress while trying to stop a rampant machine or after being resuced from a giant Moth.
Overall, very enjoyable, if not perfect.
A steampunkish space adventure based on the old Victorian adventure stories, complete with huzzahs! to the glorious Empire - but also those against the Empire and characters pointing out how not so glorious it is to come about and muck with people quite happy on their own, thanks much.
It's hard to really say whether this is sci-fi or fantasy. One would expect sci-fi since there are aliens and space adventures; however, there's nothing remotely realistic about the science, what with people running around and breathing quite happily on the moon, in space, on Mars, etc. It's also not entirely steampunk, even though it's set in Victoriana, since, while some tech, like automatons, are steam power, the ships themselves are alchemically engineered.
But, whatever - pish tosh and all that.
The story was pretty predictable, but the narration, mostly via the perspective of young Art, but sometimes through the endearingly annoying Myrtle, who does get better as the story progresses.
But, really, space pirates and aliens and alchemy and giant spiders and rip-roaring adventures - what's not to like? Very much a plot driven book, it falters a bit with characterization, though there are funny quirks, like Myrtle worrying about propriety and her dress while trying to stop a rampant machine or after being resuced from a giant Moth.
Overall, very enjoyable, if not perfect.