I'm thinking I'll read the series and review them in one after I'm done. Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?I'm thinking I'll read the series and review them in one after I'm done. Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?...more
I'm rounding up this one, because despite all the things that didn't make sense–also known as world building glitches–one thing this book isn't is theI'm rounding up this one, because despite all the things that didn't make sense–also known as world building glitches–one thing this book isn't is the great book of meh.
Many years from now, when humans have colonised the Moon, fought and killed each other in two more world wars and built something on the ruins, an old fairy tale comes to life.
She awakens with mechanical spare parts and a second class citizenship in the Eastern Commonwealth with a snarky androids helping her to clean up the castle, a mad scientist as a godfather, two stepsisters and a stepmother with a grudge. She's Cinder without the Ella.
Anyone and everyone who knows the classic tale knows how this story will end, but this is a case of how it's done not of what is done. This re-imagination of Cinderella actually works. There are all the classic characters in their new costumes, there's an evil Queen and there's a ball where all secrets are revealed. Despite the lack of mystery, the writing grabs you, sucks you in and won't let go until you've reached the last pages and curse.
How in the world could this turn out to be a trilogy? There isn't enough of story in a fairytale to fill one standard length novel, let alone three.
Yes, Marissa Meyer took the frame of an age-old story, but that's not all she did. She built a rich world around it and created a full picture, and made the story hers. She gave Cinder a personality most YA heroines unfortunately lack, because even at her worst moments of survivor's guilt Cinder chooses to fight.
Meyer also gave the Prince a personality. No, he's not just a pretty figure to sweep Cinder of her feet, he's a son mourning for his father, struggling to carry the responsibility of his land and coming up short. He's not ready to be the Emperor, yet he must.
This isn't just about the girl finding and falling in love with a prince–although that too happens and there's actually a build-up for it–this is about a girl fighting for her right to live her life and choose for herself. It's about being free of slavery. It's about the sanctity of a human body. For a woman living in this day and age with government mandated rapes and abortions–just to mention two–it's a painfully relevant message.
So, forgive me for ignoring the reflective surfaces, un-disconnected netlinks, and convenient memory-losses especially when it's a question of security. ...more
Instead of waiting years tThis is going to be a series review for Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and Timeless. Spoilers ahead. Probably.
Instead of waiting years to see the Parasol Protectorate series to its conclusion, I've had the pleasure of reading all five books almost back to back within the space of few short weeks.
I call it a pleasure, because that's how it started.
Alexia Tarabotti is a witty, practical spinster with the unfortunate condition of being absolutely soulless, but don't tell anyone because it's a secret. From everyone but the people at the Bureau for Unnatural Registration. Well. A secret from the daylight folk. At least.
Ms Tarabotti crosses paths with chief BUR officers Lord Macon and Professor Lyall after a rogue vampire attack, and this is how the adventure starts. We're introduced to majority of the core cast within first few chapters of Soulless and they follow us through the books.
Alexia herself carries the story much like she carries her favourite parasol: with gusto and proficiency. She marries, embraces her place in the supernatural world, and solves several mysteries along the way. Then she gets pregnant and things go downhill from there.
I admire the author's dedication to continuity–none of these books should be read out of order–but to me it's clear that the greatest symbol of the Lady and Lord Maccon's love is also the biggest Mary Sue downfall of the series. Prudence eats up the plot even before her birth and things only get worse after.
Luckily, as always, I'm too enamoured with the supporting cast to mind too much. Biffy and Lyall, Lords Akeldama and Channing, Madame Lefaux and Miss Ivy are all delightful characters that brighten up my day, especially the first two mentioned.
As Anachronist pointed out in her review, the parasol symbolises the steampunk-ness of these novels. It works when it's utilised but replacements are never as good as the originals.
Overall, I'm glad I read this series and thanks to Ana for recommending them to me–with gifts–but I'm glad it's over too....more
If you don't mind sentimentality and erotica clichés in abundance, this very weOverall rating: 3,25 stars.
Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail 2 stars
If you don't mind sentimentality and erotica clichés in abundance, this very well might be the perfect Christmas steampunk short story for you. I however couldn't get past the limping characterisation and how her intelligence was sacrificed to underline his. There's social naivety and there's survival naivety, and these two shouldn't be confused. Still, I didn't hate it. I might have even liked it would my tastes veer towards the saccharine.
This Winter Heart by PG Forte 4 stars
That's more like it. This is the story I added "something positive" shelf for, since I couldn't think of anything else. I also discovered I have way too many ranty shelves.
This one is much more plot oriented and less let's get naked at whatever cost. Although, there was a fair amount of erotica in there too, it was used to point out the evolution of their relationship. I really liked the fact that the story didn't promptly end after the tragedy that gives him his epiphany moment. It was good to see the characters actually work through some of their issues instead of promptly forgiving and swearing eternal love to each other. It wasn't as thorough as I would have liked, but considering the length of the story, it was more than I could have asked for. And the mushy came after.
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz 4 stars
Hurrah! A steampunk story without sex and that's all about plot. I'm in love. More these, please. Oh, there's romance, there's misunderstandings and flirting, but most of all there are inventions. There are inventors. There are people who want to build a better world and there are people who only care about themselves. There are surprises and spot on characterisations. There are references to real history and to real "future" and there are levels that should be found in every good alternative history novel. And it's the shortest story so far accomplishing more than the other two combined. Definitely my favourite so far.
Far From Broken JK Coi 3 stars
This one is by far the most grisly of the four stories and from the start it feels like the author might be overreaching. The themes and the underlining plot in this novella are something that I feel deserve more than 27,000 words, but she makes it work. Somehow. Instead of burying the reader under a mishmash of steampunk, physiological and psychological hurt, all the pieces fall in place nicely supporting each other, until the scene that should have been the cherry on top: A truly seductive coupling and reconnection between two people in love. Alas, it was not meant to be. This would have been four star story, but the ridiculous sex scene in the end wrecked it for me. Not enough to drop too stars, mind you, but still.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher through NetGalley....more
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