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I concluded while reading this book that while I find steampunk an interesting concept, I don't really enjoy reading it.
The alternate history Westerfeld creates, at the beginning of what we now call World War I, is amazingly complex because of the different directions the opposing sides have pursued in developing their technology. The "Clankers" (Austria-Hungary and Germany) use machinery and weapons that we recognize as machines, even though their tanks walk on simulated legs rather than rolli ...more
The alternate history Westerfeld creates, at the beginning of what we now call World War I, is amazingly complex because of the different directions the opposing sides have pursued in developing their technology. The "Clankers" (Austria-Hungary and Germany) use machinery and weapons that we recognize as machines, even though their tanks walk on simulated legs rather than rolli ...more
5.5/10. This book reads a lot more juvenile than I expected for a "YA" book. The characterization, plotting, dialogue, prose, etc, are all quite simple and depthless. None of them were bad - certainly entertaining, but definitely not gripping.
The book was more focused on the "fabricated beasties" and machines than the characters or even plot. I felt like the author was trying too hard for the whole "steampunk" vibe to the exclusion of every other component. I'm no expert on steampunk fiction, b ...more
The book was more focused on the "fabricated beasties" and machines than the characters or even plot. I felt like the author was trying too hard for the whole "steampunk" vibe to the exclusion of every other component. I'm no expert on steampunk fiction, b ...more
3.5*s. This ended strong but the beginning was a bit slow for me. I love this era in history and feel like it's underrepresented in fiction. I also really liked that Deryn got to have her own adventure, so often the girl ends up being the brainy sidekick. I did think the story got bogged down in description of all the contraptions, both mechanical and biological. But that was more in the first half. By the end I was pretty wrapped up in the story and I'll be looking into second book in the serie
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It got a bit boring and hard to read at times, and I'll admit that I skipped over a few pages with the more...lengthy descriptions. But overall, it was an enjoyable book.
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This was an interesting book not just for the blend of history and science. The plot was clever and I liked the characters of Alek and Deryn. I wanted to learn more about them. Also, I don't remember much about World War I and how it all came about. I had studied it in school but it was awhile ago. I like how the two groups were divided into creation versus machine. I liked how they blended different species of animals. Then I read the afterward and found out the character of Dr. Barlow was base
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Oct 03, 2010
BookFiend
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May 11, 2011
Lahni
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May 13, 2011
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sonya marie madden
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Lisa Wilkinson
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