Reviews

Slow build up, but since it's a trilogy, I'm fine with it. The premise was lacking but some unexpected twists regarding the Iremongers and their birth objects kept me reading. I like the switching between Clod and Lucy's narratives. Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.

erica_lynn_huberty's review

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2.0

Good premise, good atmosphere. Uneven execution and authenticity, perhaps not the fault of the author.

iffer's review

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2.0

I started out loving the dour tone of this book, the illustrations, the world-building, and the dry humor. I thought the illustrations were also lovely and evocative. However, after about a third of the way through it, it started to feel like a slog to me. A narrative doesn't become particularly apparent until halfway or more throughout the novel, which is somewhat forgivable, because so much of the writing is spent on world-building, but this made it difficult for me to enjoy. I see that there are other books in this series, so this was probably meant to be read as a first book of several, but the book just felt like it ended to me, and I'm not inclined to read more.

I definitely appreciate this book, and I know several people who would love this. It was just not for me.

Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway copy (even though I took ages to read and review it after receiving it).

mopraha's review

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5.0

Une livre d’ambiance qui vous emporte totalement. Un univers burtonesque sombre mystérieux glauque mais aussi plein de charme et d’humour.

audsreads's review

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challenging funny mysterious tense 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? No

3.5

Not the most engrossing read, but the ending was unexpected and super slay.

smortimer's review

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Understand why this book would be marketed to fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events - it does have a similar Victorian melancholy quirkiness. However, in my opinion, it’s not as effective due to the first person POV narrative styles with 2 alternating narrators. They take things very seriously and left the book feeling like a slog. Not to mention that the actual plot doesn’t start until halfway through.

charleslambert's review

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5.0

A brilliant book, exciting, thoughtful, linguistically inventive, moving. I can't imagine a better present for anyone between the ages of 10 and 90. And if you don't want to give anyone else a present, you could always just buy it for yourself.

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