the middle was disappointing

the beginning was good, the ending was good, the middle was insufferable. I only finished it because the first book was Mortal engines. Without giving too much away, I struggled through that cliche big misunderstanding Trope where all the characters have an unneeded conflict and then have to go and mope and do things that are completely out of their character. if you can get through that, it's almost worth it for the end.

10 people found this helpful

Fascinating Story World

The story is strongly written and the world building is interesting and original. Well done.

5 people found this helpful

Thank you!

imaginative. so well written, that it allows our imagination to give illustrated life to the characters. it is very easy to lose yourself in this series.

the best way to listen to any story is with an open mind. do not try to out maneuver or out wit the story. this is a series that requires an open mind.

my friend argued that "Christopher Columbo" did not discover America in 1924. there's your sign. have a great listen. audible up!

1 person found this helpful

Book 2 emphasizes that this series is a YA title

I didn't enjoy this as much as Book #1. This title made the series to me a definite YA title. It did, however, leave me in suspense enough to finish the series.

1 person found this helpful

great series. well read

I love the depth of character and plot twists!
well performed and easy to follow.

1 person found this helpful

Predictable

I thought Barnaby Edwards' narration was just as great in this book as Mortal Engines, but the story was unfolding so predictably that I actually had to stop halfway through and didn't listen for two days before finally finishing out of sheer curiosity. The ending was exactly as I'd thought and seeing the synopsis for the next book I won't be listening to it. I love the world it takes place in and Philip Reeve's style, but I don't want to figure out in the first chapter what will happen through the whole book.

Edge of my seat so good,

can't wait to hear the next one. so many questions left look you wanted me to review I decided to be nice and review don't boss me around because my review isn't long enough.

Misogyny is NOT “kindness”

This story features a very unique and intriguing world and voice actor. It’s characters, however, are less so. The male lead is repeatedly described as “kind” yet rarely if ever displays that attribute. The author has made him self-serving and closed minded, rude and uncaring. He only values women based on their beauty and/or willingness to have sex with him. The author clearly defines “kindness” as having sex with unattractive girls, telling them he loves them, and then cheats on them. The author has also created a female lead character whose only personality trait is self-hatred which is most decidedly NOT a legitimate personality. Creating a character like Hester Shaw who has been scarred and disfigured is fantastic, having her only concern in an apocalyptic future world where survival is a struggle be her beauty and wether or not she can keep dating a guy that clearly doesn’t care about her is absolutely horrendous. The moment someone prettier then Hester Shaw comes along Tom immediately begins to treat Hester horribly and to fetishize over the new girl. Never once does Tom even think about his looks but Hester’s every waking thought is about Tom and her beauty, or rather lack thereof. I may have worded this as though it were the fault of Hester or Tom, because how can fictional characters be at fault? No, this is simply yet another misogynistic male author perpetuating the idea that the only goals women have in life are to be beautiful and to date a man and that men can do whatever they want to whoever they want and call it kindness. I’m so sick of stories like these. If I could give it fewer stars I would.

Quite the follow up to Mortal Engines

I have enjoyed the expansion of the world Mortal Engines. This 2nd book was as exciting and diverse in locations and characters. Have already downloaded book 3.

meh....

Can't say I loved it. Didn't know what to expect. Just didn't really like it.