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apas's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Langdon St Ives books are fun steampunk books. Don't look for too much character developments or deeper meanings. The characters are flat and especially the villain is a caricature. But the books are nice if you want a relaxed read.
smorancie's review against another edition
5.0
I have always loved Blaylock's writing. Especially the characters who muddle through, who figure out what is going on at about the same time as the reader, who latch onto odd things to mentally help themselves (cottage pie!) and the language choices - absurd, rich, and often funny. The plot books do not always make sense until suddenly they do and you realize all those side plots and internal dialogue of the characters really have contributed to the whole and are a lot like how we all think as we go about doing things (like, doing something despite not wanting to be embarrassed and hoping for the best). These are normal people just trying their best and them fumble about like we do. Maybe, as I get older, that is what I like most - characters that aren't superheroes or with extra special powers, but ones who make a difference anyway.
I mean, how can you not love a genius scientist who tries to invent dried coffee pills? Or, exploding baskets of fruit? Or, the perfect accent by the narrator of a kindly farmer who doesn't like scientists, excepting his Lordship Kelvin? Plus, a sheep dog!
The narrator for this was particularly good. Made the book even better.
I mean, how can you not love a genius scientist who tries to invent dried coffee pills? Or, exploding baskets of fruit? Or, the perfect accent by the narrator of a kindly farmer who doesn't like scientists, excepting his Lordship Kelvin? Plus, a sheep dog!
The narrator for this was particularly good. Made the book even better.
bruc79's review against another edition
3.0
Boa leitura um pouco exagerada por vezes, sobre a busca incessante de um homem em descobrir o propósito de uma máquina e conseguir salvar a sua amada.
lordofthemoon's review
2.0
The tagline for this book -- "do unto others before they do unto you... with a time machine!" -- should really have given me some warning as to the quality, but I was too excited by the title to notice. Langdon St. Ives is a scientist to wants to get hold of the titular machine before the dastardly Ignacio Narbondo to save his wife.
Written in a faux-Victorian style, and set in the 19th century, this book completely failed to interest me. It was okay, but the style wasn't authentic enough to feel like what it was trying to be and the writing wasn't strong enough to carry off the story. And the (American) author completely fails to understand cricket.
When there's so many better books in the world, I wouldn't bother wasting my time reading this one.
Written in a faux-Victorian style, and set in the 19th century, this book completely failed to interest me. It was okay, but the style wasn't authentic enough to feel like what it was trying to be and the writing wasn't strong enough to carry off the story. And the (American) author completely fails to understand cricket.
When there's so many better books in the world, I wouldn't bother wasting my time reading this one.
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