c_morning's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ahumblepear's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Enter Elizabeth Barnabus again... still on the run from the sinster Duke of Northampton. Elizabeth falls in with her troupe of friends from the traveling circus, and joins with them in a complicated plot to break and enter into the behemoth International Patent Office. As always in this series, I enjoy Elizabeth as a narrator and the plot moves quickly along. I'm guessing this is the final book in the series? but I'm hoping that it isn't.
ellasw99's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book was fine, it was my least favourite of the series, but a fun, easy listen.
rilester's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
shonaj29's review against another edition
5.0
The Custodian of Marvels - You’d have to be crazy to steal from the International Patent Office, but that is exactly what Elizabeth Barnabus is trying to do. Hidden in the vaults of the Patent Court in London lie secrets that could topple the foundations of the Gas-Lit Empire. All that stands in Elizabeth's way are the agents of the Patent Office, a Duke's private army and the mysterious Custodian of Marvels.
An exciting and thrilling read. I couldn't put it down, I just had to know how the series was going to end and I was not disappointed. Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire is definitely a series I would recommend.
An exciting and thrilling read. I couldn't put it down, I just had to know how the series was going to end and I was not disappointed. Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire is definitely a series I would recommend.
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
3.0
A satisfying enough conclusion to the trilogy, although a bit rushed in certain aspects (and conversely rather dilatory in other sequences). Finally, we uncover the alternate history of Elizabeth's world.
was rather self-indulgent, but I indulged anyway, and I was rather expecting it. It was rather lazy to have ; I thought that there were more compelling ways to handle that aspect of things.
Also, I was not expecting, but I appreciated it.
This novel is more than a heist-plot but, I think, not quite something else. I've held back from 4 stars because I'm left still wanting, and not in a fully good way. Will look out for more, if only to scratch the itch!
Spoiler
The final chapter, an intimate conclusion of the love story between Elizabeth and John,Spoiler
International Patent Office agents be sworn to celibacy as the last remaining barrier to them being togetherAlso, I was not expecting
Spoiler
Fabulo's revelation that he and Harry were in loveThis novel is more than a heist-plot but, I think, not quite something else. I've held back from 4 stars because I'm left still wanting, and not in a fully good way. Will look out for more, if only to scratch the itch!
almondcookies's review against another edition
3.0
This series in general is very plot driven, which I usually dislike. However, this book in particular did a deep dive into a couple characters which was very welcome.
As much as I dislike him, Jeremiah in particular was explored thoroughly and I have to give credit where credit is due. I enjoyed how Elizabeth managed to crack him open and find out who he is and what he stood for. We also finally find out why the Duke is so hell bent on capturing this one woman (I'm not sure how much I buy into it, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility).
On the relationships front, it was nice seeing how Julia was doing in her new life, and how she still cared deeply for Elizabeth despite not being together. I loved the wholesome family moments between Tinker and Elizabeth, and wish there were more! As for romantic relationships, this is a big no. There was a nice subtle tension with John Farthing in first couple books but this one really didn't do it for me. It's like we went straight from 0-100.
Once again, the world building steps up. In the Bullet Catcher's Daughter I couldn't work out where the steampunk elements were. They come through full force now.
I thought the series was episodic, which is good and bad. Good because each book can be read by itself, which is good for new readers, but bad for me because I need this to go somewhere, damn it! However, there IS an overarching goal at the end of the day. Which is, of course, to take down the gaslit empire. However, IS this the fall of the gaslit empire? No. Not really. It was very close to BEING the fall of the gaslit empire, but veered very dramatically off course at the last minute.
As much as I dislike him, Jeremiah in particular was explored thoroughly and I have to give credit where credit is due. I enjoyed how Elizabeth managed to crack him open and find out who he is and what he stood for. We also finally find out why the Duke is so hell bent on capturing this one woman (I'm not sure how much I buy into it, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility).
On the relationships front, it was nice seeing how Julia was doing in her new life, and how she still cared deeply for Elizabeth despite not being together. I loved the wholesome family moments between Tinker and Elizabeth, and wish there were more! As for romantic relationships, this is a big no. There was a nice subtle tension with John Farthing in first couple books but this one really didn't do it for me. It's like we went straight from 0-100.
Once again, the world building steps up. In the Bullet Catcher's Daughter I couldn't work out where the steampunk elements were. They come through full force now.
I thought the series was episodic, which is good and bad. Good because each book can be read by itself, which is good for new readers, but bad for me because I need this to go somewhere, damn it! However, there IS an overarching goal at the end of the day. Which is, of course, to take down the gaslit empire. However, IS this the fall of the gaslit empire? No. Not really. It was very close to BEING the fall of the gaslit empire, but veered very dramatically off course at the last minute.
fishrgreat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
daejmonet's review against another edition
A really excellent conclusion to the trilogy. There was a masterful mixture of action and mystery in all three books. Combined with the interesting timeframe and the way he rewrote history Duncan created a page turner out of all of them. I really enjoyed the hidden mystery of the International Patent Office - I found the reveal clever and realistic, so I was satisfied with the conclusion. Elizabeth and Tinker had the most precious relationship, and I liked that there was a theme about facing demons in this novel. John Farthing was so honorable and precious the entire time. I wish there had been more scenes of them getting along, but that's a small complaint. I liked the development of their relationship and I'm glad they both got their happily ever after.