Today is the first post of my mini book review series. I read so many books that it makes sense to record my impressions of them, but I suck at reviews. So these posts will be my impressions of the books, without spoilers 🙂
So on my recent vacation, all I wanted to do was read and sleep. And I definitely accomplished both. I read something like 10 books over 6 days. It was heaven. Boneshaker was something I picked up on a whim from the library. I’d heard good things about it, especially since it had been nominated for a Hugo Award, but it wasn’t a “must read.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect – I love steampunk, but I haven’t read a ton of it. But in Boneshaker, Cherie Priest has created a fantastic world with fully realized characters and world-building. The book actually takes place in an Alternate-Seattle, which has been destroyed by the Boneshaker – a drill-like contraption. Some sort of noxious gas has invaded the old city, turning everyone into zombies. The story follows Briar Wilkes as she tries to find her son who’s snuck into the old city. And Zeke, her son, who wants to find the truth about his father.
I was completely captivated by the world and the secondary characters. Priest has done a phenomenal job of turning everyone you meet into fleshed out characters of their own. That being said, often I found myself wanting to know more about these other people than the main characters. Overall though, Briar and Zeke were interesting in their own right, and I liked the contrast between their experiences in the old city.
Boneshaker is an interesting book with real flesh and blood characters and a world that sucks you in. My only reservation was that I didn’t really feel a connection with either of the main characters. I wanted to feel more for them, especially since the story was about them and their experiences. However, that may have only been me. And I’m definitley looking forward to Priest’s next book, Dreadnought.
I give Boneshaker 4 out of 5 stars.
