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maijareads's review against another edition
3.0
I recieved an ARC from BookishFirst after reading the first two chapters. I was excited to read this book after reading the first two chapters and the summary. However, the whole book didn't live up to my expectations for a mystery-fantasy-adventure (perhaps because I'm also reading Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn and was unintentionally comparing the two).
The plot was confusing and twisted in a way that's appropriate for mystery novels. One of the reasons I kept reading was because I was hoping that things would become more clear and the mystery would be solved. The mystery was solved--kinda--but not in a way that came with the satisfaction at the end of a good mystery. In a similar vein on the fantasy side of things, the world-building was solid, but not particularly interesting or clear-cut.
I appreciated the author's inclusion and centering of characters of color and powerful (queer) women. Buc's character develops over the course of the novel, but the rest of the characters stay static and appear and disappear haphazardly (lending to the confusing plot).
Overall, this was an ok debut novel. It seems set up for a sequel, so maybe the loose ends will get tied up in that.
The plot was confusing and twisted in a way that's appropriate for mystery novels. One of the reasons I kept reading was because I was hoping that things would become more clear and the mystery would be solved. The mystery was solved--kinda--but not in a way that came with the satisfaction at the end of a good mystery. In a similar vein on the fantasy side of things, the world-building was solid, but not particularly interesting or clear-cut.
I appreciated the author's inclusion and centering of characters of color and powerful (queer) women. Buc's character develops over the course of the novel, but the rest of the characters stay static and appear and disappear haphazardly (lending to the confusing plot).
Overall, this was an ok debut novel. It seems set up for a sequel, so maybe the loose ends will get tied up in that.
peripety's review against another edition
5.0
I am privileged to be in Ryan's writing group and from his first WIP, I knew he was going to be published. I'm so happy for him that SIN IN THE STEEL--which also passed through our group--is his debut, and what a debut it is! Adventure on the high seas, magic run rampant, and a heroine with a wit sharper than a sword's edge. Be prepared to keep flipping the page with this one, folks.
breysreviews's review against another edition
3.0
To start off my review, some of my comments are going to be probably unpopular opinions. I feel like I’ve seen this before. On a movie. With pirates, only the main character in that was a lot more entertaining, and I actually liked him. I won’t say exactly what I’m talking about, but it felt very similar to an already existing franchise. And that’s okay. I did enjoy this book, it just felt like I had seen it before when I’d liked it a lot more.
Wins
- Ryan Van Loans writing style is very rich. I don’t know how else to describe it, but his setting the scene, and world building was super impressive. I didn’t feel like there was a lot of fluff like I’ve noticed with books lately, and the writing flowed very easily.
- Some of the characters were amazing. Chan Sha has got to be one of my top 15 characters of all time. She was absolutely amazing and I loved her
- The fact that we got a book that swears as often as these characters do. It was extremely refreshing, but maybe it’s just the YA books i read. I did enjoy that Ryan didn’t mind going there
Opportunities
- I didn’t like Buc in the slightest. She was meant to be a very strong female hero who pushed the boundaries, and I just felt like she was a spoiled, know-it-all rude character. Eld was super uninteresting and I’ve met him before, and didn’t like him then either.
- It wasn’t super original. What actually happens is different (obviously) but it just felt like it’d been done before
- I don’t know why this is becoming a trend, but I really don’t like it. When we go from first person for 90% of the book, but there’s 10% that’s in third person. Those parts are extremely jarring in any novel, and I really don’t like it, and don’t understand why it’s becoming more common.
- How “smart” Buc is. I’m doing a separate bullet on this solely for the fact that it wasnt a plot device to advance the story, it wasn’t necessary, but we heard a lot about the books she had read and what quotes came from it. It felt unnecessary to me. And it annoyed me the way she flaunted it. especially when she was all about books in the beginning and that’s never brought up again.
- I didn’t love the ending. This would’ve been better as a stand-alone in my opinion. I will check out the second book when it comes out to see if I like it, but it could’ve definitely stood alone.
All in all, I didn’t hate this book. I feel like this review is very criticizing at this point, but I did enjoy the story. It was a fun quick little read that I would’ve enjoyed a lot more when I was a bit younger. I probably would’ve liked Buc as a teenager, but as an adult she was far from one of my favorite characters. Ryan’s writing style is very unique and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the world, and hopefully the next book centers around a certain character whom I loved!
Wins
- Ryan Van Loans writing style is very rich. I don’t know how else to describe it, but his setting the scene, and world building was super impressive. I didn’t feel like there was a lot of fluff like I’ve noticed with books lately, and the writing flowed very easily.
- Some of the characters were amazing. Chan Sha has got to be one of my top 15 characters of all time. She was absolutely amazing and I loved her
- The fact that we got a book that swears as often as these characters do. It was extremely refreshing, but maybe it’s just the YA books i read. I did enjoy that Ryan didn’t mind going there
Opportunities
- I didn’t like Buc in the slightest. She was meant to be a very strong female hero who pushed the boundaries, and I just felt like she was a spoiled, know-it-all rude character. Eld was super uninteresting and I’ve met him before, and didn’t like him then either.
- It wasn’t super original. What actually happens is different (obviously) but it just felt like it’d been done before
- I don’t know why this is becoming a trend, but I really don’t like it. When we go from first person for 90% of the book, but there’s 10% that’s in third person. Those parts are extremely jarring in any novel, and I really don’t like it, and don’t understand why it’s becoming more common.
- How “smart” Buc is. I’m doing a separate bullet on this solely for the fact that it wasnt a plot device to advance the story, it wasn’t necessary, but we heard a lot about the books she had read and what quotes came from it. It felt unnecessary to me. And it annoyed me the way she flaunted it. especially when she was all about books in the beginning and that’s never brought up again.
- I didn’t love the ending. This would’ve been better as a stand-alone in my opinion. I will check out the second book when it comes out to see if I like it, but it could’ve definitely stood alone.
All in all, I didn’t hate this book. I feel like this review is very criticizing at this point, but I did enjoy the story. It was a fun quick little read that I would’ve enjoyed a lot more when I was a bit younger. I probably would’ve liked Buc as a teenager, but as an adult she was far from one of my favorite characters. Ryan’s writing style is very unique and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the world, and hopefully the next book centers around a certain character whom I loved!
apecotte's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down. This is a book that I would read many times. This will also be an author that I will follow and be excited to read the next book.
I love how detailed the author is and how the story was developed to keep you guessing as to what would happen and how it would end. The characters were easily relatable. Buc and Eld were my favorite characters because through all the hardships that they had they still managed to stick together.
I liked how the author put in how the characters personalities and ideas were interwoven into the story.
I went through so many emotions but it was worth it. I did not see what was coming at the end and was pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book.
I love how detailed the author is and how the story was developed to keep you guessing as to what would happen and how it would end. The characters were easily relatable. Buc and Eld were my favorite characters because through all the hardships that they had they still managed to stick together.
I liked how the author put in how the characters personalities and ideas were interwoven into the story.
I went through so many emotions but it was worth it. I did not see what was coming at the end and was pleasantly surprised. I would recommend this book.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
1.0
I really tried to get in this, but I just never even started caring about the characters, much less the plotline. Clearly other people like it, so more for them, I say -- Sherlock has been done better, so has fantasy adventure. I'll go find another to please me.
jenabrownwrites's review against another edition
5.0
See my review on The Nerd Daily:
https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-the-sin-in-the-steel-by-ryan-van-loan/
https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-the-sin-in-the-steel-by-ryan-van-loan/
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
I received The Sin in the Steel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Sin in the Steel is the first novel in The Fall of the Gods series by Ryan Van Loan. It's a series that mixes many elements together in order to create something fun an exciting. Pirates, magic, dead gods can all be found. Oh and a Sherlockian twist as well.
Buc is a prodigy, plain and simple. She grew up as a street rat, but once handed an ounce of knowledge she suddenly couldn't get enough of it. With the ex-soldier Eld taking care of her, keeping her safe while she developed her mind, it felt like she was unstoppable.
Now Buc and Eld have been tasked to solve a crime, under penalty of death if they fail. All they have to do is take on pirates, the infamous Widowmaker, and maybe a dead god or two. No big deal, right?
“But while the world may be driven by knowledge, it runs on gold. The hard kind. And if my plans were to succeed, that was the kind of leverage I needed. I saw my chance, placed my wager, and took my seat at the table.”
The Sin in the Steel is a brilliant and fast-paced read, one that you're not going to want to put down. At least, I know I didn't! I loved all of the themes that went into this book, but especially the combination of pirate vibes and Sherlockian logic. It made for something fun and different.
Buc is the highlight of the novel, without a doubt. She's a brilliant mind, one that sometimes has too much processing all at once. I felt like this aspect was portrayed very nicely. That she grew up on the streets isn't forgotten, though it does make her love of reading all the more impressive.
The world and magic within were absolutely fascinating. I would honestly read a dozen more books set in this world, and still feel like there was more to learn. For that reason, I am very much looking forward to any and all sequels.
The Sherlockian elements were fun, and on the whole, pretty well done. I wouldn't have minded seeing just a touch more of that, as clearly Buc has a brilliant mind. Albeit it frequently felt like that mind was doing a better job of getting her into more trouble than anything (sound familiar?). I actually adore that other elements were pulled from Sherlock, instead of just his wits and need to solve mysteries. It's refreshing. Even if it sometimes results with people wanting to strangle Buc.
I should probably mention one thing: the ages in the ARC I read are different from the ages in the finished book. Knowing that going into this read made a major difference (especially if looking at other reviews is any indication). The relationship between Buc and Eld is not nearly so creepy. Though it does take the edge off some of their age-related jokes, for good or for ill.
I'm curious to see where this story is going to lead in the long run. It feels like whatever Buc has started will eventually change her world, on a smaller and more personal scale as well as on a much grander one.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Sin in the Steel is the first novel in The Fall of the Gods series by Ryan Van Loan. It's a series that mixes many elements together in order to create something fun an exciting. Pirates, magic, dead gods can all be found. Oh and a Sherlockian twist as well.
Buc is a prodigy, plain and simple. She grew up as a street rat, but once handed an ounce of knowledge she suddenly couldn't get enough of it. With the ex-soldier Eld taking care of her, keeping her safe while she developed her mind, it felt like she was unstoppable.
Now Buc and Eld have been tasked to solve a crime, under penalty of death if they fail. All they have to do is take on pirates, the infamous Widowmaker, and maybe a dead god or two. No big deal, right?
“But while the world may be driven by knowledge, it runs on gold. The hard kind. And if my plans were to succeed, that was the kind of leverage I needed. I saw my chance, placed my wager, and took my seat at the table.”
The Sin in the Steel is a brilliant and fast-paced read, one that you're not going to want to put down. At least, I know I didn't! I loved all of the themes that went into this book, but especially the combination of pirate vibes and Sherlockian logic. It made for something fun and different.
Buc is the highlight of the novel, without a doubt. She's a brilliant mind, one that sometimes has too much processing all at once. I felt like this aspect was portrayed very nicely. That she grew up on the streets isn't forgotten, though it does make her love of reading all the more impressive.
The world and magic within were absolutely fascinating. I would honestly read a dozen more books set in this world, and still feel like there was more to learn. For that reason, I am very much looking forward to any and all sequels.
The Sherlockian elements were fun, and on the whole, pretty well done. I wouldn't have minded seeing just a touch more of that, as clearly Buc has a brilliant mind. Albeit it frequently felt like that mind was doing a better job of getting her into more trouble than anything (sound familiar?). I actually adore that other elements were pulled from Sherlock, instead of just his wits and need to solve mysteries. It's refreshing. Even if it sometimes results with people wanting to strangle Buc.
I should probably mention one thing: the ages in the ARC I read are different from the ages in the finished book. Knowing that going into this read made a major difference (especially if looking at other reviews is any indication). The relationship between Buc and Eld is not nearly so creepy. Though it does take the edge off some of their age-related jokes, for good or for ill.
I'm curious to see where this story is going to lead in the long run. It feels like whatever Buc has started will eventually change her world, on a smaller and more personal scale as well as on a much grander one.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
thewaffleymaker's review
it never really gripped me and then i sensed a romance coming. but i liked the prose and the pirates
bookish_heidi's review
3.0
I originally read the excerpt on this book on Bookish First and I was definitely intrigued. It sounded like the setup for an awesome book. Mages, Gods, a sarcastic female protagonist. But it just wasn't the book for me.
The detail on the ship & Elds excursion were pretty detailed and I want to say geared more towards men but that sounds sexist and that's not how it came across. It just isn't your typical ladylike fantasy read.
The detail on the ship & Elds excursion were pretty detailed and I want to say geared more towards men but that sounds sexist and that's not how it came across. It just isn't your typical ladylike fantasy read.
stasha2006's review against another edition
4.0
“The Sin in the Steel” by Ryan Van Loan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date 7/21/2020
Thank you #bookishfirst and #ryanvanloan for the #arc in exchange for my honest review!
If you like Fantasy, Pirates, and Mystery this is the book for you! Fantasy isn’t usually my go to genre, but I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of action pact scenes that kept you on the edge of your seat.
Buc and Eld are a dynamic pair. Buc grew up on the streets and is always in survival mode. Eld is an ex-solider and has become Buc’s partner in crime. They work together to solve crimes. They are hired for their biggest job yet! The Company wants them to find out who has been stealing their ships that carries tea. The entire trading company is at risk. If they fail then the entire empire might go down in ruins. Many ships have gone missing and so far no one has been up for the task. Their last resort is Buc and Eld. The problem is it is a suicide mission. It requires dealing with pirates, Mages, dead gods, and many other unknowns. Buc is not prepared for the Dead Gods, but the Gods are not prepared for Buc! Read to find out if Buc and Eld can solve the mystery and if they survive.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date 7/21/2020
Thank you #bookishfirst and #ryanvanloan for the #arc in exchange for my honest review!
If you like Fantasy, Pirates, and Mystery this is the book for you! Fantasy isn’t usually my go to genre, but I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of action pact scenes that kept you on the edge of your seat.
Buc and Eld are a dynamic pair. Buc grew up on the streets and is always in survival mode. Eld is an ex-solider and has become Buc’s partner in crime. They work together to solve crimes. They are hired for their biggest job yet! The Company wants them to find out who has been stealing their ships that carries tea. The entire trading company is at risk. If they fail then the entire empire might go down in ruins. Many ships have gone missing and so far no one has been up for the task. Their last resort is Buc and Eld. The problem is it is a suicide mission. It requires dealing with pirates, Mages, dead gods, and many other unknowns. Buc is not prepared for the Dead Gods, but the Gods are not prepared for Buc! Read to find out if Buc and Eld can solve the mystery and if they survive.