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janallan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
mad_about_books's review
4.0
I am new to the world of dieselpunk, which, in this case, is a modern time with cars and elevators and electricity but set in a world quite different from our own. Since I have read my fair share of steampunk (both Victorian and otherworldly) and cyberpunk (William Gibson is a favorite), adding diesel to my punk repertoire seemed like a logical next step.
THE FRACTURED EMPIRE is conceptually interesting and relies pretty heavily on the assumption that readers will have read the short story prequel "The Silent Explosion." The idea of soundless devastation is pretty mind boggling. No sound at all until the screaming starts. Along with the various sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy, I am a big fan of the horror novel. The thing about reading graphic depictions is that the horror is as bad as your own mind chooses to make it. Unlike movies, where the gore is in your face, books inform your imagination. This book, and the preceding story, are written to engage a younger audience whose sensibilities are still forming. I did find it quite well written and engaging. The only downside is that it ends on a cliffhanger. As such, the need to read the next book is definitely fostered. I like to read series as if they were one continuous novel. In that way, the cliffhanger is not so devastating.
I can't find anywhere but Goodreads to post my review, so I am wondering just how this series is going to be sold to the general reading public. I normally post to Goodreads, Amazon, and, when appropriate, to BookBub.
THE FRACTURED EMPIRE is conceptually interesting and relies pretty heavily on the assumption that readers will have read the short story prequel "The Silent Explosion." The idea of soundless devastation is pretty mind boggling. No sound at all until the screaming starts. Along with the various sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy, I am a big fan of the horror novel. The thing about reading graphic depictions is that the horror is as bad as your own mind chooses to make it. Unlike movies, where the gore is in your face, books inform your imagination. This book, and the preceding story, are written to engage a younger audience whose sensibilities are still forming. I did find it quite well written and engaging. The only downside is that it ends on a cliffhanger. As such, the need to read the next book is definitely fostered. I like to read series as if they were one continuous novel. In that way, the cliffhanger is not so devastating.
I can't find anywhere but Goodreads to post my review, so I am wondering just how this series is going to be sold to the general reading public. I normally post to Goodreads, Amazon, and, when appropriate, to BookBub.
brooklyn_book_girl's review
4.0
This book was so good! As in stay up way too late reading it unable to put it down good. I love the mystery. I love a strong female lead. Robin D. Mahle did a great job of building this fantasy world and of developing her characters in a way that didn't give everything away. I enjoyed that the chapters alternated between Addie and Clark - it was easy to know whose point of view you were reading and it added to the dynamic between them!
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange for an honest review.
thehamsterreads's review
5.0
This book is a wonderful read! It’s well written and exciting and it will leave you breathless! I loved the characters. Addie and Clark are so perfect for each other! They start out on opposite sides, but when forced to work together they end up realizing how right they are for each other. I also really enjoyed the world building - I really felt like I was there with the characters! I definitely recommend this for fans of YA fantasy!
I received a copy from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
a_neverending_tbr's review
4.0
This was a nice start to what I think will be a great story. The authors have done a nice job with world building and developing interesting characters though I am looking forward to more development of them as the story goes on in the next book. There is a lot going on and by the end, I truly don’t know who the true villain will turn out to be by the conclusion of the series. It did seem like the romance comes out of nowhere in this story though the characters themselves seem to feel the same way so I think this will develop further and deeper as the story continues. It was hard to put down and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
megglettep's review against another edition
5.0
IT ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER IM SO MAD.
I will come back and compose a cogent review later.
I will come back and compose a cogent review later.
tamunra's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, so much that I've already bookmarked the sequel to pick up and read sometime.
There are first-person backstories/memories (just a page or two) before each chapter; they help you adjust from switching between Adelaide's and Clark's points of view, but I didn't like the way they cut between the action of present-day.
I liked the banter between Clark and Adelaide. The writing and dialogue was good, but I didn't necessarily feel that their POV or personalities came through very much, unfortunately. Not a problem, necessary; just something I noticed. (Perhaps they're really similar, so they have similar voices.)
The plot moved along quickly, as did the action. However, most of the reveals were at the end of the book, and I wish they'd been spread out a little more. I wish the book had ended with a little more resolution (yes, even for a cliffhanger), and a little less surprise.
That said, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the world-building. Characters behaved realistically. I wish that characters like Nell had been featured more in the beginning/throughout the book, instead of mainly at the end. I hope that future books flesh out the secondary characters a little more fully, and differentiate Clark and Adelaide a little more.
Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable, well-written book, and I'm looking forward to more.
I received a copy of this book for free via BookSirens for an unbiased, voluntary review.
There are first-person backstories/memories (just a page or two) before each chapter; they help you adjust from switching between Adelaide's and Clark's points of view, but I didn't like the way they cut between the action of present-day.
I liked the banter between Clark and Adelaide. The writing and dialogue was good, but I didn't necessarily feel that their POV or personalities came through very much, unfortunately. Not a problem, necessary; just something I noticed. (Perhaps they're really similar, so they have similar voices.)
The plot moved along quickly, as did the action. However, most of the reveals were at the end of the book, and I wish they'd been spread out a little more. I wish the book had ended with a little more resolution (yes, even for a cliffhanger), and a little less surprise.
That said, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the world-building. Characters behaved realistically. I wish that characters like Nell had been featured more in the beginning/throughout the book, instead of mainly at the end. I hope that future books flesh out the secondary characters a little more fully, and differentiate Clark and Adelaide a little more.
Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable, well-written book, and I'm looking forward to more.
I received a copy of this book for free via BookSirens for an unbiased, voluntary review.
ddbookreviews's review
4.0
I love a good fantasy. I have been looking for a while for something that can lift my spirits and keep me motivated and invested in the story.
The fractured Empire was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. I can not be more honest. It was a great read, so much so that I had to get the next instalment The Tempest sea.
The characters are well rounded with interesting and explanatory backstories that you come to know through chapters that take you back to memories of the specific characters.
Clark and Addie are thrown together due to circumstances neither of them saw coming. Their tenuous relationship highlights the importance of getting to know someone and that keeping secrets never helps a relationship. Nonetheless, they form a bond that becomes a constant thread through the story.
Nell, Locke and Clark's brothers form a tight-knit ring around Addie and Clark in the centre. Though their actions sometimes keep one guessing at their intentions.
Add to this conspiracies and suspicions surrounding both Addie's and Clark's fathers as well as a Land from legend and magical books and this makes a story that takes you from the world to another where you hold your breath and get palpitations at the things the characters gets up to.
It takes a good book to get me to buy and read the next in the series. This is a good read and a clean one at that. Always a bonus when reading young adult literature.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The fractured Empire was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. I can not be more honest. It was a great read, so much so that I had to get the next instalment The Tempest sea.
The characters are well rounded with interesting and explanatory backstories that you come to know through chapters that take you back to memories of the specific characters.
Clark and Addie are thrown together due to circumstances neither of them saw coming. Their tenuous relationship highlights the importance of getting to know someone and that keeping secrets never helps a relationship. Nonetheless, they form a bond that becomes a constant thread through the story.
Nell, Locke and Clark's brothers form a tight-knit ring around Addie and Clark in the centre. Though their actions sometimes keep one guessing at their intentions.
Add to this conspiracies and suspicions surrounding both Addie's and Clark's fathers as well as a Land from legend and magical books and this makes a story that takes you from the world to another where you hold your breath and get palpitations at the things the characters gets up to.
It takes a good book to get me to buy and read the next in the series. This is a good read and a clean one at that. Always a bonus when reading young adult literature.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
proudtobeabookaholic's review
5.0
Fantasy with a touch of steampunk = I like!
I will admit that Adelaide got on my nerves in the beginning. She acted antsy and quite selfish, and I wanted to shake her a bit. However, after peeling off a couple of layers it became easier to understand and sympathise with her.
I love Adelaide's and Clark's interactions and bantering! They make an odd "couple", but the attraction between them is evident.
I also enjoy Clark's relationship with his brothers, Xavier and Gunther. They're all adopted, so there's no bloodline, but they argue and protect each other like "real" siblings usually do.
We get both Adelaide's and Clark's point of view, which I appriciate since I feel closer to the characters. It also makes it easy to keep on reading when you've finished a chapter. The fact that a lot of things happen makes it even harder to quit reading, since I want to know what will happen next! Now I need more!
I will admit that Adelaide got on my nerves in the beginning. She acted antsy and quite selfish, and I wanted to shake her a bit. However, after peeling off a couple of layers it became easier to understand and sympathise with her.
I love Adelaide's and Clark's interactions and bantering! They make an odd "couple", but the attraction between them is evident.
I also enjoy Clark's relationship with his brothers, Xavier and Gunther. They're all adopted, so there's no bloodline, but they argue and protect each other like "real" siblings usually do.
We get both Adelaide's and Clark's point of view, which I appriciate since I feel closer to the characters. It also makes it easy to keep on reading when you've finished a chapter. The fact that a lot of things happen makes it even harder to quit reading, since I want to know what will happen next! Now I need more!