mint9's review against another edition
3.0
This book made me start to think different ways about the world.
The book was very interesting by itself, had an interesting ending. I think that this book was definitely worth to read.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars. It was pretty good but it just wasn't my favourite book.
The book was very interesting by itself, had an interesting ending. I think that this book was definitely worth to read.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars. It was pretty good but it just wasn't my favourite book.
roseybot's review against another edition
5.0
Rounded up from 4.5, but maybe I mean 5 anyways. Talking about this book with Dany made me realize how much more I liked this book. Basically, I love Francis Hardinge!
halcyon_rising's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know exactly what I was expecting when reading this book, but this wasn't it. The summary is exactly how it is, but it also isn't, because the writing style is middlegrade-ish and there's A LOT that happens in this book. The sentences are pretty detailed/descriptive, and there's a lot of action going on.
At a certain point I was wondering if maybe I read this book a bit too late, since it had been on my TBR for so long, but I kept on reading and enjoyed it quite a lot, though not enough for the full 5 stars.
I definitely don't regret reading it, and would say to people to give it a shot and see if the author is someone you might want to add to your must-read pile. I think she might be on mine, but I need to read another book or two more to be sure.
Happy Reading!
At a certain point I was wondering if maybe I read this book a bit too late, since it had been on my TBR for so long, but I kept on reading and enjoyed it quite a lot, though not enough for the full 5 stars.
I definitely don't regret reading it, and would say to people to give it a shot and see if the author is someone you might want to add to your must-read pile. I think she might be on mine, but I need to read another book or two more to be sure.
Happy Reading!
chichiasanchen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
notreallysure's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was so weird. In a good way. Frances Hardinge is such a creative and inventive writer who never fails to come up with completely batshit ideas that somehow just work with her usual dark, gothic flare.
The worldbuilding in this book is insane. Caverna is so beautifully realised; an entire city built underground filled with a maze of gloomy, airless tunnels; glowing plants that look and work a bit like Venus fly traps acting as oxygen and light providers; sentient food and drink that produce visions and mind-bending effects on the consumer; a person split into two... It's just so completely and utterly bonkers and beautiful—I was strongly reminded of Alice and Wonderland throughout.
However, despite all this dark, gothic gloriousness of the world, I did find this book painfully slow. The story is just so meandering and long where Neverfell, the hopelessly naïve protagonist (to the point of annoyance), either stumbles or is dragged pillar to post from one plot point to another. She has very little agency right up until the very end and it becomes very tiresome and repetitive to read. Also some of the leaps of logic she makes regarding who's responsible for what are utterly staggering. I didn't believe some of her deductions at all.
Of the three Frances Hardinge books I've read so far, this is easily my least favourite. But it's still such a unique, darkly intriguing read that I think is going to linger with me for quite some time.
The worldbuilding in this book is insane. Caverna is so beautifully realised; an entire city built underground filled with a maze of gloomy, airless tunnels; glowing plants that look and work a bit like Venus fly traps acting as oxygen and light providers; sentient food and drink that produce visions and mind-bending effects on the consumer; a person split into two... It's just so completely and utterly bonkers and beautiful—I was strongly reminded of Alice and Wonderland throughout.
However, despite all this dark, gothic gloriousness of the world, I did find this book painfully slow. The story is just so meandering and long where Neverfell, the hopelessly naïve protagonist (to the point of annoyance), either stumbles or is dragged pillar to post from one plot point to another. She has very little agency right up until the very end and it becomes very tiresome and repetitive to read. Also some of the leaps of logic she makes regarding who's responsible for what are utterly staggering. I didn't believe some of her deductions at all.
Of the three Frances Hardinge books I've read so far, this is easily my least favourite. But it's still such a unique, darkly intriguing read that I think is going to linger with me for quite some time.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
I love Hardinge's language and storytelling. She writes about characters who are pre adolescent and teetering in their innocence, but I never feel like I'm reading a children's book. They are mature, complicated, and thoughtful.
acaciathorn's review against another edition
4.0
Pros: Unlike anything else I have read. Immensely creative.
Cons: Slightly uneven pacing.
Cons: Slightly uneven pacing.
feelingferal's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book a lot! Interesting characters, good plot with solid twists and surprises, cohesive world building. I especially liked the perspective change in the epilogue that gave a new twist to the whole thing. Definitely recommend it!