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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
Almost 4 star, sometimes I wanted more back story and more. Occasionally it felt bogged down.
Good Steampunk novel with a decent respect for the historical era.
Good Steampunk novel with a decent respect for the historical era.
stephlunatic's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars truly, but I'll round down. The beginning was slow, but once we were on the move looking for the professor, everything was more interesting and the last 100 pages I couldn't put it down.
I enjoy a plucky female sky pilot as much as the next girl and this reads great as a standalone novel so I'm not 100% sure I'll be continuing. But it was fun!
I enjoy a plucky female sky pilot as much as the next girl and this reads great as a standalone novel so I'm not 100% sure I'll be continuing. But it was fun!
breezy610's review against another edition
3.0
finally got through this book. Having started a new job and getting use the schedule and plus haven't bee in the mood to puts a kill on the reading jazz. it was pretty good but it was lacking in some area. I will check out this rest of the series.
aklev13's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh it was ok. I kept rolling my eyes at the romance though. Back when i was a teenager i think this would have been more my thing but now i just find the instant romance for no other reason other than that he is attractive and there in a moment of danger boring. The love interest came off as entitled and misogynistic until the very end - it would be fine if he changed and then she fell in love with him but no apparently being attractive and a good kisser is all that’s necessary to fall in love. Liked the steampunk stuff and the absinthe fairy though.
eyreguide's review against another edition
3.0
This novel sets up a very compelling new world - with the battle between the light and shadow and Elle Chance in the middle of it. The action starts pretty quickly as Elle is thrown into the conspiracy, and gradually uncovers things about herself and her past that reveals she has a very important power. Most of the story is spent though in Elle denying that power and her destiny which got a little tiresome as I read further. I felt that it made the story drag a little as Elle and Mr. Marsh clashed so much in their own little power struggle. Although the romance that bloomed up between them was sweet, it felt a little forced, and a little confusing given the stakes that Mr. Marsh was very much aware of. The characters could have used a little more development I think, as I sometimes felt distanced from them, and a little disbelieving of the motives for their actions.
This story was a very entertaining read however, and even though I was not completely charmed by the characters or the romance, the mystery and the world building - especially the way things came together in the end was very exciting and such a page-turner. The different elements of urban fantasy and steampunk were a great mixture to bring this world to life, and I loved the historical detail of the story and the different settings. It's a very rich novel that perhaps has too much going for it, so that some things seemed too rushed or unexplored, but it's a great, quick read that fans of the genre should enjoy.
This story was a very entertaining read however, and even though I was not completely charmed by the characters or the romance, the mystery and the world building - especially the way things came together in the end was very exciting and such a page-turner. The different elements of urban fantasy and steampunk were a great mixture to bring this world to life, and I loved the historical detail of the story and the different settings. It's a very rich novel that perhaps has too much going for it, so that some things seemed too rushed or unexplored, but it's a great, quick read that fans of the genre should enjoy.
athene_sionnach's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow to start but once you get to know the characters it pulls you through.
heidenkind's review against another edition
Good story, but the romance was so cheesy and ridiculous, I wish it had just been cut. Probably one of the better steampunk novels I've tried, though.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
When I started reading A Conspiracy of Alchemists my first thought was that I had opened up the steampunk version of The Transporter. Which would be awesome! And I was perfectly happy to settle in and read that story. But, like books often too, it became so much more than what I expected, and as a result was even more awesome than I hoped.
At its most basic A Conspiracy of Alchemists is the story of a girl, pushing against the constraints/expectations of her society and doing what needs to be done to rescue her father. Elle is a spunky, strong willed woman and when she sets her mind to something she is going to do it. Like getting her pilot’s license. Or flying an otherwise untested machine. I like reading about characters that have a strong head on their shoulders and know exactly what they want.
There is a big romantic element to this story but at the same time it doesn’t take away from the adventure of the central plot line. It’s easy to get annoyed if a protagonist is too focused on the romance when there are more important things going on. But Elle is like us. She knows there’s no time for distractions. There was a good balance between the main story and the romance. The swoon worthy moments were a nice break between the more intense scenes and they made me cheer for Elle and Hugh as a unit rather than just Elle on her own.
My one problem however with A Conspiracy of Alchemists was that sometimes I did get bogged down by unnecessary detail. At times it felt like a lot of extra elements were added in and you just wanted to get to the point. Other times I wanted those extra details expanded upon. Like the absinthe fairy. Hopefully some things get fleshed out/explored further in book 2.
Recommendation: Great for those who like a touch of romance with their action. Recommended for fans of Cassandare Clare’s Infernal Devices series and Kate Locke’s Immortal Empire series.
When I started reading A Conspiracy of Alchemists my first thought was that I had opened up the steampunk version of The Transporter. Which would be awesome! And I was perfectly happy to settle in and read that story. But, like books often too, it became so much more than what I expected, and as a result was even more awesome than I hoped.
At its most basic A Conspiracy of Alchemists is the story of a girl, pushing against the constraints/expectations of her society and doing what needs to be done to rescue her father. Elle is a spunky, strong willed woman and when she sets her mind to something she is going to do it. Like getting her pilot’s license. Or flying an otherwise untested machine. I like reading about characters that have a strong head on their shoulders and know exactly what they want.
There is a big romantic element to this story but at the same time it doesn’t take away from the adventure of the central plot line. It’s easy to get annoyed if a protagonist is too focused on the romance when there are more important things going on. But Elle is like us. She knows there’s no time for distractions. There was a good balance between the main story and the romance. The swoon worthy moments were a nice break between the more intense scenes and they made me cheer for Elle and Hugh as a unit rather than just Elle on her own.
My one problem however with A Conspiracy of Alchemists was that sometimes I did get bogged down by unnecessary detail. At times it felt like a lot of extra elements were added in and you just wanted to get to the point. Other times I wanted those extra details expanded upon. Like the absinthe fairy. Hopefully some things get fleshed out/explored further in book 2.
Recommendation: Great for those who like a touch of romance with their action. Recommended for fans of Cassandare Clare’s Infernal Devices series and Kate Locke’s Immortal Empire series.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I have actually never read a steampunk that takes place in the early 1900s, so that was different. Because new things were already on the move, but then this book also mixes magic and tech. The world is divided into Light and Shadow. Magic and new inventions. And things have gone wrong in the past when one side has grown too strong.
Elle our heroine was strong and a woman pilot. She went for what she wanted and got it. The hero, Marsh is mysterious and someone she comes into contact with when she is hired to bring a parcel to England. He is a warlock, she does not believe in that nonsense. He has secrets, she is annoyed by that. He wants to tell her something, she starts to fall. Yes you see my point, they are quite the pair.
These two will have quite the adventure as..things happens. Again I will leave it at that. There will be magic, bad guys, vampires, an absinthe fairy and flying.
I enjoyed the story. It was light and the story always moved forward with a good pace, and threw a few surprises too.
The end was good too as it was a solid ending that I could live with. It did not end with a horrid cliffhanger, but still left a big danger still to come
Elle our heroine was strong and a woman pilot. She went for what she wanted and got it. The hero, Marsh is mysterious and someone she comes into contact with when she is hired to bring a parcel to England. He is a warlock, she does not believe in that nonsense. He has secrets, she is annoyed by that. He wants to tell her something, she starts to fall. Yes you see my point, they are quite the pair.
These two will have quite the adventure as..things happens. Again I will leave it at that. There will be magic, bad guys, vampires, an absinthe fairy and flying.
I enjoyed the story. It was light and the story always moved forward with a good pace, and threw a few surprises too.
The end was good too as it was a solid ending that I could live with. It did not end with a horrid cliffhanger, but still left a big danger still to come
mcfade28's review
3.0
A pretty generic steampunk fantasy novel with a plucky female lead, with a unknown destiny, and a mysterious gentleman who knows more than he's letting on.
I found it a bit flat, and the characters a little childish. It was OK but I wouldn't recommend.
I found it a bit flat, and the characters a little childish. It was OK but I wouldn't recommend.