Elizabeth Bear

I wanted to like this book- has several very interesting ideas- interesting aliens, decent world building, passable technology, and lots of discussion about important themes such as the struggle to balance personal freedoms with societal upkeep and obligation. However, it is the nearly constant inner dialog about those larger freedom issues which dominate and become, well, just too much. Like a broken record, the first person narrative seldom leaves the same inner conversation... to the point that I didn't care how the book ended and quit before I go there.… (mais)

Steampunk, the old west, Captain Nemo, serial killers. This book is right in my wheelhouse. I liked the book but it wasn't a 5 star for a reason I can't totally blame on the author. The similarities in setting to Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century books never quite left my mind and honestly I prefer Priest's books slightly more.

This does not mean you shouldn't give this book a go. You absolutely should. It's fun and fast moving and if Bear writes a second book I will be on board. I will warn you the book is written in first person and has quite a few colloquialisms. If you don't like the main character's voice in the first chapter you should go ahead and out it down.… (mais)