ravenclawkate's review against another edition
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
5.0
everencore42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
I loved this one a lot. The self-discovery arc for multiple characters in the book, the found family aspect, the mystery -- it's all gold. Kate Milford also repeatedly does a great job of giving children adults who help them deal with big scary things, while still giving the kids space to be the heroes and protagonists of the story. It's not an easy tightrope to walk, and she walks it with aplomb.
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
This book was even better than the first. It truly gave me everything I wanted -- so much more insight and back stories into the hints from the first book. Of course, it seeded even more questions and wonders... But that's I want. I want to keep exploring this alternate America with the roaming tall tales and to learn more about the past that created these wonderful characters.
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
3.0
The Broken Lands is set in an alternate version of New York in 1877; the Civil War is over and slavery has been abolished, but the country is still in a state of unrest. Walking amongst the humans are human-like roamers, one of whom is looking to claim New York City for his own. Sam is an orphan who earns his living as a card sharp on Coney Island. Jin is a young Chinese girl who creates beautiful fireworks displays with her uncle Liao. The two meet by chance at The Broken Lands Hotel where Fata Morgana Fireworks Company is putting on a display. When Jin stumbles upon the victim of a gruesome murder, the two are drawn into a world they didn’t know existed, and the become instrumental in saving New York and Brooklyn from roamer Jack Hellcoal, who is determined to take it for his own.
The Broken Lands is an interesting mix of supernatural and historical fiction. The sights, sounds and smells of late 19th century New York really leap off the page and draw the reader into the setting. The yet-to-be-completed Brooklyn Bridge figures prominently into the novel’s setting and plot; it also functions as a symbol of a time when New York and Brooklyn were on the cusp of coming together to form the New York City that we know today. The characters are realistic and well developed. Both Sam and Jin have had difficult lives, but neither succumbs to self-pity, and it’s hard not to admire their spirit. Some of the minor characters are based on real people which gave the story a feeling of authenticity; for example, Ambrose Bierce, writer of horror stories and stories about the Civil War, plays a significant role in the plot. The plot starts out a bit slowly, and there are some head scratching supernatural elements that didn’t really work for me, but overall this was a unique and enjoyable read.
The Broken Lands is an interesting mix of supernatural and historical fiction. The sights, sounds and smells of late 19th century New York really leap off the page and draw the reader into the setting. The yet-to-be-completed Brooklyn Bridge figures prominently into the novel’s setting and plot; it also functions as a symbol of a time when New York and Brooklyn were on the cusp of coming together to form the New York City that we know today. The characters are realistic and well developed. Both Sam and Jin have had difficult lives, but neither succumbs to self-pity, and it’s hard not to admire their spirit. Some of the minor characters are based on real people which gave the story a feeling of authenticity; for example, Ambrose Bierce, writer of horror stories and stories about the Civil War, plays a significant role in the plot. The plot starts out a bit slowly, and there are some head scratching supernatural elements that didn’t really work for me, but overall this was a unique and enjoyable read.
tangledintales's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
couillac's review against another edition
3.0
The size is daunting, but this is a great adventure fantasy. I loved the aspects of American folklore, and Jin and Sam are fantastic protagonists, interesting and unsure yet determined. The villains are delicious, though their true effect is often hampered by Milford's tendency toward over-description, and the diversity of the main characters is so refreshing. I also loved the theme of the Broken Lands, of a USA still vulnerable from the effects of the Civil War. Milford's world-building is complex and detailed, though often a bit obscure. Overall, a unique read for readers looking for a challenge.
maggie_stiefvater's review against another edition
5.0
This was quite agreeable. I've ordered the next one.
kiraly's review against another edition
5.0
Evidently it is a trend for me to stumble upon Kate Milford's books by accident; I found [b:The Boneshaker|6909642|The Boneshaker|Kate Milford|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1258612594s/6909642.jpg|7134937] because I thought it was a different book, and I found this because I wanted to see if the title had been taken (I was trying to find a title for this year's NaNoWriMo attempt). Needless to say, Milford's books are a delightful surprise. The combination of the setting (Coney Island, late 19th century) the story (mysterious murders, fireworks, pillars of the city) and the characters (teenaged card sharps, fireworkers, old soldiers) made for a fantastic story. As much as I enjoyed The Boneshaker, I think this book is even better. I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next! (As a note, I adore the illustrations by Andrea Offerman too...they add a lot to the book.)
pussreboots's review against another edition
2.0
In terms of the road trip genre, New York is one of the terminals for road trips: either being the starting point, or the ending point. New York isn't a city that can contain a road trip. A crossroads battle in the middle of a metropolis, even one that at the time was more than one city being in the process of becoming a single city, just doesn't work.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comments_08/broken_lands.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comments_08/broken_lands.html