doxamully's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
ninjapants's review
3.75
Review for Clockwork Boys and the Wonder Engine because this definitely felt like one boom split arbitrarily in half.
Fun, quick read. Great characters and action. Funny and emotional. Definitely not light but uncomplicated. World felt very real and realized despite the limited glimpse of it seen here. Interpersonal drama was very believable, like it’s being driven by the characters and not the plot.
I don’t think it’s quite as good as T. Kingfisher’s later paladin books, but very enjoyable.
Fun, quick read. Great characters and action. Funny and emotional. Definitely not light but uncomplicated. World felt very real and realized despite the limited glimpse of it seen here. Interpersonal drama was very believable, like it’s being driven by the characters and not the plot.
I don’t think it’s quite as good as T. Kingfisher’s later paladin books, but very enjoyable.
ratatakata's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gdikrum's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Confinement
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Sadly, this did not work for me in the way that I had hoped. I guess the humor didn't hit me in the funny bone or something, because I just felt mildly bored throughout the story. The author mentions in the note at the end that the sequel was originally combined with this book, and I do think that would have been a better choice because not much really happened in this installment. I like the characters in theory, but I felt disconnected from them throughout the story. Aaaand probably won't be picking up the sequel. I'm still curious about T. Kingfisher's other books, though, so I might try something else from her at some point.
Sadly, this did not work for me in the way that I had hoped. I guess the humor didn't hit me in the funny bone or something, because I just felt mildly bored throughout the story. The author mentions in the note at the end that the sequel was originally combined with this book, and I do think that would have been a better choice because not much really happened in this installment. I like the characters in theory, but I felt disconnected from them throughout the story. Aaaand probably won't be picking up the sequel. I'm still curious about T. Kingfisher's other books, though, so I might try something else from her at some point.
josephine12897's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
daria_nedelcu19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Enjoyment 10/10
Concept 10/10
Execution 9/10
Writing 9/10
Plot & Logic 8/10
Pacing & Structure 9/10
Atmosphere 10/10
Characters 10/10
Intrigue 10/10
World Building 9/10
Rating: 4.73/5
Concept 10/10
Execution 9/10
Writing 9/10
Plot & Logic 8/10
Pacing & Structure 9/10
Atmosphere 10/10
Characters 10/10
Intrigue 10/10
World Building 9/10
Rating: 4.73/5
evebananas's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn’t realize that this book is basically part 1 of 2 and that the second book is a continuation, not a sequel. So I think I would have different feelings about this book if I knew that going in.
The book sets up the characters well, and I love the banter. Slate is a great FMC, and she is simultaneously funny and somewhat fatalist. Caliban is another great paladin character from T. Kingfisher: honorable, self-deprecating, and full of guilt. Brenner is awful and I love him. Even Learned Edmund (who I couldn't stand when we met him) grew into a likable character.
The plot is a little bit wandering, and I was constantly asking myself when we'd get to learn more about the Clockwork Boys (the title of the book!!). There is very little interaction with them at all in this book. It seems like T. Kingfisher just used this book to set up all the characters and the plot for the second book, The Wonder Engine. I didn't hate it, but it feels very incomplete as is and you're basically required to read book 2 to get any closure on the plot or the characters.
The book sets up the characters well, and I love the banter. Slate is a great FMC, and she is simultaneously funny and somewhat fatalist. Caliban is another great paladin character from T. Kingfisher: honorable, self-deprecating, and full of guilt. Brenner is awful and I love him. Even Learned Edmund (who I couldn't stand when we met him) grew into a likable character.
The plot is a little bit wandering, and I was constantly asking myself when we'd get to learn more about the Clockwork Boys (the title of the book!!). There is very little interaction with them at all in this book. It seems like T. Kingfisher just used this book to set up all the characters and the plot for the second book, The Wonder Engine. I didn't hate it, but it feels very incomplete as is and you're basically required to read book 2 to get any closure on the plot or the characters.
zara_duquette's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0