A review by mnkeemagick
Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Overall, I'll say that this book was fine. For Rush fans, maybe younger audiences, this will probably be a good book to put on your list.
Personally, I found the story meanders around, and ultimately doesn't come to a satisfying conclusion. There are certainly times where the beats of main story thread circle back that are interesting, but largely the story can't stay focused on them. As with many aspects of this story, there's a cool underpinning but nothing substantial otherwise.
There's fantastical set dressing in the aspects of alchemy and steam punk here, but that's all they ever amount to. The systems are not so complex or important that they do anything more than provide a neat backdrop and some exposition to add menace to some of our more important forces in the world.
In the end, the messaging is as simple as you don't have to live under extremes, with a lot of "Why are we reading this?" In between.
Personally, I found the story meanders around, and ultimately doesn't come to a satisfying conclusion. There are certainly times where the beats of main story thread circle back that are interesting, but largely the story can't stay focused on them. As with many aspects of this story, there's a cool underpinning but nothing substantial otherwise.
There's fantastical set dressing in the aspects of alchemy and steam punk here, but that's all they ever amount to. The systems are not so complex or important that they do anything more than provide a neat backdrop and some exposition to add menace to some of our more important forces in the world.
In the end, the messaging is as simple as you don't have to live under extremes, with a lot of "Why are we reading this?" In between.