mzdeb's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the characters after having read the first book, so I was still vested here. And the thought of how much you can tweak timelines without being able to truly know the ripple effects, and if you still remember things before you tweaked them, endlessly fascinates me. It looks like this is a duology, so while not a "KAPOW" finish, I'm satisfied.
linneahedvig's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fun, but it's so hard to follow a timeline that keeps winding in on itself so people end up in the same place multiple times, sometimes with other versions of their same selves! I did enjoy how we got to visit a variety of times in this book--medieval France, Revolutionary America--but I still want more stuff about the time war!
I'm looking forward to the third book in this series, which, based on the titles of the first two, will probably be called Alice Payne Abides.
I'm looking forward to the third book in this series, which, based on the titles of the first two, will probably be called Alice Payne Abides.
icallaci's review against another edition
3.0
This one wasn't quite as confusing as the first book in the series, but the biggest problem in both books is that nothing ever feels permanent or dangerous or important. If someone dies, the time travelers can go back and try again, a few moments earlier. The doesn't really change anything, because ... I notice that the author hasn't written anything in this series for a few years, and this may be the reason why. Anything that is done can be undone or redone, so nothing is ever really accomplished and nothing is ever really resolved. I usually love time travel stories, but I don't think I will be quite as enamored of them after reading this series.
Spoiler
"dark spot" twistSpoiler
there are 45 million versions of events and people who can simply try again and again and again at some other time or place.davidscrimshaw's review against another edition
5.0
I usually avoid time travel stories, but these Alice Payne stories are good romps.
ana_distracted's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
kazalicious's review against another edition
3.0
I desperately wish that these books had any kind of character interaction that leads us to believe friendship. Aside from attending a party, Wray seems on much friendlier terms. I would have loves to explore that. Jane and Alice are the only ones who have been given spotlight to their relationship.
eol's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
murderbot42's review
3.75
(This is a review for both the books in this series, as I read them together and can't properly separate them in my head.)
This was cute! It's been a little too long since I read it to properly review it because I'm having a hard time remembering the details. I know I liked it because I immediately read book 2 right after. So that's good.
I remember I really liked the time travel, that was fun. The Alice/Jane storyline is fantastic, the Prudence one a little less so, although once they introduce her sister and her relationship to her, I remember I warmed significantly.
Recommended for: People who like lesbian time travel romance steampunk adventures of course! Who else?
This was cute! It's been a little too long since I read it to properly review it because I'm having a hard time remembering the details. I know I liked it because I immediately read book 2 right after. So that's good.
I remember I really liked the time travel, that was fun. The Alice/Jane storyline is fantastic, the Prudence one a little less so, although once they introduce her sister and her relationship to her, I remember I warmed significantly.
Recommended for: People who like lesbian time travel romance steampunk adventures of course! Who else?
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of Alice Payne Rides from Tor.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Alice Payne Rides is the second novella in the Alice Payne series. It’s a time traveling series full of strong and brilliant women, and some admittedly curious situations that they managed to get themselves into.
If you had any doubt about its ability to follow up the first then put them to rest. Alice Payne Rides was everything I could have hoped for out of a sequel, and then some. It was just as intense as the first novella, if not more so. It furthered the plots already started, and best of all, it continued developing all of the characters we’ve met so far.
The world of Alice Payne is beautiful and dark. Time traveling has opened many doors that science fiction authors have warned us about for years – and then some. This series does a phenomenal job of showing us the cost of time traveling, while also highlighting the hope that it can carry with it simultaneously.
Alice Payne Rides was an absolutely brilliant read. The plot was enchanting and the characters charming. This series has become everything I never knew I wanted out of a time travel story. The sequel easily held up to my raised expectations and honestly has raised them even further for any future novellas.
In many ways, I think I enjoyed this novella more than Alice Payne Arrives. Mostly because the world and characters were already established, so we were able to jump right into the thick of things. This novella already had a good starting point, what with an intriguing plot involving time travel, and fascinating yet quirky characters already introduced.
I’ll confess some surprise to the level of some of the characters involved in the second novella. I knew that certain characters would obviously be involved in trying to deal with time travel missions…but there was one I certainly hadn’t expected. While I hadn’t expected…I do appreciate the decision made here. It added something to the plot, more tension for one thing. I also ended up liking this character more than I had previously, so that was a bonus as well.
Speaking of characters, I adore the three main characters in this series. Alice is so intelligent and independent – regardless of what time period she’s from. The fact that she lives in 1780 just makes her personality that much more striking. I adore her tenacity and refusal to meet cultural expectations.
Likewise, I adore Jane. I do feel more compelled to see her protected, but that has more to do with my initial impression of her being a naive genius. She’s brilliant, but she also has the tendency to hope for the best from people. In that sense, she really is perfect for Alice. They balance each other out and take care of each other.
Prudence is tough and has had to go through a lot to keep her memories in check. I adore the complicated steps that time travelers take here. I also loved her character arc in this novella. I think that we’ll see more of that in any following novellas, so I’m looking forward to it.
The plot itself was fast-paced and intense. Everything moved forward with surprising swiftness. I suppose a combination of willful determination and the ability to time travel would have that effect on people’s lives.
I adored this novella, and can honestly say that I read it in one sitting. I rather wish I hadn’t, since I don’t have the ability to time travel, and thus cannot experience this novella for the first time ever again. At least I have future stories from this world to look forward to.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Alice Payne Rides is the second novella in the Alice Payne series. It’s a time traveling series full of strong and brilliant women, and some admittedly curious situations that they managed to get themselves into.
If you had any doubt about its ability to follow up the first then put them to rest. Alice Payne Rides was everything I could have hoped for out of a sequel, and then some. It was just as intense as the first novella, if not more so. It furthered the plots already started, and best of all, it continued developing all of the characters we’ve met so far.
The world of Alice Payne is beautiful and dark. Time traveling has opened many doors that science fiction authors have warned us about for years – and then some. This series does a phenomenal job of showing us the cost of time traveling, while also highlighting the hope that it can carry with it simultaneously.
Spoiler
Alice Payne Rides was an absolutely brilliant read. The plot was enchanting and the characters charming. This series has become everything I never knew I wanted out of a time travel story. The sequel easily held up to my raised expectations and honestly has raised them even further for any future novellas.
In many ways, I think I enjoyed this novella more than Alice Payne Arrives. Mostly because the world and characters were already established, so we were able to jump right into the thick of things. This novella already had a good starting point, what with an intriguing plot involving time travel, and fascinating yet quirky characters already introduced.
I’ll confess some surprise to the level of some of the characters involved in the second novella. I knew that certain characters would obviously be involved in trying to deal with time travel missions…but there was one I certainly hadn’t expected. While I hadn’t expected…I do appreciate the decision made here. It added something to the plot, more tension for one thing. I also ended up liking this character more than I had previously, so that was a bonus as well.
Speaking of characters, I adore the three main characters in this series. Alice is so intelligent and independent – regardless of what time period she’s from. The fact that she lives in 1780 just makes her personality that much more striking. I adore her tenacity and refusal to meet cultural expectations.
Likewise, I adore Jane. I do feel more compelled to see her protected, but that has more to do with my initial impression of her being a naive genius. She’s brilliant, but she also has the tendency to hope for the best from people. In that sense, she really is perfect for Alice. They balance each other out and take care of each other.
Prudence is tough and has had to go through a lot to keep her memories in check. I adore the complicated steps that time travelers take here. I also loved her character arc in this novella. I think that we’ll see more of that in any following novellas, so I’m looking forward to it.
The plot itself was fast-paced and intense. Everything moved forward with surprising swiftness. I suppose a combination of willful determination and the ability to time travel would have that effect on people’s lives.
I adored this novella, and can honestly say that I read it in one sitting. I rather wish I hadn’t, since I don’t have the ability to time travel, and thus cannot experience this novella for the first time ever again. At least I have future stories from this world to look forward to.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
blackmetalblackheart's review against another edition
3.0
Not as strong as the first in the series, but Alice Payne Rides still has plenty of worthwhile content. The time travel aspect gets more complex, and in that, it makes things feel a bit more gimmicky. But the lead characters are still likable, the world is still intriguing, and I would still read more if it comes out.