Scan barcode
vane_be_sleeping_zzz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
librarydancer's review against another edition
3.0
I was absolutely loving this book until the big fight scene. It seemed to last days, with the main characters going from battle to battle to yet another battle without rest, sleeping or eating.
It's a really fun, interesting fantasy. There are so many places the story could go, and has a lot more humor than one would expect. The story just lost points at the end.
It's a really fun, interesting fantasy. There are so many places the story could go, and has a lot more humor than one would expect. The story just lost points at the end.
cheskysorcha's review against another edition
3.0
Started slow, took about 50% til I started to connect with the story. There's definitely room for expanding this world and storylines started here. Will read the next in the series.
lynnaea's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
emoticonnie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity. Within their halls, the ruling aristocratic houses develop scientific marvels, foster trade alliances, and maintain fleets of airships to keep the peace.
Jim Butcher is one of my favorite authors and I thoroughly enjoyed the Aeronaut's Windlass. The world is interesting; a great steampunk and traditional fantasy mix, and I am looking forward to more world building and character development in the next books in the series. The characters were all great. I can't think of one that I didn't like. If you like cats you will love this book. I loved the addition of Rowl the cat, and I think this book would be appropriate for my teen daughter to read even though it's written for adults. I ended up reading excerpts aloud to her when the point of view shifted to Rowl.
I think besides Rowl, what I liked the most about this book were the airship battles and the quirky etherealists. I loved the etherealists and can't wait to read more about them in coming books. I'm looking forward to reading more and hopefully also finding out a lot more about the world on the ground.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Jim Butcher is one of my favorite authors and I thoroughly enjoyed the Aeronaut's Windlass. The world is interesting; a great steampunk and traditional fantasy mix, and I am looking forward to more world building and character development in the next books in the series. The characters were all great. I can't think of one that I didn't like. If you like cats you will love this book. I loved the addition of Rowl the cat, and I think this book would be appropriate for my teen daughter to read even though it's written for adults. I ended up reading excerpts aloud to her when the point of view shifted to Rowl.
I think besides Rowl, what I liked the most about this book were the airship battles and the quirky etherealists. I loved the etherealists and can't wait to read more about them in coming books. I'm looking forward to reading more and hopefully also finding out a lot more about the world on the ground.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
hannahs_bookshelf13's review against another edition
5.0
EDIT: I have literally deleted my old review, because I no longer believe in what I said way back in April of 2022. This book is a freaking MASTERPIECE, and that is the hill I choose to die on
goodkoopa's review against another edition
1.0
Warning! ... This book has talking cats. Talking cats are cheesy. Why is this not classified as a young adult novel? It really felt like it.
One little thing that kept bugging me was that characters can't just make facial expressions the normal way; instead, everyone FEELS themselves make facial expressions.
"Then he felt his lips bare his teeth in smile"
"Gwen felt her eyebrows climb toward her hairline."
"Bridget felt her eyebrows lifting."
That's not how I experience a facial expression. "Oh what do ya know, I just felt my eyes roll. I must find what I'm reading quite cheesy."
In the heat of a battle, things are blowing up, people are dying, yet the captain keeps taking time to explain battle tactics to the children. Shouldn't he pay attention to the battle? Okay, we get it, authors aren't supposed to just explain things directly. They are supposed to make the explanation part of the dialog or the story so we don't notice that stuff is getting explained. Except here, ya really notice it.
And what are children doing taking on major roles in a war anyway? Well, if you are an author, with some main characters who are kids, and most of the book is battle, you have to figure out a way to get the kids in the battle. Just make up something stupid, like: the enemy knows who all the adults in our army are, so if we send these kids... well... just... I'm sending the kids, shuddup!
As you can tell, I didn't really like this book. I didn't care about any of the characters. The plots basically seemed like battle after battle. And too many of them. It was too long.
One little thing that kept bugging me was that characters can't just make facial expressions the normal way; instead, everyone FEELS themselves make facial expressions.
"Then he felt his lips bare his teeth in smile"
"Gwen felt her eyebrows climb toward her hairline."
"Bridget felt her eyebrows lifting."
That's not how I experience a facial expression. "Oh what do ya know, I just felt my eyes roll. I must find what I'm reading quite cheesy."
In the heat of a battle, things are blowing up, people are dying, yet the captain keeps taking time to explain battle tactics to the children. Shouldn't he pay attention to the battle? Okay, we get it, authors aren't supposed to just explain things directly. They are supposed to make the explanation part of the dialog or the story so we don't notice that stuff is getting explained. Except here, ya really notice it.
And what are children doing taking on major roles in a war anyway? Well, if you are an author, with some main characters who are kids, and most of the book is battle, you have to figure out a way to get the kids in the battle. Just make up something stupid, like: the enemy knows who all the adults in our army are, so if we send these kids... well... just... I'm sending the kids, shuddup!
As you can tell, I didn't really like this book. I didn't care about any of the characters. The plots basically seemed like battle after battle. And too many of them. It was too long.