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tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
Read this for the Women Bike Book Club for October at my library. Once the story got going, I really enjoyed it. The early parts of the book felt a bit repetitive: 1) Emmy doesn't like corsets and the restrictive gender roles of her society, 2) she wants to ride bikes. 3) it's not fair her brother gets to ride bikes 4) ugh corsets are the worst 5) Emmy wants to ride bikes. 6) corsets suck. And so on. Over and over the first many pages.
I think I'd like more description of the setting. How is this place different than 18th century America/England? It's supposed to be "steampunk" but the only difference I see is the names of days of the week and "velos" being "bikes." At the end there are mentions of other cities which are similar to Seren but might have different laws (eg stoning women would be legal in one of them). Are they cities in the same country/state? How far away are they? Are they in different countries? More setting please. I'm rather interested in the rules of this made-up world.
The story was obvious in places (of course the husband would have been supportive from the get go) but it was fun. Definitely couldn't put it down at the end.
I think I'd like more description of the setting. How is this place different than 18th century America/England? It's supposed to be "steampunk" but the only difference I see is the names of days of the week and "velos" being "bikes." At the end there are mentions of other cities which are similar to Seren but might have different laws (eg stoning women would be legal in one of them). Are they cities in the same country/state? How far away are they? Are they in different countries? More setting please. I'm rather interested in the rules of this made-up world.
The story was obvious in places (of course the husband would have been supportive from the get go) but it was fun. Definitely couldn't put it down at the end.
hedyharper's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
marimoose's review against another edition
3.0
Full review can be found at Story and Somnomancy.
Initial thoughts: This was actually more entertaining than I thought, though admittedly the story dragged in parts. Still worth the read though! And I mean...why wouldn't it be when it has a woman shattering glass ceilings? XD
Initial thoughts: This was actually more entertaining than I thought, though admittedly the story dragged in parts. Still worth the read though! And I mean...why wouldn't it be when it has a woman shattering glass ceilings? XD
sandeestarlite's review against another edition
4.0
Romancy book with a cycling theme. Fun summer read.
ninatest's review against another edition
4.0
I received this for free through a good reads giveaway and i am over the moon about it.
I put off reading it for a while ...which was a mistake because I loved this story! Women breaking barriers and having passion and dreams and not letting anyone stop them , well thats what i live for
I put off reading it for a while ...which was a mistake because I loved this story! Women breaking barriers and having passion and dreams and not letting anyone stop them , well thats what i live for
stephblair's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
erine's review against another edition
4.0
Super quick read about a lady cyclist in hiding, a forced marriage, deceptions, and women's rights, all set in a slightly alternate history.
Fun.
Fun.
emesskay's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is of an alternate place, kind of like, but not exactly Victorian Britain. The setting is not exactly steampunk, more gaslight, and it is a place where the Velocipede (aka bicycle) races attract as much attention as horse races did in Victorian Britain. Emmeline loves the velocipede races - not only watching them (something women of quality are not supposed to do), but she is also certain she could compete in them (something women of quality are definitely not supposed to do) - and win (unheard of!). Of course, she can't, because she is female. Her brother is training to be a top flight velo-jockey - but he doesn't have the passion that Emmeline does for the sport - he is doing it in an attempt to win prize money to redeem the family's lost fortune. If only Emmeline could be the one to compete in the races...
I enjoyed the story - it seemed to get off to a bit of a slow start, setting the up the background and characters. However the pace did pick up after a few chapters. I think the plot is a bit predictable, but it still is a good read. The book is well written, and the setting feels authentic.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book through the Goodreads Giveaways program.
I enjoyed the story - it seemed to get off to a bit of a slow start, setting the up the background and characters. However the pace did pick up after a few chapters. I think the plot is a bit predictable, but it still is a good read. The book is well written, and the setting feels authentic.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book through the Goodreads Giveaways program.
stefanieh's review
4.0
Got this book several years ago in a kickstarter for its publication. It takes a bit too long to get to where the reader knows it is going to go, but once it gets there, it's rather exciting! The romance bit was sometimes a little grating but it all came round in the end. The descriptions of the bike races were great fun and often had me on the edge of my seat. Overall a great fun read with tension, a happy ending, and a lovely escape from the current pandemic world we are living in.
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