caitlinxx05's review against another edition
5.0
I’ll be honest, it took me a bit of effort to get through it, but it was absolutely worth it! There’s a lot of information to digest, which makes it a little hard to get into especially if you don’t sit down to read for a longer time, but the story is super original, really well written and the ending just makes me want to yell and immediately grab book 2. Awesome!
leann_ange's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to like this one. The premise of the worlds being described in books becoming real places you can visit (or receive visits from) is one that seems custom made to appeal to readers and writers. The overall plot as well, by and large, is fine. I had no major pacing issues, things were well teased and revealed at good intervals. The protagonist's archetype (the loner who has to learn to accept support form her friends) is one I prefer in a side character, but there's nothing wrong with the execution and the rest of the cast was entertaining. The overall steampunk aesthetic of the world was also fun.
What really ruined the book for me was the world building, which I feel is especially egregious in a book where world building is elevated to a science and the application of that science is a major component of the plot. More specifically, the elements of the story where the author sacrificed consistency in her magic system to cram in her opinion on a topical political issue with no relevance to the plot outside of the scene where it broke the magic. It was also a little interesting to watch her try to suggest 19th century Europe was racist exclusively by making the protagonist assume people would act racist towards her while forgetting to write literally anyone as acting racist, resulting in a weirdly color blind 19th century Europe and a protagonist with a chip on her shoulder. (I suppose you could count the author of Elsa's book looking down on the people of his book as inferior to Earthlings as racism that did exist, but she expects people to look down on her for her skin color and the author just forgets to demonstrate that this is a problem in the world she's created.)
What really ruined the book for me was the world building, which I feel is especially egregious in a book where world building is elevated to a science and the application of that science is a major component of the plot. More specifically, the elements of the story where the author sacrificed consistency in her magic system to cram in her opinion on a topical political issue with no relevance to the plot outside of the scene where it broke the magic. It was also a little interesting to watch her try to suggest 19th century Europe was racist exclusively by making the protagonist assume people would act racist towards her while forgetting to write literally anyone as acting racist, resulting in a weirdly color blind 19th century Europe and a protagonist with a chip on her shoulder. (I suppose you could count the author of Elsa's book looking down on the people of his book as inferior to Earthlings as racism that did exist, but she expects people to look down on her for her skin color and the author just forgets to demonstrate that this is a problem in the world she's created.)
jacieandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Nope. Too many newb to writing mistakes. Main character has zero self confidence which drove me crazy. 2 stars only because of the concept.
cindeereads's review against another edition
2.0
This book was really mediocre and bland the characters were not really interesting at all the romance was shoehorned in and the twist was obvious and uninteresting. The characters were not that memorable and I found Elsa abrasive and Leo annoying and just not very well written. The plot started out interesting but after that point the idea was interesting but the execution was not very good. It starts out with the kidnapping of Elsa's mother and of course Elsa goes looking for her the story just gets really dull after that. So overall this book was meh and I am not interested at all in continuing the series.
mora55's review against another edition
As soon as I heard the premise - writing worlds into existence? - I wanted to read this book. It seemed super metafictional and could have so many possibilities. The direction the book actually went was different from what I was expecting, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I was disappointed.
The Characters:
Elsa was not my favorite. She seemed stiff and had this irritating superior attitude and of course she had to be exceptionally gifted as a polymath - and not just any polymath but one who can harness all her abilities with finesse and great skill. And she can also speak any language. Honestly, I empathized with Leo after She did improve over the course of the book - or perhaps i just got used to her. Who knows. She was a bit less insufferable by the end.
Leo was one of the better characters, I'd say, because he felt real feelings and I could connect to him (like in his jealousy). One problem with having a witty gifted mechanic named Leo, for my personal mind, was the connection between him and Leo Valdez from the Heroes of Olympus series, and obviously that wouldn't be an issue for many, and it's not even a complaint from me, just a comment. His development seemed a little weird though? His initial appearance seemed a lot different from
I wish we got more Faraz. I liked him and Skandar, and alchemy was the least developed of the three pazzerellone denominations/classifications, so I would've liked more on that. Cuz I don't quite get how alchemy could 'create' Skandar. Actually, I'd probably like more information about the 'madness' and how each gift - especially scriptology - actually works in the first place.
Porzia was neither here nor there. She didn't stand out, and I feel like she could have been more than what she was.
There were a few things thrown in there I wasn't quite sure the purpose of. The Oracle? What? Was there a... point to that? And I'm sorry but the entire time the sentient house had me on edge. Usually the sentient houses betray the person! Usually they play some bigger purpose than
The plot was not my favorite either. A lot of it seemed contrived or cliche - they just happen to find this piece of information, which just happens to lead to this, out of all the possible options. I was not surprised at all when And the ending -
To be clear, it was not a bad book, and while it started out slow and the plot was both cliche and predictable, I read it all the way to the end. It's a comfortable read without many surprises, but it's not poorly written, and it's got some interesting concepts, and I do intend to read the second book. Nothing was inherently wrong with Ink, Iron, and Glass - it just didn't stand out to me.
The Characters:
Elsa was not my favorite. She seemed stiff and had this irritating superior attitude and of course she had to be exceptionally gifted as a polymath - and not just any polymath but one who can harness all her abilities with finesse and great skill. And she can also speak any language. Honestly, I empathized with Leo after
Spoiler
the train sabotage! He was jealous, and I felt indignation at how Leo has all these skills as a mechanic as well but Elsa was the one who figured everything out and was able to solve whatever problem there was. (Though perhaps I was just a little jealous too - I always wish I had interesting powers and abilities like the characters in books.)Leo was one of the better characters, I'd say, because he felt real feelings and I could connect to him (like in his jealousy). One problem with having a witty gifted mechanic named Leo, for my personal mind, was the connection between him and Leo Valdez from the Heroes of Olympus series, and obviously that wouldn't be an issue for many, and it's not even a complaint from me, just a comment. His development seemed a little weird though? His initial appearance seemed a lot different from
I wish we got more Faraz. I liked him and Skandar, and alchemy was the least developed of the three pazzerellone denominations/classifications, so I would've liked more on that. Cuz I don't quite get how alchemy could 'create' Skandar. Actually, I'd probably like more information about the 'madness' and how each gift - especially scriptology - actually works in the first place.
Porzia was neither here nor there. She didn't stand out, and I feel like she could have been more than what she was.
There were a few things thrown in there I wasn't quite sure the purpose of. The Oracle? What? Was there a... point to that? And I'm sorry but the entire time the sentient house had me on edge. Usually the sentient houses betray the person! Usually they play some bigger purpose than
Spoiler
trying to play matchmaker and clean things! But Casa wasn't, which led me to be a little confused about her ultimate importance and how much autonomy she has, etc, or why Porzia and Leo feel the need to block some of their conversations from her hearing with the scrambler device.The plot was not my favorite either. A lot of it seemed contrived or cliche - they just happen to find this piece of information, which just happens to lead to this, out of all the possible options. I was not surprised at all when
Spoiler
the villain was revealed to be Leo's father, simply because I'd read it so many times I expected it.Spoiler
the whole Leo-turning-sides-and-giving-the-book-to-the-enemy was super forced, and I was irritated with the quick way his friends turned on him. Obviously something is up! Has he given you any reason to doubt him in the past? I get it his previously dead family is there, but his family was also emotionally abusive and abandoned him for years? Why would he automatically side with them? Be logical, characters. (Though I suppose this scenario does happen a lot in books, and I'm not sure how much fiction these characters have read, but STILL.)To be clear, it was not a bad book, and while it started out slow and the plot was both cliche and predictable, I read it all the way to the end. It's a comfortable read without many surprises, but it's not poorly written, and it's got some interesting concepts, and I do intend to read the second book. Nothing was inherently wrong with Ink, Iron, and Glass - it just didn't stand out to me.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, actually.
We are thrust into this YA story at the same time that the main character, Elsa, is thrust into the "real world" (an alternate, un-unified 19th Century Italy) from her "scribed' world of Veldana.
Her mother has been abducted, a library burned, and the worldbook of Veldana that holds the only home she has ever known as well as all her friends may or may not have been burned along with the library.
In the real world, a family friend puts her for safe-keeping into a the house of a family that runs a sort of orphanage/school for pazzerellone--the genius polymath children gifted with skills such as alchemy, mechanics, and scripting of worldbooks much like the one of Elsa's home.
Together, they decide to rescue Elsa's mother. Hijinks ensue. Lots of hijinks that involve things like diagnosing poison, outwitting armed assassins, using scriptology to get around the real world, finding their way through booby-trapped labyrinths, and falling in love.
This is a really fun book. I took half a point away because the first third of the book felt like I was floundering a little to understand the politics of Italy, which character was aligned where, and also to get into the awesome, fun, emotional bond of the four friends: Porzia, Faraz, Leo and Elsa. Once their camaraderie is developed, and Leo has to contend with his feelings of inferiority when compared to genius Elsa, and some of his family background comes out-- it becomes a totally engrossing romp. I wanted to spend more time wtih the four, which is a hallmark of a great book in my opinion. But it takes a bit to get there.
I'm definitely going on to find out what happens next. While the book does end with Elsa accomplishing one of her tasks, another greater task opens up before her and splits the friends apart. Gotta find out how they handle it!
We are thrust into this YA story at the same time that the main character, Elsa, is thrust into the "real world" (an alternate, un-unified 19th Century Italy) from her "scribed' world of Veldana.
Her mother has been abducted, a library burned, and the worldbook of Veldana that holds the only home she has ever known as well as all her friends may or may not have been burned along with the library.
In the real world, a family friend puts her for safe-keeping into a the house of a family that runs a sort of orphanage/school for pazzerellone--the genius polymath children gifted with skills such as alchemy, mechanics, and scripting of worldbooks much like the one of Elsa's home.
Together, they decide to rescue Elsa's mother. Hijinks ensue. Lots of hijinks that involve things like diagnosing poison, outwitting armed assassins, using scriptology to get around the real world, finding their way through booby-trapped labyrinths, and falling in love.
This is a really fun book. I took half a point away because the first third of the book felt like I was floundering a little to understand the politics of Italy, which character was aligned where, and also to get into the awesome, fun, emotional bond of the four friends: Porzia, Faraz, Leo and Elsa. Once their camaraderie is developed, and Leo has to contend with his feelings of inferiority when compared to genius Elsa, and some of his family background comes out-- it becomes a totally engrossing romp. I wanted to spend more time wtih the four, which is a hallmark of a great book in my opinion. But it takes a bit to get there.
I'm definitely going on to find out what happens next. While the book does end with Elsa accomplishing one of her tasks, another greater task opens up before her and splits the friends apart. Gotta find out how they handle it!
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
With the right tools--a special pen, specific ink--the right person can create an entire world thanks to the science of scriptology. Detailed manuals, called worldbooks, outline the parameters of the world from how gravity works there to whether or not the air is breathable.
There are no limits to how complex a worldbook can be--something scriptologists and the world at large learned when Charles Montaigne created Veldana--the first populated world created with scriptology. After Jumi, a talented scriptologist in her own right, helped her people secure their independence Veldana remains the only populated scriptologist world.
Now in 1891 Jumi's daughter Elsa is looking forward to the day when she can take on a larger role helping her mother maintain the Veldana worldbook and pursuing her other scientific interests.
Those plans change abruptly and violently when Veldana is attacked and her mother is kidnapped. Forced to flee Veldana Elsa finds herself in the real world with no way to get home or even know if the Veldana worldbook still exists.
With no option but to move forward Elsa travels to Sicily with her mother's mentor to regroup and find help. Among the pazzerellones Elsa learns about the madness that fuels innovation here--a singular interest in scriptology, mechanics, or other sciences that manifests as madness, particularly for the rare few polymaths whose interests cross multiple disciplines.
Uncertain who to trust or where to begin, Elsa seeks help from the other madboys and madgirls she encounters including calculating Porzia and mechanist Leo. With the right tools Elsa can write almost anything she can imagine into existence but she still doesn't know if that will be enough to save her entire world in Ink, Iron, and Glass (2018) by Gwendolyn Clare.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is Clare's debut novel and the start to a duology.
This novel is a refreshing blend of adventure and excitement with a heroine who is both pragmatic and scientifically inclined. Clare's world borrows from real historic events to build the bones of her alternate history filled with scientific madness and steampunk elements including automated machines, talking houses, and more.
The main sticking point with Clare's complex and well-realized world (and for me it was a big one) is the concept of an affinity for the sciences being construed as madness. There are no negative connotations to this madness--nor is there any discussion of what mental illness might look like in this world--but the intense gendering of the madness by calling those who have it "madboys" or "madgirls" was incredibly frustrating and served no purpose in the larger context of the story. If you poke too hard at this aspect of the world and the conceit that all great innovation is tied to madness and a complete lack of focus on the big picture (the idea being that the mad ones can focus on nothing but their chosen sciences) the premise starts to fall apart.
Despite an exceedingly large ensemble cast, Elsa spends much of the novel in her own head as she works through using her mechanical and scriptological talents to pursue her mother's kidnappers and mount a rescue. While this offers insight into the nuances of scriptology it makes for a narrative that is often surprisingly dry despite madcap chases and boisterous secondary characters.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is an entertaining story with fascinating if sometimes hastily sketched characters and world building. Fans will be eager for the sequel after the shocking conclusion of this volume. Recommended for readers who enjoy plot-driven stories and have a fondness for steampunk settings.
Possible Pairings: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger, Invictus by Ryan Graudin, The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove, The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski, These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
There are no limits to how complex a worldbook can be--something scriptologists and the world at large learned when Charles Montaigne created Veldana--the first populated world created with scriptology. After Jumi, a talented scriptologist in her own right, helped her people secure their independence Veldana remains the only populated scriptologist world.
Now in 1891 Jumi's daughter Elsa is looking forward to the day when she can take on a larger role helping her mother maintain the Veldana worldbook and pursuing her other scientific interests.
Those plans change abruptly and violently when Veldana is attacked and her mother is kidnapped. Forced to flee Veldana Elsa finds herself in the real world with no way to get home or even know if the Veldana worldbook still exists.
With no option but to move forward Elsa travels to Sicily with her mother's mentor to regroup and find help. Among the pazzerellones Elsa learns about the madness that fuels innovation here--a singular interest in scriptology, mechanics, or other sciences that manifests as madness, particularly for the rare few polymaths whose interests cross multiple disciplines.
Uncertain who to trust or where to begin, Elsa seeks help from the other madboys and madgirls she encounters including calculating Porzia and mechanist Leo. With the right tools Elsa can write almost anything she can imagine into existence but she still doesn't know if that will be enough to save her entire world in Ink, Iron, and Glass (2018) by Gwendolyn Clare.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is Clare's debut novel and the start to a duology.
This novel is a refreshing blend of adventure and excitement with a heroine who is both pragmatic and scientifically inclined. Clare's world borrows from real historic events to build the bones of her alternate history filled with scientific madness and steampunk elements including automated machines, talking houses, and more.
The main sticking point with Clare's complex and well-realized world (and for me it was a big one) is the concept of an affinity for the sciences being construed as madness. There are no negative connotations to this madness--nor is there any discussion of what mental illness might look like in this world--but the intense gendering of the madness by calling those who have it "madboys" or "madgirls" was incredibly frustrating and served no purpose in the larger context of the story. If you poke too hard at this aspect of the world and the conceit that all great innovation is tied to madness and a complete lack of focus on the big picture (the idea being that the mad ones can focus on nothing but their chosen sciences) the premise starts to fall apart.
Despite an exceedingly large ensemble cast, Elsa spends much of the novel in her own head as she works through using her mechanical and scriptological talents to pursue her mother's kidnappers and mount a rescue. While this offers insight into the nuances of scriptology it makes for a narrative that is often surprisingly dry despite madcap chases and boisterous secondary characters.
Ink, Iron, and Glass is an entertaining story with fascinating if sometimes hastily sketched characters and world building. Fans will be eager for the sequel after the shocking conclusion of this volume. Recommended for readers who enjoy plot-driven stories and have a fondness for steampunk settings.
Possible Pairings: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger, Invictus by Ryan Graudin, The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove, The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski, These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
ginalyn's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book has a wonderful way of weaving together Victorian Italy and a face paced adventure. It creates the atmosphere of the time period but gives you a quick ability to focus on the action. I loved the main character. She is witty and fun but nothing so immovable as to not allow herself to change as a young woman. She is questioning everything in a way that is just someone trying to figure out the world not someone incapable of new things. The people she meets along the way are interesting and diverse and not always likable. It was so interesting and the ending left me craving the next book!
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, if only "ink" weren't in the title: the creation of a world by writing it can only draw comparison to Funke's Inkheart. And this doesn't deserve that comparison because it's not close to being the same thing. But then, there are bits of Narnia (the World Between the Worlds) and other novels inside.
The world that Clare has created here is a great mix of European steampunk and what might be called pre-industrial, with call outs to writers and events that teens may (I hope) be interested in seeking more information about. Example? Garibaldi's unification of Italy. Which was an interesting choice of focal point, IMVHO, because Italy and that history is not a common setting for us (France and Amsterdam also play fleeting roles).
How this plays out, and what happens in the "real" world that Elsa comes from (although I suspect a love triangle in the next book, which... really hoping not) I can't wait to read.
ARC provided by publisher.
The world that Clare has created here is a great mix of European steampunk and what might be called pre-industrial, with call outs to writers and events that teens may (I hope) be interested in seeking more information about. Example? Garibaldi's unification of Italy. Which was an interesting choice of focal point, IMVHO, because Italy and that history is not a common setting for us (France and Amsterdam also play fleeting roles).
How this plays out, and what happens in the "real" world that Elsa comes from (although I suspect a love triangle in the next book, which... really hoping not) I can't wait to read.
ARC provided by publisher.
marie_lrj's review against another edition
4.0
Why is this book not getting more attention?! I loved it! Alternate, steampunk version of Italy, amazingly cool concept of writing new worlds into being (scriptology), and a feel that reminds me a little of Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices series. Very excited for the next one!