hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise, main character with great potential and some very interesting supporting characters. Spends way too much time on a lame love triangle. Can we just be done with those already? Actually, can we redo this book from Linnet's point of view?
somarostam's review against another edition
5.0
I have heard a lot about the author. But the genre is totally new to me. This is my first venture into the world of steam-punk and what a delight it was. I fell in love with everything in it and I am waiting on the edge for the next book in this new, amazing series! And plus, this book came out on my birthday! So that makes me love it even more!
Charlotte and her brother, Ashley, live in the Catacombs, hidden from the Empire's forces and Rotpots (huge machines who are like the police). They supervise the lives of the children while their parents fight in the Resistance. But all that changes when Charlotte finds a boy in the woods who doesn't remember who he is or where he came from. Now, Charlotte has to venture into the Floating City, and disguise as a lady, and hardest of all, fight her growing feelings for Ash's friend, Jack.
+ The world-building and plot: The author took the world-building into a completely new level with her fascinating plot. This is a future when the Americans haven't won the Independence war and the USA has never been declared and the British still control Northern America and their huge empire. It's also a place for all kinds of strange machines and clockwork. It was amazing , all those details the author managed to pull into the story and alternative history thing was executed perfectly.
+ The characters: This book's strongest point is the characters. Specially the main ones. The author pulled off Charlotte as three-dimensional as a real person. She was not perfect, was not raised into a society with manners, so she didn't know how to deal with being a lady in the city with all those eyes on her. It was fun and adorable watching her grow accustomed to all those changes. Then, there's her brother Ash who is also a character to behold, although he is a bit annoying at times. The sibling relationship between them was beautiful and believable.
+ Character development: There is character development in this book but it's not that evident. OF course, I didn't mind that since this is the first book in the series and it was mainly only introducing us to the complicated world. I am hoping that the author will do the character building later in the other sequels.
+ Romance: My favorite part of this book was the blossoming romance. There was not a love triangle but the hints of one were there. Jack is the most swoon-worthy guy you could ever dream of but he is also not flawless. The relationship between Charlotte and Jack starts from a somehow-mutual-hate so it was much more fun watching them get to know each other in a different light. There's also Jack's brother, Coe, who appears in the middle of the book, he also took a great place in my heart, but he was a little pushy, so I prefer Jack all the way!
This book is perfect in every aspect possible and the author definitely knows how to capture the allure of steam-punk and turn it into a masterpiece. I loved every single moment I spent reading about this world and I'm waiting not-very-patiently for the next book in the series, which will be even more wonderful than this, I'm sure.
Charlotte and her brother, Ashley, live in the Catacombs, hidden from the Empire's forces and Rotpots (huge machines who are like the police). They supervise the lives of the children while their parents fight in the Resistance. But all that changes when Charlotte finds a boy in the woods who doesn't remember who he is or where he came from. Now, Charlotte has to venture into the Floating City, and disguise as a lady, and hardest of all, fight her growing feelings for Ash's friend, Jack.
+ The world-building and plot: The author took the world-building into a completely new level with her fascinating plot. This is a future when the Americans haven't won the Independence war and the USA has never been declared and the British still control Northern America and their huge empire. It's also a place for all kinds of strange machines and clockwork. It was amazing , all those details the author managed to pull into the story and alternative history thing was executed perfectly.
+ The characters: This book's strongest point is the characters. Specially the main ones. The author pulled off Charlotte as three-dimensional as a real person. She was not perfect, was not raised into a society with manners, so she didn't know how to deal with being a lady in the city with all those eyes on her. It was fun and adorable watching her grow accustomed to all those changes. Then, there's her brother Ash who is also a character to behold, although he is a bit annoying at times. The sibling relationship between them was beautiful and believable.
+ Character development: There is character development in this book but it's not that evident. OF course, I didn't mind that since this is the first book in the series and it was mainly only introducing us to the complicated world. I am hoping that the author will do the character building later in the other sequels.
+ Romance: My favorite part of this book was the blossoming romance. There was not a love triangle but the hints of one were there. Jack is the most swoon-worthy guy you could ever dream of but he is also not flawless. The relationship between Charlotte and Jack starts from a somehow-mutual-hate so it was much more fun watching them get to know each other in a different light. There's also Jack's brother, Coe, who appears in the middle of the book, he also took a great place in my heart, but he was a little pushy, so I prefer Jack all the way!
This book is perfect in every aspect possible and the author definitely knows how to capture the allure of steam-punk and turn it into a masterpiece. I loved every single moment I spent reading about this world and I'm waiting not-very-patiently for the next book in the series, which will be even more wonderful than this, I'm sure.
resslesa's review against another edition
4.0
A great start to a trilogy -I love steampunk and dresses and Andrea Cremer and her books in general. Looking forward to the rest.
onegirlreads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, what a bummer it is brand new and I have to wait for the second one!!! The world was interesting, the characters were all interesting. Cons: Some of it moved a little fast and some of the explanations were a little over done. Also, Charlotte had a few annoying moments constantly questioning each of the Winter brothers motives, but it seemed typical teen girl thinking. I loved the history side of this of what would have happened has the American Revolution failed, and that we would have ended up in a Steampunk world... I need to know what happens, I hope she finishes the 2nd one quickly.
msseviereads's review against another edition
5.0
Love.... this is a great book. I'm usually not a huge fan of fantasy, but I truly enjoyed this steam-punk story. The beginning was a tiny bit slow for me -- the world building part. But, it paid off to go slow because the last two-thirds of the book were a high speed locomotive of action!
iggyebab's review against another edition
4.0
It's 1816 and unfortunately the United States did not win it's freedom in the revolution. The Spanish and the French were "bought off" by the British Empire and so the revolution was lost. The revolutionaries have been placed into indentured servitude along with all of their descendants. America has been renamed Britannia and parts of it still belong to the Spanish and the French but they have become disillusioned with the British Empire and are aiding a group of rebels fighting for freedom. The rebels have hidden their children away in small pockets until they are old enough to fight for the cause. This story begins in one such pocket called the catacombs where a group of children and teenagers live. This group educates the children and work on ways to undermine the empire. In the group are a pair of siblings, the daughter of a freed slave, t an inventor, and a host of other young people. While out scavenging, Charlotte (the sister in the sibling set) comes across a strange boy running from machines sent by the empire to catch runaway servants. HE is strange but she assists him and brings him back to the catacombs.
This story is a steampunk adventure populated mostly by teenagers. There is action, adventure, and intrigue with a splash of romance thrown in. It is really well written and entertaining and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This story is a steampunk adventure populated mostly by teenagers. There is action, adventure, and intrigue with a splash of romance thrown in. It is really well written and entertaining and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
brookerhees's review against another edition
2.0
I found the characters unlikable, and the narration style didn't appeal to me. I gave up third of the way into the book because I was still waiting for something compelling to happen.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
4.0
This review contains spoilers!!!You have been warned!!!
This book good. I like her Nightshade series better but, you can really tell she majored in history by just reading the first few pages. I love it when an author shows what they truly love when you notice all the little details in the book. It follows Charlotte, 16 and head strong who lives in the U.S. where we didn't win the Revolutionary War. She meets Grave by accident. She takes him back to the Catacombs to meet the young troops of the Rebellion (like that one of ATLA wear Aang and Katara meet Jet they go back to his place). Won't say anymore or that spoiler more of the book but, to some up the story with a few sneak peeks: Dragonfly, Floating City, Balls & Gowns, Winter, Bromley, and New Orleans. I give this book 4 stars making this a fast interesting read.
This book good. I like her Nightshade series better but, you can really tell she majored in history by just reading the first few pages. I love it when an author shows what they truly love when you notice all the little details in the book. It follows Charlotte, 16 and head strong who lives in the U.S. where we didn't win the Revolutionary War. She meets Grave by accident. She takes him back to the Catacombs to meet the young troops of the Rebellion (like that one of ATLA wear Aang and Katara meet Jet they go back to his place). Won't say anymore or that spoiler more of the book but, to some up the story with a few sneak peeks: Dragonfly, Floating City, Balls & Gowns, Winter, Bromley, and New Orleans. I give this book 4 stars making this a fast interesting read.