decembera's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
caramaia223's review against another edition
5.0
Very good book but it isn't clear what happened to Karl if he was killed on his way to meet Count Otto or if he lived because at the end of the book it says: 'And the students of Richterbund, gathering silently ate the Café Florestan to wait for news of Karl and Gustav and the others who'd died.' And I really want to know what happened to him.
levitatingnumeral's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It's catchy, yet it took me some time to read it.
It's full of plot twists, the characters are interesting, it has a little bit of every genre (mystery, action, historical-ish, romance...) and it's quite well written.
All in all, I recommend it.
It's full of plot twists, the characters are interesting, it has a little bit of every genre (mystery, action, historical-ish, romance...) and it's quite well written.
All in all, I recommend it.
jaimee6314's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
eserafina42's review
4.0
Well, it's not His Dark Materials, but taken for what it is, a light, entertaining (albeit with some dark undertones) "Ruritanian romance," this book was very enjoyable.
thepunktheory's review against another edition
3.0
First of all I have to say that I was very surprised that the final installment in the Sally Lockhart quartet is actually not about Sally Lockhart at all. She only appears briefly at the beginning and the end of the novel.
However, after I had overcome my first shock, I warmed up to the characters and was so thrilled when they began their journey. What I love so much about Pullman's books is his historical accuracy. I am aware that there never was a kingdom named Razkavia, but he incorporated many parts that remind me very much of Austria in that period of time. Anyway, the way Pullman creates his story, you'd believe any minute that Razkavia may have existed at some point in time.
All I can say is that the story is thrilling. You just can't put the book down. It's almost like witnessing history first hand.
Well, I do have one tiny little negative point. The story is rather complex and I wish Pullman would have given some characters more space. I think the story would have become even more intricate if he had added some background especially when it comes to the stuff going on in Germany.
This also ties in with the problem the ending gives me. There are so many characters and also a few side-plots, I felt like Pullman simply forgot about some of them. There is a bunch of characters that simply aren't mentioned any more at the end and I really want to know what happend to them!
So if you haven't already, go check this book out. I promise you will love.
And dear BBC, please to me a favor and finally make an adaptation!
However, after I had overcome my first shock, I warmed up to the characters and was so thrilled when they began their journey. What I love so much about Pullman's books is his historical accuracy. I am aware that there never was a kingdom named Razkavia, but he incorporated many parts that remind me very much of Austria in that period of time. Anyway, the way Pullman creates his story, you'd believe any minute that Razkavia may have existed at some point in time.
All I can say is that the story is thrilling. You just can't put the book down. It's almost like witnessing history first hand.
Well, I do have one tiny little negative point. The story is rather complex and I wish Pullman would have given some characters more space. I think the story would have become even more intricate if he had added some background especially when it comes to the stuff going on in Germany.
This also ties in with the problem the ending gives me. There are so many characters and also a few side-plots, I felt like Pullman simply forgot about some of them. There is a bunch of characters that simply aren't mentioned any more at the end and I really want to know what happend to them!
So if you haven't already, go check this book out. I promise you will love.
And dear BBC, please to me a favor and finally make an adaptation!
alexandraidonea's review
4.0
Probably liked this the best after (or tied with) The Ruby in the Smoke. It had the same heightened adventure feeling, and I loved the faux European setting. Adeline could rub me the wrong way but I loved when she was being her regal self the way no one else could be, and I adored Becky. I'd forgotten how wonderful Jim is but how frustratingly he and Fred became almost the same character (except he has none of Fred's most frustrating qualities). On the whole I loved the expansive setting this took place over, the dramatic air it held from start to finish. I wish Pullman had written more about these characters.
demottar's review against another edition
4.0
I remembered next to nothing about this book plot-wise, other than I loved it in high school, so it was fun to revisit it and try to identify scenes and characters that would have captivated me then. As always, Jim Taylor steals every single scene he’s in, especially the ones where he’s falling in love or commanding an army of ragtag students. Becky Winter is also a fun addition to this series and an excellent foil for Adelaide. If this book weren’t part of the Sally Lockhart series and were just a standalone novel, it would probably be a knockout. As it is, I think it suffers a bit from being in the shadow of the other books in the series, despite the fast-moving, adventurous plot. Plus, no Victorian London is kind of sad. Pullman does London in the late 19th century so, so well.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic storytelling, highly recommended. This novel is ostensibly a spin-off of the Sally Lockhart trilogy, although it draws little from that series beyond the general atmosphere and a few characters
librarykirsten's review against another edition
4.0
Very much a nostalgic comfort read for me. There's drama and excitement and noble acts, lots of noble acts - it seems a common thread in Pullman's work to have his characters striving to do the right thing, even when it's hard and even when the outcome is uncertain.