Scan barcode
leslieisnotmyname's review against another edition
3.0
Mattie's lack of control in much of her life was really well-written and also sad. Lots of class consciousness stuff in this book, which I enjoyed.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is by far one of the better Steam Punk books.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
calbowen's review against another edition
4.0
This is by far one of the better Steam Punk books.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
dromwald's review against another edition
4.0
I like steampunk fantasy as a rule and this book did not dissappoint. The main protagonist is a robot but the character is so well drawn it is almost impossible not to start thinking of it as human, or at least, a machine with very human values which was the author's intention. In short, a solid fantasy read with very good characterisation.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia is an excellent introduction to the genre of Steampunk. It is the story of Mattie a self-aware robot called an Automaton. In this alternate reality, magic and technology live hand in hand in the forms of Alchemist and Mechanics. There is also an element of the divine, with the introduction of Gargoyles, who watch and are worshipped as the builders of the city. There are a couple prominent themes in this novel that are traditional themes in a steampunk novel. The big ones are the idea of Science (The Mechanics) vs. Nature (Alchemy), and what and when does a being become divine, in possession of a soul. Another is the idea technology displacing the human worker.
Ms. Sedia’s novel has these themes in spade. Throughout the novel we as the reader are challenged to decide whether in spite of her proclamations, Mattie indeed has a soul, or is she as she claims just a soulless creature. There is a strong “Frankenstein” feel to this novel, mostly due to the love/hate relationship Mattie has with her creator, Loharri. In the beginning of the novel the readers are introduced to Mattie as having been released from servitude from Loharri, but as the novel goes along we find that he has kept the key Mattie needs to maintain function, and if she does not go to visit him on a regular basis a mechanism in her brain causes pain. So even though she “released” her he purposely kept her dependent to him.
The basic story of the novel is Mattie’s quest to help the Gargoyles who are turning to stone break free from their connection to the stones, to give them a soul, and become mortal. But while Mattie is trying to achieve this, the city is embroiled in a royal murder, and civil unrest. The mechanics have created machines that are displacing the peasants in the fields.
As far as the storyline itself, Ms. Sedia is able to create a visual world without being bogged down in descriptive. There are some truly beautiful descriptions in this novel. At one point Mattie wonders what it would be like to have a soul.
“Silvery and elusive like a small fast fish that one could cradle in an open palm full of water but could never grasp without inflicting injury and distress”
I would whole-heartedly recommend this novel to anyone interested in Steampunk, but also to anyone looking for just a good story with interesting characters and an easy reading style.
4 of 5 stars
Ms. Sedia’s novel has these themes in spade. Throughout the novel we as the reader are challenged to decide whether in spite of her proclamations, Mattie indeed has a soul, or is she as she claims just a soulless creature. There is a strong “Frankenstein” feel to this novel, mostly due to the love/hate relationship Mattie has with her creator, Loharri. In the beginning of the novel the readers are introduced to Mattie as having been released from servitude from Loharri, but as the novel goes along we find that he has kept the key Mattie needs to maintain function, and if she does not go to visit him on a regular basis a mechanism in her brain causes pain. So even though she “released” her he purposely kept her dependent to him.
The basic story of the novel is Mattie’s quest to help the Gargoyles who are turning to stone break free from their connection to the stones, to give them a soul, and become mortal. But while Mattie is trying to achieve this, the city is embroiled in a royal murder, and civil unrest. The mechanics have created machines that are displacing the peasants in the fields.
As far as the storyline itself, Ms. Sedia is able to create a visual world without being bogged down in descriptive. There are some truly beautiful descriptions in this novel. At one point Mattie wonders what it would be like to have a soul.
“Silvery and elusive like a small fast fish that one could cradle in an open palm full of water but could never grasp without inflicting injury and distress”
I would whole-heartedly recommend this novel to anyone interested in Steampunk, but also to anyone looking for just a good story with interesting characters and an easy reading style.
4 of 5 stars
grayjay's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book, but it was more for the novelty than its literary merit. This story about a clockwork girl is fun and inventive, but definitely more style than substance. It felt like a writer's exercise in Steam Punk rather than an actual effort.
ashpanda88's review against another edition
4.0
This was a strange but lovely book. The world building was very intriguing. I loved how the story switched points of view from Mattie, our lead character, an automaton, to the gargoyles, strange flying stone creatures. It gives a very lyrical quality to the writing. Emotional ending but it leaves hope!
wendy_veley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
theliterarysewist's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Such a heartbreaking story! In a way it speaks in an abstract way about discrimination and acceptance and self care. The self discovery journey of this sweet automaton made my heart melt!