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Arcana #1
The Broken Lands
A crossroads can be a place of great power.
So begins this deliciously spine-tingling prequel to Kate Milford’s The Boneshaker, set in the colorful world of nineteenth-century Coney Island and New York City. Few crossroads compare to the one being formed by the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River, and as the bridge’s construction progresses, forces of unimaginable evil seek to bend that power to their advantage. Only two orphans with unusual skills stand in their way. Can the teenagers Sam, a card sharp, and Jin, a fireworks expert, stop them before it’s too late?
A richly textured, slow-burning thriller about friendship, courage, love, and the age-old fight between good and evil.
So begins this deliciously spine-tingling prequel to Kate Milford’s The Boneshaker, set in the colorful world of nineteenth-century Coney Island and New York City. Few crossroads compare to the one being formed by the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River, and as the bridge’s construction progresses, forces of unimaginable evil seek to bend that power to their advantage. Only two orphans with unusual skills stand in their way. Can the teenagers Sam, a card sharp, and Jin, a fireworks expert, stop them before it’s too late?
A richly textured, slow-burning thriller about friendship, courage, love, and the age-old fight between good and evil.
461 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Kate Milford
17 books1,177 followersKate is the author of THE THIEF KNOT, GREENGLASS HOUSE, GHOSTS OF GREENGLASS HOUSE, BLUECROWNE, THE LEFT-HANDED FATE, THE BONESHAKER, THE BROKEN LANDS, THE KAIROS MECHANISM, and the forthcoming THE RACONTEUR'S COMMONPLACE BOOK (February 2021).
Originally from Annapolis, MD, Kate now lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Nathan and son Griffin and their dogs, Ed and Sprocket. She has written for stage and screen and is a frequent travel columnist for the Nagspeake Board of Tourism and Culture (www.nagspeake.com).
Originally from Annapolis, MD, Kate now lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Nathan and son Griffin and their dogs, Ed and Sprocket. She has written for stage and screen and is a frequent travel columnist for the Nagspeake Board of Tourism and Culture (www.nagspeake.com).
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October 26, 2012Again, grain of salt, cause, you know, I wrote the thing...but I like it a lot.
August 23, 2012
In these lands, these broken lands of these United States of America in 1877, the Civil War and the Reconstruction have left ugly scars. In these lands, these broken lands, the new cohabit with the old, poverty with riches, ancient traditions with wondrous technologies, bigotry with tolerance. In the crossroad formed by the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River, a man without a country wishes to claim this place for his own – by blood, by fire and by getting rid of its five pillars.
Teenagers Sam, the son of an Italian immigrant and a card player, and Jin, a Chinese girl and a fireworks expert are part of a group that stand on this man’s way: a group formed by people from all walks of life who embody these broken lands and are old and new, rich and poor, traditional and modern, prejudiced and tolerant.
A crossroads can be a place of great power; this should not come as any surprise. It is a place of choosing, of testing, of transition, and there is power in all of those things.
These motifs permeate The Broken Lands – a prequel to Kate Milfod’s excellent The Boneshaker – to tell a story that inevitably wishes for these broken lands to be mended and to be healed. Not that this is an easy thing. It can’t be an easy thing when so many different threads coexist. But a conscious effort is made by the characters that inhabit this story – they are tested to their limits, they are allowed to choose and they are central figures in a transitional moment of their story. I loved the themes of this novel as much as I loved the incredible characters and the development of the plot to thwart the villains – all of it blended together seamlessly.
If Boneshaker was definitely Middle Grade, The Broken Lands is firmly set in YA territory: its main characters are a bit older, its horrors are lot more graphic and a lovely romance develops between its two main characters. Just like its predecessor, The Broken Lands is a novel that seeks its inspiration in folklore and religious themes but which shapes and bends stories in a way that is both old-fashioned and extremely bold:
There is the development of an idea about a mythical as well as mystical creation of a country, via its cities and its people. In it, each place is held together by its community’s pillars – men and women who hold offices and positions like for example, that of a history/story-keeper. What is all the more interesting is that these pillars change over time, as do their functions: here, power is a fluid thing and as changeable as the times. It comes as no surprise that – without spoiling too much – the people that hold New York together are not simply old white folks but a mixture, an encounter of immigrants that helped shape America: from Ireland, from China, from Italy; as well as American born and bred, including African Americans. Its concept of family is that of bond rather than blood and heroism is what you choose to do rather than what you are.
Its central character, Jin, is a Chinese girl who is strong, determined, enterprising and fierce. Who takes to what she must do to save this city and its citizens with aplomb and only a little reluctance. Her Italian friend Sam shares the point of view in this story and is equally enterprising but functions more as a side-kick. Someone who is full of admiration for the very characteristics that make Jin so independent. These two develop a relationship – friendship and eventually something more – in a natural way that is superbly well-done.
There is also a lovely appreciation for the art of reading and for what a reader brings to and takes from a book.
And this is what I take from this book: The Broken Lands goes beyond formulas and clichés. It has an awesome plot, full of twists and turns and adventurous moments and also, EXPLOSIONS. It has romance and awesome characters left and right. It is truly scary as any horror novel should be. Ultimately, it is more than a simple story: it is a book that has heart and soul and whose ideas will engage each reader in a different way.
This is the sign of a True Book and Kate Milford is a Master of Methods.
Teenagers Sam, the son of an Italian immigrant and a card player, and Jin, a Chinese girl and a fireworks expert are part of a group that stand on this man’s way: a group formed by people from all walks of life who embody these broken lands and are old and new, rich and poor, traditional and modern, prejudiced and tolerant.
A crossroads can be a place of great power; this should not come as any surprise. It is a place of choosing, of testing, of transition, and there is power in all of those things.
These motifs permeate The Broken Lands – a prequel to Kate Milfod’s excellent The Boneshaker – to tell a story that inevitably wishes for these broken lands to be mended and to be healed. Not that this is an easy thing. It can’t be an easy thing when so many different threads coexist. But a conscious effort is made by the characters that inhabit this story – they are tested to their limits, they are allowed to choose and they are central figures in a transitional moment of their story. I loved the themes of this novel as much as I loved the incredible characters and the development of the plot to thwart the villains – all of it blended together seamlessly.
If Boneshaker was definitely Middle Grade, The Broken Lands is firmly set in YA territory: its main characters are a bit older, its horrors are lot more graphic and a lovely romance develops between its two main characters. Just like its predecessor, The Broken Lands is a novel that seeks its inspiration in folklore and religious themes but which shapes and bends stories in a way that is both old-fashioned and extremely bold:
There is the development of an idea about a mythical as well as mystical creation of a country, via its cities and its people. In it, each place is held together by its community’s pillars – men and women who hold offices and positions like for example, that of a history/story-keeper. What is all the more interesting is that these pillars change over time, as do their functions: here, power is a fluid thing and as changeable as the times. It comes as no surprise that – without spoiling too much – the people that hold New York together are not simply old white folks but a mixture, an encounter of immigrants that helped shape America: from Ireland, from China, from Italy; as well as American born and bred, including African Americans. Its concept of family is that of bond rather than blood and heroism is what you choose to do rather than what you are.
Its central character, Jin, is a Chinese girl who is strong, determined, enterprising and fierce. Who takes to what she must do to save this city and its citizens with aplomb and only a little reluctance. Her Italian friend Sam shares the point of view in this story and is equally enterprising but functions more as a side-kick. Someone who is full of admiration for the very characteristics that make Jin so independent. These two develop a relationship – friendship and eventually something more – in a natural way that is superbly well-done.
There is also a lovely appreciation for the art of reading and for what a reader brings to and takes from a book.
And this is what I take from this book: The Broken Lands goes beyond formulas and clichés. It has an awesome plot, full of twists and turns and adventurous moments and also, EXPLOSIONS. It has romance and awesome characters left and right. It is truly scary as any horror novel should be. Ultimately, it is more than a simple story: it is a book that has heart and soul and whose ideas will engage each reader in a different way.
This is the sign of a True Book and Kate Milford is a Master of Methods.
December 7, 2014
"You're in two halves at present," Clennan went on. "Often thought so. Come together, Moril, and there's no knowing what you might do."The Broken Lands begins like Moril: in fragmented pieces. There's a piece that reads as a tribute to New York City, and a piece about a young boy making a living as a card shark in Coney Island, and a piece about a young girl who creates fireworks. They all have individual charms, but they don't come together well. They bump against each other. They jostle for space.
The tribute to New York City is especially awkward to me because mentioning "Atlantic Avenue" and "Front Street" does not a tribute make. It stands out because it sounds like a listing of dry facts, not like a well-integrated detail.
The story of the young boy fending for himself isn't especially notable, either. It isn't unique, and to its detriment, it's tied to Coney Island; there's nothing particularly New York about this story, and I think it's weakened by the determined parade of places that passes as Sam's intimate knowledge of the city. Also, it's contradicted by
Jin, the firework girl, has some of the few good moments early on: a spectacular show, for one. But her story doesn't quite fit with everyone else's. There's a very quick acceptance from people who are supposed to be suspicious New Yorkers, and there's a very quick acceptance on her part, too, from someone who's been a loner for a long time.
There's also bits of social commentary that - well, they're certainly appropriate, but I don't know if they're appropriate for historical New York. Though that wouldn't bother me if they, too, didn't stand out as poorly-integrated elements.
And then, about two thirds into the book, all the parts come together. Really, really well. It's interesting that the book stops being a tribute to Brooklyn and New York and becomes essentially straight fantasy at that point. There's a card game - a really great card game. (At some point, probably between Shield of Stars and The Cardturner, I became a fan of great card games.) There's a daring fireworks display, a secret ritual, visions, and demons. And there are some fabulous quotes:
"If there was only one way to read a book," Burns said with a little smile, "any book in the world - if there was only one way to read and understand it, what would be the point of reading that book?"And then there's the ending. Which manages to be about surviving a war and living in a broken world and understanding humanity, all while being overt but without being preachy. It almost reads as a fantasy trial, which funnily enough feels entirely fitting for a post-Civil War generation:
"I do not understand country."There's a degree of clear-sightedness coupled with empathy there that makes the entire scene sing with truth.
"It's what we all thought we were fighting for on the killing fields."
..."So pain and anger - this is acceptable if done for this thing that is country?"
..."Nobody's saying that... Only that there is something we thought was worth fighting for, maybe the only thing both sides could agree on."
So the novel ends on a very high note: it goes from a New York with clumsily-integrated fantasy elements to a fantasy where demons are the prevailing threat. And then, funnily enough, it ends with a real tribute to New York.
"After a parade... when all that's left is confetti in the streets, everyone goes back to work. Somebody unhitches the horses, somebody sweeps up, and little by little, garbage starts to pile up in its usual places."(I've seen Times Square after New Year's. If you haven't, be glad of that.)
And then there's this:
"Never expect the world to make sense before breakfast, kid."Words to live by.
July 6, 2026
Nachdem ich mit den Greenhouse Büchern der Autorin durch bin, geht es mit der Arcana Trilogie weiter die auch zur Nagspeake Reihe gehört, auch wenn der Schauplatz hier in New York City angesiedelt ist, in Coney Island (1877), zur Zeit als die Brooklyn Bridge gebaut wurde.
Eine Kreuzung kann ein Ort großer Macht sein; das sollte niemanden wirklich überraschen.
Zitat, Erster Satz
Der Einstieg war schon wieder sehr genial, denn mit Wegkreuzungen verbindet man seit langer Zeit magische, unheimliche Orte und einen Treffpunkt für dämonische Wesen. Schon in den anderen Büchern kamen Kreuzungen vor und sie bedeuten natürlich auch, eine Entscheidung zu treffen, welchen Weg man einschlägt.
Es gibt sich wiederholende Muster in ihren Geschichten - alte Mythen, die "zeitreisenden Wanderer", die Besonderheit von Kreuzungen oder Entscheidungswegen, chinesische Protagonisten die in der Kunst des Feuerwerkens bewandert sind - und eine Menge tiefsinnige Botschaften zwischen den Zeilen. Aber auch und vor allem Freundschaft, Mut und der Zusammenhalt, durch den am Ende gegen das Böse gesiegt werden kann.
Es ist ein Abenteuer, das durch komplexe Zufälle unsere Helden zusammenführt und in ruhigem Tempo, dafür mit intensiver Erzählkunst, eine dunkle Spannung aufbaut.
Sam ist 15 und versucht, sich mit Glückspielen über Wasser zu halten. Zusammen mit seinem besten Freund Constantin lebt zur Untermiete bei Prs. Ponzi und ihrer Tochter Ilana. Er ist ein pfiffiges Kerlchen, der gelernt hat, sich durchzuschlagen und das beste aus seinem Leben zu machen.
Er trifft mit dem alten Musiker Tom Guyot zusammen, der nicht das ist, was er scheint.
Zur selben Zeit trifft ein Zug ein, aus dem ein mysteriöser Reisender mit einem mysteriösen Gepäckstück steigt, in dem sich lauter Knochen befinden.
Und auch die Fata Morgana Feuerwerk Kompanie kündigt ihre Vorstellung an - in der das Mädchen Jin eine wichtige Rolle spielt.
Aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln verfolgen wir die Wege und Kreuzungen - das Kennenlernen der Figuren und was sie miteinander verbindet. Eine zerfetzte Leiche und eine grausame Botschaft sind dabei von Bedeutung und zeugen von der Bosheit und Gewaltbereitschaft der Gegenspieler.
Die Charaktere sind wieder alle großartig gezeichnet und sehr greifbar. Auch wenn manche mysteriös bleiben fand ich auch einige Nebenfiguren super interessant, allen voran den Ladenbesitzer Mr. McNulty.
Wie schon in den anderen Büchern, die vom Lesealter ja sogar noch jünger eingestuft wurden, schreibt die Autorin sehr anspruchsvoll und konstruiert komplexe Handlungsstränge bzw. Hintergründe, die man nicht so leicht durchschauen kann. Ich bin sehr froh, dass dieser Band ins deutsche übersetzt wurde, da das im englischen echt eine Herausforderung ist.
Dabei bleibt sie geradlinig, schweift nicht aus sondern beschreibt Orte und Personen sehr auf den Punkt, so dass ich beim Lesen immer mittendrin war im Geschehen.
Das Böse, das hier sein Unwesen treibt und dem die beiden Jugendlichen auf die Spur kommen wollen, geht hier richtig brutal ans Werk, es wird aber nicht zu sehr ins Detail gegangen. Aber man spürt sehr wohl in manchen Momenten die Ernsthaftigkeit und dass eben nicht alles auf der Welt immer eitel Sonnenschein ist.
Ich war jedenfalls wieder total von der Geschichte gefangen und bewundere den Einfallsreichtum - denn obwohl man den Stil in jedem ihrer Bücher wiedererkennt, ist alles immer anders und neu und doch fühlt man sich heimisch.
Das Cover symbolisiert die vielen Merkmale in der Geschichte - von der entstehenden Brooklyn Bridge über die Kartenspiele bis zu den beiden Protagonisten Sam und Jin und das Feuer, das eine zentrale Bedeutung hat. Einige Figuren und Szenen basieren auf echten Menschen bzw. Vorkommnissen, was man am Ende im Glossar nachlesen kann. Die ganze Atmosphäre aus dieser Epoche ist jedenfalls gut bei mir angekommen.
Wie schon gesagt sind die Bücher aus dieser Reihe alle als Kinder- Jugendbücher eingestuft, wobei ich der Meinung bin, dass es keine "leichte" Lektüre ist, sondern einiges fordert.
Ich kann immer nur betonen, dass mich diese Reihe mit jedem Band bestätigt in dem Sinn, dass ich absolut begeistert bin. Es ist kein übliches Muster, eigentlich ist hier nichts dem ähnlich, was ich sonst gelesen habe - außer dass es ein Happy End gibt. Meistens, irgendwie. Und ich hoffe, dass diese Geschichte bekannter wird und der Verlag auch noch die anderen Bücher übersetzen lässt.
"Aber warum sollte man ein Buch lesen", gab Burns mit einem leisen Lächeln zurück, "und zwar irgendein Buch, wenn es nur auf eine Art gelesen und verstanden werden könnte?"
Zitat Seite 336
Weltenwanderer
Eine Kreuzung kann ein Ort großer Macht sein; das sollte niemanden wirklich überraschen.
Zitat, Erster Satz
Der Einstieg war schon wieder sehr genial, denn mit Wegkreuzungen verbindet man seit langer Zeit magische, unheimliche Orte und einen Treffpunkt für dämonische Wesen. Schon in den anderen Büchern kamen Kreuzungen vor und sie bedeuten natürlich auch, eine Entscheidung zu treffen, welchen Weg man einschlägt.
Es gibt sich wiederholende Muster in ihren Geschichten - alte Mythen, die "zeitreisenden Wanderer", die Besonderheit von Kreuzungen oder Entscheidungswegen, chinesische Protagonisten die in der Kunst des Feuerwerkens bewandert sind - und eine Menge tiefsinnige Botschaften zwischen den Zeilen. Aber auch und vor allem Freundschaft, Mut und der Zusammenhalt, durch den am Ende gegen das Böse gesiegt werden kann.
Es ist ein Abenteuer, das durch komplexe Zufälle unsere Helden zusammenführt und in ruhigem Tempo, dafür mit intensiver Erzählkunst, eine dunkle Spannung aufbaut.
Sam ist 15 und versucht, sich mit Glückspielen über Wasser zu halten. Zusammen mit seinem besten Freund Constantin lebt zur Untermiete bei Prs. Ponzi und ihrer Tochter Ilana. Er ist ein pfiffiges Kerlchen, der gelernt hat, sich durchzuschlagen und das beste aus seinem Leben zu machen.
Er trifft mit dem alten Musiker Tom Guyot zusammen, der nicht das ist, was er scheint.
Zur selben Zeit trifft ein Zug ein, aus dem ein mysteriöser Reisender mit einem mysteriösen Gepäckstück steigt, in dem sich lauter Knochen befinden.
Und auch die Fata Morgana Feuerwerk Kompanie kündigt ihre Vorstellung an - in der das Mädchen Jin eine wichtige Rolle spielt.
Aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln verfolgen wir die Wege und Kreuzungen - das Kennenlernen der Figuren und was sie miteinander verbindet. Eine zerfetzte Leiche und eine grausame Botschaft sind dabei von Bedeutung und zeugen von der Bosheit und Gewaltbereitschaft der Gegenspieler.
Die Charaktere sind wieder alle großartig gezeichnet und sehr greifbar. Auch wenn manche mysteriös bleiben fand ich auch einige Nebenfiguren super interessant, allen voran den Ladenbesitzer Mr. McNulty.
Wie schon in den anderen Büchern, die vom Lesealter ja sogar noch jünger eingestuft wurden, schreibt die Autorin sehr anspruchsvoll und konstruiert komplexe Handlungsstränge bzw. Hintergründe, die man nicht so leicht durchschauen kann. Ich bin sehr froh, dass dieser Band ins deutsche übersetzt wurde, da das im englischen echt eine Herausforderung ist.
Dabei bleibt sie geradlinig, schweift nicht aus sondern beschreibt Orte und Personen sehr auf den Punkt, so dass ich beim Lesen immer mittendrin war im Geschehen.
Das Böse, das hier sein Unwesen treibt und dem die beiden Jugendlichen auf die Spur kommen wollen, geht hier richtig brutal ans Werk, es wird aber nicht zu sehr ins Detail gegangen. Aber man spürt sehr wohl in manchen Momenten die Ernsthaftigkeit und dass eben nicht alles auf der Welt immer eitel Sonnenschein ist.
Ich war jedenfalls wieder total von der Geschichte gefangen und bewundere den Einfallsreichtum - denn obwohl man den Stil in jedem ihrer Bücher wiedererkennt, ist alles immer anders und neu und doch fühlt man sich heimisch.
Das Cover symbolisiert die vielen Merkmale in der Geschichte - von der entstehenden Brooklyn Bridge über die Kartenspiele bis zu den beiden Protagonisten Sam und Jin und das Feuer, das eine zentrale Bedeutung hat. Einige Figuren und Szenen basieren auf echten Menschen bzw. Vorkommnissen, was man am Ende im Glossar nachlesen kann. Die ganze Atmosphäre aus dieser Epoche ist jedenfalls gut bei mir angekommen.
Wie schon gesagt sind die Bücher aus dieser Reihe alle als Kinder- Jugendbücher eingestuft, wobei ich der Meinung bin, dass es keine "leichte" Lektüre ist, sondern einiges fordert.
Ich kann immer nur betonen, dass mich diese Reihe mit jedem Band bestätigt in dem Sinn, dass ich absolut begeistert bin. Es ist kein übliches Muster, eigentlich ist hier nichts dem ähnlich, was ich sonst gelesen habe - außer dass es ein Happy End gibt. Meistens, irgendwie. Und ich hoffe, dass diese Geschichte bekannter wird und der Verlag auch noch die anderen Bücher übersetzen lässt.
"Aber warum sollte man ein Buch lesen", gab Burns mit einem leisen Lächeln zurück, "und zwar irgendein Buch, wenn es nur auf eine Art gelesen und verstanden werden könnte?"
Zitat Seite 336
Weltenwanderer
January 10, 2021
Wow. Just wow. Such an amazing book. The way the author can tell a story..wow. These books connect to not only The Bone Shaker, but Bluecrowne-book 3 in the Greenglass House series. So all the same world basically, but at different points & places in history. We follow Sam & Jin in this, & I loved them both w/my whole heart. This is way upper MG lol Sam is 15, but the violence & other things make me say this. It didn’t have things I don’t like about YA though, so I’d still say upper MG. I can’t say much, b/c all the books are so connected lol but this was full of danger, suspense, magic, everything. The suspense & tension was so much so, it made it nearly impossible to put down. This is set in NYC/Brooklyn/Coney Island in 1877. There are so many things the author took from facts of history at that & place, & made them apart of this story-it’s just amazing. She talks about it in the author notes in the back. America wasn’t in a good place at that time, & you could feel that tension along w/the tension from the fictional parts of the story. Her world building, & writing are just magic. She wrote a Chinese-American girl in 1877 America, & didn’t make her anything other than the amazing, brave, strong, force to be reckoned with girl she was. She didn’t do the girl needing saving bit. Loved that. Things that are happening in the America of this time, look unfortunately similar to the America of today in many ways. & how sad is that. If I tabbed books, these past 2 would have been filled. So many beautiful lines written. One of my favorite characters from the last book was in this one, & I was so happy to visit w/him again. Highly recommend. Another absolutely beautiful cover w/illustrations sprinkled throughout again by Andrea Offermann.💜
August 19, 2012
My Thoughts
This was excellent. I’ve been telling everyone this book is Stephen King-ish, a descriptive term meaning ookie spookie.
I fell in heavy like with Jin and Sam. For young teenagers, they have already experienced many of life’s unpleasant moments. Jin is resilient and strong. Sam is street smart and loyal. Together they must stand up against evil.
I was not aware when I requested this book that it was classified as juvenile fiction and honestly, I could not tell this from the writing. It was suspenseful, magical and just down right entertaining!
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchnage for an unbiased review.
Publish date: September 4, 2012.
This was excellent. I’ve been telling everyone this book is Stephen King-ish, a descriptive term meaning ookie spookie.
I fell in heavy like with Jin and Sam. For young teenagers, they have already experienced many of life’s unpleasant moments. Jin is resilient and strong. Sam is street smart and loyal. Together they must stand up against evil.
I was not aware when I requested this book that it was classified as juvenile fiction and honestly, I could not tell this from the writing. It was suspenseful, magical and just down right entertaining!
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchnage for an unbiased review.
Publish date: September 4, 2012.
June 2, 2023
I still enjoyed this book after my reread. I love the interesting hobbies that both Jin and Sam have in this book. The end battle wasn't as dramatic as I remembered which brought the rating down from my first time reading this book.
December 12, 2012
I loved Kate Milford's The Boneshaker, so I was really looking forward to this one, which just came out on September 4th (I got a review copy from Harcourt Children's Books.) I wouldn't say it was quite as good as The Boneshaker, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it. The Broken Lands is set in 1877 in New York City (mainly in Brooklyn.) The Brooklyn is just going up, and dark forces are rising at the crossroads of the East River and the new bridge. The mysterious Jack wants to claim New York for his own. Somehow, Sam, a fifteen year old card sharp, and Jin, a Chinese girl who's a master with explosives, get drawn into the battle to protect the five pillars of the city (which are people by the way) and save New York and possibly the whole country. Jack himself doesn't show up until the very end, but you meet Walker and Bones, two evil henchman who come to scout out the city and get rid of the pillars. You see, Jack plans to replace the pillars with his own people. Jack's back-story is explained in the book.
I would say that this one is even darker than The Boneshaker, if that's even possible. There was killing in both, but in The Broken Lands it was a lot more graphic and violent. Still, I liked the book, and even though I'm not familiar with Brooklyn at all, it was nice that it was in New York. Also, Tom Guyot is a character in both stories.
I liked how the Civil War was incorporated into the story. The whole country is still reeling from the aftereffects of that calamity, so anything could set the whole country into more chaos. Something like the falling of New York City. I also liked the concept of the roamers, people (or perhaps not people) who drift here and there. I liked the plot and the fantasy elements as well as the characters. Overall, this was a solid fantasy read.
www.novareviews.blogspot.com
I would say that this one is even darker than The Boneshaker, if that's even possible. There was killing in both, but in The Broken Lands it was a lot more graphic and violent. Still, I liked the book, and even though I'm not familiar with Brooklyn at all, it was nice that it was in New York. Also, Tom Guyot is a character in both stories.
I liked how the Civil War was incorporated into the story. The whole country is still reeling from the aftereffects of that calamity, so anything could set the whole country into more chaos. Something like the falling of New York City. I also liked the concept of the roamers, people (or perhaps not people) who drift here and there. I liked the plot and the fantasy elements as well as the characters. Overall, this was a solid fantasy read.
www.novareviews.blogspot.com
November 11, 2015
Read-alike: The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
Oh, Kate Milford. Only you can write historical fiction/steampunk/fantasy replete with fireworks (lots of them), folktalke (some of them), and lots of Brooklyn-specific geography. You're one of the few who is writing speficially for smart, savvy, and snarky 7th-9th graders.
This book is a slow and atmospheric take on the old good v. evil tale, and in this case the good guys are a few plucky (and slighly unlucky) teens while the bad guys are permanent wanderers and henchmen extroadinaire. In the middle of this crisis our hero and heroine develop a purely awkward form of a quasi-romance that any upper middle grades reader will begin to understand.
Purely on character and cinematics, if you will, this book is one of the stronger fantasy reads I've encountered all year. However, its plotting and pacing were slow, even for that savvy teen reader, and I found the final battle scene underwhelming.... a lot of build-up for something I knew was coming.
I'll probably find a student who will be down for this kind of story, but that student is few and far between.
Oh, Kate Milford. Only you can write historical fiction/steampunk/fantasy replete with fireworks (lots of them), folktalke (some of them), and lots of Brooklyn-specific geography. You're one of the few who is writing speficially for smart, savvy, and snarky 7th-9th graders.
This book is a slow and atmospheric take on the old good v. evil tale, and in this case the good guys are a few plucky (and slighly unlucky) teens while the bad guys are permanent wanderers and henchmen extroadinaire. In the middle of this crisis our hero and heroine develop a purely awkward form of a quasi-romance that any upper middle grades reader will begin to understand.
Purely on character and cinematics, if you will, this book is one of the stronger fantasy reads I've encountered all year. However, its plotting and pacing were slow, even for that savvy teen reader, and I found the final battle scene underwhelming.... a lot of build-up for something I knew was coming.
I'll probably find a student who will be down for this kind of story, but that student is few and far between.
December 22, 2015
I bought THE BROKEN LANDS on a gut feeling. I found it alone on a shelf in my indie bookstore, saw the cover, and knew that I would like it. Bridges and card sharps and Coney Island and magic? Sold.
I couldn't have imagined that this book would remind me what it feels like to fall in love with a story. I mean, the way I used to when I was a kid reading every library book she could get her hands on. That's what this felt like. Remembering.
Milford's writing is magic. It's luxurious and rich, and she writes about Brooklyn the way I would write about Los Angeles - like she's in love with the city. The world-building is just gorgeous. Honestly, every time I picked this book up, I felt like I was dreaming. It was that vivid. I loved the characters, too (and can I just say THANK YOU to Milford for writing a Chinese American girl in historical fiction without making her a damsel. Actually, just thank you for writing ethnic diversity without making it all about how ETHNICALLY DIVERSE !!!! they are).
This book is one of the best purchases I've made this year. I will say that it's not one to speed read, but... who the hell cares. I didn't. You won't.
I couldn't have imagined that this book would remind me what it feels like to fall in love with a story. I mean, the way I used to when I was a kid reading every library book she could get her hands on. That's what this felt like. Remembering.
Milford's writing is magic. It's luxurious and rich, and she writes about Brooklyn the way I would write about Los Angeles - like she's in love with the city. The world-building is just gorgeous. Honestly, every time I picked this book up, I felt like I was dreaming. It was that vivid. I loved the characters, too (and can I just say THANK YOU to Milford for writing a Chinese American girl in historical fiction without making her a damsel. Actually, just thank you for writing ethnic diversity without making it all about how ETHNICALLY DIVERSE !!!! they are).
This book is one of the best purchases I've made this year. I will say that it's not one to speed read, but... who the hell cares. I didn't. You won't.
January 13, 2017
The ebook, as is typical for Houghton Mifflin, wasn't well proofed. It's missing a chunk of text in chapter 26. Thankfully, I was able to read the missing portion in Google's book preview. I'm becoming quite wary of HMH published ebooks; too many errors. The story was wonderful, no stars lost for publisher laziness.
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ The Apothecary
✱ Beyond the Deepwoods
✱ Foundling
✱ The Night Circus
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ The Apothecary
✱ Beyond the Deepwoods
✱ Foundling
✱ The Night Circus
May 22, 2021
I first got this book maybe two years ago. I was at the bookstore having just read the entire Greenglass House series and wanted more Kate Milford. For some reason this book just spoke to me, the characters, the world, New York City, where I live, but different, older, richer. And it was creative, all of Kate’s booms are none like I’ve read before, and I’ve read a ton of books using the same tropes, so much that it gets boring, but this and her other books are not like that at all.
Still my favorite/comfort book today and I’ve read it maybe 4 times already. Even though it’s ‘younger’ it’s still really really good. 10/10 would recommend.
Still my favorite/comfort book today and I’ve read it maybe 4 times already. Even though it’s ‘younger’ it’s still really really good. 10/10 would recommend.
June 15, 2013
This book is strange, in both the subject-matter and the writing. The story sounds as if it's tailored for middle schoolers -- it's clumsy. However, it discusses issues for an older audience, from racism to prostitution. I feel like the fantasy elements were a bit overdone, though I liked the way they were grounded in historical context and folklore. It seemed, too, that the author was attempting to create strong female characters, but they came off as timid and ineffectual in some moments. Overall, not a very strong book.
August 12, 2017
In terms of the road trip genre, New York is one of the terminals for road trips: either being the starting point, or the ending point. New York isn't a city that can contain a road trip. A crossroads battle in the middle of a metropolis, even one that at the time was more than one city being in the process of becoming a single city, just doesn't work.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
July 7, 2020
Good read!
I let my 11 yr old read all the books related to Greenglass House, but not this one. The imagery was a bit intense and pretty scary. That said, it's a great story. It will just have to wait until she's older.
I let my 11 yr old read all the books related to Greenglass House, but not this one. The imagery was a bit intense and pretty scary. That said, it's a great story. It will just have to wait until she's older.
November 18, 2015
4 stars without the next to last chapters. must say I could have done with the end chapters and all that lectures and the meaning of the life and enlightenment like stuff!!! too lecture-y...
August 18, 2017
The Broken Lands was one of the best books I have read this year. All of it's qualities are interesting and unique, something I wish every book would possess. The characters have life to them and aren't just bland and boring.
Such as the main characters,...Sam and Jin were both impressive. Jin worked with Fireworks and Sam was a card sharper who outplayed tourists waiting to gain or lose some money. Even though Sam's life was entertaining, I found Jin's even more. I mean,...when do you read about a girl who entertains people with fireworks (aka explosives)?
The settings and character backgrounds were historically accurate. And because both characters come from such interesting backgrounds, it's like a whole new approach on History class.
Kate Milford (the author) has such a great writing style. It reminds me of Stephan King by how creepy it can get. Truly, the whole book is on the creepy side. Even if it is an action adventure there is demon conjuring, hell, and plenty of blood written on walls and dead bodies. Oh, and not to forget sand people with strange skeleton figures.
The pacing is well done, there wasn't a part that was too slow or too fast. The dialogue was well distributed across the pages and details didn't become info dumps. If I could change one thing in this novel though, it would be the second chapter.
It was confusing and awkward whilst the rest of the story was not. I don't really know why it was so poor in quality unlike the rest of the writing. But it was, so I guess that is that. The side characters were to quickly introduced and the setting was as well. And while I was trying to wrap my head around what was happening the dialogue was off and too much was going on. As if the author was trying to squeeze everything too tightly together for it to be in one chapter.
The romance was AMAZING. I loved how the character slowly came together as a newly formed couple. It wasn't just like, "hey, I have a crush on you!". Instead Sam and Jin had minor drawbacks with one another that made their new forming relationship actually REALISTIC.
How the story ended was also impressive. I mean, when was it that I read an ending like that?
I really recommend you reading this book.
Such as the main characters,...Sam and Jin were both impressive. Jin worked with Fireworks and Sam was a card sharper who outplayed tourists waiting to gain or lose some money. Even though Sam's life was entertaining, I found Jin's even more. I mean,...when do you read about a girl who entertains people with fireworks (aka explosives)?
The settings and character backgrounds were historically accurate. And because both characters come from such interesting backgrounds, it's like a whole new approach on History class.
Kate Milford (the author) has such a great writing style. It reminds me of Stephan King by how creepy it can get. Truly, the whole book is on the creepy side. Even if it is an action adventure there is demon conjuring, hell, and plenty of blood written on walls and dead bodies. Oh, and not to forget sand people with strange skeleton figures.
The pacing is well done, there wasn't a part that was too slow or too fast. The dialogue was well distributed across the pages and details didn't become info dumps. If I could change one thing in this novel though, it would be the second chapter.
It was confusing and awkward whilst the rest of the story was not. I don't really know why it was so poor in quality unlike the rest of the writing. But it was, so I guess that is that. The side characters were to quickly introduced and the setting was as well. And while I was trying to wrap my head around what was happening the dialogue was off and too much was going on. As if the author was trying to squeeze everything too tightly together for it to be in one chapter.
The romance was AMAZING. I loved how the character slowly came together as a newly formed couple. It wasn't just like, "hey, I have a crush on you!". Instead Sam and Jin had minor drawbacks with one another that made their new forming relationship actually REALISTIC.
How the story ended was also impressive. I mean, when was it that I read an ending like that?
I really recommend you reading this book.
September 20, 2018
Having only read Milford's Greenglass House books before this and despite having been warned that the rest of her books are darker, I was still not prepared for just how creepy and ominous this book was.
The Broken Lands is a tale of good vs. evil filled with history, diversity, and lots and lots of fireworks, all set in a growing NYC. It's fantastical and supernatural, but also starkly realistic in terms of societal norms and the various -isms that plagued the country shortly after the Civil War. There's a clear sense of this tale being part of a larger story without overwhelming or downplaying Sam and Jin's own story, and the characters themselves are richly described and fleshed-out, with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and abilities that make them integral in saving the city.
On the other hand, Milford's fantastic writing means that the villains are thoroughly described as well, and they're what make this story so creepy, and not just for an older MG/younger YA reader. There's a genuine sense of evil from these characters, and although they do to some degree play by the rules, they aren't afraid to take out anyone who gets in their way, including children, and Milford's willingness to cross that line is what really makes my skin crawl.
My favorite thing about this book has to be Jin's pyrotechnics. Yes, her skills in making fireworks are an important part of the bigger story, but I just absolutely loved all the chemistry and the science behind her creations. Her use of smaller fireworks to protect herself was a blast, too, and it really showed the extant of her brilliance; it takes a lot more effort and precision to create small, mostly harmless explosions than it does to make a giant one.
The Broken Lands brings together Milford's more historical books with her Greenglass House series, both in terms of folklore and through Easter eggs here and there that make it so much fun to read. And while it's certainly darker than the Greenglass House books, that darkness is certainly needed to raise the stakes for the fate of NYC. The Broken Lands is another wonderful read in this fictional world of Roamers and magic and Jack Hellcoal; if you're a fan of Milford's and have yet to read this one, put it on your list for a good Halloween read.
The Broken Lands is a tale of good vs. evil filled with history, diversity, and lots and lots of fireworks, all set in a growing NYC. It's fantastical and supernatural, but also starkly realistic in terms of societal norms and the various -isms that plagued the country shortly after the Civil War. There's a clear sense of this tale being part of a larger story without overwhelming or downplaying Sam and Jin's own story, and the characters themselves are richly described and fleshed-out, with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and abilities that make them integral in saving the city.
On the other hand, Milford's fantastic writing means that the villains are thoroughly described as well, and they're what make this story so creepy, and not just for an older MG/younger YA reader. There's a genuine sense of evil from these characters, and although they do to some degree play by the rules, they aren't afraid to take out anyone who gets in their way, including children, and Milford's willingness to cross that line is what really makes my skin crawl.
My favorite thing about this book has to be Jin's pyrotechnics. Yes, her skills in making fireworks are an important part of the bigger story, but I just absolutely loved all the chemistry and the science behind her creations. Her use of smaller fireworks to protect herself was a blast, too, and it really showed the extant of her brilliance; it takes a lot more effort and precision to create small, mostly harmless explosions than it does to make a giant one.
The Broken Lands brings together Milford's more historical books with her Greenglass House series, both in terms of folklore and through Easter eggs here and there that make it so much fun to read. And while it's certainly darker than the Greenglass House books, that darkness is certainly needed to raise the stakes for the fate of NYC. The Broken Lands is another wonderful read in this fictional world of Roamers and magic and Jack Hellcoal; if you're a fan of Milford's and have yet to read this one, put it on your list for a good Halloween read.
March 4, 2020
I was entranced by this book, and would've probably read it straight through had I not had things to get done. I'm always a fan of the subtle magic - where you can almost believe that it really exists, because the world created in the book is so utterly normal... until it isn't. It makes you think too, about the parallels that could be drawn about the role of evil and heroism in our world for real. There are the main monsters in this story, but the darker side of human nature also plays a part.
I am also always won over by the plots where fate, destiny, what-have-you plays a role, and helps the underdog win. Can't help but root for these kids as they volunteer to fight what they really have little hope of winning - because what they're fighting for is worth it. And having made that decision, they discover all the strengths they didn't know they had, and what their true potential is. It was about family and courage and overcoming their own past. Destiny just filled in the gaps that let things happen just so, to make it all work out. Fanciful, maybe, as the world rarely works that way, but it's nice to imagine that it would, when the stakes were that high.
Loved the angles of what would be interesting and exciting threads anyway, like making fireworks and card sharping. Add in that magic and it becomes even better. The historical tie-ins of the Brooklyn Bridge being built, and life in Coney Island at the time was very interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and have a full page of quotes that endeared themselves to me, so it's obvious I rather like the author's style. I'll definitely be checking out all her books!
I am also always won over by the plots where fate, destiny, what-have-you plays a role, and helps the underdog win. Can't help but root for these kids as they volunteer to fight what they really have little hope of winning - because what they're fighting for is worth it. And having made that decision, they discover all the strengths they didn't know they had, and what their true potential is. It was about family and courage and overcoming their own past. Destiny just filled in the gaps that let things happen just so, to make it all work out. Fanciful, maybe, as the world rarely works that way, but it's nice to imagine that it would, when the stakes were that high.
Loved the angles of what would be interesting and exciting threads anyway, like making fireworks and card sharping. Add in that magic and it becomes even better. The historical tie-ins of the Brooklyn Bridge being built, and life in Coney Island at the time was very interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and have a full page of quotes that endeared themselves to me, so it's obvious I rather like the author's style. I'll definitely be checking out all her books!
June 17, 2026
I read The Boneshaker a long time ago - I think it was actually my first book by Kate Milford. I remember it being somehow similar to "Something Wicked This Way Comes"by Ray Bradbury and I loved it. I've read a lot of other books by Milford since then and either forgot how dark The Boneshaker was or this prequel to it was just a bit more disturbing. I'll have to re-read The Boneshaker soon.
Overall, I enjoyed The Broken Lands and learned a few things about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the people who built it; but I wouldn't recommend it for kids. This story is for young adults. I enjoyed how she wrote about the idea that things like The Catherine Wheel that have been used for evil but can be "redeemed" in a way. My favorite part was the theme that touched on the fact that there are good things in this world and they're worth fighting for.
A few lines I highlighted:
I think all things, if they could choose, would decide to be instruments of joy.
If there was only one way to read a book...any book in the world - if there was only one way to read and understand it, what would be the point of reading that book?
You are not what was done to you...You survived what was done to you because of who you are. You have a cinnabar heart. By cinnabar heart, she'd come to understand Uncle Liao had meant some combination of strength, goodness, and sincerity.
People have no problem behaving like monsters until another monster comes along and demands to know, why the monstrous behavior?
You don't know the world you've been brought into. You should see if before you decide it isn't worth saving.
Overall, I enjoyed The Broken Lands and learned a few things about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the people who built it; but I wouldn't recommend it for kids. This story is for young adults. I enjoyed how she wrote about the idea that things like The Catherine Wheel that have been used for evil but can be "redeemed" in a way. My favorite part was the theme that touched on the fact that there are good things in this world and they're worth fighting for.
A few lines I highlighted:
I think all things, if they could choose, would decide to be instruments of joy.
If there was only one way to read a book...any book in the world - if there was only one way to read and understand it, what would be the point of reading that book?
You are not what was done to you...You survived what was done to you because of who you are. You have a cinnabar heart. By cinnabar heart, she'd come to understand Uncle Liao had meant some combination of strength, goodness, and sincerity.
People have no problem behaving like monsters until another monster comes along and demands to know, why the monstrous behavior?
You don't know the world you've been brought into. You should see if before you decide it isn't worth saving.
December 9, 2017
A few spoilers ahead.
This is a prequel to the splendid The Boneshaker. Neither my son nor I were quite as enamored with this book. I think we preferred following one protagonist, and although both main characters were interesting, we didn't get to know either of them as well.
I wound up confused about the character of Jack, called Jack Hellcoal in this book (not sure he wasn't called that in the first one). After the threat of Jack's arrival looms over the evil ones the whole book, he has a disappointingly brief appearance, but it's a much different person than in the first book. In The Boneshaker, Jack seems like an ambitious but rather neutral third party: clever and cynical. In this prequel, he's presented as basically a second Satan, someone the lesser devils or whatever fear greatly. Didn't make sense to me.
Still, this is an enjoyable book, with plenty of close scrapes and, importantly to me, adult characters who are friendly and supportive, but also pragmatic and with a small tolerance for nonsense.
This is a prequel to the splendid The Boneshaker. Neither my son nor I were quite as enamored with this book. I think we preferred following one protagonist, and although both main characters were interesting, we didn't get to know either of them as well.
I wound up confused about the character of Jack, called Jack Hellcoal in this book (not sure he wasn't called that in the first one). After the threat of Jack's arrival looms over the evil ones the whole book, he has a disappointingly brief appearance, but it's a much different person than in the first book. In The Boneshaker, Jack seems like an ambitious but rather neutral third party: clever and cynical. In this prequel, he's presented as basically a second Satan, someone the lesser devils or whatever fear greatly. Didn't make sense to me.
Still, this is an enjoyable book, with plenty of close scrapes and, importantly to me, adult characters who are friendly and supportive, but also pragmatic and with a small tolerance for nonsense.
September 3, 2018
This is the book that unites Boneshaker and Greenglass into a series and it is my favorite of the seven. There are those special books that light your imagination on fire and this is one. I love the character of Jin, and as the supernatural thread from this series begins to flow through this story, it's hard not to race ahead to find out what happens to her. Liao is an old man in this book, but we knew him from Bluecrowne and Lefthanded fate. This story just leaves you wanting to know what went on between 1810 and this story because he has some special powers now. He has to fight some extremely evil characters and how he became so powerful is something I'd love to know. Sam's story is another that I would like to know more about. He's an important character in this book, especially in the game of Santine, but secondary to Jin. There is so much that goes on in this book, I can't spoil everything, but the story made my heart pound in a way that not too much does at this time of my life.
October 14, 2017
I'd read The Greenglass House and was quite taken with it. I even have the sequel on my to-read list, but for some reason, as I scrolled through Amazon looking at book reviews, this book popped up and I added it to my list. Bored again with my stack, I reserved it at the library, picked it up and dove in. Lovely, a big fat book with a very, very interesting illustrations. Big lover of fantasy that I am I got right into it. This "review" isn't going to sound as enthusiastic about the book as I am having finished it. Somehow all of the alchemy involved was off-putting and I read the entire Alchemist series as fast as they were published. Something about this one just didn't connect on that level. However, having said that I loved the characters. Sam and Jin are such an awesome duo and although I haven't looked at the synopsis of the first book of the series, if they are in it, I will read it too!
April 22, 2018
"The Broken Lands" - written by Kate Milford and published in 2012 by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. In the Author's Note Milford writes, "I hope that, first and foremost, you will read this book as the adventure tale I set out to write." And this indeed was a first-rate adventure story infused with magical realism, a collection of delightfully fleshed out characters, and a common quest for the "good guys" to strive toward. The plot is too intricate to detail except to say that a city must be saved, and much of the fun of the book is to watch it form and develop. Somehow, Milford is able to make this story a tender romance, an exposition on firework construction, a light historical primer, a bringing-the-band-together tale and a scintillating fight between good and evil, and it all fits perfectly together. "The country is wide and strange." I recommend this to anyone looking for a rewarding story.
September 30, 2024
Excellent, gripping tale by Kate Milford. Crossroads are places of power and the one formed by the East River and the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge is incomparable.
Jack Hellcoal, of prior books (Bluecrown) has decided to make New York City his personal hell and has sent High Walker and Bones to lay the groundwork. They need to persuade the pillars of the city (the 5 people who hold the city intact) to their side or kill them and create new pillars. Or, they could find a conflagationeer to claim the city by fire.
The two people standing most in the way of this are 2 orphans. Jin, a young fireworks expert, protege of Liao (the same as in Bluecrown or a descendant?) and Sam, a young card sharp of Coney Island. They are helped by 2 veterans of the war between the states, ghosts, daemons, the one remaining pillar of NYC, and various other locals.
Mostly this is a battle between good and evil, and of courage, friendship, and love.
Jack Hellcoal, of prior books (Bluecrown) has decided to make New York City his personal hell and has sent High Walker and Bones to lay the groundwork. They need to persuade the pillars of the city (the 5 people who hold the city intact) to their side or kill them and create new pillars. Or, they could find a conflagationeer to claim the city by fire.
The two people standing most in the way of this are 2 orphans. Jin, a young fireworks expert, protege of Liao (the same as in Bluecrown or a descendant?) and Sam, a young card sharp of Coney Island. They are helped by 2 veterans of the war between the states, ghosts, daemons, the one remaining pillar of NYC, and various other locals.
Mostly this is a battle between good and evil, and of courage, friendship, and love.
January 13, 2025
I will admit to not reading any of The Boneshaker books or listening to them. BUT, this one was pretty confusing for a prequel or first book in the series (written last). According to the introduction, the series is for middle-graders (8-12) but the prequel is for young adults (12-16). As an adult, I couldn't get into the story.
There are teens who are the heroes and adults who are the villains and can conjure evil beings.
The book is set in Brooklyn, Coney Island to be exact, as the Brooklyn Bridge is set to open in 1877. And there's evil afoot.
The author seems to think Long Island is some other place rather than where Coney Island and Brooklyn are located. Shame on the author unless they were playing with geography. The characters are pretty flat as is the audio performance. Maybe the print version is better.
For more on the performance, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
There are teens who are the heroes and adults who are the villains and can conjure evil beings.
The book is set in Brooklyn, Coney Island to be exact, as the Brooklyn Bridge is set to open in 1877. And there's evil afoot.
The author seems to think Long Island is some other place rather than where Coney Island and Brooklyn are located. Shame on the author unless they were playing with geography. The characters are pretty flat as is the audio performance. Maybe the print version is better.
For more on the performance, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
May 13, 2014
*Worum geht's?*
Coney Island, 1877: Der junge Sam schlägt sich als listiger Kartenspieler, der Touristen die ein oder andere Münze aus der Tasche zieht, durchs Leben. Als eines Tages ein Trickser Sam mit seinen eigenen Waffen schlägt, geschehen plötzlich merkwürdige Dinge, die New York und Brooklyn in eine Hölle zu verwandeln drohen. Düstere Gestalten mit mächtiger, böser Magie wollen das zerbrochene Land für ihren Meister einnehmen, der schlimmer ist als der Teufel selbst. In dem wachsenden Chaos lernt Sam die Chinesin Jin kennen, ein Feuerwerksmädchen, das das Spiel mit dem Feuer liebt. Gemeinsam machen sie sich auf die Suche nach den Hütern, die New York und Brooklyn zusammenhalten. Der Kampf um die Zukunft der getrennten Städte beginnt. Doch es ist ein Rennen gegen die Zeit…
*Meine Meinung:*
In „Broken Lands“ spielt Autorin Kate Milford mit verschiedenen Genres. Die Geschichte spielt in unserer Welt, in Brooklyn und New York, allerdings viele Jahre vor unserer Zeit. Im Jahre 1877 begegnen wir Sam und Jin, denen ein großes Abenteuer bevorsteht – eines von jener Sorte, die den beiden mutigen Jugendlichen das Schicksal ganzer Städte auf die Schultern lädt. Und als wären die Probleme des Erwachsenwerdens und des täglichen Überlebens in einer gefährlichen Gegend noch nicht schwierig genug, tauchen plötzlich auch noch mysteriöse Gestalten mit bösen Absichten auf, die die Magie auf ihrer Seite haben. „Broken Lands“ ist eine wilde, aber gelungene Mischung mit historischen, fantastischen und kritischen Themen, die mit Spannung an die Seiten fesselt.
Kate Milford hat für ihre Leser eine neue Art von Fantasy geschaffen, auf die man so sicherlich noch nicht gestoßen ist. Milford verzichtet auf altbekannte Wesen und webt stattdessen neue Zauberfiguren in ihren Roman ein. So trifft man zum Beispiel auf magische Wanderer, Talgdämonen, Stadthüter und Flammenmeister. Obwohl mich die Autorin mit ihren Ideen sehr neugierig machen konnte, hatte ich besonders zu Beginn einige Schwierigkeiten, mich in der Welt von „Broken Lands“ zurechtzufinden. Die Fantasy-Elemente sind weder leicht verständlich noch problemlos zugänglich. Nichtsdestotrotz haben sie ihren eigenen Reiz, der einen fasziniert an den Seiten kleben lässt.
Sam, der trickreiche Kartenspieler aus Coney Island, und Jin, das Feuerwerksmädchen aus China, sind die beiden Protagonisten in „Broken Lands“. Die beiden jungen Heranwachsenden, die sich im Verlauf der Geschichte schrecklichen Dingen stellen müssen, haben zu Beginn der Geschichte noch wenig miteinander gemein. Die Ereignisse schweißen die beiden sympathischen und einzigartigen Protagonisten jedoch immer stärker zusammen, sodass zwischen Jin und Sam schließlich sogar zarte romantische Gefühle entwickeln. Sie sind ein mutiges, aufrichtiges Team, begeistern mit ausgeprägten Persönlichkeiten und durchdachten Hintergrundgeschichten. Obwohl mir beide Protagonisten ans Herz gewachsen sind, hat sich Jin, das Mädchen, das das Spiel mit dem Feuer liebt, als meine persönliche Favoritin durchsetzen können.
Neben Sam und Jin gibt es noch eine Menge weiterer Charaktere, die in „Broken Lands“ eine Rolle spielen. Tatsächlich sind es sogar so viele, dass man sich beinahe Sorgen darum machen muss, ob man sie nicht im Laufe der Geschichte durcheinander werfen wird. Kate Milford beweist ihren Lesern jedoch schnell, dass diese Angst unbegründet ist. Sie hat jede einzelne Figur mit so viel Leben entworfen und Individualität geformt, dass sie mit ihren einzigartigen Persönlichkeiten oft schon nach der ersten Begegnung im Gedächtnis bleiben. Verwechslungsgefahr besteht in „Broken Lands“ trotz der vielen relevanten Charaktere zu keinem Zeitpunkt!
Unterstützt wird die Geschichte von großartigen Illustrationen von der Künstlerin Andrea Offermann. Zahlreich sind ihre Zeichnungen zu meinem Bedauern zwar nicht, dafür tauchen sie immer in den wichtigen Momenten in der Handlung auf und heizen das Kopfkino mächtig an. Andrea Offermann schafft es in ihren Bildern, die Atmosphäre des Romans einzufangen und die Protagonisten und die Handlungsorte genauso aussehen zu lassen, wie sie Kate Milford ihren Lesern in den Kopf gezaubert hat.
Kate Milford hat zu „Broken Lands“ eine indirekte Fortsetzung geschrieben. „The Bone Shaker“, so der Titel im englischen Original, spielt in der gleichen Welt, erzählt jedoch die Geschichte anderer Charaktere. Jin und Sams Abenteuer wird in „Broken Lands“ trotz einiger offenen Fragen zu Ende geführt, sodass sich der Roman wie ein Einzelband lesen lässt. Trotzdem hat man nach der letzten Seite nicht wenig Lust, die Magie der Welt um 1877 weiter zu erforschen und sie gemeinsam mit neuen Charakteren zu entdecken. Bleibt zu hoffen, dass der Verlag auch „The Bone Shaker“ herausbringen wird und uns nicht mehr allzu lange warten lässt!
*Cover:*
Außergewöhnlich wie die Geschichte und ihre Facetten ist auch das Cover des Romans. Die verschiedenen Ebenen des Covers ergeben ein grandioses Gesamtbild, das dank der faszinierenden und passenden Illustrationen zu einem echten Eyecatcher wird.
*Fazit:*
Mit „Broken Lands“ ist Kate Milford ein einmaliges Fantasy-Spektakel gelungen, das sich mit seinem historischen Setting, seinen außergewöhnlichen magischen Elementen und seinen einzigartigen Charakteren deutlich von der Masse abhebt. „Broken Lands“ wartet mit neuen Ideen auf und wird selbst Vielleser mit seiner einzigartigen Magie an die Seiten fesseln. Allerdings macht es der Roman seinen Lesern vor allem zu Beginn nicht leicht, ihn zu durchschauen. Einige von Milfords Fantasy-Elementen sind schwer zugänglich und brauchen erst Zeit, um sich zu entfalten und zu etablieren, damit man in ihren vollen Genuss kommen kann. Wer sich durch den schwierigen Anfang schlägt, wird mit einem spannenden und mitreißenden Abenteuer belohnt. Für „Broken Lands“ gibt es 4 Lurche.
Coney Island, 1877: Der junge Sam schlägt sich als listiger Kartenspieler, der Touristen die ein oder andere Münze aus der Tasche zieht, durchs Leben. Als eines Tages ein Trickser Sam mit seinen eigenen Waffen schlägt, geschehen plötzlich merkwürdige Dinge, die New York und Brooklyn in eine Hölle zu verwandeln drohen. Düstere Gestalten mit mächtiger, böser Magie wollen das zerbrochene Land für ihren Meister einnehmen, der schlimmer ist als der Teufel selbst. In dem wachsenden Chaos lernt Sam die Chinesin Jin kennen, ein Feuerwerksmädchen, das das Spiel mit dem Feuer liebt. Gemeinsam machen sie sich auf die Suche nach den Hütern, die New York und Brooklyn zusammenhalten. Der Kampf um die Zukunft der getrennten Städte beginnt. Doch es ist ein Rennen gegen die Zeit…
*Meine Meinung:*
In „Broken Lands“ spielt Autorin Kate Milford mit verschiedenen Genres. Die Geschichte spielt in unserer Welt, in Brooklyn und New York, allerdings viele Jahre vor unserer Zeit. Im Jahre 1877 begegnen wir Sam und Jin, denen ein großes Abenteuer bevorsteht – eines von jener Sorte, die den beiden mutigen Jugendlichen das Schicksal ganzer Städte auf die Schultern lädt. Und als wären die Probleme des Erwachsenwerdens und des täglichen Überlebens in einer gefährlichen Gegend noch nicht schwierig genug, tauchen plötzlich auch noch mysteriöse Gestalten mit bösen Absichten auf, die die Magie auf ihrer Seite haben. „Broken Lands“ ist eine wilde, aber gelungene Mischung mit historischen, fantastischen und kritischen Themen, die mit Spannung an die Seiten fesselt.
Kate Milford hat für ihre Leser eine neue Art von Fantasy geschaffen, auf die man so sicherlich noch nicht gestoßen ist. Milford verzichtet auf altbekannte Wesen und webt stattdessen neue Zauberfiguren in ihren Roman ein. So trifft man zum Beispiel auf magische Wanderer, Talgdämonen, Stadthüter und Flammenmeister. Obwohl mich die Autorin mit ihren Ideen sehr neugierig machen konnte, hatte ich besonders zu Beginn einige Schwierigkeiten, mich in der Welt von „Broken Lands“ zurechtzufinden. Die Fantasy-Elemente sind weder leicht verständlich noch problemlos zugänglich. Nichtsdestotrotz haben sie ihren eigenen Reiz, der einen fasziniert an den Seiten kleben lässt.
Sam, der trickreiche Kartenspieler aus Coney Island, und Jin, das Feuerwerksmädchen aus China, sind die beiden Protagonisten in „Broken Lands“. Die beiden jungen Heranwachsenden, die sich im Verlauf der Geschichte schrecklichen Dingen stellen müssen, haben zu Beginn der Geschichte noch wenig miteinander gemein. Die Ereignisse schweißen die beiden sympathischen und einzigartigen Protagonisten jedoch immer stärker zusammen, sodass zwischen Jin und Sam schließlich sogar zarte romantische Gefühle entwickeln. Sie sind ein mutiges, aufrichtiges Team, begeistern mit ausgeprägten Persönlichkeiten und durchdachten Hintergrundgeschichten. Obwohl mir beide Protagonisten ans Herz gewachsen sind, hat sich Jin, das Mädchen, das das Spiel mit dem Feuer liebt, als meine persönliche Favoritin durchsetzen können.
Neben Sam und Jin gibt es noch eine Menge weiterer Charaktere, die in „Broken Lands“ eine Rolle spielen. Tatsächlich sind es sogar so viele, dass man sich beinahe Sorgen darum machen muss, ob man sie nicht im Laufe der Geschichte durcheinander werfen wird. Kate Milford beweist ihren Lesern jedoch schnell, dass diese Angst unbegründet ist. Sie hat jede einzelne Figur mit so viel Leben entworfen und Individualität geformt, dass sie mit ihren einzigartigen Persönlichkeiten oft schon nach der ersten Begegnung im Gedächtnis bleiben. Verwechslungsgefahr besteht in „Broken Lands“ trotz der vielen relevanten Charaktere zu keinem Zeitpunkt!
Unterstützt wird die Geschichte von großartigen Illustrationen von der Künstlerin Andrea Offermann. Zahlreich sind ihre Zeichnungen zu meinem Bedauern zwar nicht, dafür tauchen sie immer in den wichtigen Momenten in der Handlung auf und heizen das Kopfkino mächtig an. Andrea Offermann schafft es in ihren Bildern, die Atmosphäre des Romans einzufangen und die Protagonisten und die Handlungsorte genauso aussehen zu lassen, wie sie Kate Milford ihren Lesern in den Kopf gezaubert hat.
Kate Milford hat zu „Broken Lands“ eine indirekte Fortsetzung geschrieben. „The Bone Shaker“, so der Titel im englischen Original, spielt in der gleichen Welt, erzählt jedoch die Geschichte anderer Charaktere. Jin und Sams Abenteuer wird in „Broken Lands“ trotz einiger offenen Fragen zu Ende geführt, sodass sich der Roman wie ein Einzelband lesen lässt. Trotzdem hat man nach der letzten Seite nicht wenig Lust, die Magie der Welt um 1877 weiter zu erforschen und sie gemeinsam mit neuen Charakteren zu entdecken. Bleibt zu hoffen, dass der Verlag auch „The Bone Shaker“ herausbringen wird und uns nicht mehr allzu lange warten lässt!
*Cover:*
Außergewöhnlich wie die Geschichte und ihre Facetten ist auch das Cover des Romans. Die verschiedenen Ebenen des Covers ergeben ein grandioses Gesamtbild, das dank der faszinierenden und passenden Illustrationen zu einem echten Eyecatcher wird.
*Fazit:*
Mit „Broken Lands“ ist Kate Milford ein einmaliges Fantasy-Spektakel gelungen, das sich mit seinem historischen Setting, seinen außergewöhnlichen magischen Elementen und seinen einzigartigen Charakteren deutlich von der Masse abhebt. „Broken Lands“ wartet mit neuen Ideen auf und wird selbst Vielleser mit seiner einzigartigen Magie an die Seiten fesseln. Allerdings macht es der Roman seinen Lesern vor allem zu Beginn nicht leicht, ihn zu durchschauen. Einige von Milfords Fantasy-Elementen sind schwer zugänglich und brauchen erst Zeit, um sich zu entfalten und zu etablieren, damit man in ihren vollen Genuss kommen kann. Wer sich durch den schwierigen Anfang schlägt, wird mit einem spannenden und mitreißenden Abenteuer belohnt. Für „Broken Lands“ gibt es 4 Lurche.
June 16, 2023
Good gravy, can Kate Milford weave a story.
Sam is an Italian American card sharp living in Brooklyn in a boarding house with his friend, Constantine, with Mrs. Ponzi, their landlord, and her daughter, Ilona.
Jin is a Chinese American apprenticed to Liao, a fireworks expert with Fata Fortuna, a travelling explosives sideshow owned by Mr. Burns.
Walker and Bones are at a crossroads, determined to win a city for Jack Hellcoal, who wants to acquire a city to create Hell on Earth.
All of these characters and more have wound up in Brooklyn at the same time. Will a group of kids figure out a way to protect the city? Or will Jack Hellcoal have his way?
Delightful and fast-paced, there almost isn't any breathing room throughout the story but there are so many details included and it's just so good. Now on to The Boneshaker.
Sam is an Italian American card sharp living in Brooklyn in a boarding house with his friend, Constantine, with Mrs. Ponzi, their landlord, and her daughter, Ilona.
Jin is a Chinese American apprenticed to Liao, a fireworks expert with Fata Fortuna, a travelling explosives sideshow owned by Mr. Burns.
Walker and Bones are at a crossroads, determined to win a city for Jack Hellcoal, who wants to acquire a city to create Hell on Earth.
All of these characters and more have wound up in Brooklyn at the same time. Will a group of kids figure out a way to protect the city? Or will Jack Hellcoal have his way?
Delightful and fast-paced, there almost isn't any breathing room throughout the story but there are so many details included and it's just so good. Now on to The Boneshaker.
August 21, 2017
I didn't actually finish this book, but since I am probably never going to finish it, I thought I might as well review it. There was nothing wrong with the book, per say, it was just so incredibly boring. I brought this book to a doctor's appointment, and I literally had to force myself to continue reading it. In a doctor's office. With absolutely nothing else to do. I gave it three stars because the premise was really interesting and it was written well. However, it completely failed to grab my attention, the characters were flat and basically emotionless, and I had no connection with the story to make me want to finish reading it. I'm sure it would have gotten better, but with school starting and plenty of other books to read, I decided it was just not worth it. I hope some of you had a better experience with this book.
January 14, 2020
This is my second Kate Milford book and I liked it quite a lot. I liked it even better than Greenglass House. The characters were well-drawn with adequate depth and uniqueness, I liked the setting and the time-period, I liked the hazy use of ghosts, I loved the fireworks and the Brooklyn Bridge lore, and I loved Sam and Jin. A nice, tense, not-too-scary story with a little bit of woo around the edges, just enough to make it fun. A sweet, sincere young romance. Some pretty badass adventuring. Nice Americana lore. Do I have any complaints? A little wordy in places, some red herrings, a little bit predictable (but I didn't mind). Overall, lots of fun, very engaging. I will keep my eye out for more Kate Milford! I'm interested in the Boneshaker books now.
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