Karl Burnett
3.5 stars. Fun, fast paced and interesting. Some details a little vague, particularly the way Babbages operate (sometimes they seem very much like modern computers, sometimes not). As other reviews have stated, the business with automatons being run on captured human souls seems like it should be more of an issue. All in all though a fun read and I'll definitely pick up book 2.
I started reading in the library while the kids were doing a crafting thing, and 55 pages in I knew that I had to take the book out and finish it. Halfway in and it's even better.
Finished. Can't wait to read the next one - an absolute blast (and I love the way Ryan has taken real events and people from history and myth and mixed them together into a kind of fantasy stew).
An engaging mixture of Regency Romance and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (but lacking a little in the depth of the latter), this was an enjoyable romp. A little slow to get going but a refreshing change. It's nice to read a tale in this oeuvre with two main characters who are non-white. Most enjoyable, would recommend.
4.25 Quills.
A funny, interesting, engaging and brave book. Ultimately it's also heartbreaking.
It was great to read how her early internet experiences gave her the same sort of feelings that mine did, even though our entry points were different.
The crap she went through with the gamergate assholes is shared in detail and made me sick to my stomach.
An enjoyable book, and a great evocation of life and a young book addict. Although my childhood reading somewhat differed from Ms. Mangan's (due, most likely, to our different genders and interests) in the areas where we matched it was like a nostalgia bomb going off. This book was also filled with the kind of interesting facts and information about authors and publishing that I love to read.
(It was also nice to see that I'm not the only person that really does not see the appeal of The Cat in the Hat.)
A really smashing book for older children. In the vein of Redwall etc, as it features anthropomorphic rabbits, but with elements of Big Map Fantasy and the sense of the beginnings of some impressive world-building. I particularly enjoyed the way that the emotional toll on the young heroes is shown (something that many fantasy novels for adults seem to conveniently forget about). An easy read but it sticks in the mind and I'm now eager to read the sequels. (Even though I am aware that I'm a bit older than the target demographic!)
I'm looking forward to reading this to my kids when they're a bit older.
I really enjoyed this one! Set during a (not THE) renaissance in a world with some strong similarities to our world (albeit one with magic, flying machines and other races) the plot concerns the protagonist returning to a city to get revenge on the men who slashed her face open and left her for dead. Giulia, our fierce, spiky and single-minded ‘hero' sets out to on a path of vengeance but finds herself being pulled into the Machiavellian machinations of those who would rule the city.
