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miduhadi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Despite relying on the tired old trope of the amnesiac hero, David Barnett manages to concoct an entirely satisfying and thoroughly entertaining third adventure for our titular hero with Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper.
The legend of Jack the Ripper is something Barnett has been teasing since the first book, so it's nice to finally come back to it and find out what it's all about. It's not the identity of the Ripper that's most intriguing however, but how he fits into the lives of Gideon, Maria, Aloysius, Rowena, and the rest. There are layers upon layers of mystery here, with each revelation casting larger shadows on the others, and the final reveal a legitimately shocking twist.
Overall, this is a very different story than the first two books, almost more laid back and traditional - if any story featuring Jack the Ripper, an clockwork girl, and a T-rex in the sewers can be considered traditional. It's not nearly as over-the-top, doesn't add anything to the steampunk aspect, and remains firmly rooted in the streets of London. Having said all that, it's an incredibly tense tale, one that has Gideon Smith missing, Rowena Fanshawe on trial for murder, and Inspector Lestrade dealing with a prostitute strike on top of the Ripper's murders.
What we do get here is a great deal of character development, most of it revolving around questions of identity. Maria's search for humanity is a driving force of the story, fueled by her love for Gideon, and given surprising direction by Inspector Lestrade's secret love, who has identity issues of her own. Gideon's amnesia, of course, offers up another search for identity, both as a man and as Hero of the Empire, while the situation with Jack the Ripper forces Aloysius Bent to confront some aspects of his own identity. Most importantly, though, her arrest, trial, and resulting revelations about her past cause Rowena Fanshawe to completely redefine her identity, even if that's not necessarily good news for the empire.
As intriguing and mysterious as either of the first two adventures, what Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper lacks in adventurous fun, it makes up for in its character development. We don't get a true cliffhanger this time around, but a wide open ending that leaves a lot of possibilities for Barnett to explore in future volumes.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
The legend of Jack the Ripper is something Barnett has been teasing since the first book, so it's nice to finally come back to it and find out what it's all about. It's not the identity of the Ripper that's most intriguing however, but how he fits into the lives of Gideon, Maria, Aloysius, Rowena, and the rest. There are layers upon layers of mystery here, with each revelation casting larger shadows on the others, and the final reveal a legitimately shocking twist.
Overall, this is a very different story than the first two books, almost more laid back and traditional - if any story featuring Jack the Ripper, an clockwork girl, and a T-rex in the sewers can be considered traditional. It's not nearly as over-the-top, doesn't add anything to the steampunk aspect, and remains firmly rooted in the streets of London. Having said all that, it's an incredibly tense tale, one that has Gideon Smith missing, Rowena Fanshawe on trial for murder, and Inspector Lestrade dealing with a prostitute strike on top of the Ripper's murders.
What we do get here is a great deal of character development, most of it revolving around questions of identity. Maria's search for humanity is a driving force of the story, fueled by her love for Gideon, and given surprising direction by Inspector Lestrade's secret love, who has identity issues of her own. Gideon's amnesia, of course, offers up another search for identity, both as a man and as Hero of the Empire, while the situation with Jack the Ripper forces Aloysius Bent to confront some aspects of his own identity. Most importantly, though, her arrest, trial, and resulting revelations about her past cause Rowena Fanshawe to completely redefine her identity, even if that's not necessarily good news for the empire.
As intriguing and mysterious as either of the first two adventures, what Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper lacks in adventurous fun, it makes up for in its character development. We don't get a true cliffhanger this time around, but a wide open ending that leaves a lot of possibilities for Barnett to explore in future volumes.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my honest review.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this as an audiobook but it was a different kind of experience as it was "a movie in your mind" graphic audio. Which I never have listen to before. It was an good experience and it was a lot of fun but it wasn't a new favorite, it was decent but nothing I will remember for long.
rosekk's review
5.0
Can't wait for the next one, although I'm nervous to see how things with Rowena turn out.
squishies's review
3.0
I really don't understand why I put myself through the ludicrousness of this world. Like seriously! At least it didn't feel like a big mess of ideas like America was, though I couldn't help but exclaim out loud, "But of course Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and Lestrade would pop up, why not?!"
I got to enjoy the story a lot more when I felt like the world stopped exploding in my face with slightly twisted versions of what we know (I'm still slight battered from book 2). I was so very grateful when things settled.
Surely the two gentlemen in the sewers was a nod to Gaiman's Croup and Vandemar? They threw off the really similar vibes.
Poor Rowena.
I got to enjoy the story a lot more when I felt like the world stopped exploding in my face with slightly twisted versions of what we know (I'm still slight battered from book 2). I was so very grateful when things settled.
Surely the two gentlemen in the sewers was a nod to Gaiman's Croup and Vandemar? They threw off the really similar vibes.
Poor Rowena.
cj13's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Sexual harassment, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism, Death, Gore, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexism
Minor: Cannibalism
godzno's review
2.0
This book is a nice end for the story, tying up lose ends and exploring something that we have been teased about since the first book. I, however, did not get into a reading flow with this book and I kept stopping after a chapter or two. Maybe I'll read it again later to see how I'll like it then.
jameseckman's review against another edition
3.0
A lighthearted steampunk read with a nod to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.
phasedchirp's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy these, but they consistently don't quite work for me in a lot of ways.
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