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hello_sunshine's review against another edition
3.0
Just ok-- I liked the writing and the characters, though I get them confused from time to time. Just a little too long and involved and I lost interest.
kintha's review against another edition
3.0
First, let's lay a problem that is not the really fault of this book on the table: I could not find a sufficiently comprehensive summary of the first book anywhere. When events from the first book are referenced, I found myself straining and then failing to remember what I had read 5 years ago. Finally I ended up buying [b:Fly by Night|710437|Fly by Night|Frances Hardinge|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177525648s/710437.jpg|198421] so I could re-read the ending. Annoying.
Anyway, a city that requires a toll for both entry and exit is interesting. A city which divides its population into day people and night people is interesting. But making them the same city seems a bit much. People riot for less. I get that the Locksmiths kept the night city in line, but this seemed like it was a recent development. Why did anyone put up with it for so long? Further, these gimmicks make the plot predictable. You know that Clent and Mosca will get into the city and need to find a way out. You know that one of them will end up in the day city and the other in the night city.
Additionally, like the first book, the story seems very back-loaded, with the pace intensifying significantly towards the end. I'd like that pacing for the whole book, especially since it's the second book in series and should in theory require less set up.
All that said, Hardinge's writing is clever and really propels you through the book quickly. I liked this book, but came away thinking I could have liked it more.
Anyway, a city that requires a toll for both entry and exit is interesting. A city which divides its population into day people and night people is interesting. But making them the same city seems a bit much. People riot for less. I get that the Locksmiths kept the night city in line, but this seemed like it was a recent development. Why did anyone put up with it for so long? Further, these gimmicks make the plot predictable. You know that Clent and Mosca will get into the city and need to find a way out. You know that one of them will end up in the day city and the other in the night city.
Additionally, like the first book, the story seems very back-loaded, with the pace intensifying significantly towards the end. I'd like that pacing for the whole book, especially since it's the second book in series and should in theory require less set up.
All that said, Hardinge's writing is clever and really propels you through the book quickly. I liked this book, but came away thinking I could have liked it more.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
5.0
After helping overthrow the government of Mandelion, Mosca and Clent have moved on. Trying to find a place where they can live without trouble (even of their own making) they find themselves embroiled in an attempted kidnapping and another overthrow of the city of Toll. Hardinge is a brilliant writer. Adults and the strong young reader will enjoy this series. I love how Mosca and Clent compliment each other. I laugh just thinking back on some of the scenes in this book.
Middle school and older
Middle school and older
twocents's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Super cool premise, kind of meandering story.
isabellarobinson7's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 stars
Just like it's predecessor, Fly Trap was full of awesome, very quotable lines. I didn't make it clear enough in my last review, though, that there are many lines that are more serious, but I can't be bothered to put all those here. I just put the funny ones. So, now to all of them:
And the best one:
Ok I finished now. Yay.
Just like it's predecessor, Fly Trap was full of awesome, very quotable lines. I didn't make it clear enough in my last review, though, that there are many lines that are more serious, but I can't be bothered to put all those here. I just put the funny ones. So, now to all of them:
“Since that time Saracen had been making a name for himself. That name was not ‘Saracen’. Indeed the name was more along the lines of ‘that hell-fowl’, ‘did-you-see-what-it-did-to-my-leg’, ‘kill-it-kill-it-there-it-goes’ or ‘what’s-that-chirfugging-goose-done-now’.”
“Revenge is a dish best served unexpectedly and from a distance - like a thrown trifle.”
“ 'That,' he whispered, 'is unthinkable.' In Mosca’s experience, such statements generally meant that a thing was perfectly thinkable, but that the speaker did not want to think it.”
“ 'One of the two of us,' thought Mosca, 'is in a lot of trouble right now. I wonder which of us it is? She isn’t turning pale or plucking at her handkerchief. Oh draggles, I think it’s me.' ”
“What made a girl a damsel in distress? Were they not allowed claws? Mosca had a hunch that if all damsels had claws, they would spend a lot less time in distress.”
And the best one:
“ 'Just between you and me,’ Mosca whispered, ‘radicalism is all about walkin’ on the grass.' ”
Ok I finished now. Yay.
drawmejay5233's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't actually finish this book because I found it incredibly dull! Maybe it was because I haven't read the previous book, but it didn't suck me in like other books. I have to admit the start was interesting but towards the middle and end just got boring.
I must try and finish it at some point.
I must try and finish it at some point.
radishb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
some weird quasi-racist moments within detailed by painting a face green and pretending to be a very stereotypical foreigner. beyond that questionable motif, the story is very strong.
sandy_dream's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
azu_rikka's review against another edition
4.0
My first re-read. It's as quirky, funny and pleasant as I remember it. An adventure story through and through. It pairs well with a heavy topic non-fiction book.
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
Mosca Mye and Eponymous Clent are still running from danger. They make their way to Toll, a strange town where people have to pay to enter and pay again to leave. Even more strange, the town is split into two, with the daytime inhabitant being locked away after duck to set the night time residents free. When Mosca overhears a plot to kidnap the mayor's daughter, Clent sees the opportunity for them to make the money they need to pay their exit fees. As always though, nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
It had been a while since I read the first book in this series so it took me a few chapters to reaclimatise myself with the characters. Within the first few chapters though I was fully back in the thrall of the story.
There is a lot to unpack in this one. Firstly the concept of Toll and the fear that is impressed upon the residents was fascinating. It's a really interesting way to introduce the topic of discrimination to younger readers, but in an abstract way that doesn't reinforce some of the common discriminations we see.
The relationship between Mosca and Clent is a good one. They have become closer in this book but there is still some mistrust there. I love that Mosca is the one to lead by example in terms of behaviour, and her insistence on helping make things right is admirable. She's a character that you'd be happy for your children to aspire to being like.
It's clear that Hardinge has a love of words, and the writing in this is marvellous. I love the idea of people being named after the gods who were ruling the time of their birth, and the way this then shapes their lives makes a great starting point for a story.
I've still got a few of Frances Hardinge's books to read before I'm up to date with her back catalogue, but would be more than happy to see another follow up to this one.
It had been a while since I read the first book in this series so it took me a few chapters to reaclimatise myself with the characters. Within the first few chapters though I was fully back in the thrall of the story.
There is a lot to unpack in this one. Firstly the concept of Toll and the fear that is impressed upon the residents was fascinating. It's a really interesting way to introduce the topic of discrimination to younger readers, but in an abstract way that doesn't reinforce some of the common discriminations we see.
The relationship between Mosca and Clent is a good one. They have become closer in this book but there is still some mistrust there. I love that Mosca is the one to lead by example in terms of behaviour, and her insistence on helping make things right is admirable. She's a character that you'd be happy for your children to aspire to being like.
It's clear that Hardinge has a love of words, and the writing in this is marvellous. I love the idea of people being named after the gods who were ruling the time of their birth, and the way this then shapes their lives makes a great starting point for a story.
I've still got a few of Frances Hardinge's books to read before I'm up to date with her back catalogue, but would be more than happy to see another follow up to this one.