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A review by theladydoor
Clementine by Cherie Priest
3.0
I absolutely loved [a:Cherie Priest|221253|Cherie Priest|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1263959704p2/221253.jpg]'s first novel in her Clockwork Century, [b:Boneshaker|1137215|Boneshaker (The Clockwork Century, #1)|Cherie Priest|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312047238s/1137215.jpg|1124460], and hoped that this second book in the series would live up to it. However, I must say that it did not grab me in the same way, and I found myself waiting for the end of the book, which is not a pleasant feeling to have.
For a start, the characters in this book are drawn in broader strokes than in the first novel. In Boneshaker, we really get to know Briar and Zeke. We learn about their pasts and motivations for their actions in Priest's clear prose amidst some really excellent action scenes. Clementine keeps the action tense and exciting, but forgoes any real character development, perhaps due to its short length.
In Clementine the action unfolds through the eyes of two characters. First is Maria Isabella Boyd, a former spy for the Confederate army turned actress turned private investigator for the Pinkerton Agency. Though Priest spells out her life story in considerable detail, the reader never really gets a sense of who she is as a person, and her character stays stale throughout the novel. The other, Captain Croggon Beauregard Hainey, was previously introduced in Boneshaker, but I must confess I remember little about him. His role in this novel is the same as so many captains in literature, the indefatigable seeker of something precious. In this case, it is his airship, which was stolen from him to carry Union supplies, or so he thinks.
Belle and Hainey meet and end up teaming together after a series of contrived revelations inform Belle that the ship is carrying something that will decimate her hometown. She ignores her mission objective and decides to work with Hainey. The resulting action is entertaining, but not memorable.
Overall, I would say this is a disappointing sequel to Boneshaker. I will probably still read the following novels in Priest's series though, as I hope the skill she showed in Boneshaker will make a reappearance.
For a start, the characters in this book are drawn in broader strokes than in the first novel. In Boneshaker, we really get to know Briar and Zeke. We learn about their pasts and motivations for their actions in Priest's clear prose amidst some really excellent action scenes. Clementine keeps the action tense and exciting, but forgoes any real character development, perhaps due to its short length.
In Clementine the action unfolds through the eyes of two characters. First is Maria Isabella Boyd, a former spy for the Confederate army turned actress turned private investigator for the Pinkerton Agency. Though Priest spells out her life story in considerable detail, the reader never really gets a sense of who she is as a person, and her character stays stale throughout the novel. The other, Captain Croggon Beauregard Hainey, was previously introduced in Boneshaker, but I must confess I remember little about him. His role in this novel is the same as so many captains in literature, the indefatigable seeker of something precious. In this case, it is his airship, which was stolen from him to carry Union supplies, or so he thinks.
Belle and Hainey meet and end up teaming together after a series of contrived revelations inform Belle that the ship is carrying something that will decimate her hometown. She ignores her mission objective and decides to work with Hainey. The resulting action is entertaining, but not memorable.
Overall, I would say this is a disappointing sequel to Boneshaker. I will probably still read the following novels in Priest's series though, as I hope the skill she showed in Boneshaker will make a reappearance.