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rubycoalbolt's review against another edition
This book dragged, so slow. The universe is huge and had so much potential and there were some things I liked, but I couldn't Even force myself to finish
leksikality's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I would not have guessed this was the same person who wrote The Dresden Files, and that's not a compliment.
The writing is very artificial and downright ridiculous in some places that I wondered if it was meant to be a spoof. It is not.
Some of the characters are very endearing, though and he does cat very well. The narrative seems to really fall down when he switches to the POV of the young women. Grimm is very well-rounded, but Gwen and Bridget don't have a natural verb in their actions. They also fall into the two primary female tropes in fantasy - fiery princess who's more than just a pretty face and oafish, awkward giant who's a little bit infatalised and is only valued because she's really frickin strong. Think Brienne of Tarth but less confident.
Basically, a bunch of incredibly exceptional people come together to do incredibly exceptional things in an incredibly exceptional way very, very slowly ... but we never see any of the incredibly exceptional for ourselves.
The last 2-3 chapters are quite exciting, though. I may give the second book a go in case the series just had to warm up.
The writing is very artificial and downright ridiculous in some places that I wondered if it was meant to be a spoof. It is not.
Some of the characters are very endearing, though and he does cat very well. The narrative seems to really fall down when he switches to the POV of the young women. Grimm is very well-rounded, but Gwen and Bridget don't have a natural verb in their actions. They also fall into the two primary female tropes in fantasy - fiery princess who's more than just a pretty face and oafish, awkward giant who's a little bit infatalised and is only valued because she's really frickin strong. Think Brienne of Tarth but less confident.
Basically, a bunch of incredibly exceptional people come together to do incredibly exceptional things in an incredibly exceptional way very, very slowly ... but we never see any of the incredibly exceptional for ourselves.
The last 2-3 chapters are quite exciting, though. I may give the second book a go in case the series just had to warm up.
sambam_42's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
melon_l0rd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
mona99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
duhwhoareyou's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kate4ez's review against another edition
4.0
I love reading Jim Butcher's stories. I enjoy his writing style, and the way he creates characters who are fun to be around. The first half of this book is a bit of a slog, as it is mostly world building and set-up. Steampunk is not my favorite genre, so I found myself losing interest during all the explanation of etheric currents and crystal forces. I never did figure out the difference between shrouds, webs, silks, and sails on the airships. I also could not wrap my mind around the idea that everything, including meat, is grown in vats.
By the end, I was hooked enough on the characters and all the plot elements that it didn't really matter that I don't really like steampunk. I am looking forward to reading more of this story.
By the end, I was hooked enough on the characters and all the plot elements that it didn't really matter that I don't really like steampunk. I am looking forward to reading more of this story.
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of work must have gone into constructing the setting for this. So why does it feel so hastily-dashed-off?
There's a great deal of VERY convenient timing in this story. Nothing of importance seems to happen without one of our heroes being there. A lot of life-threatening swelling-orchestra crises are averted JUST in time in true pulp and comic-book style.
The cats were a mistake, and I am a lifetime cat owner. The steampunk parts are meh, Journeyman is just Scotty from Star Trek, ...
There are far too many impossibly noble officers. For balance, Cavendish is Cruella DeVil with magic, or perhaps Missy from Doctor Who. Each time we see her she seems more powerful. Precognitive, telekinetic, and .... all of a sudden she's not a problem. And all book long we are told how nasty Sark is. The inevitable confrontation will be epic! Or would have been if it had happened.
Mostly what I remember from this book is a group of people creeping through passageways waiting for something to attack them. Twisty little passages, all alike, anyone? Grues?
And there's a major fight scene involving cats that just stretches belief right to risibility. Given what we've been told and shown about their opponents, it's just wildly implausible.
And I have to think the bit at the end with Albion is a tribute to Terry Pratchett. Is there any way at all that Albion is not Lord Vetinari? Which of course makes us ask whether Grimm is Vimes. And the more I think about it, the more he is. And Benedict is Carrot.
Someone's writing a multi-volume bestseller in a hurry here. Hugo nomination or not, this could have been better. It's a good read, but it's not a good book.
There's a great deal of VERY convenient timing in this story. Nothing of importance seems to happen without one of our heroes being there. A lot of life-threatening swelling-orchestra crises are averted JUST in time in true pulp and comic-book style.
The cats were a mistake, and I am a lifetime cat owner. The steampunk parts are meh, Journeyman is just Scotty from Star Trek, ...
There are far too many impossibly noble officers. For balance, Cavendish is Cruella DeVil with magic, or perhaps Missy from Doctor Who. Each time we see her she seems more powerful. Precognitive, telekinetic, and .... all of a sudden she's not a problem. And all book long we are told how nasty Sark is. The inevitable confrontation will be epic! Or would have been if it had happened.
Mostly what I remember from this book is a group of people creeping through passageways waiting for something to attack them. Twisty little passages, all alike, anyone? Grues?
And there's a major fight scene involving cats that just stretches belief right to risibility. Given what we've been told and shown about their opponents, it's just wildly implausible.
And I have to think the bit at the end with Albion is a tribute to Terry Pratchett. Is there any way at all that Albion is not Lord Vetinari? Which of course makes us ask whether Grimm is Vimes. And the more I think about it, the more he is. And Benedict is Carrot.
Someone's writing a multi-volume bestseller in a hurry here. Hugo nomination or not, this could have been better. It's a good read, but it's not a good book.