Reviews

Of Noble Family by Mary Robinette Kowal

arya_13's review against another edition

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

lisawreading's review

5.0

A fabulous end to a favorite series!

elenikin's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.25

morganpk7's review

4.0

Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good conclusion to the series. The change of setting to a plantation on Antigua was interesting, as were the associated problems. As a new father, I really empathized with Vincent's POV sections and thought these were very good.

Spoiler

I wish that the epilogue had been longer - Jane and Vincent end up working for a younger character they parted on poor terms with in the first book that hasn't been mentioned since? I think I would have preferred for Jane to have opened the school. As the conclusion to a series, I would have appreciated more detail in the epilogue about not only Jane and Vincent, but also other more minor characters.

Also, there are enormous practical applications of glamour that are touched on in the book - Vincent literally uses it as a surgical camera, saving Jane's life! That is huge! - I was hoping to see some mention of these things in the epilogue. Perhaps Jane and Vincent study more practical glamour, introducing it to medical schools and other fields, and become renowned scholars. There is some of that last point with Jane's book, but I don't think the revolutionary aspect of their art was adequately addressed.

k8s's review

5.0

The best in the series, to be honest. And, I really appreciated the notes in the back about making sure the dialect is as correct as possible in order to avoid yet another act of colonial violence against marginalized populations.

jeremyneander's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

kayrencar's review

5.0

I have many words about this book, but I will limit the to these: Best book in the series, hands down. I absolutely loved it.

daffz's review

4.0

This book was a really good ending to the series, and a really good book on its own. I enjoyed it a lot, and feel like this series has largely gotten better as it went on. I do think the first book was better than the second, but the rest has steadily increased in quality.

What I really enjoyed about this book is that the author didn't shy away from exploring the atrocities that happened in this time and instead made it part of the plot. I was very invested in the story at Antigua, and enjoyed seeing a non-western setting for this book. Jane and Vincent were both great in this story, and their relationship was tested once again. I feel like all the conflicts worked very well, and none of it felt forced. I enjoyed the moments in this book where they were confronted with their own privilege and learned and grew in their new surroundings.

All in all, I think this was a great ending to the series. I'm a little sad to leave it behind now. It's different from anything else I have read, but it has been a very enjoyable experience.

maria_pulver's review

4.0

This book is longer and darker comparing to the rest of the series. In the first book Kowal was clearly imitating Austin's style while creating a somewhat different reality and I thought it was very well done. Books 2 to 4 of the series were more of an adventure and romance on the background of this "regency with impractical magic" world, and I thought them to be less interested due to somewhat unreasonable plot developments and simple language and writing style. This last one is more developed on both accounts of style and language, its only significant flaw being repetition of phrases and descriptions. I believe there are other signs of distress in a heroine apart from a "churning stomach" for example.
Overall I would say that the first book of the series is the best and this one is the second, while books 2-4 are more or less the same.

yvsmovingcastle's review

5.0

I decided to reread the entire series before finally reading Of Noble Family. I'm glad I did because it made ONF that much better as I was heavily invested in Jane and Vincent by the time I started it. I adore them both and am so sad the series is done. When I finished ONF, I felt rather bereft. Kowak does a fantastic job with her research and portrayal of slave culture in Antigua while at the same time keeping the stakes high and personal. I'll fully admit I cried for most of the end of this book. I loved that we get more insight into Vincent's past and even two (three?) chapters from Vincent's POV, which was a real treat.
All in all, it was exceptionally well done and great way to end the series though truthfully, I wish I wasn't done.