actualresultsmayvary's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Spoiler
I am really running out of steam with this series but I am going to persevere until the end of Midnight over Sanctaphrax which is now at least only one book away.
The inconsistencies with the Quint saga continued to be regular and irritating, although I imagine a lot of the problem stems from the fact that the Twig saga was written first.
Twig is not particularly likeable and is needlessly rude and cruel to other creatures and there are still some strong classist vibes coming from the way the characters are divided into good and bad.
The later quarter of this book did improve with the way Screed and the stormphrax fitted together being quite interesting and the story from the Mire onwards being more compelling. The illustrations are lovely as always.
mmlemonade's review against another edition
3.0
Ce livre est très intéressant, à commencer par ses illustrations si détaillées! J'adore les aventures dans ce genre. Le vocabulaire est génial et parfait pour décrire ce monde si extraordinaire.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
This was much better than the first meandering book. There was a solid plot, a good amount of adventure and threat and blimey this got dark and grim. Let's just say that if you're the sort who gets attached to characters, be warned. The character of Twig was better developed as he got the chance to make some good and bad decisions, rather than just react to stuff. The story was slightly unnerving in that it hit the usual beats, but in a different way. Not so much subverting expectation, but very much doing its own thing. It was refreshing, but noticeably against what I'm used to, which is a good thing.
The artwork nicely complimented the story and featured some suitably grim scenes.
The artwork nicely complimented the story and featured some suitably grim scenes.
tilmanjakob_alias_tilly's review against another edition
4.0
Another great installment in the series! The world-building is extended to the first book with even more likable (and unlikable) creatures. I really love the Steampunk elements, and the whole "Sky Pirate"-thing reminded me a bit to "Treasure Planet", which is one of my favorite childhood movies. I also felt very much for the protagonist Twig in this novel. His inner thoughts about the question where he belongs and also his hopes to impress his father felt very realistic to me. At some point I was a bit skeptical about the fact that it´s a children´s book, especially at the point we met Screed Toe-taker. However, for me as an adult this book definitely worked pretty good and I am excited to read the final one. 4.5 of 5 stars overall.
helenmcg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
landscapesofink's review against another edition
5.0
So glad I got back into this series :D I loved it! The illustrations just lend so much to the story <3 It's a middle-grade story, but it's actually quite merciless! Stewart and Riddell don't sugar-coat things. I love the way
And that he actually spent 2-3 years learning the ropes of the sky ship, rather than just spending days on board and then knowing how it works. And the way he dropped those envelopes at the end <3 Gold! Will read the third one sometime soon!
Spoiler
Twig got his own sky pirate ship and called it Edgedancer!And that he actually spent 2-3 years learning the ropes of the sky ship, rather than just spending days on board and then knowing how it works. And the way he dropped those envelopes at the end <3 Gold!
librarycobwebs's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
4.5