catya's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
I wish there were more in this ile rien timeline!
wandering_not_lost's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
This book barely made it to "it was ok" stars with me. I love heists, and I love criminal masterminds, so I though that this was going to be my cup of tea. But in the end I just couldn't connect with the characters, and the last entire half was finished by determination alone. Though the characters have sometimes interesting backstories, their interactions seemed stilted and unemotional, even when the characters are supposed to be :checks notes: in love? (the main character and Madeline were supposed to be main emotional stays for each other, but whenever they talked they seemed to snipe and be frustrated at each other so much that I was left wondering what they actually saw in each other.) It was like we were TOLD the emotional ties were there, but we weren't SHOWN that. Some of the characterization also seemed odd: obsessed characters would allow themselves to be distracted from that obsession too easily, it seemed. And without ties to and between the characters, what were supposed to be emotional moments sometimes fell incredibly flat. Plotwise I also just felt like this book was too long (in multiple places, chase and search scenes just go on and on....) Then, in the end, things are wrapped up suspiciously neatly ().
It just wasn't satisfying, and oddly in some of the same ways as Witch King wasn't satisfying to me. I'm beginning to think that Wells is just going to be a one-series writer for me, and I should stick to Murderbot.
Spoiler
sorcerors that had been blocked [again, in suspiciously unmurderous ways!] from helping halfway through coming back to help just in the nick of time, people wandering aimlessly through an area they don't know but managing to split up and find each other again, etc.It just wasn't satisfying, and oddly in some of the same ways as Witch King wasn't satisfying to me. I'm beginning to think that Wells is just going to be a one-series writer for me, and I should stick to Murderbot.
ostrava's review against another edition
4.0
Somebody has already beaten me to it (shocker, me sharing unoriginal ideas) but the novel is a triumph of execution over concept, really. And with the exception of some pacing issues, it happens to be a highly enjoyable ride from start to finish.
This book is all of what I look for in a good reading. Immersion, great characters... what else could you ask for? It's escapist fantasy turned into excellence effortlessly.
This book is all of what I look for in a good reading. Immersion, great characters... what else could you ask for? It's escapist fantasy turned into excellence effortlessly.
zozoisgolden's review against another edition
4.0
My first foray into Martha Wells and I was not disappointed.
Perhaps I'll give the Murderbot Diaries a read now.
Detailed review to come. If I feel like it
Perhaps I'll give the Murderbot Diaries a read now.
Detailed review to come. If I feel like it
mychaoticshelf's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thelauramay's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 28%. I tried, but found reading it a chore. The pace is ponderous at best: the text is bogged down by flowery descriptions and the use of low-frequency words. Normally extended word use is a plus for me, but here it felt a little pretentious. Then again, perhaps it's just because steam punk is apparently not my jam, if that's what this is. The lack of pace meant I wasn't driven onward, and I found I didn't care about the characters.
I'm sure others will enjoy this more, but it was not the book for me.
I'm sure others will enjoy this more, but it was not the book for me.
girlbossclytemnestra's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
thymeslyp's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Starts with a heist be just gets better from there. It’s steampunk with magic. Great stuff.
rgrigsby80's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Fantastic world-building, interesting characters, and, as always, bits of humor sprinkled through.
Some favorite quotes:
"That's a relief. You could at least introduce me."
To the wig? Nicholas though, stepping down from the wagon, then realized she meant him."”
“"I have a plan.” This was true. “I just don’t know whether it will actually work or not.” This, unfortunately, was also true."”
“My sources of information -- and I'll admit, most of them are prostitutes, either professionals or amateurs -- all believe Diero to be heavily in debt to Montesq."”
Some favorite quotes:
Spoiler
“"It's a wig, Madele, a wig." She snatched it off and brandished it, scattering pins on the dusty ground."That's a relief. You could at least introduce me."
To the wig? Nicholas though, stepping down from the wagon, then realized she meant him."”
“"I have a plan.” This was true. “I just don’t know whether it will actually work or not.” This, unfortunately, was also true."”
“My sources of information -- and I'll admit, most of them are prostitutes, either professionals or amateurs -- all believe Diero to be heavily in debt to Montesq."”