ury949's review
1.0
My rating might have something to do with the audio narrator. Her voice was like a robot, and 90% of her sentences turned up at the end. I need to find the good audio actors. So this was clever. It has absolutely everything including zombies, and I liked that it was set in Seattle so I could recognize the names of streets and neighborhoods. I guess it was a bit formulaic. A movie would be great since the setting is probably the best part, what with all the tunnels and air ships and crazy contraptions. I could totally see a Tim Burton-esque take on this story. But until then, it wasn't my cup of tea.
made_in_dna's review
5.0
When Briar Wilkes' son sneaks off into the walled off section of Seattle to find evidence that his father was not responsible for the destruction of that part of the city, Briar must risk her own life to save him from the deadly gas inside that turns people into rotters (the living dead). Inside she encounters a cast of shady characters who seek to help her because of who her father was. But it's not going to be that easy. The fearsome Dr Minnerecht, who not only builds terrible weapons to combat the rotters but runs the drug trade in 'sap', a derivative of the poisonous gas that engulfs that part of the city, also seeks her out. Is he saint or demon or perhaps just a shadow of a man she once knew?
An excellent story. It was really difficult to put this down. Well-developed characters inhabiting a believable setting of an alternate-history American West. Highly recommended for fans of all genres.
An excellent story. It was really difficult to put this down. Well-developed characters inhabiting a believable setting of an alternate-history American West. Highly recommended for fans of all genres.
solakai's review
3.0
First foray into Steampunk at the behest of my brother-in-law.
The guys at Guyscanread.com recently reviewed this book and I have to agree with their assessment--> The tech and environment is cool. The story/plot is ok.
I wanted to like this book and find out what this steampunk thing was all about. Overall it was a fun read - don't know that it grabbed me though.
The guys at Guyscanread.com recently reviewed this book and I have to agree with their assessment--> The tech and environment is cool. The story/plot is ok.
I wanted to like this book and find out what this steampunk thing was all about. Overall it was a fun read - don't know that it grabbed me though.
bibliofiendlm's review
3.0
I'm giving this a 3.5/5. Since I signed up for Goodreads several years ago, this has always been a recommended read. I stumbled upon Cherie Priest's Cheshire Red vampire series on audio and loved it. I have to say that I did enjoy this book and its story development. Admittedly it does feels slow at times but I liked the premise as well as the steampunk and zombie elements. I would read more of the series.
pharmdad2007's review
4.0
Steampunk is not a genre that I've really ever read (or cared to read, for that matter), so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Maybe that was partially because Seattle is a city I am fairly familiar with and like to visit. Whatever the reason, I didn't expect to want to continue the series, but I just might actually do that now.
ericawrites's review
4.0
Definitely works up to a point where I couldn't put it down. That said, zombies are scary and there were already a thousand things in this Seattle ready to kill them. I liked Briar, and Zeke seemed like a typical teen boy. The characters were fun, and almost all were over 30, so that was fabulous. Priest's apocalyptic Seattle was an interesting one.
lizjane's review
2.0
Seattle in an alternate history 1860s is ripped open by a man trying to build a machine that will drill for gold through Alaskan ice. The torn earth releases noxious gas that turns people into zombies. Briar is a swashbuckling mother who tries to save her son from the ruins of the lawless, zombie ridden, walled Seattle.
jojoinabox's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
annelives's review
2.0
The plot wasn't anything special and while the setting was unique it really didn't add to the story. This was a novel that could have taken place anywhere and it wouldn't have affected the story much.
The pacing was incredibly slow and just boring. There are sky pirates and somehow it still comes across as unexciting. Sky Pirates!
While it did have Steampunk elements it was more decorative than utilitarian. And while it has zombies, again they were more a setting element than a menace. Not spooky or interesting at all.
Lastly, the ending and big reveal irritated me. The entire time there is a sort of mystery and the main character apparently knew all along, but never, in thought or deed, let on. This makes no sense since we're in her internal dialog during half of the book. While she's engaging in conversation about this mystery and even when she is talking to the mystery person. It's not realistic at all and seems incredibly contrived.
The pacing was incredibly slow and just boring. There are sky pirates and somehow it still comes across as unexciting. Sky Pirates!
While it did have Steampunk elements it was more decorative than utilitarian. And while it has zombies, again they were more a setting element than a menace. Not spooky or interesting at all.
Lastly, the ending and big reveal irritated me. The entire time there is a sort of mystery and the main character apparently knew all along, but never, in thought or deed, let on. This makes no sense since we're in her internal dialog during half of the book. While she's engaging in conversation about this mystery and even when she is talking to the mystery person. It's not realistic at all and seems incredibly contrived.