Scan barcode
annawndr's review against another edition
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
This was clearly a “no plot just vibes” book. The majority of the book not much happens, we just follow the lives of our three main characters. In the last section things suddenly speed up and get exciting.
The cons:
- To be honest I didn’t get most of the characters motivations for why they did certain things
- The main conflict at the end gets resolved way too fast and easy and left some questions unanswered (at least for me)
- I hated Graces Opinions on other women (someone should really tell her that being smart and being feminine are not mutually exclusive)
The pros:
- The concept of a character being able to remember future events is brilliant, especially when we see the effects that unlikely events and coincidences have on that
- The clockwork imagery and the subtle steampunk vibes were really well done and Thaniels synesthesia added a whole new and unique layer of impressions
- I LOVE when you don’t see the romance coming right from the start and I love when the focus is on genuine companionship rather than sexual attraction and that’s exactly what this story gives you (it’s a very slow burn)
If you find slow reads difficult I can recommend trying the audiobook
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Body shaming and Racism
bree_h_reads's review against another edition
While I think this book has a lot of potential, it’s just not capturing my interest.
I think atmosphere is established very well, it’s got a nice feeling to it and really conveys the time period and aesthetics. While perhaps a little unpolished, it still does a fairly good job.
However, I found the book to be very meandering. It feels as if it’s moving too slowly and has a tendency towards long info-dumps. Not to mention the one leading woman is EXTREMELY “not like other girls” and the book really leans on misogynistic tropes and putting down other women. It’s just not for me.
I think atmosphere is established very well, it’s got a nice feeling to it and really conveys the time period and aesthetics. While perhaps a little unpolished, it still does a fairly good job.
However, I found the book to be very meandering. It feels as if it’s moving too slowly and has a tendency towards long info-dumps. Not to mention the one leading woman is EXTREMELY “not like other girls” and the book really leans on misogynistic tropes and putting down other women. It’s just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Classism
alaskachan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Police brutality and Death of parent
orchidlilly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.25
A mystery in a steampunk setting with magic on the side, what else can you ask for? I'm bad at voicing what makes me like things about books, but this one had a lot of good in it. The fantastical descriptions of the machinery were really interesting, and Thaniel's synesthesia was a neat character detail. I do wish Grace didn't have such a "not like other girls" attitude, but it's not portrayed as an asset to her character so there's that at least. Still, the world and subtle magic were really fascinating, and I found myself enjoying the downtime just as much as the action scenes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Colonisation
frmeden's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
silly_little_clown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
This was such an interesting read!! Not gonna lie, the book didn’t really pick up for me until after the 30% mark, but I’m so glad that I toughed it out.
I don’t think I’ve ever read any historical fiction written in the modern times that felt so much like I was reading about people that were actually living in that era. Even the parts that were set in Japan, I felt totally immersed into the world. The author has such a way of building up atmosphere and creating dialogues that just makes everything feel so realistic despite the fact that there are some magical realism aspects to it. I also love the work that has gone into researching all the politics at the time. It’s very interesting to have a glimpse of the international power struggles in the past.
One weird thing that I really appreciate about this book is the casual racism that were expressed by multiple characters. As a POC, while I do not condone and tolerate racism, I think it’s important to acknowledge that those were the norm in those days and they usually went on unchallenged. We are growing to evolve out of it, can’t say the same about everyone, but racism is definitely not cool now. It’s not to say that the POC characters just silently takes it, I loved it when Mori casually refuted the police’s own logic when he was confronted at the end. But I’m glad that the author decided to include those things in the story, even though it might be difficult to read for some people. It made the story all the more real, and I think as readers with critical minds, we should be well equipped to understand that depiction of a horrible thing does not mean condoning of said thing.
I love Thaniel and Mori’s dynamic so much!! They’re not the kind of couple that has a lot of tension going on, but I think that made them even more lovable. The simmering longing that is just bubbling under the surface. That’s how I would describe their pining of each other. It’s especially angsty for Mori becausehe’s the person that had seen all the possible happy ever after outcomes and yet reality keeps robbing him of them one by one. Especially when he forgets things that will happen in the future that made him who he is now. My heart ached so much when he started losing his northern accent and then losing English as a language that he knows how to communicate with. However, he’s such a clever and calculating soul that it complements Thaniel’s character so well and just makes sense for him and Thaniel to fall for each other. At least that’s what I think.
I must say I’m not a fan of Grace. Herracism aside, she’s just not a type of woman in STEM that I like haha. Her POV chapter was introduced too soon for me, because I’ve barely go to know Thaniel at that point. So I was a bit confused about what she’s doing here. And I just didn’t really care about her whole weird pining for Matsumoto (I’m not a fan of hetero “forbidden” romance, like get over yourself, seriously). And her chaotic plot of getting herself intentionally hurt so she can prove her point?? With a freaking bomb?? Reckless and stupid and she PUNCHED Keita for it. The police should’ve arrested her. She literally BLEW UP a building because she wants to prove a point and she’s not even punished. At least the Irish had good reasons. She literally did it for the fun of it like. Poor Katsu, he’s just a little clockwork octopus, he didn’t deserve to be blown to smithereens. I don’t know, I know she’s smart but she just irks me the wrong way. She’s also the type of selfish character that I don’t enjoy too, like on what grounds is she standing on to demand Thaniel spend less time with Mori. It was a plain and simple contractual marriage, I was so angry when she just nonchalantly told the workers to destroy the clockwork vines on the pear trees and straight up chopped all those trees down. The audacity. I’m actually kind of pissed that the book ended with her POV. Sorry to the Grace lovers out there. She’s just not the gaslight gatekeeper girlboss she thinks she is.
To end this review with a positive note, I can’t wait to read to spin-off and sequel! :D
I don’t think I’ve ever read any historical fiction written in the modern times that felt so much like I was reading about people that were actually living in that era. Even the parts that were set in Japan, I felt totally immersed into the world. The author has such a way of building up atmosphere and creating dialogues that just makes everything feel so realistic despite the fact that there are some magical realism aspects to it. I also love the work that has gone into researching all the politics at the time. It’s very interesting to have a glimpse of the international power struggles in the past.
One weird thing that I really appreciate about this book is the casual racism that were expressed by multiple characters. As a POC, while I do not condone and tolerate racism, I think it’s important to acknowledge that those were the norm in those days and they usually went on unchallenged. We are growing to evolve out of it, can’t say the same about everyone, but racism is definitely not cool now. It’s not to say that the POC characters just silently takes it, I loved it when Mori casually refuted the police’s own logic when he was confronted at the end. But I’m glad that the author decided to include those things in the story, even though it might be difficult to read for some people. It made the story all the more real, and I think as readers with critical minds, we should be well equipped to understand that depiction of a horrible thing does not mean condoning of said thing.
I love Thaniel and Mori’s dynamic so much!! They’re not the kind of couple that has a lot of tension going on, but I think that made them even more lovable. The simmering longing that is just bubbling under the surface. That’s how I would describe their pining of each other. It’s especially angsty for Mori because
I must say I’m not a fan of Grace. Her
To end this review with a positive note, I can’t wait to read to spin-off and sequel! :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Murder and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Chronic illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and War
blubbn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
biobeetle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood
girlwithoutearing's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked the almost casually strewn in fantasy elements that are used to influence the plot. I wasn't so much a fan of the ending, but can't explain why without spoilers, so see below if you're interested. I liked that the author didn't shy away from depicting casual racism, especially since this must have been much worse in the 19th century. It just felt as if she didn't follow through with it when none of the Japanese characters in the book ever face disadvantages beyond racial slures and being looked down on in inconsequential ways.
I liked that Thaniel and Mori got to stay together, but the overall happy ending with them living together without fear of discovery and adopting a child felt a bit unrealistic and forced. Sure, showing them living in fear for the rest of their relationship wouldn't have made for a nice ending, but it kind of sounded as if the laws against "homosexual behaviour" and the threat of Grace going to the police were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Yes, these laws didn't necessarily lead to people going to jail, but the harm they did was real. If Thaniel and Mori were known to have been accused of having a gay relationship their lifes could have been ruined. I also couldn't care less about Grace getting a happy ending of sorts after she'd been so casually homophobic and unlikable in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
beepsies's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
2.75
Interesting premise and prose that drew me in right away! The style was my favorite thing about this book, though I did feel like it started out strong and got progressively weaker.
I found the cast to be largely unlikeable, though, and felt like the climax was uninteresting and out of place. It's also packed to the gills with period anti-asian racism which the MC skirts around but is heartily professed by nearly every other character, as well as lots of anti-irish sentiments.
It has some panache out of the gate but was ultimately not to my taste.
I found the cast to be largely unlikeable, though, and felt like the climax was uninteresting and out of place. It's also packed to the gills with period anti-asian racism which the MC skirts around but is heartily professed by nearly every other character, as well as lots of anti-irish sentiments.
It has some panache out of the gate but was ultimately not to my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
Minor: Racial slurs and Islamophobia