midnightrubies's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kylielovesbooks's review
4.0
Shades of Rust and Ruin was a really fun steampunk twist on the Goblin Market. Our main character Nix (Phoenix) finds her twin sister Lark dead one Halloween morning exactly 11 years after her parents died. Instead of continuing her graphic novel about a steampunk Goblin world called Mystiquiel, Nix tries to pick up her sister's hobbies (inventing things) to keep her memory alive. Halloween 3 years after Lark dies, Nix's guardian, her uncle, disappears and Nix along with her best friend Clarey and his ESA dog Flannie follow him into the world she created in her graphic novels.
I am just going to say it first, this book's plot reminded me a lot of the plot of the Splintered series (also by AG Howard). I was its own book, it just really reminded me of Splintered.
I really liked both Nix and Clarey and appreciated the mental and physical health issues/differences they both had. Nix had some PTSD after her sister's death although it was never said. She was also partly albino. Clarey had a BAHA (hearing device) as well as social anxiety (I can't remember the specific word) and bad panic attacks hence Flannie being his ESA which I love seeing because I also have one in my life (though not mine). Nix was so dedicated to keeping her sister's memory alive and she really put family and friendship above a lot. Clarey was just such a good guy. He would do anything for Nix.
The first half of this book was not about the goblin world, but it set up that part of it really nicely. We really got a feel for the characters and kind of got introduced to the goblin world beforehand because of Nix's drawings. We got the why of Nix's uncle disappearing without knowing it and a lot of background information that made sense with the story before going into that world. Then we get into the goblin world and get descriptions of these crazy creatures that are part metal. I loved the ending and the trials/challenges Nix had to go through to do something I won't spoil. And then the very ending really made me want to have the second book right away!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am just going to say it first, this book's plot reminded me a lot of the plot of the Splintered series (also by AG Howard). I was its own book, it just really reminded me of Splintered.
I really liked both Nix and Clarey and appreciated the mental and physical health issues/differences they both had. Nix had some PTSD after her sister's death although it was never said. She was also partly albino. Clarey had a BAHA (hearing device) as well as social anxiety (I can't remember the specific word) and bad panic attacks hence Flannie being his ESA which I love seeing because I also have one in my life (though not mine). Nix was so dedicated to keeping her sister's memory alive and she really put family and friendship above a lot. Clarey was just such a good guy. He would do anything for Nix.
The first half of this book was not about the goblin world, but it set up that part of it really nicely. We really got a feel for the characters and kind of got introduced to the goblin world beforehand because of Nix's drawings. We got the why of Nix's uncle disappearing without knowing it and a lot of background information that made sense with the story before going into that world. Then we get into the goblin world and get descriptions of these crazy creatures that are part metal. I loved the ending and the trials/challenges Nix had to go through to do something I won't spoil. And then the very ending really made me want to have the second book right away!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
wildflowerz76's review
DNF. I'm striking out today. This just isn't catching my interest. Funny enough, just like my earlier DNF, it's also the second I've tried from this author and I didn't like the first one either.
lilibetbombshell's review
4.0
For all that steampunk seems to have been a pop culture phenomenon that lurked in subculture before becoming mainstream for a couple of years a while back before fading back into the subculture once more, you could believe it was part and parcel of the YA literary landscape with the passion and zeal A. G. Howard builds an entire novel around it in “Shades of Rust and Ruin”. The alchemy of this novel is amazing: A substantial fantasy world built around the fey mixed with steampunk and a dash of cyberpunk, a chunk of plot built around one interpretation of Christina Rossetti’s poem “The Goblin Market”, a smidge of wink nudge references to the movie “Labyrinth”, and both an ode and a dirge to sisterhood. In my opinion, the only flaw this book has is its tendency to be so in love with its own world it can’t help but tip into overly descriptive at times. Even then, you can’t help but forgive the author just a little, since the world is fascinating enough you kind of want to linger a little yourself. But we’re not reading this book for a grand tour of a fantasy world: we’re here for the story. And what a story it is.
Phoenix has a fear of Halloween, and for good reason: Her parents died on Halloween and her sister died on Halloween. Usually, Nix and her Uncle sit vigil at home from midnight on the 31st until midnight on November 1st, staying together and never leaving the house, completing simple rituals together to remember the family they’ve lost and to keep each other afloat for the 24 hours they are determined to stay awake and ensure they stay safe and alive together. But then Nix’s uncle breaks their routine to run a few errands and doesn’t come back, forcing Nix to leave the house as well, despite her desperate fears. Turns out, she had good reason to fear.
The less said about the plot of this book, the better. I hope no one posts a whole bunch of spoilers or reviews that are simply summaries of the plot, because going in blind is so much better. Trust me on this. Before I go any further in my review I will say this: The ending of this book made the whole book worthwhile. I pumped my fist and literally said, “Yes!”
Much of this book hinges on the story arc present in Christina Rossetti’s much-beloved poem “The Goblin Market”, but there’s more than one interpretation of this beautiful work. The more popular interpretation (and the only one I had heard of up until this book) was of the two main characters, Laura and Lizzie, being lovers who try their best to keep one another safe from the greedy eyes and hands of men. In “Shades of Rust and Ruin”, the interpretation of the poem is adjusted so that Laura and Lizzie are sisters and the goblins were actually goblins. So bear this interpretation in mind when you go to read this book, because it did take some mental rearranging for me to not get a little creeped out when I discovered how much this book leans on the poem.
The world-building in this book, as I’ve mentioned before, is mind-boggling. It’s colorful, it’s allegorical, it’s metaphorical, it’s figurative, and it’s incredibly imaginative. There’s a world living on a world that’s parted from “our” world by a veil. There’s a funhouse scene early on that is both incredibly intense and incredibly well-crafted. It has the feel of a demented Wonderland crossed with a dark Legend of Zelda. If it weren’t an adrenaline-fueled moment in the book I would’ve wanted to sit there and meditate on the whole scene for a minute.
Writing about the magic system would be fruitless because it would only result in the dreaded spoilers, so I won’t give it a go, but the characters are unique and varied, with the primary cast being large enough to cause the author to struggle just slightly with giving them all page time enough to fully develop identities, save for Nix. Once again, I believe this choice wasn't inherently a bad one, it was a choice made in sacrifice of the plot and the world. It made sense to me when I was reading the book, and maybe it will be clear to you when you read the book too.
I’m going to note that while this is a YA fantasy horror novel, it does tip heavily toward the darker and meaner side of the genre and while I’m firmly against censorship in reading I believe if you’re a parent and you have a younger reader who has picked up this book you might find them having questions or deep feelings regarding the book and its themes. They may especially have questions about the ending. I will stick by my assessment that the ending is absolutely the way the book should’ve ended and was a fantastic dismount (stuck the landing!), but some less mature readers may not feel the same. Heck, this ending may prove to be controversial to all readers.
I highly recommend this novel, goblin warts and all.
Thanks to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for granting me early access to this title.
Phoenix has a fear of Halloween, and for good reason: Her parents died on Halloween and her sister died on Halloween. Usually, Nix and her Uncle sit vigil at home from midnight on the 31st until midnight on November 1st, staying together and never leaving the house, completing simple rituals together to remember the family they’ve lost and to keep each other afloat for the 24 hours they are determined to stay awake and ensure they stay safe and alive together. But then Nix’s uncle breaks their routine to run a few errands and doesn’t come back, forcing Nix to leave the house as well, despite her desperate fears. Turns out, she had good reason to fear.
The less said about the plot of this book, the better. I hope no one posts a whole bunch of spoilers or reviews that are simply summaries of the plot, because going in blind is so much better. Trust me on this. Before I go any further in my review I will say this: The ending of this book made the whole book worthwhile. I pumped my fist and literally said, “Yes!”
Much of this book hinges on the story arc present in Christina Rossetti’s much-beloved poem “The Goblin Market”, but there’s more than one interpretation of this beautiful work. The more popular interpretation (and the only one I had heard of up until this book) was of the two main characters, Laura and Lizzie, being lovers who try their best to keep one another safe from the greedy eyes and hands of men. In “Shades of Rust and Ruin”, the interpretation of the poem is adjusted so that Laura and Lizzie are sisters and the goblins were actually goblins. So bear this interpretation in mind when you go to read this book, because it did take some mental rearranging for me to not get a little creeped out when I discovered how much this book leans on the poem.
The world-building in this book, as I’ve mentioned before, is mind-boggling. It’s colorful, it’s allegorical, it’s metaphorical, it’s figurative, and it’s incredibly imaginative. There’s a world living on a world that’s parted from “our” world by a veil. There’s a funhouse scene early on that is both incredibly intense and incredibly well-crafted. It has the feel of a demented Wonderland crossed with a dark Legend of Zelda. If it weren’t an adrenaline-fueled moment in the book I would’ve wanted to sit there and meditate on the whole scene for a minute.
Writing about the magic system would be fruitless because it would only result in the dreaded spoilers, so I won’t give it a go, but the characters are unique and varied, with the primary cast being large enough to cause the author to struggle just slightly with giving them all page time enough to fully develop identities, save for Nix. Once again, I believe this choice wasn't inherently a bad one, it was a choice made in sacrifice of the plot and the world. It made sense to me when I was reading the book, and maybe it will be clear to you when you read the book too.
I’m going to note that while this is a YA fantasy horror novel, it does tip heavily toward the darker and meaner side of the genre and while I’m firmly against censorship in reading I believe if you’re a parent and you have a younger reader who has picked up this book you might find them having questions or deep feelings regarding the book and its themes. They may especially have questions about the ending. I will stick by my assessment that the ending is absolutely the way the book should’ve ended and was a fantastic dismount (stuck the landing!), but some less mature readers may not feel the same. Heck, this ending may prove to be controversial to all readers.
I highly recommend this novel, goblin warts and all.
Thanks to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for granting me early access to this title.
readwritejoy's review
3.0
This was my first A.G. Howard book, and wow!
It's on the outskirts of what I normally read—leaning more toward steampunk and horror—but I immediately fell in love with the world. The characters are extremely well-written and realistic, and I felt for Nix and her carried grief. The entire cast of characters was interesting; they each came to life in their own way.
Howard shines with her gorgeous prose and the mood building. Shades of Rust and Ruin has a very melancholic and introspective vibe that gives it depth. It's multi-layered, but never bogged down.
I highly recommend this read if you're a fan of magical realism, steampunk, YA horror, or fantasy/paranormal works in general.
P.S.
It's PERFECT for spooky season, since it revolves around a Halloween curse.
It's on the outskirts of what I normally read—leaning more toward steampunk and horror—but I immediately fell in love with the world. The characters are extremely well-written and realistic, and I felt for Nix and her carried grief. The entire cast of characters was interesting; they each came to life in their own way.
Howard shines with her gorgeous prose and the mood building. Shades of Rust and Ruin has a very melancholic and introspective vibe that gives it depth. It's multi-layered, but never bogged down.
I highly recommend this read if you're a fan of magical realism, steampunk, YA horror, or fantasy/paranormal works in general.
P.S.
It's PERFECT for spooky season, since it revolves around a Halloween curse.
fairytalefreak's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
wondereads13's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
I am so excited to get more A. G. Howard retellings! Although this book has its flaws, the writing is amazing, as usual, and I love the characters. It's a great Halloween read, and I'll most definitely be reading the second book when it comes out. This book has quite a few similarities to Howard's previous books; I found it pretty noticeable, but it doesn't directly detract from the reader's enjoyment, especially if you've never read the others. While I don't think it tops anything else by this author, it was still a fun, holiday-appropriate read!
smmorris821's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bitchburgerbibliophile's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75