A review by eandrews80
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Nicole Galland, Neal Stephenson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I loved the first and last third of this book. I got a little impatient in the middle, but all the new characters and drawn-out historical adventures pay off in some truly amazing scenes near the end. I really enjoyed the epistolary format; while Melisande narrates the bulk of the book via her missives from 1851 London, you also get all kinds of other documents in the mix -- journal entries, letters, lots of office memos and correspondence, and a truly delightful epic poem, the subject matter of which I won't spoil.  This is a wonderful blend of comedy, adventure, and intrigue, and I'm really glad I took the time to read it.