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vae's review against another edition
4.0
I do love Velveteen and I love this interpretation of the seasons and the realities they create.
everencore42's review
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
paladinboy's review
5.0
The story continues! Read (or reread) Velveteen vs the Multiverse before this one for fullest enjoyment. One of my favorite superhero storylines.
detailsandtales's review
3.0
I have high standards for Seanan McGuire's work; maybe that's why this one disappointed me a bit. The Velveteen series feels somehow lighter than her other work, though it is also fun to read. I think it may have to do with the serial short stories format. I do also want to note that I appreciate the diversity of her characters, both in terms of ethnicity and in terms of gender and sexual orientation.
colossal's review
4.0
The first two Velveteen books are my favorite Seanan works and this one is a really unexpected continuation of the fantastic world and friends of the brilliant Velma.
Velma Martinez is Velveteen, a superhero with the rare animus powerset and a marketing theme based around the Velveteen Rabbit. As has been established in the previous two books, the power to animate anthropomorphic toys and make their weaponry, skills and powers real is just the tip of her abilities and to quote a character in this book: she's f'ing terrifying.
In this one we pick up directly after the previous book and go to the action of Velveteen following through on her promise to serve each of the Seasonal lands of Winter, Autumn and Spring. Each of these kingdoms have their own personifications, some of whom are familiar to Vel and some who aren't, and all with their own agendas. Velveteen doesn't know these "people" as well as she thinks.
This book is good, but the previous book was amazing and this is therefore something of a step down. We do get lots more detail about the seasonal lands, and we get to play with the Hall of Mirrors and the multiverse again, but very little of it is at the emotional intensity of [b:Velveteen vs. The Multiverse|17667054|Velveteen vs. The Multiverse (Velveteen vs., #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375079874s/17667054.jpg|24661739]. Unfortunately, like that book, this one finishes with much undone and just as little uncertainty about whether there will be more in the series. That being said, I had no expectation that this one would ever be done, so I remain hopeful for further Velveteen books, hopefully working towards resolving Tag's situation and the power vacuum left from the Super Patriots Inc. changes as well as some of the new problems raised with this volume.
If you haven't read these yet and you like any of Seanan's stuff, you should correct that immediately. The first two are some of the best things she's done, and this one is still pretty good.
Velma Martinez is Velveteen, a superhero with the rare animus powerset and a marketing theme based around the Velveteen Rabbit. As has been established in the previous two books, the power to animate anthropomorphic toys and make their weaponry, skills and powers real is just the tip of her abilities and to quote a character in this book: she's f'ing terrifying.
In this one we pick up directly after the previous book and go to the action of Velveteen following through on her promise to serve each of the Seasonal lands of Winter, Autumn and Spring. Each of these kingdoms have their own personifications, some of whom are familiar to Vel and some who aren't, and all with their own agendas. Velveteen doesn't know these "people" as well as she thinks.
This book is good, but the previous book was amazing and this is therefore something of a step down. We do get lots more detail about the seasonal lands, and we get to play with the Hall of Mirrors and the multiverse again, but very little of it is at the emotional intensity of [b:Velveteen vs. The Multiverse|17667054|Velveteen vs. The Multiverse (Velveteen vs., #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375079874s/17667054.jpg|24661739]. Unfortunately, like that book, this one finishes with much undone and just as little uncertainty about whether there will be more in the series. That being said, I had no expectation that this one would ever be done, so I remain hopeful for further Velveteen books, hopefully working towards resolving Tag's situation and the power vacuum left from the Super Patriots Inc. changes as well as some of the new problems raised with this volume.
If you haven't read these yet and you like any of Seanan's stuff, you should correct that immediately. The first two are some of the best things she's done, and this one is still pretty good.
andrew_c's review
4.0
It's remarkably difficult to review this without spoilers, but I've tried to avoid too many.
Velveteen vs. The Seasons deals with the consequences of the rather Faustian deal that Velveteen was forced to make with the Seasons in order to defeat Marketing in [b:Velveteen vs. The Multiverse|17667054|Velveteen vs. The Multiverse (Velveteen vs., #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375079874s/17667054.jpg|24661739]. As a result it is much darker than the previous two volumes, but retains the charm, wit, pacing and strong characterisation of the previous volumes.
We learn a great deal about the mysterious Seasons and at least some of why they are so interested in her. Velveteen gathers strength and knowledge, which she will need to defeat her next opponent, the government, which proves only too eager to take over where Marketing failed.
While Velveteen's stays in the Seasonal Lands are rather travailing, alarming events take place in the outside world and her friends are forced to make sacrifices, some of them with tragic consequences.
Things come to a rather grim and doom-laden point where all hope seems lost. Then in the best tradition of Golden Age superhero comics, Velveteen pulls off a remarkably well-written yet unashamedly over the top deus ex machina and brings the situation back to one where she at least has a fighting chance. But she will need all her strength and wits and her friends at her back.
While its not unsatisfying way to handle things, I can't help but feel a bit let down. Seanan McGuire had set up a rather interesting and tragic situation, only to sidestep most of it.
But what of Tag? Well, he remains asleep in The Princess's castle. Will Velveteen be able to save him? That remains to be told.
Like the previous volumes most of the stories in Velveteen vs. The Seasons can be found on Seanan McGuires's Livejournal, but really you should invest in the eBook
Velveteen vs. The Seasons deals with the consequences of the rather Faustian deal that Velveteen was forced to make with the Seasons in order to defeat Marketing in [b:Velveteen vs. The Multiverse|17667054|Velveteen vs. The Multiverse (Velveteen vs., #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375079874s/17667054.jpg|24661739]. As a result it is much darker than the previous two volumes, but retains the charm, wit, pacing and strong characterisation of the previous volumes.
We learn a great deal about the mysterious Seasons and at least some of why they are so interested in her. Velveteen gathers strength and knowledge, which she will need to defeat her next opponent, the government, which proves only too eager to take over where Marketing failed.
While Velveteen's stays in the Seasonal Lands are rather travailing, alarming events take place in the outside world and her friends are forced to make sacrifices, some of them with tragic consequences.
Things come to a rather grim and doom-laden point where all hope seems lost. Then in the best tradition of Golden Age superhero comics, Velveteen pulls off a remarkably well-written yet unashamedly over the top deus ex machina and brings the situation back to one where she at least has a fighting chance. But she will need all her strength and wits and her friends at her back.
While its not unsatisfying way to handle things, I can't help but feel a bit let down. Seanan McGuire had set up a rather interesting and tragic situation, only to sidestep most of it.
But what of Tag? Well, he remains asleep in The Princess's castle. Will Velveteen be able to save him? That remains to be told.
Like the previous volumes most of the stories in Velveteen vs. The Seasons can be found on Seanan McGuires's Livejournal, but really you should invest in the eBook
voidwitch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kite's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mikhailrekun's review
2.0
Between this and the Toby Daye series, I'm starting to think of Seanan McGuire as a sort of 21st century Piers Anthony -- incredibly prolific, very talented (Anthony used to be, anyway, before he started phoning it in), but dear god, does not know when to let a series END. And so they all seem to start very strongly and then gradually decline.
I mean, this is not a bad book. But it's weaker on pretty much all levels than the first two. Plotting is shakier, characterization is all over the place (we get a batch of new people in each season, we barely see old favorites like Victory Anna, and lots of characters just end up changed for somewhat dubious in-book reasons), and the whole thing is a good deal preachier than is necessary (and I say this as someone who is in basic agreement with everything said).
I mean, this is not a bad book. But it's weaker on pretty much all levels than the first two. Plotting is shakier, characterization is all over the place (we get a batch of new people in each season, we barely see old favorites like Victory Anna, and lots of characters just end up changed for somewhat dubious in-book reasons), and the whole thing is a good deal preachier than is necessary (and I say this as someone who is in basic agreement with everything said).
hisham's review
5.0
This is the third collection of "Velveteen vs." stories.
This collection of stories s mostly set (as the title suggests) outside of the Calendar lands and instead focuses on the seasons that have meddled so much in our favourite hero's life: Winter, Spring & Autumn.
There are also several stories that keep us up to date with the Calendar lands in her absence.
Let's just say the seasons aren't going to be easy on Velveteen, and her home is going to miss her - more than she might realise!
This third volume is just as outstanding as the first two. I did not want it to end!
WARNING: Contains many feels!
This collection of stories s mostly set (as the title suggests) outside of the Calendar lands and instead focuses on the seasons that have meddled so much in our favourite hero's life: Winter, Spring & Autumn.
There are also several stories that keep us up to date with the Calendar lands in her absence.
Let's just say the seasons aren't going to be easy on Velveteen, and her home is going to miss her - more than she might realise!
This third volume is just as outstanding as the first two. I did not want it to end!
WARNING: Contains many feels!