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alvean86's review
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book, I had a couple of butterflies-in-my-stomach moments, BUT it contains one of my most hated tropes: the love triangle.
I hate love triangle. I must be very unfortunate, because never in my life I was contended between two steamy guys and had to choose which one I wanted in that precise moment, so I don't understand how can the protagonist be so unsure of her feelings.
another thing I did not like was the continuous references to Minx's past as if everybody had read a 0,5 novel which I could not find referenced here on Goodreads.
Also, in some parts the behavior and dialogues of the protagonists felt a little bit odd in a Steampunk setting.
anyway, 4 stars and continuing with the 2nd book in this series.
I hate love triangle. I must be very unfortunate, because never in my life I was contended between two steamy guys and had to choose which one I wanted in that precise moment, so I don't understand how can the protagonist be so unsure of her feelings.
another thing I did not like was the continuous references to Minx's past as if everybody had read a 0,5 novel which I could not find referenced here on Goodreads.
Also, in some parts the behavior and dialogues of the protagonists felt a little bit odd in a Steampunk setting.
anyway, 4 stars and continuing with the 2nd book in this series.
traciesimister's review
4.0
I gave this Book a rating of 4 ✩’s
Title: Chains of Silver: a YA Theater Steampunk Novel
Series: Alchemy Empire Book 1
Genre: Ya Steampunk
Author: Meredith Rose
Format: E-book
Published on: Apr 28, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed a Courtesy Advanced Reader Copy of this book
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
Main Character’s Descriptions:
Minx Mellor is phobic but she hides it well
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
Summary Paragraph:
In an Alternate Victorian reality where theater reigns supreme. Mix in a Phobic heroine and evil mad man and a few good friends and you get Chains of Silver
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
What I liked/Didn’t Like: My first book by this author. Very good read if you like the Steampunk Genre. I would highly recommend it.
Title: Chains of Silver: a YA Theater Steampunk Novel
Series: Alchemy Empire Book 1
Genre: Ya Steampunk
Author: Meredith Rose
Format: E-book
Published on: Apr 28, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed a Courtesy Advanced Reader Copy of this book
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
Main Character’s Descriptions:
Minx Mellor is phobic but she hides it well
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
Summary Paragraph:
In an Alternate Victorian reality where theater reigns supreme. Mix in a Phobic heroine and evil mad man and a few good friends and you get Chains of Silver
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
What I liked/Didn’t Like: My first book by this author. Very good read if you like the Steampunk Genre. I would highly recommend it.
emesskay's review
5.0
Oh my gosh, did I love this book. How much did I love it? While this book was free from Amazon (for Kindle) I have alerady purchased the sequel so I can continue with the adventure.
So first of all - even though there are sequels - this is a standalone book - it does not leave you hanging in the middle of a mystery (which particularly annoys me).
The story is set in an alternate Victorian England where magic exists alongside steampunk device manufacture, and cyborg policemen. It centers on the apprentices at the Alchemy Empire Theater - kind of like a school of performing arts - the apprentices study under directors and actors, and learn a theater related skill.
The main character, Claire, possesses some strong magic talent, but she is damaged. She has the ability to shapeshift and appear to be animals or other people. Because of her talent, she had been kidnapped from the theater when she was younger, and forced by a sadistic master to perform shape shifting at a traveling carnival for over a year. She was rescued and returned to the theater to try to pick up the pieces of her life. The story starts a few years after those events - Claire is better than she was, but still troubled. From there the story picks up as what seems like a teen-school drama novel turns into a mystery, which turns into a murder mystery, and takes a few side trips into romance in the process of solving the mystery.
The book is excellently written and the pacing is perfect. The main characters are all likeable (except for the ones you are not supposed to like) though flawed (like typical humans). I enjoyed the book tremendously and can't wait to read the next one. I enjoyed the descriptions of alternate-England and the blending of Steampunk with magic (and even the descriptions of the different types of magical talent people may have).
So first of all - even though there are sequels - this is a standalone book - it does not leave you hanging in the middle of a mystery (which particularly annoys me).
The story is set in an alternate Victorian England where magic exists alongside steampunk device manufacture, and cyborg policemen. It centers on the apprentices at the Alchemy Empire Theater - kind of like a school of performing arts - the apprentices study under directors and actors, and learn a theater related skill.
The main character, Claire, possesses some strong magic talent, but she is damaged. She has the ability to shapeshift and appear to be animals or other people. Because of her talent, she had been kidnapped from the theater when she was younger, and forced by a sadistic master to perform shape shifting at a traveling carnival for over a year. She was rescued and returned to the theater to try to pick up the pieces of her life. The story starts a few years after those events - Claire is better than she was, but still troubled. From there the story picks up as what seems like a teen-school drama novel turns into a mystery, which turns into a murder mystery, and takes a few side trips into romance in the process of solving the mystery.
The book is excellently written and the pacing is perfect. The main characters are all likeable (except for the ones you are not supposed to like) though flawed (like typical humans). I enjoyed the book tremendously and can't wait to read the next one. I enjoyed the descriptions of alternate-England and the blending of Steampunk with magic (and even the descriptions of the different types of magical talent people may have).
kasfire's review
5.0
4.5/5 Stars
Disclaimer: Mention of rape and major cases of PTSD
First off, wow. This book was an intricate mix of Steampunk and Fantasy. In this world, the theatre is a religion. It is renowned and the biggest business formally protected by the Empress. But there are those who do not want the theatre to be so well received.
Minx Mellor is a young woman working her final year of apprenticeship as a Technomancer. Each department of the theatre has their own special brand of magic that allows them to create a masterpiece. Technomancers build machinery with their magic, Presuls (directors) are able to help the Vicomorphs (actors/actresses) take on the voice and appearance of the person they are trying to portray. Then there is the rare ability of the Vicocorpus- one can completely shapeshift and not just slightly morph.
The reason I really began to love this novel was it's use of the theatre. Even though this novel takes place in a Steampunk world, there were still the recognizable aspects of the theatre. As someone who was studying the theatre for many years, this captured my attention.
Plus, who doesn't love a hint (well, more than a hint) of romance and jealousy? Now, I know many people are sick of seeing love triangle stories. However, the reasoning behind this one was intriguing and understandable. Plus, it allowed the characters to grow and develop through the novel.
Now, there was a heavy theme of PTSD as stated in my disclaimer. And when it hit, damn. Meredith Rose did not sensor what this girl was feeling, nor how detached she became. The writing during those portions were different, yet educational. I could not stop reading because I needed to know that everything would be alright.
With that heartbreaking cliffhanger, I need to continue the series.
Disclaimer: Mention of rape and major cases of PTSD
First off, wow. This book was an intricate mix of Steampunk and Fantasy. In this world, the theatre is a religion. It is renowned and the biggest business formally protected by the Empress. But there are those who do not want the theatre to be so well received.
Minx Mellor is a young woman working her final year of apprenticeship as a Technomancer. Each department of the theatre has their own special brand of magic that allows them to create a masterpiece. Technomancers build machinery with their magic, Presuls (directors) are able to help the Vicomorphs (actors/actresses) take on the voice and appearance of the person they are trying to portray. Then there is the rare ability of the Vicocorpus- one can completely shapeshift and not just slightly morph.
The reason I really began to love this novel was it's use of the theatre. Even though this novel takes place in a Steampunk world, there were still the recognizable aspects of the theatre. As someone who was studying the theatre for many years, this captured my attention.
Plus, who doesn't love a hint (well, more than a hint) of romance and jealousy? Now, I know many people are sick of seeing love triangle stories. However, the reasoning behind this one was intriguing and understandable. Plus, it allowed the characters to grow and develop through the novel.
Now, there was a heavy theme of PTSD as stated in my disclaimer. And when it hit, damn. Meredith Rose did not sensor what this girl was feeling, nor how detached she became. The writing during those portions were different, yet educational. I could not stop reading because I needed to know that everything would be alright.
With that heartbreaking cliffhanger, I need to continue the series.
carolinag's review
3.0
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I genuinely enjoyed this book. The plot is somewhat predictable, but it’s a nice plot. The characters are mostly three-dimensional, even the ones I don’t like. The setting is interesting, but there’s room for improvement. I admit I was more interested in the characters and the world-building than the plot.
Nevertheless, it has some big problems. I was outraged by the book’s Protagonist-Centered Morality that excuses everything Minx does and demonizes all of Delphine’s actions. I’m also not a fan of love triangles and I don’t like student-teacher romance either.
Overall, it’s a good book. I can’t wait to read the next one. I want to come back to this world and to these characters.
Read a detailed review in my blog.
I genuinely enjoyed this book. The plot is somewhat predictable, but it’s a nice plot. The characters are mostly three-dimensional, even the ones I don’t like. The setting is interesting, but there’s room for improvement. I admit I was more interested in the characters and the world-building than the plot.
Nevertheless, it has some big problems. I was outraged by the book’s Protagonist-Centered Morality that excuses everything Minx does and demonizes all of Delphine’s actions. I’m also not a fan of love triangles and I don’t like student-teacher romance either.
Overall, it’s a good book. I can’t wait to read the next one. I want to come back to this world and to these characters.
Read a detailed review in my blog.
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