I enjoyed this book, which is another take on the classic "prodigy at a magic school" trope. My husband described it as (view spoiler)["A portrait paiI enjoyed this book, which is another take on the classic "prodigy at a magic school" trope. My husband described it as (view spoiler)["A portrait painter becomes a magical James Bond" (hide spoiler)], which is fairly accurate (and a pretty sweet elevator pitch)! I enjoyed the philosophical discussions/trains of thought, and I certainly look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I was a bit disoriented by the time skips in the early chapters, but that was at least partially because I was listening to the audio books and I could have sworn the narrator was saying 7:55 AM instead of 755 A.L.
I would say that the focus is more on philosophy and character development than plot, and the climax happened very quickly and within pages of the end of the book, which might not be to everyone's liking. But the characters and world were strong enough that it didn't bother me. It definitely readsike he first book in a series, and I expect more of my questions will be answered in the coming books.
Oh yeah, and as a French speaker, I enjoyed the French-ish words and phrases used throughout. It was interesting to go from the audiobook to the written book....more
I read and enjoyed Time Salvager a few years ago and somehow missed the fact that the sequel came out more than three years ago. Luckily I saw it in tI read and enjoyed Time Salvager a few years ago and somehow missed the fact that the sequel came out more than three years ago. Luckily I saw it in the library and was able to rectify my lack. Though, of course, the third book isn't out yet and apparently there's no news on when that will be :( So it could very well be another three years or more before I get to find out the end of James and Elise's story.
But anyway, I should review this book. I enjoyed it just as much as the first one. Chu's setting is very vivid (and dark, of course, as universe-on-the-edge-of-collapse should be). The characters continue their struggles against their own demons and the world itself. I particularly enjoyed the progress (view spoiler)[ Levin Javier-Oberon made in this book. I don't remember if we got his POV in the first book, but I really enjoyed being in his head this time around. He reminds me a lot of Javert from Les Mis, only this rule-follower doesn't jump to suicide when his ideals are questioned. He manages to stay faithful to his inner core of beliefs while also adapting to new information and ideas that challenge the status quo he defended in the first book. Also, turns out he wasn't totally sold on the status quo in the first place! You gotta love an honest whistleblower (hide spoiler)].
There were a few times I wanted to shake some of the characters by the shoulders and make them see how they were being idiots (view spoiler)[mostly Elise's complete obliviousness to James' inner struggles and how none of them realized he needed a job in their new society (hide spoiler)]. And the ending was most definitely a cliff-hanger. So if that's not your thing, you may want to wait until the last book comes out, whenever that is.
But unfinished-ness aside, this is certainly a series I can recommend. For perhaps a slightly older audience; there's definitely some adult language but otherwise I'd put it firmly in the PG-13 category. But the books have a captivating premise, interesting and three-dimensional characters, and manages to not be completely illogical with its time-travel!...more
I read this book because Goodreads recommended it to me, I think after I reviewed The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Kind of makes sense: they're both histI read this book because Goodreads recommended it to me, I think after I reviewed The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Kind of makes sense: they're both historical-based fantasy novellas. The blurb for The Deep certainly caught my attention enough for me to put the book on hold. A main character who's a historian, mermaids who are "water-dwelling descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slave owners." I mean, wow, talk about a fascinating premise.
But this one just didn't do it for me. I can tell objectively that it is very well written; the word choice is lyrical and the story is intense. But it just wasn't my kind of thing. It was a bit too literary for my tastes, and I felt like it was trying too hard to be edgy and modern.
That being said, I'm certain it works for its target audience very well
Reading the acknowledgements at the end, I learned that this is just one iteration of a story that has been gestating for years in different formats. So I'm certain the people who were already in on the story will love this, and I think people who like edgy, modern, literary writing will love it as well. That just isn't me.
I loved the first book in this series when I read it last year, and I enjoyed this one almost as much. The swashbuckling, musketeer-era fantasy is rifI loved the first book in this series when I read it last year, and I enjoyed this one almost as much. The swashbuckling, musketeer-era fantasy is rife with political intrigue and fast-paced adventure. I love Isabelle, Jean-Claude, and (view spoiler)[Marie. Her character is fascinating and I love her insistence that she train to become Isabelle's protector! (hide spoiler)] The world is very well developed, and I'm pleased to see more historical fantasy making its way to the shelves. Plus, who doesn't like an underdog princess who's secretly a math prodigy and uses her brains more than magic to get out of sticky situations?
My one complaint could also be seen as a feature instead of a bug. (view spoiler)[ At the end of the first book, Isabelle and the Aragoth prince form a romantic connection. At the beginning of this book, it turns out that romance was but a spark, and it has practically disappeared. The prince shows up only briefly, and a new romantic interest is quickly introduced. Now, I like Bitterlich--a lot--so I'm ok with Isabelle's love life going a new way. But I felt a bit like Craddock had just realized, after publishing the first book, that he didn't like Isabelle being locked into one romance, so he just sort of shoved the first one under the rug. But honestly, real life is often like that, with attraction fizzling almost as quick as it started. So that's why I say this could be seen as a feature, if looked at through a different lens. Still, it was enough to bother me for a good portion of the book. (hide spoiler)]
I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!...more
I started reading this book to my nephew while I was on vacation, and it was a delightful surprise. I was hooked right away. I even had to sneak his cI started reading this book to my nephew while I was on vacation, and it was a delightful surprise. I was hooked right away. I even had to sneak his copy in the car, desperately trying to finish the book before I got on the airplane (didn't quite make it and had to check it out from the library when I got home. The suspense was killing me!).
For the most part, I absolutely loved this book. The characters and world were vivid, the premise was unique, and Robert O'Brien has a beautiful way with words. This was exactly the sort of children's book I want to read to my kids someday. It's interesting and engaging for children as well as adults. It's clever in a way that isn't overbearing or academic. This is the kind of book that will teach you things without you even realizing it. And it provides plenty of learning opportunities for kids. In fact, I had just finished explaining to my nephew what pneumonia is (young mouse Timothy's illness is the inciting incident for the whole adventure) when his little brother came home from the doctor diagnosed with pneumonia!
Also interestingly, this book dealt with flashbacks very well. I've come to dislike flashbacks in recent years, but this one played out perfectly.
The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is because I was slightly disappointed by the ending. And I could very well be too harsh on that; I think the ending fits the era the book was written in. But my modern adventurous self wanted (view spoiler)[Mrs. Frisby and her family to run off and join the rats in their new mountain paradise. The fact that she stayed contentedly at home felt a bit like her character arc was backtracking. At least the children seemed determined to find the rats again and join them later. So my imagination was able to conjure some head canon in which the whole family goes off to the mountains. (hide spoiler)]
A thoroughly delightful book that I highly recommend, particularly to those with young children to read to....more
A tight narrative in a vivid, well-built world. The characters were well-developed and memorable--as was the setting. I've never read anything set in A tight narrative in a vivid, well-built world. The characters were well-developed and memorable--as was the setting. I've never read anything set in an alternate, fantastical, early twentieth-century Cairo, and it was fascinating. The mystery was well done, and it had a nice interplay with the subthread of women's suffrage. I highly recommend this novella, and I plan to pick up Clark's first novella set in the same world!...more
From the first page, this book captivated my attention--which doesn't often happen. The writing is tight and vivid. Addison is clearly a wordsmith whoFrom the first page, this book captivated my attention--which doesn't often happen. The writing is tight and vivid. Addison is clearly a wordsmith who cultivates each word and sentence into a rich tapestry of character, setting, and plot development. This book is what I would call political intrigue fantasy at its finest. While there are some adrenaline-inducing scenes, the tension in this book is, for the most part, relational and personal in nature.
Maia, the exiled and unwanted fourth son of the emperor, expected to live out his days under the harsh tyranny of his cousin in a tiny, backwater estate. Instead, an explosion on an airship has left him to inherit the throne. Maia must navigate an intrigue-filled court he visited only once before and that doesn't want him, all while trying to be a better emperor than his father.
The book has a nice theme of overcoming abuse; Maia's cousin was emotionally (and occasionally physically) abusive for the many years they were exiled together before the book starts. Now as emperor, Maia has the power to exact revenge--but as an essentially good person, he doesn't want to be cruel. Watching him grapple with how to treat his cousin and how not to become like his cousin was fascinating.
The characters are rich and nuanced, the plot is deeply satisfying, and the pacing keeps you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. I highly recommend!...more
This was a fine book. A very interesting premise, and it was fun to see Victorian England from a different perspective. The characters didn't quite juThis was a fine book. A very interesting premise, and it was fun to see Victorian England from a different perspective. The characters didn't quite jump out to me; I felt they were a little two-dimensional--maybe caricatured is a better word.
Also, I'm going to have to go back and reread Artemis Fowl, because I don't remember if it had such jarring POV shifts. I won't call them problems, because I'm certain Colfer was going for a 3rd person omniscient in this book. I'm just not a huge fan of 3rd person omniscient. It took me a while to realize he wasn't just headhopping.
But it was a fun book, and interesting enough that I've requested the sequels from the library. Even if they all end up being at the same level as this book, I won't consider it wasted time....more
This was my first introduction to the Old Man's War universe, and it definitely left me wanting to go back and read the first five books. It stands veThis was my first introduction to the Old Man's War universe, and it definitely left me wanting to go back and read the first five books. It stands very well on its own!
I really enjoyed these novellas, and I liked how they worked together to make a compelling, complete narrative. They were all well-written, with unique, rounded characters. Plot and character development were great. The main reason I give this a four instead of a five is that I got really attached to the main character in the first novella and found myself disappointed that the others weren't from his POV. (view spoiler)[He featured in each of the other novellas, and in plot-important ways, but we got almost no more of his personality, which was really fun (hide spoiler)]
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and anticipate enjoying the others when I get around to reading them....more
Rarely have I finished a book and been so utterly unsatisfied by the ending. My disappointment in the ending is even sadder because the premise of theRarely have I finished a book and been so utterly unsatisfied by the ending. My disappointment in the ending is even sadder because the premise of the book was quite promising. I liked how Meyer played with super-hero tropes, particularly with a “villain” as the main character. But unfortunately, the book didn’t follow through on its promise.
If you, like me, think that the first book in a series should not end with a cliff-hanger (frankly I don’t like them at the end of any book, but particularly not in a first), then turn back now. Perhaps if you’re reading this after the second book in the series has come out, you can take a chance. But as it stands, the cliff-hanger made me quite unhappy. And not in the “oh no I can’t wait to find out” way, more in a “wait, really, that was the end?” way.
Cliffhanger aside, Renegades failed to provide a satisfactory ending to any of its many plot threads—which is probably why the cliffhanger failed so spectacularly.
I’m going to write this as spoiler-free as possible, but since the ending was what disappointed me, by definition some of what I am going to say will spoil the ending. I will keep it vague but still, warning.
None of the characters completed a meaningful developmental arc. Though the two main characters, Nova and Adrian, both find themselves in horizon-expanding situations, neither really grows or even learns much because of them. They’re both in more or less the same mental state at the end of the book as they were at the beginning. You can see pretty clearly where each character needs to learn and grow, (view spoiler)[(ie Nova needs to realize that her worldview is extreme and biased by her close relationship to villains, and Adrian needs to stop keeping his alter ego a secret) (hide spoiler)] but neither of them makes it there in the 500+ pages of this book.
The romance subplot went entirely unresolved. Beyond the fact that keeping vitally important secrets about your identity is never a good start for a relationship, the romantic tension never moves beyond physical attraction, some awkward flirting, and a vague “connection” between the two characters. There’s certainly potential for a good romance, but the book doesn’t see any of it brought to fruition.
The only question in the book that really got an answer was one that didn’t even get asked until halfway through the book: (view spoiler)[What Max’s power is (hide spoiler)]. Every question we open the first few chapters of the book with goes unanswered:
• How will Nova resolve her inability to kill Captain Chromium? (view spoiler)[ I had assumed she would realize that killing the heroes is not the answer. No such realization happens. She does kill one of her villain mentors, though. I assume Meyer thought this would resolve the question, but it really doesn’t. (hide spoiler)] • What will happen when Nova’s Renegade identity is exposed? (view spoiler)[ The heroes never find out. (hide spoiler)] • What will happen when Adrian’s alter ego The Sentinel is exposed? (view spoiler)[ No one ever realizes it’s him. (hide spoiler)] • Will Nova get revenge for the deaths of her family? (view spoiler)[ It seems pretty clear by the end of the book that Adrian’s mom was on her way to save Nova’s family when she was murdered, probably by Ace or Phobia, since Ace clearly lied to Nova about it. But neither Aiden nor Nova has any inkling of the truth by the end of the book.
The most egregious plot sin, however, was the “surprise” “twist” at the end. (view spoiler)[ The main evil villain, Nova’s uncle, is actually alive. Was I surprised by this? No. No one’s ever really dead in the super-hero genre. Plus Meyer did actually do a decent job of foreshadowing. However. HOWEVER. Nova apparently knew all along that Ace was alive. And yet, we do not find this out until the last few pages of the book. Despite having spent at least half the book in Nova’s mind. And having had ample opportunity where thinking about him being alive should have come up. In the very beginning, Nova gets super angry at seeing Ace’s helmet used as a trophy. If she believes he’s dead, ok, that makes sense. But in retrospect, knowing that she knows he’s alive—why on earth was she so angry about a helmet? If Meyer had even provided a satisfactory answer about why the helmet made her angry, maybe I could have bought it. But as it is, Meyer basically pulled her twist off by cheating with her POV. If Nova knew he was alive, it should have crossed her mind at some point. The twist would have been far more believable if Nova had not known he was still alive. (hide spoiler)]
Ultimately, this feels like the first half of a longer book. But seeing as it’s already over 500 pages, I don’t think making it longer is the answer. Meyer had the space and time to write a satisfactory ending, answer the questions she asked at the beginning of the book, and leave later questions to be answered in a future book. But unfortunately, she just stretched things out for 500 pages and left us with a million questions, a cheating twist, and an unsatisfying cliffhanger. (hide spoiler)]...more
When I got a copy of the third book in this series for free, I thought I ought to start by reading book one. I'm glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoWhen I got a copy of the third book in this series for free, I thought I ought to start by reading book one. I'm glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fun read that had me eagerly turning the pages. The main character, Ashala, was relatable, and frankly I wish she was my friend. The world was intriguing, and I particularly liked the subtle connections to Australia and aboriginal cultures. The way Kwaymullina describes the world makes it clear that she has done tons of worldbuilding and we've only just scratched the surface. Though the story is definitely set post-apocalypse, and the elements of dystopia are there, the tone remains hopeful even while dealing with personal and community trauma.
What I enjoyed most was the twists and turns of the plot. It definitely had the feel and elements of a heist story (which I am a sucker for). The foreshadowing set up many satisfying moments of "ah! I get it now!" Kwaymullina played with her powersets and character development to provide a believable and very satisfying ending--despite using some tropes and elements that sometimes have a negative stigma attached. (I don't want to go into detail to avoid spoilers!) Suffice it to say that she knew what she was doing and pulled it off with great aplomb.
I can't wait to get my hands on the second book, and then finally get into the third one!
Other reviews have gone over the plot summary pretty well, so I'll focus on impressions of the book as a whole. It was a fast-paced, fun read that I tOther reviews have gone over the plot summary pretty well, so I'll focus on impressions of the book as a whole. It was a fast-paced, fun read that I think kids will enjoy. Long-time readers of fantasy may find the plot somewhat predictable, but the imaginative world, interesting characters, and magical adventures are sure to interest young readers. With the importance of family at its core, this story is worth reading.
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