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besha's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed Sedia's other books, but this was a disappointment; the pacing was weird, the characterization fell flat, the alternate history went largely unexplored, and the plot made no sense.
rivqa's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable alternate history/steampunk tale. Although I know little about the period in Russian history, I enjoyed the setting and the approach to modern ideals within it. Great characters, too, although ultimately I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second.
abookishtype's review against another edition
1.0
I can’t believe I actually finished this book. The plot was so preposterous that I should have stopped reading it and went and found something better. But I finished Ekaterina Sedia’s Heart of Iron anyway, most likely because her other book, The Secret History of Moscow, was so good. But Heart of Iron actually got worse the further into it I got...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Train rides are wonderous things. The sound of the machine, the scenery, the quiet, the conversation, the fact you can read without throwing up. Wonderful things train rides. No wonder that there have been several romantic, mystery, action, and what not written involing trains, including this book, which concerns the Transsiberian express (Yeah, I thought it was just the orchestra too, go figure).
Sedia does a good job of catching the feeling of a train ride in this novel, at least in some points.
Sasha has a problem, but then she has Aunt Eugenia. Then she has another problem, but then a bigger one. It's a biggie. It's Florence Nightingale.
Honestly what did Florence do that got steampunk p.o.ed at her?
This isn't Sedia's best. Part of it, the parts at the university and in Moscow are very good, some parts of the train ride are good, but at no point did I ever feel that anyone was truly in danger. I also didn't get any type of feel for the places where the train stopped (though I did read The Tiger, which takes in some of the same area. BTW, go read THe Tiger. Now! Good person!).
Idea is good though. I liked the inclusion of a certain historical figure.
Sedia does make me want to read more about the Decemberists, however.
Sedia does a good job of catching the feeling of a train ride in this novel, at least in some points.
Sasha has a problem, but then she has Aunt Eugenia. Then she has another problem, but then a bigger one. It's a biggie. It's Florence Nightingale.
Honestly what did Florence do that got steampunk p.o.ed at her?
This isn't Sedia's best. Part of it, the parts at the university and in Moscow are very good, some parts of the train ride are good, but at no point did I ever feel that anyone was truly in danger. I also didn't get any type of feel for the places where the train stopped (though I did read The Tiger, which takes in some of the same area. BTW, go read THe Tiger. Now! Good person!).
Idea is good though. I liked the inclusion of a certain historical figure.
Sedia does make me want to read more about the Decemberists, however.
gwentolios's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the prose in this story, and all the thoughts about life and war and philosophy that are sprinkled throughout the book.
vortacist's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
knifemummy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gwentolios's review
4.0
Loved the prose in this story, and all the thoughts about life and war and philosophy that are sprinkled throughout the book.
phloxyloxy's review
1.0
The writing style really, really bothered me - so many simple sentences!
In addition, I haven't read a lot of steampunk, and I'm sure I would have appreciated the plot more if I knew anything about Russian/Chinese history in the nineteenth century.
In addition, I haven't read a lot of steampunk, and I'm sure I would have appreciated the plot more if I knew anything about Russian/Chinese history in the nineteenth century.
ace22b's review
4.0
Good but kinda falls apart toward the end.
Really enjoyed the setting despite that.
Really enjoyed the setting despite that.