jengambale's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Unfortunately, after The Chess Queen Enigma was my favorite in the series so far, The Carnelian Crow is probably my least favorite. I don't know what happened but somehow I feel like hardly anything happened in this one. Still, I look forward to finishing the series with book 5.
gargoyle_girl's review
5.0
Excellent
I think this was my favorite in the series so far! Only one more book in the series! I can’t wait for the next one.
I think this was my favorite in the series so far! Only one more book in the series! I can’t wait for the next one.
tarinid's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
cgonya1's review
3.0
I do believe I have said before how much I love this series. The Carnelian Crow finds our heroines downtrodden after the disappointing result of The Chess Queen Enigma. While moping in her bedroom, Mina Holmes receives a rather unusual visitor, a crow, and it comes bearing gifts, a carnelian. If it had stopped there, would have thought that the crow was building a nest. However, Inspector Grayling also visits, and our mystery begins.
For Evaline Stoker, things seem to be bad and getting worse by the second. After being informed that the family isn't doing so well financially, it appears that it is up to Evaline to marry a well to do man, and save them all. If she doesn't, they lose their home and have to move back to Dublin with her family. On top of that, she hasn't had contact with Pix, and she is beginning to get worried (again!).
What does a carnelian have to do with the Ankh? Where's Pix? How is Evaline supposed to do her fates cursed duty while finding a fiancée or an alternate solution? What does any of this have to do with the missing Miss Adler, and Mina's mother?
Overall I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars, because the only downside I had were Pix and Evaline. Pix was very subdued in this novel, whereas Evaline seemed to have turned into a coward. The fact that their personalities changed so much was concerning. It seemed to take away from the plot because I was very confused as to what I was reading.
The highlight was imagining Mina and Grayling. I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN, PEOPLE!!!! Mina has a similar personality to her father and uncle (especially in how the TV show, movies, and other novels portray) in that intellect, not emotion, lead the way. However, I think Mina needs to learn that a little affection will not hurt her, and I think Grayling can teach her that. While also keeping her intellectually stimulated and "keeping up" with her family.
https://caitlinmariegonya.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-carnelian-crow-by-colleen-gleason.html
For Evaline Stoker, things seem to be bad and getting worse by the second. After being informed that the family isn't doing so well financially, it appears that it is up to Evaline to marry a well to do man, and save them all. If she doesn't, they lose their home and have to move back to Dublin with her family. On top of that, she hasn't had contact with Pix, and she is beginning to get worried (again!).
What does a carnelian have to do with the Ankh? Where's Pix? How is Evaline supposed to do her fates cursed duty while finding a fiancée or an alternate solution? What does any of this have to do with the missing Miss Adler, and Mina's mother?
Overall I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars, because the only downside I had were Pix and Evaline. Pix was very subdued in this novel, whereas Evaline seemed to have turned into a coward. The fact that their personalities changed so much was concerning. It seemed to take away from the plot because I was very confused as to what I was reading.
The highlight was imagining Mina and Grayling. I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN, PEOPLE!!!! Mina has a similar personality to her father and uncle (especially in how the TV show, movies, and other novels portray) in that intellect, not emotion, lead the way. However, I think Mina needs to learn that a little affection will not hurt her, and I think Grayling can teach her that. While also keeping her intellectually stimulated and "keeping up" with her family.
https://caitlinmariegonya.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-carnelian-crow-by-colleen-gleason.html
ksanders013's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
maggierachael's review
5.0
Another fantastic Stoker & Holmes book. Colleen Gleason never lets me down with the suspenseful twists and turns, and Mina and Evaline are two of the most solid, most feminist protagonists I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Gleason manages to flawlessly combine steampunk, time travel, romance, and adventure in her stories, and I can't wait for more. I also adored the Victoria Gardella short story at the back of the book - a nice touch to finish off the book that didn't require any knowledge of backstory.
And damn, what a cliffhanger.
And damn, what a cliffhanger.
iheartya311's review
3.0
**Read in July** I had to give in and buy this book because my library didn't have it yet and I waited long enough. I only buy a couple books a year so that says a lot. However, compared to the previous books I was slightly disappointed. The other books had more substance. The beginning of this one seemed to drag onto nowhere fast. Not much action but it did progress the story line slightly and left me with questions. I was a little disoriented because the last book came out so long ago and I don't remember the little details. Still a favorite series of mine and I hope I remember this one when the last book comes out.
marquessa17's review
2.0
This is the fourth book in the Stoker and Holmes series. I overall enjoyed the other books in the series but for me the two main characters are the main reasons that I read them. Normally I lean towards Holmes but for this one I preferred chapters from Stoker. Regardless of the two main characters I was not as interested in this story line. There is one more book in the series and I will be reading that but I am not as excited as I once was.
neverlandsreads's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
I love this series and these books are some of my favorites but I'm sad that they have gotten much shorter over the years. I do feel like this book was well paced and not rushed so that is a plus side. Mina and Evaline are back on their grind after the disastrous events of The Chess Queen Enigma. This time they investigate the mysterious Carnelian Crow when an actual crow delivers a pendant to Mina in the middle of the night. And on top of that some other characters have gone missing and must be found (including the infamous Pix). The adventures of these two girls are as daring and dangerous as ever.
The plot was good and exciting but there wasn't really too much surprises. All the reveals were pretty obvious to me. I enjoy the journey to the reveals though so I didn't really mind. There is only one book left and I cannot wait to see how it all wraps up.
There were not really any new important characters in the book so I will discuss my feelings on the main cast. I love Mina as always. She is by far my favorite character and the more enjoyable point of view to read. Evaline I still have problems with. She is still too impulsive and she constantly is annoyed at Mina for no reason. Mina is your friend and you know what she is like so why are you always bashing her? Kind of ridiculous in my opinion. I still don't like Inspector Grayling. I think he is rude and judgmental and a little misogynist in my opinion. I understand this takes place in 19th century London and expectations of women were different at the time but Mina has constantly voiced her opinion on the matter to him but he will still feel the need to tell her "this is no place for a young lady of your stature." That is not your decision to make sir. He is good in certain situations but bad in others and I don't like that his misogyny mostly comes from the fact that he has feelings for her and wants to "protect" her. She doesn't need it. Pix was not in this book that much since he was missing so I can't really say much but I still like him. He was just kind of wimpy in this one.
All in all this was a satisfactory story and I cannot wait to see how it all ends in the final book.
I love this series and these books are some of my favorites but I'm sad that they have gotten much shorter over the years. I do feel like this book was well paced and not rushed so that is a plus side. Mina and Evaline are back on their grind after the disastrous events of The Chess Queen Enigma. This time they investigate the mysterious Carnelian Crow when an actual crow delivers a pendant to Mina in the middle of the night. And on top of that some other characters have gone missing and must be found (including the infamous Pix). The adventures of these two girls are as daring and dangerous as ever.
The plot was good and exciting but there wasn't really too much surprises. All the reveals were pretty obvious to me. I enjoy the journey to the reveals though so I didn't really mind. There is only one book left and I cannot wait to see how it all wraps up.
There were not really any new important characters in the book so I will discuss my feelings on the main cast. I love Mina as always. She is by far my favorite character and the more enjoyable point of view to read. Evaline I still have problems with. She is still too impulsive and she constantly is annoyed at Mina for no reason. Mina is your friend and you know what she is like so why are you always bashing her? Kind of ridiculous in my opinion. I still don't like Inspector Grayling. I think he is rude and judgmental and a little misogynist in my opinion. I understand this takes place in 19th century London and expectations of women were different at the time but Mina has constantly voiced her opinion on the matter to him but he will still feel the need to tell her "this is no place for a young lady of your stature." That is not your decision to make sir. He is good in certain situations but bad in others and I don't like that his misogyny mostly comes from the fact that he has feelings for her and wants to "protect" her. She doesn't need it. Pix was not in this book that much since he was missing so I can't really say much but I still like him. He was just kind of wimpy in this one.
All in all this was a satisfactory story and I cannot wait to see how it all ends in the final book.