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catm9's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
If you pick up this book you MUST abandon any urge to work out whether things are possible. This book is glued together with large gobs of narrativium, whereby things work because the plot needs then to work and would you stop with the questions already?
You really should have read Arabella of Mars first, and if you have you already know that the science is a but wibbly-wobbly, well OK it's ludicrous. But it's fun.
I happened to come to this book not long after reading O'Brian's Master and Commander, which is ridiculously detailed and scrupulously correct about making sure that the stuns'ls only go out when the wind's a tormontana abaft the beam, and the t'gallant crossbraces are connected to the mizzen frammises. Let's just say that things are a little looser here.
Gotta admire Levine's working out that a ship sailing in space might as well have masts in down and sideways as well as up. Gotta admire his sheer nerve in handwaving around how you slip a sailboat into a ten-thousand-knot interstellar wind from a standing start. But then we've already accepted that there's breathable air throughout the solar system, so what the heck. Meanwhile, though, Levine's careful to remind us that planetary orbital timings are important. But perhaps a tad eccentric in his placement of the guns on the ships.
And don't even get me started about the sheer amazing (how do I not use a rude word here?) that is Aadim. He's a "deus IN machina." Points awarded for early use of that concept!
So, once we're sailing between planets at 10,000 earth-nautical-miles per earth-hour, why would our heroine NOT?
This book is quite silly, and moderately enjoyable ... either in spite of its silliness or perhaps because of it.
You really should have read Arabella of Mars first, and if you have you already know that the science is a but wibbly-wobbly, well OK it's ludicrous. But it's fun.
I happened to come to this book not long after reading O'Brian's Master and Commander, which is ridiculously detailed and scrupulously correct about making sure that the stuns'ls only go out when the wind's a tormontana abaft the beam, and the t'gallant crossbraces are connected to the mizzen frammises. Let's just say that things are a little looser here.
Gotta admire Levine's working out that a ship sailing in space might as well have masts in down and sideways as well as up. Gotta admire his sheer nerve in handwaving around how you slip a sailboat into a ten-thousand-knot interstellar wind from a standing start. But then we've already accepted that there's breathable air throughout the solar system, so what the heck. Meanwhile, though, Levine's careful to remind us that planetary orbital timings are important. But perhaps a tad eccentric in his placement of the guns on the ships.
And don't even get me started about the sheer amazing (how do I not use a rude word here?) that is Aadim. He's a "deus IN machina." Points awarded for early use of that concept!
So, once we're sailing between planets at 10,000 earth-nautical-miles per earth-hour, why would our heroine NOT
Spoiler
meet Napoleon and Nelson within 24 hours, in space off VenusThis book is quite silly, and moderately enjoyable ... either in spite of its silliness or perhaps because of it.
emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first! Arabella and the Battle of Venus continues the adventures of Arabella Ashby, a Martian heiress with a strong independent streak and a talent for navigation and the creation of clockwork machinery, as she ventures to French-controlled Venus to rescue her fiance, Captain Singh, from the French.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series as it touched on my love of Jane Austin, Patrick O'Brien, and Jules Verne. The second book does more of the same and it is an absolute joy to read. I hope Arabella and her captain continue their adventuring for a long time to come.
Perhaps my one criticism would be the portrayal of colonialism. While Levine does a good job depicting its evils, the primary characters are still complicit. This didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book, but might not be everyone's cup of tea.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series as it touched on my love of Jane Austin, Patrick O'Brien, and Jules Verne. The second book does more of the same and it is an absolute joy to read. I hope Arabella and her captain continue their adventuring for a long time to come.
Perhaps my one criticism would be the portrayal of colonialism. While Levine does a good job depicting its evils, the primary characters are still complicit. This didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book, but might not be everyone's cup of tea.
sayshara's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable read, with writing equally as polished and engaging as the first in the series, the strikingly original Arabella of Mars. The plot and tone were a bit grim in this one, and the pleasant interactions among the characters overshadowed by oppressive circumstances for much of the story. I thought the pace dragged just a bit in the middle section, but once preparations for the Twelfth Night performance began, the element of fun became more pronounced, and the action didn’t let up until the end. There may have been a few believability gaps as to what the crew could conceivably have accomplished, but for the most part the story was nicely constructed, and the characters were interesting, especially the new addition of Fox. The capabilities of the sailing vessels were well thought out and the logical mechanics of this world continued to be well executed. Plenty of excitement and a satisfying conclusion.
jkusters's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable sequel to Arabella of Mars, the wonderful YA novel Mr. Levine put out last year. Arabella has a tendency towards rash action, but is smart enough to get herself and those she cares about out of danger when needed. A great role-model for young readers, and quite a compelling character for readers of all ages. This time she sets off to rescue her husband-to-be who has been captured by the French, lead by the tyrant Napoleon, on Venus. Together with her chaperone, the stately Lady Corey, she hires a crew to mount a rescue, but things don’t go at all to plan. Great action, well-rounded characters, and a nearly believable setting of planetary romance and sailing between the planets all combine for a very satisfactory story. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next (and last?) book in the series.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
A much more fun followup then book 1. Definitely some slowness in the middle. But the details were interesting. And luckily I know little of actual naval maneuvers that I can appreciate the writing and drama without catching any inaccuracies which might exist. It's still a re-write of the Napoleonic Wars in space-ish, not something I care much about. As well as a Victorian era novel of manners and the like, which I also don't like much. But it worked and it was a good read, even with a week-long gap reading in the middle.
liacooper's review against another edition
4.0
this series continues to be a lot of fun. i didnt care for arabella's flirtation with another man in this book and i kind of wanted more moments ebtween her and the captain (yes there were moments but i ship them so hard i want mooooreeee). still, a great little scifi steampunk series with some fantastic weaving of historical elements into the plot in this one
esseastri's review against another edition
5.0
This one has kissing in it and that more than makes up for the lack of mutiny. (To be fair, there was a mutiny in the first one, so we couldn't really have another.)
If you like the first one, you will continue liking this one. If the first one was not your thing, this is still not be your thing. But I love the first one and this is very much my thing, and I am happy and I love! Arabella! very much!
If you like the first one, you will continue liking this one. If the first one was not your thing, this is still not be your thing. But I love the first one and this is very much my thing, and I am happy and I love! Arabella! very much!