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ladylizzyb's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dawn_marie's review
3.0
Anarchist on the Orient Express, the second installment of Miss Sharp’s Monsters by Suzannah Rowntree is just as wonderfully silly and entertaining as the first installment. In this installment, happening a few months after the events of the first book, finds Liz Sharp traveling to Paris with Princess May and her family. While there she encounters a man who may hold the key to uncovering her past, an anarchist uprising, and a hungry vampire – just a typical day for Miss Sharp.
The book was fast paced, filled with snappy dialog, engaging action scenes, and lots of humor. While the characters aren’t especially well developed, they are fun and I enjoy reading about their adventures.
The book was fast paced, filled with snappy dialog, engaging action scenes, and lots of humor. While the characters aren’t especially well developed, they are fun and I enjoy reading about their adventures.
geethr75's review against another edition
5.0
The second book of the series, this one starts where the first book leaves off. The plot is full of surprising twists and turns, and the reader is taken on a ride across Europe while characters from the earlier book like Imspector Short, Princess May, Prince George, Grand Duke Vasily etc makes their appearance. There are some new characters as well, and Liz unravels the mystery of her past while accepting her new identity. On the whole, I enjoyed it as much as the first one, and finished it in one sitting. I may have stayed up all night, but then, sleep is very much over rated.
rosannelortz's review against another edition
5.0
In Anarchist on the Orient Express, Liz Sharp ranges farther afield, trying to protect Princess May from Anton Lupei–who claims to have once been her fiance. Unwilling to surrender her fate to either Inspector Short or Anton Lupei, Miss Sharp travels the rails of Europe, dodging the undead policeman zombies–called revenants–that serve the monarchical monsters. A worthy middle book of a trilogy that will keep your heart racing till you get to the concluding volume...
edressa's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
The plot twists of this book had my head spinning in the best way possible for this one, which makes me all the more eager to jump on the last book in this series! As for the first book, the dialogue, the discussion of themes about justice, truth, and vengeance, the characters' moral dilemnas and choices are handled in a way that's just *chef's kiss*. Liz Sharp's journey as she finds out about her past is overall very well-handled and not forced at all, as she reconciliates her present self with her past self and realizes how much she has changed as a person and how she can only go forward from there. We add in an extra layer of mad scientists while going full into the steampunk vibes, and with a wedding on the horizon in Book 3, the finale promises to be explosive (DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID THAR)!
The plot twists of this book had my head spinning in the best way possible for this one, which makes me all the more eager to jump on the last book in this series! As for the first book, the dialogue, the discussion of themes about justice, truth, and vengeance, the characters' moral dilemnas and choices are handled in a way that's just *chef's kiss*. Liz Sharp's journey as she finds out about her past is overall very well-handled and not forced at all, as she reconciliates her present self with her past self and realizes how much she has changed as a person and how she can only go forward from there. We add in an extra layer of mad scientists while going full into the steampunk vibes, and with a wedding on the horizon in Book 3, the finale promises to be explosive (DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID THAR)!
sginthecle's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elihinze's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a long time since a book has kept me up past 3:30 AM, but this one did. Repeatedly.
There is no doubt that I enjoyed the first book in this series, but guys. This book was an even wilder ride, an absolute rollercoaster of intrigue, mad science, laughs, romance, and action. It was FUN. The first book was fun, yes, but this was fun to the nth degree. (Also, if you're like me and have affections for a certain vampire, you'll be delighted to know how prominently he features in this installment.)
We met many monsters in the previous book, and here we get to see even more of the world-building around them. For instance, undead policemen! While gruesome, this is something I can 100% see happening in a monster-ridden world. Additionally, as far as realism goes, many books lose me with their perception of justice. I often find that characters hold to very lofty ideals that would never be practical in the real world, and, paradoxically, often eschew true justice. However, with Miss Sharp, she is balanced. She wants justice, but knows that sometimes unpleasant things must come to pass. That was very nice to see.
I was enthralled with this story from beginning to end, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of Miss Sharp's Monsters!
There is no doubt that I enjoyed the first book in this series, but guys. This book was an even wilder ride, an absolute rollercoaster of intrigue, mad science, laughs, romance, and action. It was FUN. The first book was fun, yes, but this was fun to the nth degree. (Also, if you're like me and have affections for a certain vampire, you'll be delighted to know how prominently he features in this installment.)
We met many monsters in the previous book, and here we get to see even more of the world-building around them. For instance, undead policemen! While gruesome, this is something I can 100% see happening in a monster-ridden world. Additionally, as far as realism goes, many books lose me with their perception of justice. I often find that characters hold to very lofty ideals that would never be practical in the real world, and, paradoxically, often eschew true justice. However, with Miss Sharp, she is balanced. She wants justice, but knows that sometimes unpleasant things must come to pass. That was very nice to see.
I was enthralled with this story from beginning to end, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of Miss Sharp's Monsters!
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
Another great adventure with our beloved bodyguard maid!
There's repercussions from things that happened in book one - you definitely want to read these in order - as well as all new characters and disasters.
Plenty more monsters, explosive things, action, fighting, quibs and banter as well as a dash of romance.
I must say I really enjoy how the romance is not at all the focus of the book, just a small part of of the story. Colouring in the edges and making the story feel more rounded.
I loved exploring a bit of Paris before going for a ride on the Orient Express, and how well Rowntree knows her history! Sure this is fantasy with creatures and strange things, but I still like the world feeling realistic. Only with some extra bits!
We learn more about Sharp's backstory, which I found both intriguing and well handled.
I already bought the next in the series as well as the first in a new series!
There's repercussions from things that happened in book one - you definitely want to read these in order - as well as all new characters and disasters.
Plenty more monsters, explosive things, action, fighting, quibs and banter as well as a dash of romance.
I must say I really enjoy how the romance is not at all the focus of the book, just a small part of of the story. Colouring in the edges and making the story feel more rounded.
I loved exploring a bit of Paris before going for a ride on the Orient Express, and how well Rowntree knows her history! Sure this is fantasy with creatures and strange things, but I still like the world feeling realistic. Only with some extra bits!
We learn more about Sharp's backstory, which I found both intriguing and well handled.
I already bought the next in the series as well as the first in a new series!
carina_shephard's review
5.0
Didn't intend on reading this in one sitting but here we are. A fun, action-packed steampunk historical fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. 5 stars, read July 2021.
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
5.0
In ANARCHIST, Rowntree dials up the awesome and breaks the knob off.
We start right where book 1 left off—Miss Sharp being accosted by someone from her forgotten past, and she gives chase throughout the book, leading her to revenant zombie policemen, the Orient Express, and a group of revolutionaries as Miss Sharp seeks to answer, Who was she? And is that person someone she still wants to know?
Also returning is my favorite tall inspector, Short (I love him!!!!), Princess May, dear George, and Grand Duke Vasily, the darkly alluring vampire. Miss Sharp no. 2 drives home the question of what makes a monster, and will you know them when you see them. Rowntree also continues to pick at the Victorian social structure and the morals of the era in a very deft but relentlessly honest way.
There were so many emotional moments in this book (betrayals by ones close to you! Short continuing to be the only man who gets it!) and so many high-octane thrills!!! This book truly levels up and does it so well! And once again, that ending hook for book 3–couldn’t be more perfect. FIVE STARS!
The author kindly sent me an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
We start right where book 1 left off—Miss Sharp being accosted by someone from her forgotten past, and she gives chase throughout the book, leading her to revenant zombie policemen, the Orient Express, and a group of revolutionaries as Miss Sharp seeks to answer, Who was she? And is that person someone she still wants to know?
Also returning is my favorite tall inspector, Short (I love him!!!!), Princess May, dear George, and Grand Duke Vasily, the darkly alluring vampire. Miss Sharp no. 2 drives home the question of what makes a monster, and will you know them when you see them. Rowntree also continues to pick at the Victorian social structure and the morals of the era in a very deft but relentlessly honest way.
There were so many emotional moments in this book (betrayals by ones close to you! Short continuing to be the only man who gets it!) and so many high-octane thrills!!! This book truly levels up and does it so well! And once again, that ending hook for book 3–couldn’t be more perfect. FIVE STARS!
The author kindly sent me an arc of this book and this is my honest review.