Scan barcode
tizianav's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mary_soon_lee's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the third book in the Ketty Jay fantasy series. It's very much in the same vein as the earlier books: airships, daemons, humor, the misadventures of the misfit crew of the Ketty Jay. As before, the perspective shifts between the crew, concentrating on their captain, Darian Frey, a man evolving from a highly amoral rogue to a less amoral rogue. The bonds between the crew continue to strengthen, and those moments are my favorite in the story. I'm not the ideal reader for these adventures -- having a fondness for conspicuously ethical characters -- but I enjoyed "The Iron Jackal" despite that.
Three and a half out of five cursed stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Three and a half out of five cursed stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
annainthedark's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
nclcaitlin's review
3.75
Since their misadventures in Sakkan, Frey and the crew of the Ketty Jay had been on a roll. Everything they did seemed to work out. Confidence was high.
But then the crew steal a Samarlan relic which leaves Frey with a black spot, cursed to die by a daemon who was protector of the relic. Oops.
The crew development from book one? I’m all here for it.
’You're just the kind to go down with the ship.’
‘Not with the ship. With the crew.'
Basically, every character undergoes an existential crisis amidst running from daemons, guns, Samarlans, the Awakenera, people they’ve peeved off previously.
Despite this being very tongue-in-cheek, Wooding does shed some light on some harsher realities. Whilst other gritty authors may try and use darkness and despair to demonstrate this, Wooding utilises humour and subtle nods. Especially if you consider the start of the series to where we’ve been brought to now. (Specifically, Trinica.)
’You're a man, and I'm a woman, she said. Your reputation would increase. Mine would suffer.’
If you want a steampunk book that gives you Indiana Jones vibes, read this!
But then the crew steal a Samarlan relic which leaves Frey with a black spot, cursed to die by a daemon who was protector of the relic. Oops.
The crew development from book one? I’m all here for it.
’You're just the kind to go down with the ship.’
‘Not with the ship. With the crew.'
Basically, every character undergoes an existential crisis amidst running from daemons, guns, Samarlans, the Awakenera, people they’ve peeved off previously.
Despite this being very tongue-in-cheek, Wooding does shed some light on some harsher realities. Whilst other gritty authors may try and use darkness and despair to demonstrate this, Wooding utilises humour and subtle nods. Especially if you consider the start of the series to where we’ve been brought to now. (Specifically, Trinica.)
’You're a man, and I'm a woman, she said. Your reputation would increase. Mine would suffer.’
If you want a steampunk book that gives you Indiana Jones vibes, read this!
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
As with the earlier volumes of the Ketty Jay adventures, lots of swashbuckling action and a fair amount of witty dialogue made this an enjoyable read. It might have benefited from some editing - the beginning was engaging and the end was satisfying, but the tangents taken in the middle seemed a bit like filler at times, and a book of this length doesn’t need filler. Sure, they were there to bring depth to each of the characters in turn, but I think what makes this series fun is the rollicking atmosphere and bantering interactions more than the character studies. There also seemed to be rather more death and destruction then I recall from the earlier books, making for a somewhat darker tone. Overall though, it was a fine addition to the series.
bluejay21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
samstrong's review against another edition
4.0
Yet more awesome fun with the crew of the Ketty Jay.
Not sure who wrote the blurb that's up on Goodreads though as it bears no relation to the actual plot of this book. If anything it sounds like a potential plot for the fourth book...
Not sure who wrote the blurb that's up on Goodreads though as it bears no relation to the actual plot of this book. If anything it sounds like a potential plot for the fourth book...
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
2.0
This is the end of this road for me - this was more of the Silo story than anything else - well, not that much - it was everyone has a purpose to leave story - and the captain is horrible now - he went from Roguish anti-hero to clumsy love struck moron - I can't bare to read these words on these pages, but I struggled through because I will NOT leave a story unfinished - the author apparently loves to leave things unfinished - gives him room to return and run what started off as good idea into the ground - If you love this series, then good on you - because this was just trite, and covered in useless trivial matters and PLEASE for the love of all that is good and holy - everyone does NOT have to be pared off in a book - and, characters are supposed to change and grow, not become a useless and worthless drama chasing tool - the end and nothing follows
dustjacket_fullofmonsters's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jmschomers's review against another edition
5.0
Frey is so frustratingly love able.
But these books just keep getting better. The crew interactions are great.
But these books just keep getting better. The crew interactions are great.