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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
What if there was a world underground where people only had a few expressions, where one girl has a multitude of expressions and this starts a dialogue about the world and the politics of the world. Where the things that people produce are almost magical how can there be equality for those who have and those who have not.
It's interesting, closer to 3.5 than 4 but it did keep me engaged and reading, it suffered a little from being read just after Rose under Fire which left me a bit traumatised, if I had read it at another time I think I might have given it a 4.
It's interesting, closer to 3.5 than 4 but it did keep me engaged and reading, it suffered a little from being read just after Rose under Fire which left me a bit traumatised, if I had read it at another time I think I might have given it a 4.
karenholmes's review against another edition
4.0
I started this one as a light reading and it has certainly surprised me. A well crafted world full of little details to make it alive, interesting characters but most of all, an interesting thought about how the truth and lies affect our lives.
In a world where no one shows their true emotions with their face, arrives someone who is a natural at that. Of course, revolution is a-comming.
Loved it. Ending a bit rushed but after more than 500 pages, I can understand the rush.
At first I thought it was for younger kids, but then I realized it wasn't. Language and worldbuiling are so well crafted you will think you are in Caverna with all its delicacies.
In a world where no one shows their true emotions with their face, arrives someone who is a natural at that. Of course, revolution is a-comming.
Loved it. Ending a bit rushed but after more than 500 pages, I can understand the rush.
At first I thought it was for younger kids, but then I realized it wasn't. Language and worldbuiling are so well crafted you will think you are in Caverna with all its delicacies.
juller's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this fantasy book by Hardinge. I may go so far as to say that it is the best I have read since Harry Potter, at least in the middle grade realm. I liked the world building and most of the characters, though I never warmed to Zouelle. I'm not sure I got to know her and what motivates her well enough.
I fear that many may not read this book, given that the book is nearly 500 pages long. I also feel like the dark cover may deter readers, but maybe that is just a local phenomenon.
I fear that many may not read this book, given that the book is nearly 500 pages long. I also feel like the dark cover may deter readers, but maybe that is just a local phenomenon.
jodiev's review against another edition
4.0
Although I've never written a review on a book I've read, I often think about them for sometime afterwards. As an aspiring writer, it is probably good to divest some time in determining what I liked about a book and what bothered me. However, some books aren't even worth it.
That being said, I enjoyed this book, but as I was reading I did find myself annoyed by a few things. Although the storyline was a bit different, I was often reminded of "The City of Ember" (disclaimer - I didn't read the book, but saw the movie).
Both take place in underground tunnels, caverns and cities with the young heroine wanting to escape to the outside world above. As I neared the end of the final chapter, it became apparent that the ending was going to be almost exactly the same as in 'Ember' and I started to get upset ay having invested so much so much of myself in this nearly 500 page book. However, the author redeemed herself in the Epilogue with a twist that I did not see coming.
The author is very good at description, but there was always something missing in the character descriptions. Part of the magic of reading is envisioning the characters and places in your head. Each reader sees them differently, as well as how the writer saw them. I can't say what exactly it was that was missing, but I could never fully visualize the characters. I hadn't read anything else by this author, so I have nothing to compare it to. I now wonder if this was intentional so as to make the Epilogue even more of a surprise. Hopefully, I am not alone in not suspecting the revelation.
I did like the characters though, even if some of their names were a little too telling...Neverfell, Erstwhile, etc.. At times, though, they seemed to act and talk as though they were much older than they were. I also would have liked to have had more of Grandible and The Kleptomancer and delved into their backgrounds a bit, but it was lengthy enough as is.
Again, I did enjoy this book, although the first few chapters were a bit of a struggle. At about chapter six, it really took hold and I strapped myself in for the journey. My remarks aren't to fault the author on anything as it was very well written. These are just feelings and observations I had while reading and are probably more to help me than anything else.
That being said, I enjoyed this book, but as I was reading I did find myself annoyed by a few things. Although the storyline was a bit different, I was often reminded of "The City of Ember" (disclaimer - I didn't read the book, but saw the movie).
Both take place in underground tunnels, caverns and cities with the young heroine wanting to escape to the outside world above. As I neared the end of the final chapter, it became apparent that the ending was going to be almost exactly the same as in 'Ember' and I started to get upset ay having invested so much so much of myself in this nearly 500 page book. However, the author redeemed herself in the Epilogue with a twist that I did not see coming.
The author is very good at description, but there was always something missing in the character descriptions. Part of the magic of reading is envisioning the characters and places in your head. Each reader sees them differently, as well as how the writer saw them. I can't say what exactly it was that was missing, but I could never fully visualize the characters. I hadn't read anything else by this author, so I have nothing to compare it to. I now wonder if this was intentional so as to make the Epilogue even more of a surprise. Hopefully, I am not alone in not suspecting the revelation.
I did like the characters though, even if some of their names were a little too telling...Neverfell, Erstwhile, etc.. At times, though, they seemed to act and talk as though they were much older than they were. I also would have liked to have had more of Grandible and The Kleptomancer and delved into their backgrounds a bit, but it was lengthy enough as is.
Again, I did enjoy this book, although the first few chapters were a bit of a struggle. At about chapter six, it really took hold and I strapped myself in for the journey. My remarks aren't to fault the author on anything as it was very well written. These are just feelings and observations I had while reading and are probably more to help me than anything else.
blueberryqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
leah_haskett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
celiapowell's review against another edition
3.0
I wonder if "Face Like Glass" was aimed at slightly younger readers than Hardinge's other books, as I didn't quite enjoy it as much. It was still brilliantly written, with a surreal and gorgeous world, but I didn't find it quite as complex as some of her other novels.
theplantsalivesed's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning. The book--the world, the characters, everything--gets richer as it continues. I cannot begin to describe the feeling of reading and realizing how perfectly layered everything in the story is. And once it hooks you it is irresistible.
At risk of sounding a bit silly, the complexity, depth, and pure pleasure of this book is probably as close to a real-life analogue as we can get to Caverna's beloved crafts.
Speaking of silliness, this book includes the entire array of human emotion (as books should, ideally, but I still have to point it out) and I was giggling throughout. In typical Hardinge fashion, it was absolutely hilarious and incredibly clever.
A must read.
At risk of sounding a bit silly, the complexity, depth, and pure pleasure of this book is probably as close to a real-life analogue as we can get to Caverna's beloved crafts.
Speaking of silliness, this book includes the entire array of human emotion (as books should, ideally, but I still have to point it out) and I was giggling throughout. In typical Hardinge fashion, it was absolutely hilarious and incredibly clever.
A must read.
bridiealvarez's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75