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missusb21's review against another edition
4.0
Charming adventure that becomes quite action-packed towards the end.
bybookandbone's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is strong and I love the setting, I just wish there was more of it.
I'm going to give this book a rare critique of too much action. Instead of expanding on the interesting world or really making you see the characters in your mind's eye, there was almost non-stop action that might as well been manikins fighting.
The climax when on for what felt like forever due to the pretty constant level of action and by the end I was just drained and needed the book to end.
I'm going to give this book a rare critique of too much action. Instead of expanding on the interesting world or really making you see the characters in your mind's eye, there was almost non-stop action that might as well been manikins fighting.
The climax when on for what felt like forever due to the pretty constant level of action and by the end I was just drained and needed the book to end.
lisasf2f04's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't expecting to like this - am sorry, judged the book by the cover! - but enjoyed it very much. The Mechanicals were beautifully realised and written, and much easier to identify and empathise with than the humans in the story.
indiebookshops's review against another edition
4.0
Follow the ragtag band of mechanicals as they search for Christopher, who has been abducted by someone who wants to discover his deepest secrets.
Throughout this gripping adventure, set in an England of alternative 1930s where mechanicals (robots) are common, there is a huge nod to ‘The Wizard of Oz’, a curmodgeonly wizard, evil witch, someone longing for home, and a ragtag band of friends who are on their own journeys of discovery.
Pádraig has developed a wonderfully believable world where Pinocchio was burnt on a bonfire through fear, but Gepetto (Runcible) kept developing his creations, perfecting them, but there was always fear. Therefore a set of rules were developed to make the mechanicals acceptable.
The pace is perfect and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, always one step ahead of you keeping you wanting more. This is accompanied by some of the best described locations ever, some of which are very dark indeed.
It feels like the start of a new fictional universe which I would be more than happy to explore further.
I will just leave with one last thing, Round Rob.
Throughout this gripping adventure, set in an England of alternative 1930s where mechanicals (robots) are common, there is a huge nod to ‘The Wizard of Oz’, a curmodgeonly wizard, evil witch, someone longing for home, and a ragtag band of friends who are on their own journeys of discovery.
Pádraig has developed a wonderfully believable world where Pinocchio was burnt on a bonfire through fear, but Gepetto (Runcible) kept developing his creations, perfecting them, but there was always fear. Therefore a set of rules were developed to make the mechanicals acceptable.
The pace is perfect and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, always one step ahead of you keeping you wanting more. This is accompanied by some of the best described locations ever, some of which are very dark indeed.
It feels like the start of a new fictional universe which I would be more than happy to explore further.
I will just leave with one last thing, Round Rob.
aoife26935's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet story about a 'proper' boy who's anything but. I loved the friendships between Christopher and the other characters, and how each one had their own personality. They jumped off the page.
I love books that make me think about what being human actually means, and this one did it beautifully. This would be a great classroom read to lead into a discussion about discrimination and hate, although those aren't the main part of the story.
A great read, I hope it does really well.
I received an ARC which did not affect my review in any way.
I love books that make me think about what being human actually means, and this one did it beautifully. This would be a great classroom read to lead into a discussion about discrimination and hate, although those aren't the main part of the story.
A great read, I hope it does really well.
I received an ARC which did not affect my review in any way.