bookmage's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
naechan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
book_lover101's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
holl3640's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
ramakn22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
krisglomb's review against another edition
5.0
I want to live in this world! This book is light and fun and just a wild ride. Definitely something for the beach or when you want to pick yourself up on a bad day. Plus, the school we’re in has us asking questions about small details we think we can root out by continuing to read while answering the big ones that keep us engaged.
lisakfalafel's review against another edition
5.0
Another fun one! It was great to see some familiar names.
emmiebee's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was made up of so many pieces that should have fit together to make a fun, light, adventure read, but just didn't.
Like many I didn't realize it was a middle grade read vs YA which is not a problem for me, you adjust to the differences in pacing. If that was the only issue, it would've gotten a much better rating than it did.
I really tried to like it, steampunk, vampires, werewolves, espionage, the power of friendship, and an outsider whose natural curiosity lends to them dismantling a devious scheme. In writing it's just about perfect. Until the only black character shows up and for some reason the world is racist? A world with aeronautic pirates, vampires, and werewolves and casual racism against black people for no apparent reason... cool.
So now instead of trying to enjoy a book that I should by all rights enjoy, I'm now trying to convince myself to keep reading it. And right when I let my guard down, our MC begins misgendering (?) one of her friends? It's unclear, but still feels icky especially on the heels of racism because black people exist.
And then at about the 60% mark the book doubled down on the casual racism 😩
The saddest part is the relationship between the characters would not have changed at all if the racism had been removed. All the same tension, and scandal, would have been there had he been exactly who he was and no one had cared about the color of his skin. Just why? Why did it need to be there?
I probably would've given the series another shot had that one aspect of the world building not been there, but as it is I doubt I'm continuing despite enjoying the end.
Like many I didn't realize it was a middle grade read vs YA which is not a problem for me, you adjust to the differences in pacing. If that was the only issue, it would've gotten a much better rating than it did.
I really tried to like it, steampunk, vampires, werewolves, espionage, the power of friendship, and an outsider whose natural curiosity lends to them dismantling a devious scheme. In writing it's just about perfect. Until the only black character shows up and for some reason the world is racist? A world with aeronautic pirates, vampires, and werewolves and casual racism against black people for no apparent reason... cool.
So now instead of trying to enjoy a book that I should by all rights enjoy, I'm now trying to convince myself to keep reading it. And right when I let my guard down, our MC begins misgendering (?) one of her friends? It's unclear, but still feels icky especially on the heels of racism because black people exist.
And then at about the 60% mark the book doubled down on the casual racism 😩
The saddest part is the relationship between the characters would not have changed at all if the racism had been removed. All the same tension, and scandal, would have been there had he been exactly who he was and no one had cared about the color of his skin. Just why? Why did it need to be there?
I probably would've given the series another shot had that one aspect of the world building not been there, but as it is I doubt I'm continuing despite enjoying the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
nakedsushi's review against another edition
I had to stop 1/3 of the way into the book. I liked Carriger's previous books in the Parasol Protectorate series fine, but this one didn't really catch me the way the others did. It could be because it's geared to younger audience, but I think it's because I got annoyed by the style of writing. It had too many trifles and crumpets and came off as overly indulgent in sounding very British.
Some days, you're in the mood for an outfit full of lace, frills, and gilded buttons and other days like when I started this book, you just want to wear jeans and a t-shirt.
Some days, you're in the mood for an outfit full of lace, frills, and gilded buttons and other days like when I started this book, you just want to wear jeans and a t-shirt.