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lucardus's review
5.0
That was a real page-turner! These adventure books revived my boyhood dreams. I read all three books in a row. The last time I did this was when reading A Song of Ice and Fire.
One thing. It's "Die Erntemaschine" not "Der". I hope an editor will correct this eventually in a future edition.
One thing. It's "Die Erntemaschine" not "Der". I hope an editor will correct this eventually in a future edition.
catrink's review
5.0
I am really enjoying this book! A wonderful blend of steampunk and aliens combined with a orphan who has no idea who he really is (no spoilers!) makes for a rollicking good read! Right now I am so busy that I need some good escape reading and this is the ticket, for sure. This volume has three books and I just completed the first of the three.
jordynzhyrelieah's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? N/A
4.5
I really enjoyed reading this. Although the third half kind of through me. I still really enjoyed.
queerbillydeluxe's review
4.0
Awesome! Alternate history and positively stuffed with literary references.
librarydino's review
4.0
Awesome! Alternate history and positively stuffed with literary references.
kittyg's review
3.0
This is a 2.5 star review as this book is so hard to rate. Firstly I want to say that this was my first venture into the world of Steampunk, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I would not advise this as a start place for Steampunk as it's very long, very detailed and very much geared towards people who have a good understanding of literary referencing.
The first book is focused on a young man named Orphan. Orphan is a key character in the story and he travels around the world in the hopes of saving his beloved - however, this is certainly NOT a romantic tale. The world is a strange one where three races are constantly battling and trying to achieve peace. The humans, the Lizards (the ruling power) and the Machines. There is an element of mystery around the origins of the Lizards and this is again a part of the tale. The first story is focused on finding 'The Bookman' who is a notorious killer striking London.
Overall I gave book one 2* as it was interesting but most of the writing I felt unnecessary and far too overly detailed and complicated in order to effectively communicate the message and plot of the book.
Book 2 is the story of Lady de Winter and she works for The Quiet Council. I found that Tidhar seemed to write a lot better and a far more intriguing tale came out of this book that the first. It was a lot more brutal and violent in some places which made it more exciting, and the narration seemed a lot better when focused on a lady. I did enjoy this story as it was compelling and fun in some areas, and the Lady de Winter was a much more vibrant character than Orphan from book 1. I would give it 4*.
And finally Book 3 is the story of many characters and is told from a variety of viewpoints which can sometimes be pretty confusing. I also found that there seemed to be so many references in this book, as if the author knew it was the last book and was trying to cram as many famous names as possible into the story. Whilst I admit that some of these names are funny and ironic in their implementation into the story, some of them seem to be forced in for no reason and others are obscure so that I did not get the reference until late in the book. I would say that I do not have a fantastic knowledge of the classics and therefore that could explain my lack of understanding, however I maintain that the number included was far too high and it felt, at times, like the author was borrowing the work of others rather than thinking up his own ideas.
Book 3 is the culmination of everything where the three races battle it out, machines, humans and lizards alike are caught up in the fighting and mystery surrounding the story and the entire plot is a web of parties competing for a variety of things. I, unfortunately, liked very little of the book except for the end which was somewhat inspired. I would give this 2* also, hence the 2.5* rating of the entire Bookman Histories.
I would only recommend to those who want something rich in literary references and very complex in detail.
The first book is focused on a young man named Orphan. Orphan is a key character in the story and he travels around the world in the hopes of saving his beloved - however, this is certainly NOT a romantic tale. The world is a strange one where three races are constantly battling and trying to achieve peace. The humans, the Lizards (the ruling power) and the Machines. There is an element of mystery around the origins of the Lizards and this is again a part of the tale. The first story is focused on finding 'The Bookman' who is a notorious killer striking London.
Overall I gave book one 2* as it was interesting but most of the writing I felt unnecessary and far too overly detailed and complicated in order to effectively communicate the message and plot of the book.
Book 2 is the story of Lady de Winter and she works for The Quiet Council. I found that Tidhar seemed to write a lot better and a far more intriguing tale came out of this book that the first. It was a lot more brutal and violent in some places which made it more exciting, and the narration seemed a lot better when focused on a lady. I did enjoy this story as it was compelling and fun in some areas, and the Lady de Winter was a much more vibrant character than Orphan from book 1. I would give it 4*.
And finally Book 3 is the story of many characters and is told from a variety of viewpoints which can sometimes be pretty confusing. I also found that there seemed to be so many references in this book, as if the author knew it was the last book and was trying to cram as many famous names as possible into the story. Whilst I admit that some of these names are funny and ironic in their implementation into the story, some of them seem to be forced in for no reason and others are obscure so that I did not get the reference until late in the book. I would say that I do not have a fantastic knowledge of the classics and therefore that could explain my lack of understanding, however I maintain that the number included was far too high and it felt, at times, like the author was borrowing the work of others rather than thinking up his own ideas.
Book 3 is the culmination of everything where the three races battle it out, machines, humans and lizards alike are caught up in the fighting and mystery surrounding the story and the entire plot is a web of parties competing for a variety of things. I, unfortunately, liked very little of the book except for the end which was somewhat inspired. I would give this 2* also, hence the 2.5* rating of the entire Bookman Histories.
I would only recommend to those who want something rich in literary references and very complex in detail.
prationality's review
4.0
The Bookman is one of those odd books that if I had seen it while browsing its very likely I would not have given it two glances. This isn't to say it wasn't interesting, but rather the cover does not immediately grab my attention (not in the way the publishers want I suspect at least) and the blurb only mildly piques my interests. To put it more bluntly, its not my usual reading material.
I have no prior experience with Tidhar, but his writing style is unique. Its just shy of being incomprehensible in some sections, with several of the characters speaking in cryptic vagaries or oblique nonsense. Orphan's ramshackle friend Gilgamesh (not his real name) for instance. He lives on the streets and is kind of a homeless prophet almost, cautioned Orphan at the very beginning of the novel not to treat the Bookman so lightly, but Orphan paid little heed.
Orphan is an 'everyman' character for much of the beginning of the novel, going about his business contentedly and not being a bother to anyone. He has a decent, if somewhat boring at times, job, a girl he loves and plans to marry and friends of a mostly reliable nature. He's not wealthy, but he and Lucy aren't after material wealth. I truly believe they would have been happy just as they were. Except where's the story in that?
After the Bookman's attacks hit too close to home Orphan embarks on a quest to track him down and demand answers. He wants Lucy back and is convinced the Bookman can make this happen somehow. Which is simplifying the plot and the outcome of his quest to a large degree, but that's how it begins. What it becomes is still a little confusing to me, since the writing takes a turn for the surreal with robots made to be literary giants such as Byron (but wanting their own individuality) and more secret societies then you can shake a cane at.
In the end Orphan learns a great deal, a large chunk of which he probably wishes he didn't and the Bookman's motives are made clear. Things turn out...differently then I had hoped, but I liked the ending. It was as unique as the style of writing so it complimented it quite well. Despite my reservations I enjoyed the book and found myself drawn into the world quite substantially. Its our world, but not quite--with a much larger emphasis on reading and authors, as well as a society where the power of words really can be more powerful then any other weapon known.
I have no prior experience with Tidhar, but his writing style is unique. Its just shy of being incomprehensible in some sections, with several of the characters speaking in cryptic vagaries or oblique nonsense. Orphan's ramshackle friend Gilgamesh (not his real name) for instance. He lives on the streets and is kind of a homeless prophet almost, cautioned Orphan at the very beginning of the novel not to treat the Bookman so lightly, but Orphan paid little heed.
Orphan is an 'everyman' character for much of the beginning of the novel, going about his business contentedly and not being a bother to anyone. He has a decent, if somewhat boring at times, job, a girl he loves and plans to marry and friends of a mostly reliable nature. He's not wealthy, but he and Lucy aren't after material wealth. I truly believe they would have been happy just as they were. Except where's the story in that?
After the Bookman's attacks hit too close to home Orphan embarks on a quest to track him down and demand answers. He wants Lucy back and is convinced the Bookman can make this happen somehow. Which is simplifying the plot and the outcome of his quest to a large degree, but that's how it begins. What it becomes is still a little confusing to me, since the writing takes a turn for the surreal with robots made to be literary giants such as Byron (but wanting their own individuality) and more secret societies then you can shake a cane at.
In the end Orphan learns a great deal, a large chunk of which he probably wishes he didn't and the Bookman's motives are made clear. Things turn out...differently then I had hoped, but I liked the ending. It was as unique as the style of writing so it complimented it quite well. Despite my reservations I enjoyed the book and found myself drawn into the world quite substantially. Its our world, but not quite--with a much larger emphasis on reading and authors, as well as a society where the power of words really can be more powerful then any other weapon known.
athenalindia's review
4.0
For all the steampunk fantasy I've been recently, as well as traditional Western medieval fantasy, this was one that stood out as having its own voice, something to say about that genre, and that incorporated literature and intrigue in interesting ways. It's not a perfect book, but the voice of the author is strong, and I forgive the small faults because the overall ideas and characters are so interesting.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
bibliotropic's review
3.0
Speculative alternate history with a steampunk literary twist, The Bookman is one book that aptly fits the name “genre,” mostly because classifying it more specifically might give one a headache. The plot is multilayered, factions working against factions, with pawns doing the dirty work for who knows who by the end of things. It’s a book that’s rich in creative thinking and creative license.
The pacing of the plot is steady and even, but still fairly slow. Many things are hinted at and revealed that, in all honestly, would probably make the most sense to people who have had a taste of the literary characters this book is filled with, but unfortunately leaves those without a classical literary education in the dust. I’m sure there were plenty of plot twists in here that would have been glaringly obvious to many but for me came completely out of left field, simply because I have not read certain great works of fiction. I was left with the feeling of a book that I could have considered great, but the lack of an insider’s view left it only on the high side of mediocre.
Which is a true shame, because it’s clear that Tidhar put a great deal of effort into developping the world in which this book takes place. Far from your average piece of steampunk fiction, The Bookman combines politics and a rather twisted sense of alternate history (England’s royal family consists of a load of extra-terrestrial lizards) into a deep story that really makes you think to wrap your head around some things. Throw in the mysterious protagonist with an unknown past and developing identity issues, and a host of characters from well-known literature, and you’ve got a cast of characters that makes the tale a page-turner despite its slow pace. You keep wanting to read just to see what crazy thing happens next.
Though it did take me a while to really get into the novel (and even then I’m not sure I was able to get as much into it as I would have liked), I have to say that I am impressed by Tidhar’s writing style, which was descriptive and endlessly witty. Even if it doesn’t rate as one of the best books I’ve ever read, I was intrigued enough to want to pick up the second book of the series, curious as to the things that Tidhar will surprise me with next.
The pacing of the plot is steady and even, but still fairly slow. Many things are hinted at and revealed that, in all honestly, would probably make the most sense to people who have had a taste of the literary characters this book is filled with, but unfortunately leaves those without a classical literary education in the dust. I’m sure there were plenty of plot twists in here that would have been glaringly obvious to many but for me came completely out of left field, simply because I have not read certain great works of fiction. I was left with the feeling of a book that I could have considered great, but the lack of an insider’s view left it only on the high side of mediocre.
Which is a true shame, because it’s clear that Tidhar put a great deal of effort into developping the world in which this book takes place. Far from your average piece of steampunk fiction, The Bookman combines politics and a rather twisted sense of alternate history (England’s royal family consists of a load of extra-terrestrial lizards) into a deep story that really makes you think to wrap your head around some things. Throw in the mysterious protagonist with an unknown past and developing identity issues, and a host of characters from well-known literature, and you’ve got a cast of characters that makes the tale a page-turner despite its slow pace. You keep wanting to read just to see what crazy thing happens next.
Though it did take me a while to really get into the novel (and even then I’m not sure I was able to get as much into it as I would have liked), I have to say that I am impressed by Tidhar’s writing style, which was descriptive and endlessly witty. Even if it doesn’t rate as one of the best books I’ve ever read, I was intrigued enough to want to pick up the second book of the series, curious as to the things that Tidhar will surprise me with next.