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Mongrel (2010)

by K.Z. Snow(Favorite Author)

3.75 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1615816933 (ISBN13: 9781615816934)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Dreamspinner Press

series

Mongrel

review 1: 5 starsI loved the complex characters, for example, how Simon wasn't black and white, nor was Marrowbone. Fan was definitely intriguing and a unique character, and Will was adorable. I could completely picture him in my mind. The sympathetic way mental illness was handled really impressed me. Although bipolar doesn't work that way--cycling is over months usually, except sometimes in children--it was necessary for the storyline and was done really well. The herbs used are all actually ones said to work for depression, although obviously they aren't Prozac. It was realistic and therefore excellent how the tincture helped but didn't cure or work all the time. The world building was impressive. I don't usually like Steampunk so I don't have a wide knowledge base, but this worl... mored was quite different than the others I've read. I wish we learned more about what the different races of the mongrels actually were. The new take on vampires was interesting. New isn't probably the right word, but how the vampire fits into the story is a little different. The plot was good and kept me hanging on despite my dislike for historical-like stories. But then, I've been reevaluating my opinions on those, too, since I've read a bunch of really good ones recently. I still hate the level of homophobia, though, where the characters could be killed by the government if caught. It is so difficult to read about. I am eager to read the next book in the series. Hopefully we'll learn more about their world.
review 2: This was one of those amazingly descriptive books where you don't even feel like you are reading anymore. The world building was so well done. It's really hard to find a quality steam-punk themed story in general and in this genre specifically, but this one was perfect. So many sci-fi/steam-punk/fantasy books over do it with the world building so you get taken out of the story as you try and keep up with all the terminology, geography and characters. Or they are made so campy that you can't take it seriously at all. It should be fun, but not at the expense of the story.The characters were strong and unique and the heroes were flawed but noble. They were complex enough to feel realistic. Fan and Will complimented each other well and brought out the best traits in one another. I really liked Simon too, he was just so lost really, but towards the end found his way and I can't wait to read the next in the series that focuses on him and Clancy. I think another thing that really added to the depth of the story overall was that while it was a romance between Fan and Will, it was also the building of some meaningful friendships amongst some really lonely characters.And the language was completely swoon worthy. Not in a flowery romantic sense (although there was that too) but the names of the people and the places were perfectly fitting with the genre without being over the top. The descriptions of specific events as well as daily life painted a vivid picture of the story and I could totally 'see' every scene that was described.One thing I would have liked developed a little more were the bad guys. I love a good bad guy and the whole conflict could have been a lot more intense and scary than it was. The villains didn't seem to put up too much of a fight at the end, but I enjoyed everything else so much I suspended disbelief completely and got over it. Overall and a very unique story I would re-read and recommend! less

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