jkusters's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable sequel to Arabella of Mars, the wonderful YA novel Mr. Levine put out last year. Arabella has a tendency towards rash action, but is smart enough to get herself and those she cares about out of danger when needed. A great role-model for young readers, and quite a compelling character for readers of all ages. This time she sets off to rescue her husband-to-be who has been captured by the French, lead by the tyrant Napoleon, on Venus. Together with her chaperone, the stately Lady Corey, she hires a crew to mount a rescue, but things don’t go at all to plan. Great action, well-rounded characters, and a nearly believable setting of planetary romance and sailing between the planets all combine for a very satisfactory story. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next (and last?) book in the series.
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, Arabella continues to delight! This was a perfect read to read after the heartbreaking trauma of “All the Wandering Light by Heather Fawcett”!
Arabella returns in this dazzling sequel where instead of Mars being the main planet she’s on, it’s Venus. New characters are introduced, as well as old. Her fiance remains true, except he’s been captured and labeled a prisoner of war along with his remaining crew. It’s up to Arabella to harness a new crew to go and save the day.
These books are so delightfully fun! While some of the men are incredibly sexist, and her brother is a bit racist towards her fiance, it’s still full of wit, humor, and sarcasm to delight all readers. There’s plenty of intrigue, as well, and dangerous attacks in space on the ships. A new delightful captain, Daniel Fox Captain of the Touchstone, is equally fun to read!
Brave, a gambler, handsome, and full of wit, I really wanted Arabella to marry Daniel instead of Captain Singh. I digress, however, as this isn’t just about one character that I fell for. This is about Arabella going gallantly into the unknown to face Bonaparte who has escaped and is attempting to restore his empire once more, even as she’s attempting to free her fiance. There’s banter, adventure, and danger throughout this novel, and I treasured every page.
The wait for the next book is going to be just awful. *sighs miserably* Even so, this book was an utter delight, and I give it 4.5/5 stars for an enchanting and entertaining read.
{Review also posted on my blog at Pass Me That Book.}
Arabella returns in this dazzling sequel where instead of Mars being the main planet she’s on, it’s Venus. New characters are introduced, as well as old. Her fiance remains true, except he’s been captured and labeled a prisoner of war along with his remaining crew. It’s up to Arabella to harness a new crew to go and save the day.
These books are so delightfully fun! While some of the men are incredibly sexist, and her brother is a bit racist towards her fiance, it’s still full of wit, humor, and sarcasm to delight all readers. There’s plenty of intrigue, as well, and dangerous attacks in space on the ships. A new delightful captain, Daniel Fox Captain of the Touchstone, is equally fun to read!
Brave, a gambler, handsome, and full of wit, I really wanted Arabella to marry Daniel instead of Captain Singh. I digress, however, as this isn’t just about one character that I fell for. This is about Arabella going gallantly into the unknown to face Bonaparte who has escaped and is attempting to restore his empire once more, even as she’s attempting to free her fiance. There’s banter, adventure, and danger throughout this novel, and I treasured every page.
The wait for the next book is going to be just awful. *sighs miserably* Even so, this book was an utter delight, and I give it 4.5/5 stars for an enchanting and entertaining read.
{Review also posted on my blog at Pass Me That Book.}
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
A much more fun followup then book 1. Definitely some slowness in the middle. But the details were interesting. And luckily I know little of actual naval maneuvers that I can appreciate the writing and drama without catching any inaccuracies which might exist. It's still a re-write of the Napoleonic Wars in space-ish, not something I care much about. As well as a Victorian era novel of manners and the like, which I also don't like much. But it worked and it was a good read, even with a week-long gap reading in the middle.
liacooper's review against another edition
4.0
this series continues to be a lot of fun. i didnt care for arabella's flirtation with another man in this book and i kind of wanted more moments ebtween her and the captain (yes there were moments but i ship them so hard i want mooooreeee). still, a great little scifi steampunk series with some fantastic weaving of historical elements into the plot in this one
esseastri's review against another edition
5.0
This one has kissing in it and that more than makes up for the lack of mutiny. (To be fair, there was a mutiny in the first one, so we couldn't really have another.)
If you like the first one, you will continue liking this one. If the first one was not your thing, this is still not be your thing. But I love the first one and this is very much my thing, and I am happy and I love! Arabella! very much!
If you like the first one, you will continue liking this one. If the first one was not your thing, this is still not be your thing. But I love the first one and this is very much my thing, and I am happy and I love! Arabella! very much!
dmchurch's review against another edition
4.0
When Arabella hears that her beloved Capt Singh has been taken as a prisoner of war by the French and held on Venus, she finds a pirate captain willing to take her there. After a difficult journey, the ship is captured by the French and Arabella finds herself also a prisoner and her captain much changed. Espionage, Napoleonic wars, Fulton, escape, and battles ensue.
purringlion's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
davidreyno's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another entertaining episode featuring Arabella, though not as attention-holding as the first.
shays's review against another edition
4.0
Some quibbles about the romantic subplot notwithstanding, Arabella and the Battle of Venus is an excellent second outing in Levine’s original series, which combines adventure and intrigue with alternate history, as well as considerable character growth for the heroine. I’m thoroughly looking forward to the trilogy’s conclusion, which will hopefully be released next year. more