marci_travels's review
5.0
I waited way too long to pick up this series again. I had picked up Oil and Dust as an ebook when it first came out and before I had even finished the first book, I had ordered the second and purchased the first as a print book. I fell in love with Matthew's journey to find his family, and embraced the friends he made along the way. I gushed about the books on Facebook's fantasy forums, tweeted my desire to have all creatives hear these words, propped the books prominently behind me when I spoke about books on podcasts and Zoom interviews.
And then life happened, and I forgot about the second book even though it sat on my shelf. My punishment is that I have gone months without the warm vibes that Akiko just exudes as she skips across the page. Charcoal will always be my favorite, but Akiko runs a close second. I also love all the advice - and judgement - Matthew receives from friends and strangers about his parenting skills. I felt the author could have lifted that straight from the pages of every social media thread - how anyone can be a parent in today's media circus is far beyond my wheelhouse of knowledge.
Talbot continues to be the villain we cannot live without. He is in the unenviable position of working with the hero, while maintaining all of his "charm." I like the complexity of his character without liking him.
This is a serious second act without any sophomore slump. Well-done!
And then life happened, and I forgot about the second book even though it sat on my shelf. My punishment is that I have gone months without the warm vibes that Akiko just exudes as she skips across the page. Charcoal will always be my favorite, but Akiko runs a close second. I also love all the advice - and judgement - Matthew receives from friends and strangers about his parenting skills. I felt the author could have lifted that straight from the pages of every social media thread - how anyone can be a parent in today's media circus is far beyond my wheelhouse of knowledge.
Talbot continues to be the villain we cannot live without. He is in the unenviable position of working with the hero, while maintaining all of his "charm." I like the complexity of his character without liking him.
This is a serious second act without any sophomore slump. Well-done!
parue's review
4.0
Okay so, I loved this book a lot and again I still can't stop thinking about it, but I didn't love it quite as much as Oil and Dust. I'm still giving it four stars though, which is the rating I gave Oil and Dust!
The main reason being,
But boy, does this book amp up the stakes and expand things. I loved all the new characters that were introduced, and the various twists and turns that took place. I'm waiting in great anticipation for the third book.
The main reason being,
Spoiler
it felt like poor Matthew was shit on almost the entire time. I felt like it was crisis after crisis, even if they were small. Even though there were tiny moments of Matthew and Akiko being okay, I still felt an underlying anxiety during these moments, so I never felt like I was able to come up for air. I wish there was more time in-between each crisis to just sit and live with the characters a bit.But boy, does this book amp up the stakes and expand things. I loved all the new characters that were introduced, and the various twists and turns that took place.
Spoiler
I actually enjoyed the reveal about Talbot being family. At first I felt a little iffy about it but I actually really liked him as a character by the end and am intrigued about his backstory. I hope we see more of him in the third book and I hope he and Matthew get a real chance to grow their relationship, though I have a small sinking feeling that this won't happen T_T. Also omg! The reveal about the abbeys was really interesting and I can't wait to see more of what Matthew will do and how he'll grapple with this.katkinney's review
5.0
I absolutely LOVE the Elemental Artist series. Set in a post-apocalyptic world hundreds of years in the future, there are no more cars, tech, electricity, or any modern conveniences. Everyone has basically been transported back to the 1800’s. Matthew is an artist and in this world, artists are the most valued type of profession because what they paint comes to life. If he paints an improvement on an old shack, it can turn into a beautiful new school building. It’s a fun concept and the way that author Jami Fairleigh fleshes out her world with low tech flying machines, danger of infection from leg wounds, the drudgery of slow travel without cars or trains, and seeing color through an artist’s eyes, is thrilling. In the last book, Matthew found a circle of friends, whom he’s mostly separated from in GRAPHITE AND TURBULENCE, as he tries to find his birth family that gave him up for artist training when he was a toddler. Here we see his relationship with Akiko, the eight-year-old girl he has adopted and who is a talented artist herself. Except in their world, girls are not allowed to be trained as artists, and Akiko’s gifts are even rarer than Matthew’s, making her a target for exploitation. I loved seeing their father daughter scenes, as well as learning more about Matthew’s past and his connection with Talbot. The scenes where Matthew and Akiko flew in the flyer, argued, found solutions to problems, communicated through sketches, and strengthened their father-daughter bond made this book a treasure to read. Very excited to see what happens in Charcoal and Smoke! 5/5 stars.
helengarrawayauthor's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphite and Turbulence is a worthy sequel to Oil and Dust, which I loved. The art magic was an original magic system, or at least this was the first time I had come across it, and this book takes us to a new level as Akiko's talents unfold. Unfortunately that means she also becomes more of a target.
The relationship between Akiko and Mathew is lovely, and as Mathew stumbles into parenting, he tries to learn from his mistakes, as well as choose which parenting advice he is going to use. The first time Akiko uses his surname as her family name is a poignant moment.
I love how the use of paint and colours enrich this story, especially as Akiko revels in it and brings new life to everything she touches. And that cover! So clever how it has evolved to include Akiko!!
This is an engaging story with a lot characters, though with all the compounds and depots it is easy to confuse who they are, to remember where they came from and who is on the side of the angels and who is not.
The title of the book suggest that all does not go well in this installment and their journey is full of up and downs (literally!!), and new challenges, but it doesn't end here. Thankfully there is more to come!
rain_tea_and_books's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
It was so nice to dive back into the story of Matthew and his search to find his home. Especially now that he is travelling with Akiko, his adopted daughter. This sequel read quite similarly to it’s predecessor – in that it is a cosy, travel story which allows for the focus to be on the characters and their relationships. This is why I loved this so much – I find the novel to be more focused on character than plot (while the plot does hold it’s own).
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read, I am so invested in these characters that this novel had me on edge – stressing about what would happen next. I love the false sense of security I get from the early chapters as I sit down to read about Matthew’s travels and then get hit with fear, chaos and confusion. This is all evened out though with the beautiful characters and the friendships they make. There are some wonderful additions to Matthew’s found family this novel, as well as some side characters I am going to miss. Jami Fairleigh has a knack for creating these really vibrant characters, which are some of my favourite parts of this novel.
As I said before, plot-wise, things got intense! I loved how the story continued on from the events of Oil and Dust (Book 1), and while it answered some questions, it also asked so many more. There is so much on the line for these characters, and I found that the story had a nice mix of stressful scenes as well as light hearted. Fairleigh writes beautifully, and really has created such an interesting and complex world for this story to unfold in.
I think one of my favourite things about this novel is the found family aspects. Found family makes me melt emotionally. Here, I am so invested it's not funny! I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a cosy read with wonderful characters and an exciting plot. Though it goes without saying, read Oil and Dust first! You'll love it!
Thank you to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for sending me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title was published 1st March 2022.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a read, I am so invested in these characters that this novel had me on edge – stressing about what would happen next. I love the false sense of security I get from the early chapters as I sit down to read about Matthew’s travels and then get hit with fear, chaos and confusion. This is all evened out though with the beautiful characters and the friendships they make. There are some wonderful additions to Matthew’s found family this novel, as well as some side characters I am going to miss. Jami Fairleigh has a knack for creating these really vibrant characters, which are some of my favourite parts of this novel.
As I said before, plot-wise, things got intense! I loved how the story continued on from the events of Oil and Dust (Book 1), and while it answered some questions, it also asked so many more. There is so much on the line for these characters, and I found that the story had a nice mix of stressful scenes as well as light hearted. Fairleigh writes beautifully, and really has created such an interesting and complex world for this story to unfold in.
I think one of my favourite things about this novel is the found family aspects. Found family makes me melt emotionally. Here, I am so invested it's not funny! I recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a cosy read with wonderful characters and an exciting plot. Though it goes without saying, read Oil and Dust first! You'll love it!
Thank you to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for sending me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title was published 1st March 2022.
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