derekerb's review
4.0
As many of the reviewers have mentioned here it is a very slow and difficult start. It required dedication and stubbornness to get through the first half.
However the second half was quite enjoyable both from the mystery story point of view and the exposition of the atmosphere, philosophy and characters built-up during the first half. It brought me in to a new world that wasn't quite late nineteenth century England and wasn't quite real. But it was fun to follow along having no idea where he was taking me.
I enjoyed the second half of the book enough to finish it. But, I have to admit, I will not be looking to read any more of this books.
However the second half was quite enjoyable both from the mystery story point of view and the exposition of the atmosphere, philosophy and characters built-up during the first half. It brought me in to a new world that wasn't quite late nineteenth century England and wasn't quite real. But it was fun to follow along having no idea where he was taking me.
I enjoyed the second half of the book enough to finish it. But, I have to admit, I will not be looking to read any more of this books.
decafplease's review
5.0
This was so much fun to read, and better than The Anubis Gates I have to say. I loved the mix of modern and victorian dialects, science and mythology, and satire and farce. And really, this is what steampunk is about, just having fun and not taking technology as the harbinger of the apocalypse. No more technophobia and technologism; more steampunk!
sheeprustler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amywoolsey_93's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
booksnbotanicals's review
2.0
Wow... How many times can the author take credit for the term "steampunk"? The book itself was maybe, and a very loose maybe, 3 stars but the author's rant at the beginning where he brags about creating a term is ridiculous brings this down to a 2. Maybe the author will be known for his linguistic contributions but I won't remember the story 2 weeks from now.
tacanderson's review
4.0
Jeter was the man that coined the term Steampunk. This is a bit of a classic in the genre. If you're a fan of Steampunk, it's a must read. Even if you just like scifi this is a good starting point into the genre.
wadewinningham's review
4.0
The first few chapters succeeded in drawing me completely into the mystery and world of the book. And while the ending seemed a bit rushed, I thoroughly enjoyed it overall.
marimoose's review
2.0
Ugh. My review didn't save properly so now I'm just going to summarize what I'd said:
The book is the epitome of steampunk, which the author and his colleagues kind of coined as a term years ago. It has everything from mad scientists to explosions to adventures to automatons and clockwork mechanisms. It has religious idealists, anti-religious idealists, suffragists, lewd folk, and the poor tinker main character. Stylistically, I didn't think there was anything wrong. Heck, I respect Jeter the work and thank him for giving name to a literary sub-genre that's gotten more and more mainstream these days.
My low rating is mostly due to my disinterest and lack of mood to read the dated narration. Infernal Devices was classically written, much in the same manner Frankenstein was (which also--sadly--put me off, even though Frankenstein is the must-read of all sci-fi reads on my list). The characters weren't endearing (the most amused I was had been Creff's paranoia), and I found myself bouncing from one catastrophe to another without caring about whether or not the main character (Dower? Dowers?) came out unscathed.
So there it is. It's mostly my fault.
The book is the epitome of steampunk, which the author and his colleagues kind of coined as a term years ago. It has everything from mad scientists to explosions to adventures to automatons and clockwork mechanisms. It has religious idealists, anti-religious idealists, suffragists, lewd folk, and the poor tinker main character. Stylistically, I didn't think there was anything wrong. Heck, I respect Jeter the work and thank him for giving name to a literary sub-genre that's gotten more and more mainstream these days.
My low rating is mostly due to my disinterest and lack of mood to read the dated narration. Infernal Devices was classically written, much in the same manner Frankenstein was (which also--sadly--put me off, even though Frankenstein is the must-read of all sci-fi reads on my list). The characters weren't endearing (the most amused I was had been Creff's paranoia), and I found myself bouncing from one catastrophe to another without caring about whether or not the main character (Dower? Dowers?) came out unscathed.
So there it is. It's mostly my fault.
kerush's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lorialdenholuta's review
1.0
Fans of flowery overstated prose will appreciate the wordsmithery. The plot is quite good, and kept me intrigued right up to the end.
However. There is the issue of moisture.
Our main character and hero of the tale spends approximately 40% of the book submerged, unwillingly, in various bodies of water. Once was great. Twice was allowable. Thrice grew tedious. LET THE GUY DRY OFF.
Otherwise, a rousing tale.
However. There is the issue of moisture.
Our main character and hero of the tale spends approximately 40% of the book submerged, unwillingly, in various bodies of water. Once was great. Twice was allowable. Thrice grew tedious. LET THE GUY DRY OFF.
Otherwise, a rousing tale.