jrfehr's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really great book - there were a few parts that felt a little rushed but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Highly recommend!
dhilderbrand's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't actually know it was a second part so I just started reading. The characters were interesting, the world building was fine. I am undecided about the next book and whether or not I want to read it -I am definitley not going to go back...
rilester's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
bookcraft's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not 100% convinced that the tweaks to our universe would result in something like this, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. (I haven't read the previous trilogy, so perhaps that would convince me to a greater degree, as well. Alas, they're not available from my library in audiobook format, so I may or may not get to them any time soon.)
rachelini's review against another edition
2.0
I've learned that military steampunk doesn't do it for me. I also discovered after that this follows another series, which explains why some things felt underexplained.
majkia's review against another edition
2.0
Did Not Finish. Couldn't get into this and the whaling was horrible.
endlessmidnight's review
3.0
I found this quite enjoyable to a degree. Such as the way that the relationship between Elizabeth and Julia is the one which is the most important. And the secrets behind their choices.
But something really lacked, such as the fact that almost no answers were even provided. Even till the end, as to why this began or why Julia left.
However I liked the storyline and how Elizabeth was capable and strong. She was able to carry the story although I didn’t really got close to her, this book didn’t really challenge her ideals and her character. I didn’t really know the extension of her personality and how much she will go.
But the world was so unexplained, it didn’t feel like a time period but didn’t clearly set itself apart. And the world could use some explanations as to how it became like that, since it seems to be an alternate version of the nineteen century.
But the early moments got to me. Such as how she cared for Julia and their relationship for being simple, real and easy. And the way the plot was set up was entertaining and gripping.
However the ending didn’t really allow much of any answers or real development. And felt more like a prequel than an actual book. Since Elizabeth remains a flat character throughout.
But something really lacked, such as the fact that almost no answers were even provided. Even till the end, as to why this began or why Julia left.
However I liked the storyline and how Elizabeth was capable and strong. She was able to carry the story although I didn’t really got close to her, this book didn’t really challenge her ideals and her character. I didn’t really know the extension of her personality and how much she will go.
But the world was so unexplained, it didn’t feel like a time period but didn’t clearly set itself apart. And the world could use some explanations as to how it became like that, since it seems to be an alternate version of the nineteen century.
But the early moments got to me. Such as how she cared for Julia and their relationship for being simple, real and easy. And the way the plot was set up was entertaining and gripping.
However the ending didn’t really allow much of any answers or real development. And felt more like a prequel than an actual book. Since Elizabeth remains a flat character throughout.
abutler's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
spikegelato's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fresh off her battle with the International Patent Court, Elizabeth Barnabus finds herself working on behalf of that very organization that brought her so much trouble in the past. She sets sail to investigate the disappearance of an airship that went down in the Atlantic.
The concept of the worldwide alliance that maintains world peace at the cost of technological advancement continues to be a fascinating one. This novel explores the parts of the world untouched by this alliance and the consequences of unrestrained progress.
Having raced through and enjoyed Rod Duncan’s previous trilogy, I was excited to see what new direction he takes with Elizabeth in this new series set in the same world. Sure enough, Duncan has crafted a solid adventure story that featured some superb scenes and passages. I remain impressed by Duncan’s skills as a writer. His prose is clean, readable, and rich. There’s a great theatricality infused into his stories that make the mundane seem grand.
My main issues with the story had to do with the third act, where some lulls in pacing emerge and some steam is lost from the first parts of the book. Overall, though, this is another enjoyable adventure featuring a great protagonist and set of side characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.
My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fresh off her battle with the International Patent Court, Elizabeth Barnabus finds herself working on behalf of that very organization that brought her so much trouble in the past. She sets sail to investigate the disappearance of an airship that went down in the Atlantic.
The concept of the worldwide alliance that maintains world peace at the cost of technological advancement continues to be a fascinating one. This novel explores the parts of the world untouched by this alliance and the consequences of unrestrained progress.
Having raced through and enjoyed Rod Duncan’s previous trilogy, I was excited to see what new direction he takes with Elizabeth in this new series set in the same world. Sure enough, Duncan has crafted a solid adventure story that featured some superb scenes and passages. I remain impressed by Duncan’s skills as a writer. His prose is clean, readable, and rich. There’s a great theatricality infused into his stories that make the mundane seem grand.
My main issues with the story had to do with the third act, where some lulls in pacing emerge and some steam is lost from the first parts of the book. Overall, though, this is another enjoyable adventure featuring a great protagonist and set of side characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.
megan_alice's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars - Despite being the first book in a series, The Queen of All Crows actually follows on from an earlier series. I didn't realise this until I started reading it and was being provided with a whole back story I didn't understand. It was still a fairly enjoyable read and I liked the plot of the female pirates making their own nation. However, I feel I would've connected to the characters more if I'd read the first series.