Categotry Archives: Steampunk
Nexis (Tricksters, #1)
Tricksters, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
December 1, 2015
304
In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then...the crash. Devastated by her father's death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner. Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship...and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the "real" world, and makes her feel whole again.
Review:
How much I enjoyed “Nexis” took me by surprise. Of course it sounded like something I would be interested in, otherwise I would not have read it in the first place. What I wasn’t expecting was to read the last page and five minutes later already be jonesing for the sequel.
There were a few issues at the beginning. It took a little while to get into it, and the prose could be a bit flowery at times. Be patient. By the time you get into the virtual reality game called “Nexis” things pick up quickly. I really wish we had a game like that to play. It really sounded like a lot of fun. You know, aside from it tying into the dystopian outside world. That is most certainly not a place in which I want to live. There was a plot twist I picked up fairly early, but it in no way affected my enjoyment of the book.
The world-building is excellent, both inside and outside of the game. A lot of time was taken to make the reader understand the society. In fact, that was a lot of the reason the beginning was somewhat slow. All of the information actually turns out to be important throughout the rest of the book.
Of course there is a love story. Let me warn you now there is some instalove, but once you read on a bit you realize the game actually encourages heightened feelings. It’s a valid reason, so it didn’t bother me like that normally does.
I can’t tell you how hard I shipped the two main characters. It would actually be embarrassing. What I will say is I am captain, first mate, and all of the crew of the ship, and the ship is the size of the titanic.
I recommend “Nexis” for anyone in high school and up who likes dystopian books mixed with some steampunk and a large helping of romance.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Abusive Situations
Seeker
Seeker, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
2015
448
Taking her Oath after a lifetime of training to be a Seeker who protects the weak and wronged in a near-future world, Quin is shattered to discover that her family and the boy she loves are not the people she thought they were. Simultaneous eBook.
Review:
It’s difficult to categorize “Seeker” because it spans across a wide range of genres. There are elements of fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, steampunk, and romance all rolled into a unique and compelling read.
The world building is amazing from the start, setting up what a reader needs to know while also leaving a lot of questions to be answered at later times. The plot flows at a consistent pace without lagging. As with the world itself, the backstory is revealed at a slow pace, leaving readers with only the answers they need and the desire to find out more.
The narrative is split between four characters in the rather rare third person limited point-of-view. It works very well in this situation, and none of the transitions between characters are jarring. All of them are brought to life in the reader’s mind, full of flaws and individual complexities. Also, for those who like finding a ship, you will probably find one before chapter 3.
I can’t wait for the second in the series and highly recommend “Seeker” for those who enjoy any of the genres listed above. Due to subject matter, I think it is most suited for those in the eighth grade and up.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Violence, Drug and Alcohol Use
The Glass Magician
The Paper Magician, Book 2
Fiction
47North
2014-11-04
211
Now well into her apprenticeship with magician Emery Thane, twenty-year-old Ceony Twill is continuing to discover the joy of paper magic. She adores bringing her spells to life in surprising ways, from learning the power of distortion to creating a beloved paper dog. And she secretly hopes that the romance she foresaw blossoming between her and the peculiar yet strikingly handsome Emery finally becomes real. But when one magician with a penchant for deadly scheming believes that Ceony possesses a secret, he vows to discover it…even if it tears apart the very fabric of their magical world. After a series of attacks target Ceony, and catch those she holds most dear in the crossfire, she knows she must find the true limits of her powers…and keep her knowledge from falling into wicked hands. The delightful sequel to Charlie N. Holmberg's The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician will charm listeners young and old alike.
Review:
I enjoyed “The Glass Magician”, by Charlie N. Holmberg, far more than I did its predecessor, “The Paper Magician”.
The plot flows extremely well and is engaging from the first chapter, bringing more spark to the world established in the first of the series. I found myself fascinated with the inner workings of the magical world, all the way from the apprentices to the villains. All of them are intriguing, and I am looking forward to learning more of their stories in the next book. There is a surprise point of view changed for one chapter that I loved reading, as well.
The various forms of magic are clever and fun to read about, and much like choosing which house you should be in if you were to attend Hogwarts, I dare you not to give a good bit of thought to which material you would like to bond. The mix of the steampunk, fantasy, romance, and history works well together to make a world I think many readers would like to visit.
Highly recommended. Also, if you do not love Emery Thane, I do not think we can ever be friends.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Brief Language, Brief and Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
The Paper Magician
The Paper Magician, Book 1
Fiction
47North
2014-09-01
214
Under the tutelage of magician Emery Thane, Ceony Twill discovers the wonders of paper magic, but when her teacher's life is threatened, she must face the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic to save him.
Review:
“The Paper Magician”, by Charlie N. Holmberg, is a fun fantasy novel with some steampunk leanings mixed in for good measure.
The story itself, about a young magician’s apprentice named Ceony training under, well, a paper magician, is imaginative and a new take on magic. I, for one, would never have considered paper to be used as a form of magic, but with the parallels to the art of origami explored within the novel, it all comes alive.
The world is complex and whimsical, with just the right touch of evil lurking in the shadows. The characters are well-developed, and their histories are revealed in what has to be the most unique way I have ever read. Which, while being a high point of the novel, is unfortunately also its biggest flaw.
In the revelation, which is most of the second half of the story, it becomes muddled and bogged down, leading to a sluggish read. A bit of editing and clarification here and there would have done wonders for the flow. As it stands, what could have been wonderful became somewhat mediocre by the stilted narrative often throwing me out of the story altogether.
That being said, the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series, and I am hoping the issues in “The Paper Magician” do not reoccur, as it really does hold the promise of a fun and engaging series that can be read by middle readers on up through adults.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Violence, Brief Sexual Situations
Waistcoats and Weaponry
Finishing School, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2014-11-04
304
Class is back in session... Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all. Gather your poison, steel tipped quill, and the rest of your school supplies and join Mademoiselle Geraldine's proper young killing machines in the third rousing installment in the New York Times bestselling Finishing School Series by steampunk author, Gail Carriger.
Review:
“Waistcoats and Weaponry” is the latest in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, and it is by far my favorite thus far.
The book begins with Sophronia’s second year at her finishing school for espionage. Many things have changed, not the least of which being the challenges that come with being older. Young men, potential sponsors, marriage, and prospective employment keep Sophronia on her toes.
As with the Harry Potter series, the topics explored in “Waistcoats and Weaponry” are geared toward a bit older set than the previous two of the series. While it is still suitable for middle readers, it should be noted that there is quite a bit more dealing with sex, though nothing is graphic. It also delves much more deeply into the matters of politics and the supernatural.
The adventure is darker, but still keeps the humor and detail that makes the series so enjoyable. I highly recommend “Waistcoats and Weaponry” to all of those who enjoy the first two of the Finishing School Series.
This review is based on an advanced copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Sexual Situations
Curtsies and Conspiracies
Finishing School, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2013-11-05
320
Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests? Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card. In this sequel to New York Times bestselling Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.
Review:
As with its predecessor, “Curtsies and Conspiracies” is about the life of Sophronia in a unique finishing school for espionage in Victorian England. It continues the Finishing School series in a way that leaves the reader looking for more.
“Curtsies and Conspiracies” is a wonderfully written adventure full of imagination and all of the wonderful imagery found in the best of steampunk novels. The characters are well-developed and relatable in spite of being set in an entirely different period of history. The one drawback is that while there is mystery, it is definitely setting the plot and character for advancement in the next book in the series. That provides a little less spark of the first one, but is necessary to further the character development.
The attention to the details of fashion and speech from Victorian England are so vivid that the novel also serves as a history lesson of sorts. The tongue-in-cheek humor about how things were done is delightful and shows how much society has changed over time. The strong female protagonist sets a good example, and this series remains an excellent introduction to steampunk that can be enjoyed by middle readers, as well as those far beyond the age of a finishing school student.
I highly recommend “Curtsies and Conspiracies”, with a word of caution that the language of the period may be a turn off for more reluctant readers.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Brief and Mild Sexual Situations
Follow my book reviews and ramblings:
