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A review by accidentalspaceexplorer
Arabella of Mars by David D. Levine
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was very compelling and I flew through it - Arabella is a fun character, and the setting is definitely fun.
However, it's not really a romance. Most of the development of their feelings obviously happens off page, and is only hinted at by the characters. I also found the ending resolution of their getting together pretty unsatisfying. I also had some issues with the racial tensions in this book - they weren't addressed in a meaningful and thoughtful way, and I found the reveal of the Captain's past to be very ridiculous and stereotypical.
If you're going into this expecting it to be a romance, don't. If you're going into this expecting it to be a fun steampunk sailing romp, you'll be much more satisfied, if you can look past the couple of flaws.
However, it's not really a romance. Most of the development of their feelings obviously happens off page, and is only hinted at by the characters. I also found the ending resolution of their getting together pretty unsatisfying. I also had some issues with the racial tensions in this book - they weren't addressed in a meaningful and thoughtful way, and I found the reveal of the Captain's past to be very ridiculous and stereotypical.
If you're going into this expecting it to be a romance, don't. If you're going into this expecting it to be a fun steampunk sailing romp, you'll be much more satisfied, if you can look past the couple of flaws.