[A0Z]≫ Libro Gratis Heart of Brass The Antipodean Queen Felicity Banks Books

Heart of Brass The Antipodean Queen Felicity Banks Books

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Heart of Brass The Antipodean Queen Felicity Banks Books

Heart of brass is a book that hits you on a few different angles. As an Australian, there's the angle of the country's history, related in such a way as to make it exciting again after years and years of boring history classes. As a writer, there's the portrayal of characters each as developed and robust as each other, working together. And as a reader, there's a great story that, while starting off slow, brings you in with a fun excitement that had me fail to notice I'd just spent 2 1/2 hours and six cups of tea reading it on the final stint – once the characters hit Ballarat, it felt more like fifteen minutes.
Emmeline, while originally a truly annoying character that finds trouble without even intending on it, is someone I can see myself now following through two more books. I'm happy to see her go on, and hopefully use her skills to benefit her journey, rather than hiding them. For a steampunk story, there is relatively little steampunk in the pages, for which I am moderately grateful, but I do believe that the use of gears ad wheels should have found itself better off in the final battle.
And the ending? What the…? That caught me off guard. Aside from the scene of naked bathing in the river, and the incredibly uptight modesty of Victorian England, there is little to build the apparent attraction between the characters – though I suppose that the magic of lead poisoning probably goes some way to explaining the kick in the pants that the infatuation received.
Overall, one of the more enjoyable Australian- set books I've read in a long time. It's given me a hankering to go looking in to the history of the Eureka Stockade, which I've never wanted to do before, owing to cultural over-saturation. If it can manage to send me researching, it's definitely something you can get into.

First reviewed on the Beyond the Words podcast.


Tags : Amazon.com: Heart of Brass (The Antipodean Queen) (9781922200587): Felicity Banks: Books,Felicity Banks,Heart of Brass (The Antipodean Queen),Odyssey Books,1922200581,Australia,Ballarat,Victoria,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Action & Adventure General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Historical General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Steampunk,Young Adult FictionHistorical - General,Young Adult FictionSteampunk,steampunk,steampunk; Australia; Ballarat; gold rush; metal; magic; Eureka Stockade

Heart of Brass The Antipodean Queen Felicity Banks Books Reviews

I nabbed this last month, partly because it’s Australian-set steampunk by a Canberra author but mostly because it’s a seriously beautiful-looking paperback. (Yes, I am that shallow!) Happily, Heart of Brass was worth the gamble.

In the space of a couple-hundred words, we get to see Emmeline go from proper society lady who conforms to (most) social expectations while chaffing at the restrictions they impose to convict and criminal rebelling against an unfair system. For the most part, her transition seems entirely natural, although there’s one particular incident that did have me raising my eyebrows a little — I just wasn’t convinced that such a bright young lady would do something so spontaneous and poorly thought out. Maybe it was that colonial influence.

I loved seeing all the steampunk elements in what could otherwise be considered historical fiction — everything from practical devices to silly fashion (wheels for shoes?! I’m so clumsy I’d break something for sure). The elements are well-integrated into the world rather than seeming strapped on. There’s also an element of magic; metals have different properties that influence the world around them in one way or another. It’s a little bit Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn in that regard, without seeming derivative.

Basically, this combination made me a happy, happy girl.

On the romance front, there isn’t much to speak of — Emmeline is attracted to different characters, but it would go very much against her character to see her shack up with someone early on. Still, it was obvious to me that she was bisexual from fairly early in the story, even though she doesn’t seem to realise it. I loved that element too.

In terms of what I didn’t love, there was really only one thing — this book is kinda short. I read it in paperback, and although I knew there was bonus material at the back, I didn’t expect that bonus material to be almost 100 pages. So when I got to the end of the story, I felt a bit like I’d had the rug pulled out from under me. I wanted moooooooore. Obviously this is a good thing, as I will definitely be buying the sequel. I want more Emmeline, Matilda and Patrick.

As for that bonus material, it’s a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story that tells the tale of one of the bit characters in Heart of Brass, the real-life champion of the Eureka Stockade, Peter Lalor. Although I was disappointed it didn’t show me more of the main characters’ and their story, I did spend a fun hour or so following up all the different story options and reading the Easter Eggs.

I’d definitely recommend Felicity Banks. She’s one to watch. (Also, as a side note, this is the most professionally produced book by a small press that I’ve ever seen. Odyssey Books definitely have game!)
Heart of Brass is the first traditional narrative published in Banks's universe, but I've played her interactive fiction games before. This is a great way to have learned more about how her system of magical metals works. I look forward to reading more!

I am pleased with my first Australian steampunk adventure. The narrative fits nearly into Australian history and gives a rollicking adventure in the course.

A society lady with a scandalous secret makes a sacrifice that lands her in a journey to the other side of the globe, and perhaps sacrificing her society values along the way.

Note I know the author, but paid for my own copy, and am writing the review without obligation.
Heart of brass is a book that hits you on a few different angles. As an Australian, there's the angle of the country's history, related in such a way as to make it exciting again after years and years of boring history classes. As a writer, there's the portrayal of characters each as developed and robust as each other, working together. And as a reader, there's a great story that, while starting off slow, brings you in with a fun excitement that had me fail to notice I'd just spent 2 1/2 hours and six cups of tea reading it on the final stint – once the characters hit Ballarat, it felt more like fifteen minutes.
Emmeline, while originally a truly annoying character that finds trouble without even intending on it, is someone I can see myself now following through two more books. I'm happy to see her go on, and hopefully use her skills to benefit her journey, rather than hiding them. For a steampunk story, there is relatively little steampunk in the pages, for which I am moderately grateful, but I do believe that the use of gears ad wheels should have found itself better off in the final battle.
And the ending? What the…? That caught me off guard. Aside from the scene of naked bathing in the river, and the incredibly uptight modesty of Victorian England, there is little to build the apparent attraction between the characters – though I suppose that the magic of lead poisoning probably goes some way to explaining the kick in the pants that the infatuation received.
Overall, one of the more enjoyable Australian- set books I've read in a long time. It's given me a hankering to go looking in to the history of the Eureka Stockade, which I've never wanted to do before, owing to cultural over-saturation. If it can manage to send me researching, it's definitely something you can get into.

First reviewed on the Beyond the Words podcast.