decafplease's review against another edition
5.0
I know I'm being sentimental, but I really believe that the characters, the story, and even the cover, are all painfully beautiful in their own ways. Some turning points were too sudden for me, the one involving Sebastian for example, but altogether Mattie's relationship with Loharri and the gargoyles' dream to be alive helped to hold the narrative together. And even though the ending was bittersweet, it really could not have ended in any other way. I must applaud Sedia's effort in blending in the philosophical questions about the definition of being human, being alive, and being powerful. They didn't seem patronising or preachy but were enough to keep the reader curious and pondering. The power conflict was, of course, the core of the narrative, but there were others that I would love to unpack in my thesis. That's all for now.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is by far one of the better Steam Punk books.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
It focuses on Alchemy and Machinery all in the Victorian style and the steam, while minimal, the time period rings true.
The Punk is also representative by the revolution contained within the pages and the struggle for balance in the city.
The main character is an automaton, and she befriends the towns gargoyles to help her in her plight.
Overall, a good enough story, a bittersweet ending, and plenty to make the imagination run rampant.
marimoose's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this was certainly different. I don't think I've actually read much with an automaton as one of the main characters since Marge Piercy's He, She, and It. Like Piercy's book, this deals with an automaton with a clockwork heart that--dun dun dun--actually "falls in love," so to speak. And even that was hella strange.
I started reading it and for some reason I imagined the story to be taking place in some remnant of Russia (nevermind that I then realized that there is a sort of Russianesque feel to this, old-world versus new-world kind of thinking). Of course, the city is some imaginary city, with alchemists and mechanics fighting it out to see who rules supreme. The best part about this war, however, is that neither side seemed to gain much ground in the end. The story revolved around Mattie and her work to emancipate both herself and the gargoyles from their stone prison.
The ending could not have been better, that's for sure. Slightly more tragic in some ways, but not everything ends happily, I suppose!
I started reading it and for some reason I imagined the story to be taking place in some remnant of Russia (nevermind that I then realized that there is a sort of Russianesque feel to this, old-world versus new-world kind of thinking). Of course, the city is some imaginary city, with alchemists and mechanics fighting it out to see who rules supreme. The best part about this war, however, is that neither side seemed to gain much ground in the end. The story revolved around Mattie and her work to emancipate both herself and the gargoyles from their stone prison.
The ending could not have been better, that's for sure. Slightly more tragic in some ways, but not everything ends happily, I suppose!
anzuk's review
5.0
I never thought I'd encounter a book like The Alchemy of Stone. It’s something I can’t describe in mere words.
I’m serious. I can’t find words to describe it but here goes my weak and unworthy attempt.
It’s a heart-breaking story, and yet it has many emotional and happy, at times, moments. It shows a character’s determination and strong will when everything falls to pieces. It’s a story of unshared love, pain and misery. It’s a story of hope and a lesson in life. It’s an unusual point of view. It's a different side of fantasy. It’s a wonderful experience that made me have a smile on my lips and a hole in my heart.
Ekaterina Sedia is an artist. Reading her words is like taking a closer look to a highly detailed painting. It was my first book from her works, and I assure you it won’t be the last.
I won’t give any details about the story or the characters because anything I saw could be a spoiler. I’m not so cruel; I won’t take away the pleasure of discovering The Alchemy of Stone’s magical world and characters. I can tell you this. Get the book if you’re in the mood for something different. Don’t go near it if you’re expecting an easy read and a happy ending.
Need more convincing? Here’s one of my favorite quotes. Spoilers ahead so there is still time to walk away. Ready?
Here you go.
I’m serious. I can’t find words to describe it but here goes my weak and unworthy attempt.
It’s a heart-breaking story, and yet it has many emotional and happy, at times, moments. It shows a character’s determination and strong will when everything falls to pieces. It’s a story of unshared love, pain and misery. It’s a story of hope and a lesson in life. It’s an unusual point of view. It's a different side of fantasy. It’s a wonderful experience that made me have a smile on my lips and a hole in my heart.
Ekaterina Sedia is an artist. Reading her words is like taking a closer look to a highly detailed painting. It was my first book from her works, and I assure you it won’t be the last.
I won’t give any details about the story or the characters because anything I saw could be a spoiler. I’m not so cruel; I won’t take away the pleasure of discovering The Alchemy of Stone’s magical world and characters. I can tell you this. Get the book if you’re in the mood for something different. Don’t go near it if you’re expecting an easy read and a happy ending.
Need more convincing? Here’s one of my favorite quotes. Spoilers ahead so there is still time to walk away. Ready?
Here you go.
Spoiler
[Mattie about gargoyles]
She read the words below the picture and soon she was enthralled in the history of them—of how they sprang from the ground, uncounted eons ago, of how they talked to the stone and grew it—at first, shapeless cliffs shot through with caves and encrusted with swallows' nests; then, as their skill and numbers increased, they shaped the living stone whose destiny they shared—shaped it with their mere will!—into tall structures, decorated with serpentine spirals and breathtakingly sweeping walls, into delicate lattices and sturdy edifices.
jvar's review
5.0
This story flowed. I loved that it wasn't conventionally told. It never went where you expected it to go. I would love a sequel, but I understand and except if just as told.
unicorn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carolynf's review
2.0
There are some well done characters and some cardboard ones. Some unnecessary plot points and some interesting twists. The ending was tragic, which is fine, but the mistakes that characters made that resulted in the tragedy - they were silly mistakes that really didn't make sense. A lot of things were left unexplained that bugged me, which I won't go into here because it would spoil the book. I'm not sorry I read it since there were a lot of innovative aspects of this book. I just wish they were put together a little better.
venti's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“—perhaps then he would tell her why he had made her and why he grew so despondent when she wanted to live on her own and to study, to become something other than a part of him. ”