Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed reading this book, but I felt like I was enjoying it in spite of myself.
It was so, so, so like Cherie Priest's Dreadnought (& Boneshaker) in tone, plot elements and setting that I could almost have believed it was a new book from Priest - except that I don't think she'd use such a trite romance as a driving plot device. (I really dislike the whole romance trope of "I hate you - but wait, that means I'm actually in love with you!" People just don't work like that.)
It also, several times, comes thiiiiis close to getting really preachy about its environmental and socially progressive messages. Not to a Sheri Tepper degree (although I was also reminded of Tepper at moments), and I can't say that I don't agree with the messages: industrialization is not actually progress (even when the industrial pollution is "magical"), but I found myself going, "oh come on, well that's just a bit OBVIOUS" about her metaphors at several junctures.
But yet, I kept reading. Quickly. It's a fast-moving, engaging, fun story. I very well might even go seek out the sequel.
It was so, so, so like Cherie Priest's Dreadnought (& Boneshaker) in tone, plot elements and setting that I could almost have believed it was a new book from Priest - except that I don't think she'd use such a trite romance as a driving plot device. (I really dislike the whole romance trope of "I hate you - but wait, that means I'm actually in love with you!" People just don't work like that.)
It also, several times, comes thiiiiis close to getting really preachy about its environmental and socially progressive messages. Not to a Sheri Tepper degree (although I was also reminded of Tepper at moments), and I can't say that I don't agree with the messages: industrialization is not actually progress (even when the industrial pollution is "magical"), but I found myself going, "oh come on, well that's just a bit OBVIOUS" about her metaphors at several junctures.
But yet, I kept reading. Quickly. It's a fast-moving, engaging, fun story. I very well might even go seek out the sequel.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 1
THE NATIVE STAR, M.K. Hobsons debut novel, is an original blend of witchery and the Wild, Wild West. It didnt leave a particularly long-lasting impression on me, but was definitely an enjoyable and well-written romp of a read.
For me, the strength of THE NATIVE STAR lay in its inventiveness. Just when I thought I had Emily and Stantons world figured out, Hobson throws in another twist and element that takes me by surprise and forces me to reorganize my thoughts about the storys world. The book combines steampunk and magic with the post-Civil War American West, resulting in an exciting new subgenre for magic and steampunk lovers.
And yet these surprises also contributed to my slight skepticism of the story. Oftentimes, new elements were introduced with seemingly little forethought: the characters are just walking along when all of a suddenBAM!oh, hey, interlude while we describe this new twist to the world. This just didnt agree with me in this book, perhaps because I wanted more of a setup of the foundations of the world at the beginning of the novel.
Furthermore, I wasnt the biggest fan of Emily and Stanton. She gave me the impression of being one of those pinch-faced ladies who look and act older than they really are, and he was standoffish the entire time. Their romance still seemed to come out of nowhere for me, despite how much the back-cover summary pimps it. Theythe book summary and taglineset me up to expect a great, life-changing romance, but I didnt quite get it here.
Overall, THE NATIVE STAR is a good and interesting mix of magic, steampunk, and the Wild, Wild West. If that sounds even half as intriguing to you, then I definitely recommend that you check it out!
For me, the strength of THE NATIVE STAR lay in its inventiveness. Just when I thought I had Emily and Stantons world figured out, Hobson throws in another twist and element that takes me by surprise and forces me to reorganize my thoughts about the storys world. The book combines steampunk and magic with the post-Civil War American West, resulting in an exciting new subgenre for magic and steampunk lovers.
And yet these surprises also contributed to my slight skepticism of the story. Oftentimes, new elements were introduced with seemingly little forethought: the characters are just walking along when all of a suddenBAM!oh, hey, interlude while we describe this new twist to the world. This just didnt agree with me in this book, perhaps because I wanted more of a setup of the foundations of the world at the beginning of the novel.
Furthermore, I wasnt the biggest fan of Emily and Stanton. She gave me the impression of being one of those pinch-faced ladies who look and act older than they really are, and he was standoffish the entire time. Their romance still seemed to come out of nowhere for me, despite how much the back-cover summary pimps it. Theythe book summary and taglineset me up to expect a great, life-changing romance, but I didnt quite get it here.
Overall, THE NATIVE STAR is a good and interesting mix of magic, steampunk, and the Wild, Wild West. If that sounds even half as intriguing to you, then I definitely recommend that you check it out!
Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Helpful Score: 1
This book was really outstanding. I stayed up until 4am so I could finish it. I never thought I could read a historical romance/ steampunk/ paranormal and enjoy it as much as I did. There is plenty going on in the book and it isn't a book you can casually read since there is so much going on. I'm too tired to write a better review!
