This book was so much fun. The main character is great and the werewolves are my favorite. The steampunk elements are really well done. The end is a lThis book was so much fun. The main character is great and the werewolves are my favorite. The steampunk elements are really well done. The end is a little syrupy for me, especially since the main characters are decidedly prickly, but I can't begrudge it them, because they were great, and (did I mention?) a lot of fun....more
This dirigible, steampunk, boarding school book was just so much fun. I had read the first of the author's Parasol Protectorate series, and liked it wThis dirigible, steampunk, boarding school book was just so much fun. I had read the first of the author's Parasol Protectorate series, and liked it well enough. But unusual boarding schools are still a bit of a weak spot for me, and Sophronia, the plucky young woman at the center of this book is just so rowdily good....more
It is nigh impossible to explain this book in a tidy wrapped-up package. Joe Spork, the main character, is an ordinary sort of fellow despite an unusuIt is nigh impossible to explain this book in a tidy wrapped-up package. Joe Spork, the main character, is an ordinary sort of fellow despite an unusual clock-workers trade and familial connections with ye olde London crime network. Edie, is a retired British spy of extreme age whose history and motivations it will require most of the book to encompass. She involves Joe in saving the world by foiling an antique, clock-worky plan to both, at different times in history, save and destroy the world. There will be witty banter beyond compare, and romance, and high-jinks, and goosebumps, and false teeth, and elephants, and witch/scientists of the most lovable/infuriating nature. You might describe it as a combination of any of the following words: clever, zany, mysterious, steam punk, pertaining to multiple religious orders, crime ridden, apiarian, smart, and intricate.
So, I fell in love with Edie the moment she started her flashback to girlhood. In fact, I demand that an inappropriately-sexy middle-grade mystery series featuring her be produced forthwith. When she exited the book, it broke my heart, and it was a little hard for me to follow through to the end with Crazy Joe, but I made it. This was just a ton of fun to read and very well written....more
So I've really enjoyed this series because of the awesome characters and the really fun ideas, but as far as the romantic set up, I wasn't really thatSo I've really enjoyed this series because of the awesome characters and the really fun ideas, but as far as the romantic set up, I wasn't really that into it, because there are a lot of complications, and it just doesn't seem that important in relation to, you know, the Great (Steampunky) War. But. Now can I just say, "Awwww."
This was a wonderful ending to a great triology. The action and adventure and food for thought, are all just right, and the characters are wonderful, and I want to follow them on all their adventures, forever....more
Justin recommended this to me, and I might not have picked it up on my own, but I enjoyed it. I haven't read a lot of steam punk, but it was kind of iJustin recommended this to me, and I might not have picked it up on my own, but I enjoyed it. I haven't read a lot of steam punk, but it was kind of interesting for it to explain in the story how the world ended up being all steam-punky, and it had constant entertaining action....more
This book carries on where Leviathan left off, with our young heros approaching the technically-neutral Ottoman Empire in a giant living airship in thThis book carries on where Leviathan left off, with our young heros approaching the technically-neutral Ottoman Empire in a giant living airship in the middle of an alternate history WWI. Got it?
I never had sufficient time to sit down and read this through, which could easily be done in a few sittings, so I never felt like I had time to get into the story. It was fast paced and interesting, but I just didn't ever have the chance to get invested in the plans and their execution. So while I feel that I would have gotten really sucked into the story if I had ever had proper time for it, I felt a little disconnected with this one, which I think is my fault, and not the book's.
I still love the characters, and in this book we get to know some of the adults, as well, who also turn out to be interesting and fun. It was all too short, and I can't wait for the next one....more
In an alternate-reality early 20th century, Alek's parents are murdered, kicking off a war between the Clankers, who possess highly-advanced war machiIn an alternate-reality early 20th century, Alek's parents are murdered, kicking off a war between the Clankers, who possess highly-advanced war machines, and the Darwinists, who have unlocked DNA and the key to manipulating it to engineer animals and ecosystems to their purposes. He is forced into hiding as the center of a history-changing secret. At the same time, Deryn Sharp begins her career as a middy in the air service for England (a Darwinist ally) masquerading as a boy on a giant living airship, the Leviathan.
I liked both of the main characters in this book, but I loved Deryn especially. Her parts of the book flew by. It was a great beginning to a story, and there will be more, but I was left unsatisfied by the ending in this one. It just didn't feel like the end. Obviously, I look forward to the next book and finding out what happens next....more
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