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thegingerpageturner's review against another edition
4.0
This is book one in the Fever Crumb Trilogy and overall I quite enjoyed the series
nssutton's review against another edition
5.0
I am in love with this book.
It was so hard to put down to do anything -- bathe, compile a Halloween costume, have normal face-to-face conversations with friends I haven't seen in far too long. No matter where I was physically, my mind was still in the complex steam-punk world that Reeve built. Fever reminds me a little of Lyra in The Golden Compass, with her education and origin story, but she also felt like a new creature. After watching the first 20 minutes of Coraline with 15 classes while my voice rested, I also came to appreciate that Fever needs no Wibey-esque sidekick. She carries the story's adventures and mysteries on her own or through interactions with adults.
I also have a soft spot for the discussion of our current technology as something past, a la The Search for WondLa, might be my new favorite middle-grade fiction trend. And the little details just do it to you. The Stalkers, which are reanimated (zombiescoughcough) corpses fused with machines to build an army, are an interesting parallel to the frequent use of paper balloons and the Engineers' library. I liked that Fever's name originated from a trend during the riots wherein pregnant women named their offspring for the maladies they endured during pregnancy. I liked the very wording of Mr. Crumb's struggle to maintain his cool when Fever left home for the first time and Fever's dissatisfaction with the theater.
It is with a sad sigh I admit I haven't read the Mortal Engines quintent yet, so I do have some reservations that my first exposure to Reeve might cloud my review with adoration's first blush. But whatever - Cybils shortlist reccomended! There, I've said it.
It was so hard to put down to do anything -- bathe, compile a Halloween costume, have normal face-to-face conversations with friends I haven't seen in far too long. No matter where I was physically, my mind was still in the complex steam-punk world that Reeve built. Fever reminds me a little of Lyra in The Golden Compass, with her education and origin story, but she also felt like a new creature. After watching the first 20 minutes of Coraline with 15 classes while my voice rested, I also came to appreciate that Fever needs no Wibey-esque sidekick. She carries the story's adventures and mysteries on her own or through interactions with adults.
I also have a soft spot for the discussion of our current technology as something past, a la The Search for WondLa, might be my new favorite middle-grade fiction trend. And the little details just do it to you. The Stalkers, which are reanimated (zombiescoughcough) corpses fused with machines to build an army, are an interesting parallel to the frequent use of paper balloons and the Engineers' library. I liked that Fever's name originated from a trend during the riots wherein pregnant women named their offspring for the maladies they endured during pregnancy. I liked the very wording of Mr. Crumb's struggle to maintain his cool when Fever left home for the first time and Fever's dissatisfaction with the theater.
It is with a sad sigh I admit I haven't read the Mortal Engines quintent yet, so I do have some reservations that my first exposure to Reeve might cloud my review with adoration's first blush. But whatever - Cybils shortlist reccomended! There, I've said it.
coliecat73's review against another edition
4.0
It was well developed, so it gets four stars. This is the second book this month I've read where the girl has shaved her head bald...I didn't know that was such a common theme. But anyways, I digress. This book was interesting. There was no love interest, which, was fine, except she had no one that could question her on a more personal level. She was hard to get to know, and I think she could have been a little more developed, because she makes some decisions that question prior knowledge of her. Also, her age, she acted older than her age, and she acted younger than her age...it was kind of confusing. The world was very well developed, this is where the four stars come in. I was fascinated by the different races and people and history. And also the technology, I liked that. But, I've read a Knife of Never Letting Go, where instead of Scriven, there are Spackle, and I liked that book much better than this.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully constructed plot, complicated characters, a crazy "we've warred ourself back to the dark ages" future London, and some pretty great deadpan jokes about how our present might be interpreted by forthcoming generations ("Cheeses Crice!" "What the blog?" they blaspheme).
I haven't read the series to which this is a prequel, but I liked Fever Crumb a lot. I could almost tell when there was a reveal that would make a longtime fan reel. So I just might look into the Mortal Engine books now...
Oh, and does anyone else think the cover art totally looks like Natalie Portman?
I haven't read the series to which this is a prequel, but I liked Fever Crumb a lot. I could almost tell when there was a reveal that would make a longtime fan reel. So I just might look into the Mortal Engine books now...
Oh, and does anyone else think the cover art totally looks like Natalie Portman?
meganstreb's review against another edition
3.0
Happy to see another strong female character in YA that should appeal to both genders, but I felt the story was slightly less compelling. Maybe I just didn't get on with the Engineer perspective?
timburbage's review against another edition
4.0
So we are back in the world of Mortal Engines, though not as we know it...
Fever Crumb is a great main character. She starts off very clear in her own mind about what is rational, and what are unrational unnecessary emotions. Throughout the story she finds out about herself, her past and her future. I like her as a main character, and I want to see more of her.
One of the main characters she meets is Kit Solent. His story takes some very interesting twists and turns, and I really hope we find out more that happened to him. Not because anything is unfinished, I just really like what he becomes.
Charley Shallow doesn't interact with Fever too much, and we use him to find out what is happening in London. These parts were okay, and we get to see London before it's move to municipal Darwinism.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars for me is the Scriven. They felt really out of place in this world, and I can't put my finger on why. They just didn't feel part of Mortal Engines, and were more like some other YA dystopian idea thrown into this. Maybe I'm just missing the point.
Fever Crumb is a great main character. She starts off very clear in her own mind about what is rational, and what are unrational unnecessary emotions. Throughout the story she finds out about herself, her past and her future. I like her as a main character, and I want to see more of her.
One of the main characters she meets is Kit Solent. His story takes some very interesting twists and turns, and I really hope we find out more that happened to him. Not because anything is unfinished, I just really like what he becomes.
Charley Shallow doesn't interact with Fever too much, and we use him to find out what is happening in London. These parts were okay, and we get to see London before it's move to municipal Darwinism.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars for me is the Scriven. They felt really out of place in this world, and I can't put my finger on why. They just didn't feel part of Mortal Engines, and were more like some other YA dystopian idea thrown into this. Maybe I'm just missing the point.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
There is something so amazing about hearing an author read his own work. Had I read this, I have no idea if I would have loved it as much as I did. But hearing Phillip Reeve read each line, act out each voice and personality - it was near impossible to not just follow his tale right through.
Instead, I know I loved it. The world, technology, and interesting characters had an amazing magic and mystery. I will definitely finish the series
And hopefully make it to the sister series as well!
Instead, I know I loved it. The world, technology, and interesting characters had an amazing magic and mystery. I will definitely finish the series
And hopefully make it to the sister series as well!
z_bookfluencer's review against another edition
5.0
"It is irrational to build machines whose principles you do not understand and whose actions you cannot predict." -Philip Reeves, Fever Crumb
Fever Crumb is an interesting read set in a futuristic London, where a new job sets events into motion that spirals quickly out of control. Fever Crumb does read on the young side of YA, and it does have some darker themes and events. There is mystery and dread. There is a likable main character and intriguing supporting characters.
Fevered Crumb is told in multiple perspectives and sometimes broken timeline. The writing style has a very pleasant agreeableness that allowed very quick reading.
There is great characterization, and the mannerisms of the characters felt realistic.
I found it incredibly interesting of the ramifications of teaching Fever to withhold her emotions and how her mannerisms affected those around her.
I found Fever endearing and easy to read for.
The first half of Fever Crumb has a mysterious tone because the more events unfolded, questions arise as to who/what Fever is.
There are interesting twists to the story. I feel if you are well read and/or have great foreshadowing skills, said twists are not surprising, but no less interesting.
In some scenes, the sense of dread was heavy and captivating. Unfortunately, the feeling of doom was obviously quite awful for the characters or pertained to.
There are some tragic events.
Despite the fact that the tone of the story read quite young, there are some macabre/horroresque elements to the story. These aspects of the story I am most referring to would be the usage of corpses as tools/soldiers. When the corpses are used, it is in a manner that is near dishonorable and insensitive in the treatment of the corpses.
I can see Fever Crumb translating to the screen well.
The ending was left open-ended.
Overall, Fever Crumb was very well written and an engrossing read. I would recommend Fever Crumb to other readers who enjoy a mysterious coming of age story, featuring darker events, within a futuristic London setting.
Fever Crumb is an interesting read set in a futuristic London, where a new job sets events into motion that spirals quickly out of control. Fever Crumb does read on the young side of YA, and it does have some darker themes and events. There is mystery and dread. There is a likable main character and intriguing supporting characters.
Fevered Crumb is told in multiple perspectives and sometimes broken timeline. The writing style has a very pleasant agreeableness that allowed very quick reading.
There is great characterization, and the mannerisms of the characters felt realistic.
I found it incredibly interesting of the ramifications of teaching Fever to withhold her emotions and how her mannerisms affected those around her.
I found Fever endearing and easy to read for.
The first half of Fever Crumb has a mysterious tone because the more events unfolded, questions arise as to who/what Fever is.
There are interesting twists to the story. I feel if you are well read and/or have great foreshadowing skills, said twists are not surprising, but no less interesting.
In some scenes, the sense of dread was heavy and captivating. Unfortunately, the feeling of doom was obviously quite awful for the characters or pertained to.
There are some tragic events.
Despite the fact that the tone of the story read quite young, there are some macabre/horroresque elements to the story. These aspects of the story I am most referring to would be the usage of corpses as tools/soldiers. When the corpses are used, it is in a manner that is near dishonorable and insensitive in the treatment of the corpses.
I can see Fever Crumb translating to the screen well.
The ending was left open-ended.
Overall, Fever Crumb was very well written and an engrossing read. I would recommend Fever Crumb to other readers who enjoy a mysterious coming of age story, featuring darker events, within a futuristic London setting.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars because the protagonist is a textbook passive character until the last few chapters. Her lack of agency really drains the urgency from the story.
Awesome worldbuilding, though - a whimsical far-future post-apocalyptic world that's jam-packed with clever details, silly jokes, and the odd David Bowie reference. Exciting action scenes and some beautiful human moments between parents and children (which is something you don't always get in YA, for some reason).
I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the sequel, but the ending was fulfilling enough that I'm considering it.
Awesome worldbuilding, though - a whimsical far-future post-apocalyptic world that's jam-packed with clever details, silly jokes, and the odd David Bowie reference. Exciting action scenes and some beautiful human moments between parents and children (which is something you don't always get in YA, for some reason).
I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the sequel, but the ending was fulfilling enough that I'm considering it.