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shelvesofsecrets's review
2.0
I find the steampunk genre to be hit or miss for me and unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. And the entire reason was that I hated the main character for 80% of the book.
So let's get this out of the way and talk about the main character Gareth. I don't think I've ever disliked a main character this much and still finished a book (which I guess speaks to the other qualities of the book). I understand that he is bitter because he's in a wheelchair. But I've honestly could not stand him for almost the entire book. He's bitter, arrogant, chauvinistic, self-pitying and incredibly grouchy. It was probably for the best that I read this on my breaks at work, because I couldn't handle more than a few pages of Gareth at a time. About 80% of the way Gareth smartens up a lot, but it's really too late at that to save this one.
Most of the secondary characters felt a bit 1 dimensional. Except for Jessamine, who really is bat sh*t crazy. The sheer amount of effort she puts into Gareth is staggering. Honestly, if it were me, I would have met him once, then said "screw it" and gone back to America. Like this chick is obsessive. In my mind, she is the Overly Attached Girlfriend meme.
I also had a bit of an issue with the paranormal aspect of the book. One paranormal aspect is introduced in the first chapter and then there is nothing else for about 70% of the book, so when that reveal happens, it felt too sudden for me and like the book has madly changed directions.
On the bright side, the fact that I finished this book, despite my intense dislike of the main character, should be a compliment for the authors. I did enjoy the writing and that's what kept me going through this one.
If you like steampunk and paranormal and don't mind extremely unlikable characters and a very sudden change in direction, give this one a try. But if you're like me and actually need to like your main character to enjoy a book, move along.
So let's get this out of the way and talk about the main character Gareth. I don't think I've ever disliked a main character this much and still finished a book (which I guess speaks to the other qualities of the book). I understand that he is bitter because he's in a wheelchair. But I've honestly could not stand him for almost the entire book. He's bitter, arrogant, chauvinistic, self-pitying and incredibly grouchy. It was probably for the best that I read this on my breaks at work, because I couldn't handle more than a few pages of Gareth at a time. About 80% of the way Gareth smartens up a lot, but it's really too late at that to save this one.
Most of the secondary characters felt a bit 1 dimensional. Except for Jessamine, who really is bat sh*t crazy. The sheer amount of effort she puts into Gareth is staggering. Honestly, if it were me, I would have met him once, then said "screw it" and gone back to America. Like this chick is obsessive. In my mind, she is the Overly Attached Girlfriend meme.
I also had a bit of an issue with the paranormal aspect of the book. One paranormal aspect is introduced in the first chapter and then there is nothing else for about 70% of the book, so when that reveal happens, it felt too sudden for me and like the book has madly changed directions.
On the bright side, the fact that I finished this book, despite my intense dislike of the main character, should be a compliment for the authors. I did enjoy the writing and that's what kept me going through this one.
If you like steampunk and paranormal and don't mind extremely unlikable characters and a very sudden change in direction, give this one a try. But if you're like me and actually need to like your main character to enjoy a book, move along.
lindsey8907's review
5.0
Armored Hearts is a story about a young boy discovering he is different. Gareth is wheelchair-bound and has lived his life being shunned by those who were too uncomfortable with his disability to get to know and befriend him as a person. When he was young he discovered that though he can not walk, he does have a special ability that helps him have his independence.
That independence is threatened, however, when he meets a girl who he thinks is only after him for his title and who coerces him into marriage. He considers the marriage to be a trap because she can never know his secret; how could he ever confide in her? But does she already know?
After their marriage takes place, he discovers that maybe she is different. He sees her defense and fierce loyalty of him and begins to feel for her, and she him.
But Gareth is more different than he ever could have imagined. When he learns that he is descended from fae people, his life will never be the same, and so begins a wonderful beginning of a series that I am sure to enjoy reading.
I loved this book, a steampunk fantasy that is at times as heartbreaking as it is tender. In the beginning we really get to see how Gareth's disability has affected him, and his attitude and behavior are a direct result of how he has been treated by others. Weary of how others view him, he learned at a young age to keep people at a distance rather than allow people to get close and then hurt him, and so when a girl enters his life, he is determined to keep her at arm's length.
His treatment of her had me crying at times, and I couldn't wait for him to finally see her as she really was - a kind, independent, and fiercely loyal woman who only wanted Gareth, the man. I found it very sweet when he finally surrendered to his feelings for her and decided to work for a real marriage between them.
The story left off on a slight cliffhanger, and I am very excited to read the next in the series when it is released. Armored Hearts has an element of fantasy contained in it's pages that is sure to be even more pronounced in the sequel. I can't wait to read more as Gareth discovers his fae side and falls in love with his wife.
I'd definitely recommend this story to anyone who likes fantasy novels with clean, yet slightly steamy undertones. I'd definitely read it again.
On another note, there is a very short prequel that goes with series called Winter Fae that details how Gareth is connected to the fae and what happened to his mother. Winter Fae was a very emotional piece that I loved, and my review can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/644771147
That independence is threatened, however, when he meets a girl who he thinks is only after him for his title and who coerces him into marriage. He considers the marriage to be a trap because she can never know his secret; how could he ever confide in her? But does she already know?
After their marriage takes place, he discovers that maybe she is different. He sees her defense and fierce loyalty of him and begins to feel for her, and she him.
But Gareth is more different than he ever could have imagined. When he learns that he is descended from fae people, his life will never be the same, and so begins a wonderful beginning of a series that I am sure to enjoy reading.
I loved this book, a steampunk fantasy that is at times as heartbreaking as it is tender. In the beginning we really get to see how Gareth's disability has affected him, and his attitude and behavior are a direct result of how he has been treated by others. Weary of how others view him, he learned at a young age to keep people at a distance rather than allow people to get close and then hurt him, and so when a girl enters his life, he is determined to keep her at arm's length.
His treatment of her had me crying at times, and I couldn't wait for him to finally see her as she really was - a kind, independent, and fiercely loyal woman who only wanted Gareth, the man. I found it very sweet when he finally surrendered to his feelings for her and decided to work for a real marriage between them.
The story left off on a slight cliffhanger, and I am very excited to read the next in the series when it is released. Armored Hearts has an element of fantasy contained in it's pages that is sure to be even more pronounced in the sequel. I can't wait to read more as Gareth discovers his fae side and falls in love with his wife.
I'd definitely recommend this story to anyone who likes fantasy novels with clean, yet slightly steamy undertones. I'd definitely read it again.
On another note, there is a very short prequel that goes with series called Winter Fae that details how Gareth is connected to the fae and what happened to his mother. Winter Fae was a very emotional piece that I loved, and my review can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/644771147
especbooks's review
4.0
I haven't run across a lot of steampunk that melds science with fantasy. Generally the focus is more one than the other, with the technology taking center stage beyond even the plot at times. This book is not such a one.
I was very impressed with the development of this story and the way the groundwork for key elements of the plot was set out neatly and unobtrusively, then left in the background until the appropriate time.
A distinctly character-driven story, Armored Hearts drew me in quickly and developed in such a way that as plot elements were revealed it was a true reveal, rather than something I had already recognized immediately when it was introduced. This is refreshing as so many time in other fiction I have read plot points end up coming across as if neon-lit, with the reader let to wonder when that particular element will come into play. Not so here. In Armored Hearts I very much appreciated the organic way that the story unfolded. I was not given the inevitable moment where my mind had time to wonder and try and puzzle out what I knew and what it's relevance was, the storyline kept me too engaged the entire time.
I found the plot twists very original and refreshing, the characters well drawn, and the historic feel comfortable, yet relaxed enough that I didn't feel disassociated from it.
This brings me to my one complaint: I had no sense of completion by the time the book had ended. It will sound odd, but the book both ended too abruptly (before we had a clear idea of where the next volume would take off) and continued too long (past the resolution of the immediate conflict in this volume). Basically the ending did not feel like it occurred in the proper place.
However, as I said, this was my only complaint. Armored Hearts drew me gladly in to its magical world and immersed me there.
I was very impressed with the development of this story and the way the groundwork for key elements of the plot was set out neatly and unobtrusively, then left in the background until the appropriate time.
A distinctly character-driven story, Armored Hearts drew me in quickly and developed in such a way that as plot elements were revealed it was a true reveal, rather than something I had already recognized immediately when it was introduced. This is refreshing as so many time in other fiction I have read plot points end up coming across as if neon-lit, with the reader let to wonder when that particular element will come into play. Not so here. In Armored Hearts I very much appreciated the organic way that the story unfolded. I was not given the inevitable moment where my mind had time to wonder and try and puzzle out what I knew and what it's relevance was, the storyline kept me too engaged the entire time.
I found the plot twists very original and refreshing, the characters well drawn, and the historic feel comfortable, yet relaxed enough that I didn't feel disassociated from it.
This brings me to my one complaint: I had no sense of completion by the time the book had ended. It will sound odd, but the book both ended too abruptly (before we had a clear idea of where the next volume would take off) and continued too long (past the resolution of the immediate conflict in this volume). Basically the ending did not feel like it occurred in the proper place.
However, as I said, this was my only complaint. Armored Hearts drew me gladly in to its magical world and immersed me there.
yoannna's review
2.0
This was a little too much fantasy-romance for my taste (and by that I don't mean too much fantasy), but it was a pleasant, light read nonetheless. Too little steampunk too, which was disappointing after having just read Creeden's Chronicles of Steele: Raven and hungry for more of that.
I might remember to look for the next part of Armored Hearts or not, that says plenty.
I might remember to look for the next part of Armored Hearts or not, that says plenty.
setaian's review
3.0
Confined to his wheel chair and living in a world where cripples are despised, Gareth is bitter and resentful. Then he saves a girl falling from a tree and discovers he can fly, but he needs to keep his secrets and confides only in his sister Tabitha. As he grows he uses his gift to help the townsfolk, becoming something like a 19th century super hero, all the while his own family's financial situation worsens.
Then an American heiress crashes into his world in search of a title, and in order to secure the family's future he has little choice but to marry her. Meanwhile dark forces are circling.
My rating for this book might seem to imply that I only thought it was OK but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It's quite unusual in that the authors have thrown steam punk into the pot along with a fairy tale aesthetic with a bit of an urban fantasy feel. It's obviously Young Adult, and perhaps even suitable for older children, if you consider Grimm's Fairy Tales suitable for older children.
So quite difficult to know where it belongs, but it was good fun.
Then an American heiress crashes into his world in search of a title, and in order to secure the family's future he has little choice but to marry her. Meanwhile dark forces are circling.
My rating for this book might seem to imply that I only thought it was OK but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It's quite unusual in that the authors have thrown steam punk into the pot along with a fairy tale aesthetic with a bit of an urban fantasy feel. It's obviously Young Adult, and perhaps even suitable for older children, if you consider Grimm's Fairy Tales suitable for older children.
So quite difficult to know where it belongs, but it was good fun.
mirel's review
2.0
I received this book free from story cartel in return for an honest review.
Confession: I was not quite sure what was meant by steam punk, until I read the book. Having said that, I was okay with it, many of the inventions were quite imaginative and intriguing.
The story centers around the orphaned Tristan Gareth Smyth, a young lord who spends life in a wheelchair as he is unable to walk. Gareth lives with his cold grandfather, and his young illegitimate aunt, who is more like a little sister to him. In fact, Tabitha seems to be the only one in his life that cares for Gareth and Gareth adores her. However, Gareth finds that life is full of surprises when he discovers as a young adolescent that he can fly, later has a young American heiress literally fall in his lap, then finds himself the target of assassins and learns an amazing secret about his background. Both Tabitha and Jessamine the heiress were good characters, although I couldn't see why Jessamine was so attracted to the totally obnoxious Gareth.
So now I've covered all the fun and interesting bits. Some, but by no means all, of the problems: Gareth is whiny and obnoxious for most of the book. Even being able to fly doesn't snap him out of his self-pity. He only begins to become more likeable at the end of the book. And if the premise is that he can fly, I can accept that. But there were too many other unbelievable bits that were too hard to swallow. He is in a wheel chair, but he can stand (okay) and learn to fence(?). The whole fencing bit I found hard to accept, as well as the armor that he wore when he flew growing with him. While the authors provide a sketchy explanation of it, it didn't really work. Jessamine is an expert knife thrower, having learned it from Native American children in her home state of South Carolina. That seemed just too convenient and unbelievable. Also, there were quite a few typos and mistakes as well as factual errors, e.g. having the women wearing a bustle in the early 20th century.
The authors describe Gareth's misery at length, but much of the book seems to go by with not much development and then the end just races by with one thing after another. There is a lot of tell not show, and several one-dimensional characters (e.g. the Steels).
And then, just as things begin to pick up, we're left in the middle of everything to await...a sequel. It left me major disappointed. I like books to reach an end, even if there is a sequel in the offing, and especially if we're not forewarned.
Confession: I was not quite sure what was meant by steam punk, until I read the book. Having said that, I was okay with it, many of the inventions were quite imaginative and intriguing.
The story centers around the orphaned Tristan Gareth Smyth, a young lord who spends life in a wheelchair as he is unable to walk. Gareth lives with his cold grandfather, and his young illegitimate aunt, who is more like a little sister to him. In fact, Tabitha seems to be the only one in his life that cares for Gareth and Gareth adores her. However, Gareth finds that life is full of surprises when he discovers as a young adolescent that he can fly, later has a young American heiress literally fall in his lap, then finds himself the target of assassins and learns an amazing secret about his background. Both Tabitha and Jessamine the heiress were good characters, although I couldn't see why Jessamine was so attracted to the totally obnoxious Gareth.
So now I've covered all the fun and interesting bits. Some, but by no means all, of the problems: Gareth is whiny and obnoxious for most of the book. Even being able to fly doesn't snap him out of his self-pity. He only begins to become more likeable at the end of the book. And if the premise is that he can fly, I can accept that. But there were too many other unbelievable bits that were too hard to swallow. He is in a wheel chair, but he can stand (okay) and learn to fence(?). The whole fencing bit I found hard to accept, as well as the armor that he wore when he flew growing with him. While the authors provide a sketchy explanation of it, it didn't really work. Jessamine is an expert knife thrower, having learned it from Native American children in her home state of South Carolina. That seemed just too convenient and unbelievable. Also, there were quite a few typos and mistakes as well as factual errors, e.g. having the women wearing a bustle in the early 20th century.
The authors describe Gareth's misery at length, but much of the book seems to go by with not much development and then the end just races by with one thing after another. There is a lot of tell not show, and several one-dimensional characters (e.g. the Steels).
And then, just as things begin to pick up, we're left in the middle of everything to await...a sequel. It left me major disappointed. I like books to reach an end, even if there is a sequel in the offing, and especially if we're not forewarned.
aerrias's review
3.0
*free goodreads contest win*
Overall I enjoyed the story and I might read the remaining of the series from the library. However, and this may just be because it was a teen book, but the writing style was lacking something, probably a hook. I never felt like I just had to keep reading, the characters felt brisk and rushed, not evolved enough. Even though I would not anxiously await the other books in the series, I think that it would be captivating enough for most teens.
Overall I enjoyed the story and I might read the remaining of the series from the library. However, and this may just be because it was a teen book, but the writing style was lacking something, probably a hook. I never felt like I just had to keep reading, the characters felt brisk and rushed, not evolved enough. Even though I would not anxiously await the other books in the series, I think that it would be captivating enough for most teens.
ciannareider's review
5.0
This was a wonderful book! :) It's so nice to see steam punk mixed in with other genres. It's refreshing. This story centers on a boy, a cripple, which I thought was nice, it's tiring to always have perfect people in books. But he's not letting what's wrong with him define him, he is a wonderful person, and he soon discovers so much more! This book is well written, it weaves fantasy and steampunk together perfectly, and it's just such a good read. Nothing to heavy, nothing scary, or hard to hard, just a really enjoyable book with a solid storyline. It's such a great read. I think the characters they created are fresh, insightful, and definitely a little outside of the mold which is wonderful as well. All in all, this is a great read, and you won't regret it! :)
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