Good story and action. Probably not quite as gripping as previous installments in this series - at least for me. That could be because most of 3.5/5.0
Good story and action. Probably not quite as gripping as previous installments in this series - at least for me. That could be because most of that action is contained in one very long scene that takes up the entirety of the last 15% of the book. It was nail-biting but got a bit exhausting all in one chunk. Before that, the storyline is interesting but is focused on getting to that big action ending....more
This is a very good story, but the first book in this series was about two different characters (Sardelle and Ridge) and it ended with their plotline This is a very good story, but the first book in this series was about two different characters (Sardelle and Ridge) and it ended with their plotline up in the air. So, it’s a bit of a jar to suddenly just forget them and start reading about two completely different people (Ahn and Tolemek) we know nothing about. It took a bit to get into the book because I kept wondering what was happening with Sardelle and Ridge.
Once the action got going, however, it was as good as one can hope for in a Buroker book (she is a master at it!) and it kept me totally emerged and reading through the last page.
I do think the whole “destroyer of entire cities - children and all” is an awfully hard character to like, however. I never did fully connect with him - even after a plausible answer was given for his decisions. Yes, he may not have known… but he still made something that had such devastating capabilities… and was he THAT naive to think no one - not even bad guys would use it for nefarious purposes? WAY too much of a stretch for this brain....more
Interesting set-up and premise. Great story. There were some small holes that could have been worked out better, For instance, I am a bit confused at Interesting set-up and premise. Great story. There were some small holes that could have been worked out better, For instance, I am a bit confused at the world building. It reads kinda like a sci-fi, kinda like a steampunk, and kinda like a mash of both in a fantasy world. Haven’t figured that out even yet. Overall, though, this story is an awfully lot of fun!...more
Nope. After all is said and done, Arianna didn’t change a bit even in this last book of the trilogy. I actually ended up hating her! It was act2.5/5.0
Nope. After all is said and done, Arianna didn’t change a bit even in this last book of the trilogy. I actually ended up hating her! It was actually painful to watch Cvareh give her ever single thing she demanded from his very organs, to his life only to have her take what he offered and walk away again and again and again. RIght up until the very last page. She left and it was him who AGAIN gives up everything. HATED IT!!! It is only because the story is so well-crafted in other ways that this one didn’t rate any lower....more
Very nuanced story with loads of layers in both the world and in the characters. My biggest problem is in actually connecting with the characte3.5/5.0
Very nuanced story with loads of layers in both the world and in the characters. My biggest problem is in actually connecting with the characters enough to enjoy the journey. I love Cvareh but he comes across as so weak. It’s great that both Arianna and Petra are strong enough to save him but it would be better if he could save himself while they all work together. Arianna, however, is the hardest to like. She is so abrasively harsh - especially with Cvareh - he gives her everything she demands and she gives him absolutely nothing back. She’s like this with Florence, as well.
So… again, the writing is very well-mastered but the characters drag it down with nothing for the reader to really grab on to and connect with. Since this could be strictly a personal preference, however, I’ll round up instead of down....more
3.5/5.0 The writing is top-notch but the story was hard to follow through the majority of the book. So many layers with little to no real understanding3.5/5.0 The writing is top-notch but the story was hard to follow through the majority of the book. So many layers with little to no real understanding behind them made it more frustrating than fun. It did even out a bit by the end so hopefully things will take off in the next installment....more
This could easily be a 5 star read for most people. The story is extremely well written and the action and emotions are intense. The reason I rated itThis could easily be a 5 star read for most people. The story is extremely well written and the action and emotions are intense. The reason I rated it a 4 star is completely a personal one. I HATE plot-lines that involve a main character intentionally lying and betraying the other one. And in this story, Rosalind does it blatantly and heart-breakingly to Lynch right up until the end when he is absolutely destroyed by that revelation. The reasons are understandable and things do work out but it ruined the journey for me....more
After having a bit of trouble reconciling myself to the steampunk universe in the first of this series, I think I’ve settled in. Either that or Ms. McAfter having a bit of trouble reconciling myself to the steampunk universe in the first of this series, I think I’ve settled in. Either that or Ms. McMaster’s stories are just so addicting that I don’t even care! This story actually had more of a paranormal/fantasy vibe for me ( the focus was more on the people rather than the Victorian/technology) so I was a-okay!
LOVED Will (can’t say that enough) but had a really hard time with Lena throughout the first half of the book. By the end, however, her layers were uncovered enough that I liked - although not loved - her. Still, I closed the book with a sigh, happy that Will had finally found the happiness he so deserved....more
Really enjoyed this story. Not completely sure about the steampunk aspect, though. There wasn’t enough explanation to give me a good feel for the worlReally enjoyed this story. Not completely sure about the steampunk aspect, though. There wasn’t enough explanation to give me a good feel for the world and how it works....more
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