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The IronHeart Chronicles #1
Magpie's Song (The IronHeart Chronicles)
In the slums of BrightStone, Moon Children are worth less than the scrap they must collect to survive. It doesn't matter that these abandoned half-breeds are part-Meridian with their ancestors hailing from the technologically advanced city that floats above the once-thriving, now plague-ridden BrightStone. Instead they are rejected by both their ancestral societies and forced to live on the outskirts of civilization, joining clans simply to stay alive. Not to mention their role as Tithe, leading the city's infected citizens deep into the Pits where their disease can be controlled.
Nineteen-year-old Raggy Maggy is no different, despite the mysterious heart-shaped panel that covers her chest. Or at least she wasn't... Not until her chance discovery of a Meridian-built clockwork dragon--and its murdered owner. When the Inquestors policing the city find Maggy at the scene of the crime, she quickly turns into their prime suspect. Now she's all anyone can talk about. Even her clan leader turns his back on her, leading her to rely on an exiled doctor and a clanless Moon Child named Ghost to keep her hidden. In return, all she has to do is help them find a cure for the plague they believe was not exactly accidental. Yet doing so might mean risking more than just her life. It also might be the only key to uncovering the truth about the parents--and the past--she knows nothing about.
Nineteen-year-old Raggy Maggy is no different, despite the mysterious heart-shaped panel that covers her chest. Or at least she wasn't... Not until her chance discovery of a Meridian-built clockwork dragon--and its murdered owner. When the Inquestors policing the city find Maggy at the scene of the crime, she quickly turns into their prime suspect. Now she's all anyone can talk about. Even her clan leader turns his back on her, leading her to rely on an exiled doctor and a clanless Moon Child named Ghost to keep her hidden. In return, all she has to do is help them find a cure for the plague they believe was not exactly accidental. Yet doing so might mean risking more than just her life. It also might be the only key to uncovering the truth about the parents--and the past--she knows nothing about.
324 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2017
13 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 7, 2022
Every once in a great while I come across a story that knocks my socks off. This is one of them. When it happens, it's always something "a genre," that I've never read before. Brian Lumleys-Wamphyri, or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. I'd never read Steampunk before, and except for this series, I probably won't ever. This world that Allison has created is stunning. The characters are people that I want to know and go "rooftop dancing" with. Clockwork hearts, a mechanical Dragon that can sit on my shoulder, and eat pieces of coal? Yes, please. The entropic city below, and the floating, shiny city above? Yes, yes, yes. Even this plague? Again, yes! I can't wait to visit this world again.
Highly recommended!😍
Highly recommended!😍
August 14, 2017
This was a solid, fun read, with a brilliant premise and world building I enjoyed a lot. While there were some flaws, I am still intrigued enough to want to read the next book in the series, whenever that will be published. As I am chronically bad at reading second books in series, this says something about how much I adored parts of this.
Set in an unspecified world, that is kind of steam punky, kind of dystopian, there is a (tropey) society with the rich (maybe alien?) upper class living on a floating city, while the middle class scramble to make a living on the ground and the lowest class is just trying to survive. The world is never really explained, as the main character - Mags - doesn't really know much about the city's history or political order. Mags is a Moon Child: some children turn into those when they are around 12, pale, with white hair, and mysteriously immune against a rampant plague. She finds a clockwork dragon and sets into motion a frantic sequence of events where she is never quite sure what is going on or how she will survive the next day.
The story itself is in points predictable but always fun; its frantic pace was enough to keep me reading during a week where I was pre-occupied with other things. Mags is a fun character and many of the others of the fairly large cast of characters are brilliant.
My main problem was the fact that I thought that the first-person-narration didn't really work here. Some of the metaphors used do not sound like things somebody like Mags, with very limited education (formal or informal), would ever use. I often thought that there was no way a young girl who grew up on the streets would know those things (would she really know what a waltz is and then use this term to explain how her climbing on rooftops feels like?). It took me out of the story and made it difficult to really connect to her.
But, overall, a really fun first installment of a series with plenty of loose ends that I cannot wait to be picked up again.
Also, where can I find myself a clockwork dragon, please?
____
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
Set in an unspecified world, that is kind of steam punky, kind of dystopian, there is a (tropey) society with the rich (maybe alien?) upper class living on a floating city, while the middle class scramble to make a living on the ground and the lowest class is just trying to survive. The world is never really explained, as the main character - Mags - doesn't really know much about the city's history or political order. Mags is a Moon Child: some children turn into those when they are around 12, pale, with white hair, and mysteriously immune against a rampant plague. She finds a clockwork dragon and sets into motion a frantic sequence of events where she is never quite sure what is going on or how she will survive the next day.
The story itself is in points predictable but always fun; its frantic pace was enough to keep me reading during a week where I was pre-occupied with other things. Mags is a fun character and many of the others of the fairly large cast of characters are brilliant.
My main problem was the fact that I thought that the first-person-narration didn't really work here. Some of the metaphors used do not sound like things somebody like Mags, with very limited education (formal or informal), would ever use. I often thought that there was no way a young girl who grew up on the streets would know those things (would she really know what a waltz is and then use this term to explain how her climbing on rooftops feels like?). It took me out of the story and made it difficult to really connect to her.
But, overall, a really fun first installment of a series with plenty of loose ends that I cannot wait to be picked up again.
Also, where can I find myself a clockwork dragon, please?
____
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
March 4, 2022
Every once in a great while I come across a story that knocks my socks off. This is one of them. When it happens, it's always something "a genre," that I've never read before. Brian Lumleys-Wamphyri, or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. I'd never read Steampunk before, and except for this series, I probably won't ever. This world that Allison has created is stunning. The characters are people that I want to know and go "rooftop dancing" with. Clockwork hearts, a mechanical Dragon that can sit on my shoulder, and eat pieces of coal? Yes, please. The entropic city below, and the floating, shiny city above? Yes, yes, yes. Even this plague? Again, yes! I can't wait to visit this world again.
July 30, 2017
What a great surprise! I came into reading this blind and came out seeing wonders. The world-building is a true delight, having a feel of Sanderson's old Mistborn, a touch of hardcore steampunk, but most of all: pure and distilled fantasy dystopia.
There's a lot of story going on and what's more, Pang's writing at the plain-beauty level is something to behold. I'm not just talking about the repurposed nursery rhymes, either. I'm talking about the perfectly placed and minimal placement of pure poetry right in the text where it would have the very best impact. I was a bit awed.
Make no mistake, this is a pretty epic fantasy not in terms of battles and such, but it was a core YA that centered on thieves. Magpie and Sparrow are best friends and all the downtrodden MoonChildren are at the core of a huge piece of deception and prejudice that will soon become, (I do believe,) the main story arc of the rest of the series.
There's plenty of mystery to go around, too, but it's the details and the imaginings that make this book so beautiful. There's plenty of core story elements that will be familiar to everyone, of course, but how Pang pulls it off speaks more to some serious skill than any other author's half-hearted attempts. :) This is the real stuff.
I am going to be following this series with GREAT anticipation. I can't wait to see more of this craft. :)
Oh, and thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! I love being surprised like this!
There's a lot of story going on and what's more, Pang's writing at the plain-beauty level is something to behold. I'm not just talking about the repurposed nursery rhymes, either. I'm talking about the perfectly placed and minimal placement of pure poetry right in the text where it would have the very best impact. I was a bit awed.
Make no mistake, this is a pretty epic fantasy not in terms of battles and such, but it was a core YA that centered on thieves. Magpie and Sparrow are best friends and all the downtrodden MoonChildren are at the core of a huge piece of deception and prejudice that will soon become, (I do believe,) the main story arc of the rest of the series.
There's plenty of mystery to go around, too, but it's the details and the imaginings that make this book so beautiful. There's plenty of core story elements that will be familiar to everyone, of course, but how Pang pulls it off speaks more to some serious skill than any other author's half-hearted attempts. :) This is the real stuff.
I am going to be following this series with GREAT anticipation. I can't wait to see more of this craft. :)
Oh, and thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! I love being surprised like this!
July 29, 2017
I'm still not quite sure how I'd personally categorise this book. Fantasy was my initial feeling but then it's quickly apparent that it's set in a dystopian type world after a cataclysmic event that has changed so many lives. Now add in the steampunk elements that become much more apparent as the story progresses and you begin to see why it held my attention.
From the first page Mags is a large character that demands to be noticed. A young woman with no memory of who she was before her twelfth birthday and now a reviled, almost invisible Moon Child struggling daily just to survive. Like other Moon Children Mags is dreading the thought that one day she might be sent to the Pit with those who have succumbed to the wasting disease they refer to as Rot. All Mags has to care about is her friend Sparrow but when Mags finds the body of a dead man she sets in motion a chain of events that very quickly change her life forever!
Wow there's a lot of world building being set up here with not just the reason some children change in their twelfth year but a disease that might not be as unexplained as Mags always thought. Yes religious zealots have latched on to the idea that it's the sins of many that condemn them but as Moon children are immune to the Rot they are considered to be sin eaters and forced under tithe to accompany and look after the afflicted in their final days. Plus there's the system they live under on the street which reminds me of gangs ( think Gangs of New York) that are violent, territorial and living hand to mouth. Then there's the one thing that overshadows the plot and that's the Meridions who live above in a floating city tethered to Brightstone and it's that race who have technology but in this the first book in many ways they are a mystery as the few we meet on the streets of Brightstone have changed and lost their' shine' . They are ruthless, violent and its apparent that corruption is rife but as the plot thickened ( which took longer than I wanted) it's clear that the Rot and the Moon Children are no coincidence.
This story for me was character driven and Mags is a colourful character whose bravery knows no bounds. She's also a mystery to be solved but alas I cannot divulge why. What I can say are the characters around her are not quite what they seem. Ghost a young man who is a fellow Moon Child clearly likes Mags but he has secrets of his own. We meet Lucian, a doctor desperate to find a cure for the Rot but you need to pay attention as he's a man of two sides! Then there's the madam of the brothel with her pointed teeth and ambition who doesn't seem to like Mags much. Plus the author throws in crazy steampunk automatons that vary from human sized to small and delicate and one in particular has taken a shine to Mags but why?
This story thunders along but some revelations (such as Lucian) felt rushed and perhaps could have waited for another book. As it comes to a close there is no resolution, it's a hollow ending really although it does leave Mags with a quandary. This book felt dark and it's an oppressive world described but surprisingly the end gave this reader hope. So in conclusion if you want to read about a tenacious heroine who can be brash and foul mouthed then Mags will charm you. Clearly her adventures have just begun and I for one can't wait to see how everything plays out in this dark inhospitable setting the author has created.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are my honest and I believe fair opinion
From the first page Mags is a large character that demands to be noticed. A young woman with no memory of who she was before her twelfth birthday and now a reviled, almost invisible Moon Child struggling daily just to survive. Like other Moon Children Mags is dreading the thought that one day she might be sent to the Pit with those who have succumbed to the wasting disease they refer to as Rot. All Mags has to care about is her friend Sparrow but when Mags finds the body of a dead man she sets in motion a chain of events that very quickly change her life forever!
Wow there's a lot of world building being set up here with not just the reason some children change in their twelfth year but a disease that might not be as unexplained as Mags always thought. Yes religious zealots have latched on to the idea that it's the sins of many that condemn them but as Moon children are immune to the Rot they are considered to be sin eaters and forced under tithe to accompany and look after the afflicted in their final days. Plus there's the system they live under on the street which reminds me of gangs ( think Gangs of New York) that are violent, territorial and living hand to mouth. Then there's the one thing that overshadows the plot and that's the Meridions who live above in a floating city tethered to Brightstone and it's that race who have technology but in this the first book in many ways they are a mystery as the few we meet on the streets of Brightstone have changed and lost their' shine' . They are ruthless, violent and its apparent that corruption is rife but as the plot thickened ( which took longer than I wanted) it's clear that the Rot and the Moon Children are no coincidence.
This story for me was character driven and Mags is a colourful character whose bravery knows no bounds. She's also a mystery to be solved but alas I cannot divulge why. What I can say are the characters around her are not quite what they seem. Ghost a young man who is a fellow Moon Child clearly likes Mags but he has secrets of his own. We meet Lucian, a doctor desperate to find a cure for the Rot but you need to pay attention as he's a man of two sides! Then there's the madam of the brothel with her pointed teeth and ambition who doesn't seem to like Mags much. Plus the author throws in crazy steampunk automatons that vary from human sized to small and delicate and one in particular has taken a shine to Mags but why?
This story thunders along but some revelations (such as Lucian) felt rushed and perhaps could have waited for another book. As it comes to a close there is no resolution, it's a hollow ending really although it does leave Mags with a quandary. This book felt dark and it's an oppressive world described but surprisingly the end gave this reader hope. So in conclusion if you want to read about a tenacious heroine who can be brash and foul mouthed then Mags will charm you. Clearly her adventures have just begun and I for one can't wait to see how everything plays out in this dark inhospitable setting the author has created.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are my honest and I believe fair opinion
August 9, 2019
Magpie’s Song defies easy categorization. It mixes elements of steampunk, dystopia, coming-of-age, and dark fantasy into a singular blend.
BrightStone, ruled from above by the technologically advanced Meridians, is a dangerous city rife with crime and poverty. Its citizens struggle with everyday life, lack of perspectives, and a rampaging and lethal plague known as Rot. Only Moon Children, Meridian half-breeds, seem immune to the devastating effects of the disease, and that makes them useful, but only to lead Rot victims into the dreaded Pits, a place no one returns from.
While you’ll find snippets of humor here and there, the story goes into dark places and has a serious tone overall. Titular Magpie, a Moon Child known as Raggy Maggy, is a half-breed caught between two worlds–the run-down city of BrightStone and the floating city of Meridion. When she’s framed for a crime she didn’t commit, she has to trust exiled Meridian doctor and a clanless Moon Child named Ghost to discover the cause of the Rot and the secret behind her own lineage.
Mags is a great character. An outcast who doesn’t belong anywhere. She cares for one person. She finds freedom in rooftop dancing and her prowess in climbing, leaping, gliding through the city would put most traceurs to shame. Only Ghost does it better than her.
She also has a clockwork heart, and it seems a clockwork dragon found by a Meridion’s dead body likes and follows her. An intriguing combination of the mysterious past and tenacious behavior won me over. I like Mag’s voice. Sure, she makes bizarre decisions and trusts wrong people, but hey, she’s just nineteen.
Magpie’s Song starts in the middle of the action and never slows down. Things happen, characters die, and at times I wasn’t sure where all of this was going, but I felt engaged throughout. The addition of a few subplots makes the narration unfocused in places, but at the scene level, it never disappoints.
I liked Magpie’s Song a lot and plan to follow the series.
BrightStone, ruled from above by the technologically advanced Meridians, is a dangerous city rife with crime and poverty. Its citizens struggle with everyday life, lack of perspectives, and a rampaging and lethal plague known as Rot. Only Moon Children, Meridian half-breeds, seem immune to the devastating effects of the disease, and that makes them useful, but only to lead Rot victims into the dreaded Pits, a place no one returns from.
While you’ll find snippets of humor here and there, the story goes into dark places and has a serious tone overall. Titular Magpie, a Moon Child known as Raggy Maggy, is a half-breed caught between two worlds–the run-down city of BrightStone and the floating city of Meridion. When she’s framed for a crime she didn’t commit, she has to trust exiled Meridian doctor and a clanless Moon Child named Ghost to discover the cause of the Rot and the secret behind her own lineage.
Mags is a great character. An outcast who doesn’t belong anywhere. She cares for one person. She finds freedom in rooftop dancing and her prowess in climbing, leaping, gliding through the city would put most traceurs to shame. Only Ghost does it better than her.
She also has a clockwork heart, and it seems a clockwork dragon found by a Meridion’s dead body likes and follows her. An intriguing combination of the mysterious past and tenacious behavior won me over. I like Mag’s voice. Sure, she makes bizarre decisions and trusts wrong people, but hey, she’s just nineteen.
Magpie’s Song starts in the middle of the action and never slows down. Things happen, characters die, and at times I wasn’t sure where all of this was going, but I felt engaged throughout. The addition of a few subplots makes the narration unfocused in places, but at the scene level, it never disappoints.
I liked Magpie’s Song a lot and plan to follow the series.
August 16, 2017
Full spoiler-free review now on my blog
Mags lives with her best friend Sparrow in the slums of BrightStone. The city is lies in the shadows of the floating city of Meridion, which is anchored to the ground with heavy chains. They both are white haired Moon Children, the offspring of a BrightStone mother and a Meridian father. The normal citizens of BrightStone look down upon Moon Children due to their immunity to the Rot, a plaque that infests the normal population. When Mags finds a clockwork dragon in the Warrens while searching for scrap metal, events ensue that affect her life and the future of the world.
The concept and some of the plot ideas were really interesting and kept me intrigued. But sadly, the plot took a completely different turn about three quarters through the book and the overall plot was stalled. Additionally, I am not a big fan of insta-love and this book features, in my opinion, a really unnecessary romance.
I would have liked the book to be a bit longer and to include some of the plot that was discussed but then abandoned and postponed for the next installment. Despite this, I'm intrigued enough to want to continue the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and SFWA for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mags lives with her best friend Sparrow in the slums of BrightStone. The city is lies in the shadows of the floating city of Meridion, which is anchored to the ground with heavy chains. They both are white haired Moon Children, the offspring of a BrightStone mother and a Meridian father. The normal citizens of BrightStone look down upon Moon Children due to their immunity to the Rot, a plaque that infests the normal population. When Mags finds a clockwork dragon in the Warrens while searching for scrap metal, events ensue that affect her life and the future of the world.
The concept and some of the plot ideas were really interesting and kept me intrigued. But sadly, the plot took a completely different turn about three quarters through the book and the overall plot was stalled. Additionally, I am not a big fan of insta-love and this book features, in my opinion, a really unnecessary romance.
I would have liked the book to be a bit longer and to include some of the plot that was discussed but then abandoned and postponed for the next installment. Despite this, I'm intrigued enough to want to continue the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and SFWA for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2017
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.
4.5 stars!!!
Finally, a book that has left me speechless. Although, this hasn't been one of my most anticipated reads for this year, this novel just took me by surprise. Firstly, I absolutely adored the prose. Allison Pang has an exquisite way with words. The world building was so intricate and complex. From the history of the place to the descriptions of the clothes, buildings - everything was explained succinctly with the mention of the finer details. The way it was interwoven into the story prevented the chapters from getting boring and there was no info-dumping. However, I would have liked a map to give a clearer view of the world and to add some richness to the overall storyline. But, this is a minor issue in the whole scheme of things.
Secondly, I loved the MC Raggy Maggy or Mags. I liked how she's portrayed as this gritty independent girl who isn't afraid to get her nails dirty. She isn't concerned about beauty but she has a steadfast love for her friends and cares genuinely for those who are close to her. I loved how the author shows us raw emotion. This story is based on character development and every character has been fleshed out properly. Even the minor characters have heart and are likeable. There's also not much of romance in this book which was a relief. I wasn't much in the mood for a cliched soppy love-at-first sight romance with a broody hero to tag. I liked how the author focused more on the meaty parts of the story and that is friendship and the over-arching plot of how the characters are trying to overcome their circumstances in the grim world they live in. There are casual relationships and adult situations, but I saw this as part of the worldbuilding and I found that it a real depth to the story.
Thirdly, I really liked the concept of the novel. I'm a huge fan of the steampunk genre but mixed in with a dystopian plot took this novel to a whole new level. Plus, I loved the quirky technology mentioned in the book. The idea of dragons and a place riddled with plague made for a gruesome, dark and atmospheric vibe. I just couldn't get enough of it. I also enjoyed the plot devices of betrayal, political intrigue, murder, mystery and such. The storyline is so multi-layered that it made for a captivating read. Not once did I question the motives of the characters. There weren't any major plot reveals except for some revelations with regards to the characters. However, I didn't find this disappointing as the book is part of a series. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading the sequel. I would recommend this to readers of YA dystopia and fans of steampunk. This one is a pure treat.
4.5 stars!!!
Finally, a book that has left me speechless. Although, this hasn't been one of my most anticipated reads for this year, this novel just took me by surprise. Firstly, I absolutely adored the prose. Allison Pang has an exquisite way with words. The world building was so intricate and complex. From the history of the place to the descriptions of the clothes, buildings - everything was explained succinctly with the mention of the finer details. The way it was interwoven into the story prevented the chapters from getting boring and there was no info-dumping. However, I would have liked a map to give a clearer view of the world and to add some richness to the overall storyline. But, this is a minor issue in the whole scheme of things.
Secondly, I loved the MC Raggy Maggy or Mags. I liked how she's portrayed as this gritty independent girl who isn't afraid to get her nails dirty. She isn't concerned about beauty but she has a steadfast love for her friends and cares genuinely for those who are close to her. I loved how the author shows us raw emotion. This story is based on character development and every character has been fleshed out properly. Even the minor characters have heart and are likeable. There's also not much of romance in this book which was a relief. I wasn't much in the mood for a cliched soppy love-at-first sight romance with a broody hero to tag. I liked how the author focused more on the meaty parts of the story and that is friendship and the over-arching plot of how the characters are trying to overcome their circumstances in the grim world they live in. There are casual relationships and adult situations, but I saw this as part of the worldbuilding and I found that it a real depth to the story.
Thirdly, I really liked the concept of the novel. I'm a huge fan of the steampunk genre but mixed in with a dystopian plot took this novel to a whole new level. Plus, I loved the quirky technology mentioned in the book. The idea of dragons and a place riddled with plague made for a gruesome, dark and atmospheric vibe. I just couldn't get enough of it. I also enjoyed the plot devices of betrayal, political intrigue, murder, mystery and such. The storyline is so multi-layered that it made for a captivating read. Not once did I question the motives of the characters. There weren't any major plot reveals except for some revelations with regards to the characters. However, I didn't find this disappointing as the book is part of a series. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading the sequel. I would recommend this to readers of YA dystopia and fans of steampunk. This one is a pure treat.
January 12, 2020
Review coming soon
July 8, 2017
I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
'Ware IronHeart's breath and IronHeart's claws, for when IronHeart roars, Meridion falls'
I ended up really enjoying this. The story opens with the discovery of a dead body in the slums underneath a floating city, by the orphans Raggy Maggy and Sparrow. The body gives off an ethereal glow and is accompanied by a strange mechanical dragon. Mags and Sparrow soon find themselves embroiled in the mysteries of the slums and the search for answers surrounding the true reason behind the appearance of a plague known as The Rot, and what goes on in the terrifying Pits - home of the plague victims. Mags and Sparrow, along with another character they meet, know as Ghost, are 'Moon Children', the supposed offspring of the slums, and immune to the plague.
I thought the story itself was well written, and the world building was good (although I would have liked to spend some time in Meridion, the floating city). It felt like a mixture of steampunk, dystopian and fantasy and was unique enough in its world to keep me interested. I liked Mags, I though she was gritty and feral and I enjoyed her relationship with Sparrow and Ghost. Although there was a hint of a possible romance, I liked that it was never the focus of the story.
I also really liked Molly and Copper Betty. The automaton, without even being able to speak, became one of my favourite characters in the few scenes she was in. I'd like to see more of her, and see if she has a back story that could explain why she's mute.
The novel wasn't perfect however. I felt the Lucien subplot was a little bit slapdash, and didn't add anything to the story. If anything I found it a bit confusing. I liked that it wasn't a big deal to be gay though, and it didn't feel contrived.
I also felt the ending wasn't really an ending, and nothing was resolved and no mysteries solved. I understand this is part one of a series, but to have some kind of resolution to a few of the mysteries involved in the plot would have been a better conclusion.
That said, I flew through this book in 2 days, and really enjoyed doing it. I'm looking forward to reading more from this world.
'Ware IronHeart's breath and IronHeart's claws, for when IronHeart roars, Meridion falls'
I ended up really enjoying this. The story opens with the discovery of a dead body in the slums underneath a floating city, by the orphans Raggy Maggy and Sparrow. The body gives off an ethereal glow and is accompanied by a strange mechanical dragon. Mags and Sparrow soon find themselves embroiled in the mysteries of the slums and the search for answers surrounding the true reason behind the appearance of a plague known as The Rot, and what goes on in the terrifying Pits - home of the plague victims. Mags and Sparrow, along with another character they meet, know as Ghost, are 'Moon Children', the supposed offspring of the slums, and immune to the plague.
I thought the story itself was well written, and the world building was good (although I would have liked to spend some time in Meridion, the floating city). It felt like a mixture of steampunk, dystopian and fantasy and was unique enough in its world to keep me interested. I liked Mags, I though she was gritty and feral and I enjoyed her relationship with Sparrow and Ghost. Although there was a hint of a possible romance, I liked that it was never the focus of the story.
I also really liked Molly and Copper Betty. The automaton, without even being able to speak, became one of my favourite characters in the few scenes she was in. I'd like to see more of her, and see if she has a back story that could explain why she's mute.
The novel wasn't perfect however. I felt the Lucien subplot was a little bit slapdash, and didn't add anything to the story. If anything I found it a bit confusing. I liked that it wasn't a big deal to be gay though, and it didn't feel contrived.
I also felt the ending wasn't really an ending, and nothing was resolved and no mysteries solved. I understand this is part one of a series, but to have some kind of resolution to a few of the mysteries involved in the plot would have been a better conclusion.
That said, I flew through this book in 2 days, and really enjoyed doing it. I'm looking forward to reading more from this world.
November 23, 2023
From the very first pages I fell in love with this story. So much so, that it inspired me to write a hardcore fantasy for my next project. The world-building in this novel is incredible! It is so rich and detailed and made unique by Pang's wonderful way of writing. Not only does Pang paint this vivid world, but she also shows how awful it can be. Mags life is not rainbows and butterflies, and it's refreshing how real the writing is in showing how living in the Warrens is shit, right down to the sights, sounds, and smells. The plot itself is intriguing. There's enough mystery and a slow reveal to keep me riveted to it. I would definitely buy this as a paper copy, and look greatly forward to the sequel.
April 29, 2018
"Moon Children hiding in the shadows with hollow faces and hollow futures"
* * *
3 / 5
My first thought when reading Magpie’s Song was that it was an unnecessarily complicated book. I did get that impression from the synopsis, but thought it would become slightly clearer in the book; Magpie’s Song is a short book and could really have benefited from some more exposition. However, in all other respects, Pang’s writing is simply gorgeous. There’s this great sense of character in Maggy and a really cool dystopia and steampunk vibe.
"Trust is a bag of cats," I say slowly. "It's all tangled up in knots and I don't know how to untie it or if it will bit me if I do"
As far as I could gather, there is a city, BrightStone, inhabited by normal people. Floating above BrightStone is another city, Meridian, inhabited by another race (species?) called the Meridians; their skin glows, that’s all I really got about them. Moon Children are the result of a union between a Meridian and a human, recognisable by the way all their hair goes white when they reach puberty. Moon Children are exiled to live in one of three clans (more accurately, gangs) that scavenge the junkyards for scraps to survive.
On top of all this there is a disease in BrightStone, the Rot. Having finished the book, I’m still not quite sure what having the Rot actually does to you. At first I thought it made you into a zombie, but later evidence indicates that a person can survive for longer via blood transfusions, so I think it just sort of puts you in a deathly state. Either way, those that get the Rot are condemned to the Pits in the company of a Moon Child who is selected via a system of “Tithing”, enforced by Inquestors – a sort of Meridian law enforcement. Added to this complex background information, there’s a weaving web of lies, secrecy, and betrayal that I couldn’t quite follow.
"The bones of your arrogance will crush you," I cough. "And I'm going to dance them into dust"
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Our eyes to the world of BrightStone is nineteen year old Raggy Maggy, a Moon Child who belongs to one of the three clans. She and her younger friend Sparrow find a clockwork dragon whilst scavenging. Oh, and a corpse. You don’t get a great first impression of Maggy, because for some reason she dawdles around a dodgy crime scene in order to fleece a body, as you, the reader, scream at her to run. She’s caught by the Inquestors and becomes the main suspect in the murder of the Meridian, a chain of events that leads her into a conspiracy, hiding, and the seeds of a revolution.
Beyond an irritating first meeting, Maggy is a solid character. She’s tenacious, authentic, and has a great accent. Pang’s done a fantastic job of crafting a character who feels like a person. There’s hints of Vin Venture in her, from Sanderson’s sprawling epic Mistborn series, another fantastic character; Maggy is really what drove my enjoyment of Magpie’s Song, alongside hints of a mythology surrounding IronHeart, a dragon, which I hope will feature more prominently in the subsequent books. The plot itself was not particularly engaging, it’s messy and complicated and meandering, but Pang does know how to write an impactful scene. At one point I felt a couple of tears in my eyes.
Magpie’s Song was all about the main character for me, and I revelled in feeling a similar vibe to Sanderson’s Mistborn books. Pang really works the dystopia/steampunk vibe, even if the plot is lacking.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
* * *
3 / 5
My first thought when reading Magpie’s Song was that it was an unnecessarily complicated book. I did get that impression from the synopsis, but thought it would become slightly clearer in the book; Magpie’s Song is a short book and could really have benefited from some more exposition. However, in all other respects, Pang’s writing is simply gorgeous. There’s this great sense of character in Maggy and a really cool dystopia and steampunk vibe.
"Trust is a bag of cats," I say slowly. "It's all tangled up in knots and I don't know how to untie it or if it will bit me if I do"
As far as I could gather, there is a city, BrightStone, inhabited by normal people. Floating above BrightStone is another city, Meridian, inhabited by another race (species?) called the Meridians; their skin glows, that’s all I really got about them. Moon Children are the result of a union between a Meridian and a human, recognisable by the way all their hair goes white when they reach puberty. Moon Children are exiled to live in one of three clans (more accurately, gangs) that scavenge the junkyards for scraps to survive.
On top of all this there is a disease in BrightStone, the Rot. Having finished the book, I’m still not quite sure what having the Rot actually does to you. At first I thought it made you into a zombie, but later evidence indicates that a person can survive for longer via blood transfusions, so I think it just sort of puts you in a deathly state. Either way, those that get the Rot are condemned to the Pits in the company of a Moon Child who is selected via a system of “Tithing”, enforced by Inquestors – a sort of Meridian law enforcement. Added to this complex background information, there’s a weaving web of lies, secrecy, and betrayal that I couldn’t quite follow.
"The bones of your arrogance will crush you," I cough. "And I'm going to dance them into dust"
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Our eyes to the world of BrightStone is nineteen year old Raggy Maggy, a Moon Child who belongs to one of the three clans. She and her younger friend Sparrow find a clockwork dragon whilst scavenging. Oh, and a corpse. You don’t get a great first impression of Maggy, because for some reason she dawdles around a dodgy crime scene in order to fleece a body, as you, the reader, scream at her to run. She’s caught by the Inquestors and becomes the main suspect in the murder of the Meridian, a chain of events that leads her into a conspiracy, hiding, and the seeds of a revolution.
Beyond an irritating first meeting, Maggy is a solid character. She’s tenacious, authentic, and has a great accent. Pang’s done a fantastic job of crafting a character who feels like a person. There’s hints of Vin Venture in her, from Sanderson’s sprawling epic Mistborn series, another fantastic character; Maggy is really what drove my enjoyment of Magpie’s Song, alongside hints of a mythology surrounding IronHeart, a dragon, which I hope will feature more prominently in the subsequent books. The plot itself was not particularly engaging, it’s messy and complicated and meandering, but Pang does know how to write an impactful scene. At one point I felt a couple of tears in my eyes.
Magpie’s Song was all about the main character for me, and I revelled in feeling a similar vibe to Sanderson’s Mistborn books. Pang really works the dystopia/steampunk vibe, even if the plot is lacking.
My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
September 29, 2017
Man, this one was AMAZING and if it's not on your list it needs to be. Like, go NOW! Why are you still here? Get to Amazon or wherever and order this book! It's out on the 8th. This self-published title is one of the best I have read in some time. If I hadn't known it was self-published I wouldn't have been able to tell from the story. The author did an outstanding job with this massive tale.
I still can't believe that this was only a mere 241 pages long as it seemed like it was more of a 300+ page book. I read it as an eARC on my Kindle and man was I blown away. This story has so much going on but the author told and showed it in a way that made the pages flow ever so smoothly. I couldn't put it down. I read this in just over 4 hours and started it at night which was a very bad idea since I didn't want to go to bed. It was just that good.
Ok, so the setting is a world of post-apocalyptic portions you have the world where people called Moon Children are treated like garbage they have moon colored hair and are sold off to class. Then you have this other world that is chained to this one and floats above it all. You don't really get much in a story on how such a thing is happening but it's all steampunk mechanics which I loved. Add a clockwork dragon, a moon child that should be one, and a mysterious girl with a clockwork heart and man you have one killer story!
The main character in this was fabulous I loved her from the start. Mags didn't let anyone tell her what to do and she did what needed to be done right up till the end. Ghost, the Bonewitch's and others rounded out the cast so well and even though there was a pretty large character set you won't forever anyone trust me! I always have issues with names and keeping people in line but with this one, I had no issues following along.
The plot was even better I of course even now didn't read the summary of what the book was about. Let me go do that now. Ok, so that didn't take long at all. Ya, I think I am glad I didn't read that as it gives SO MUCH AWAY! So if you haven't read that DONT! Just read the book you will be able to unravel the mystery along with everyone else and not be spoiled about what is really going on. I love doing that.
I really can't wait for the next book in the series and I will be counting the days before I can own this one in print. I am really hoping I can get a signed copy as this book was just so freaking good. This is the book other self-published authors need to look at!
I still can't believe that this was only a mere 241 pages long as it seemed like it was more of a 300+ page book. I read it as an eARC on my Kindle and man was I blown away. This story has so much going on but the author told and showed it in a way that made the pages flow ever so smoothly. I couldn't put it down. I read this in just over 4 hours and started it at night which was a very bad idea since I didn't want to go to bed. It was just that good.
Ok, so the setting is a world of post-apocalyptic portions you have the world where people called Moon Children are treated like garbage they have moon colored hair and are sold off to class. Then you have this other world that is chained to this one and floats above it all. You don't really get much in a story on how such a thing is happening but it's all steampunk mechanics which I loved. Add a clockwork dragon, a moon child that should be one, and a mysterious girl with a clockwork heart and man you have one killer story!
The main character in this was fabulous I loved her from the start. Mags didn't let anyone tell her what to do and she did what needed to be done right up till the end. Ghost, the Bonewitch's and others rounded out the cast so well and even though there was a pretty large character set you won't forever anyone trust me! I always have issues with names and keeping people in line but with this one, I had no issues following along.
The plot was even better I of course even now didn't read the summary of what the book was about. Let me go do that now. Ok, so that didn't take long at all. Ya, I think I am glad I didn't read that as it gives SO MUCH AWAY! So if you haven't read that DONT! Just read the book you will be able to unravel the mystery along with everyone else and not be spoiled about what is really going on. I love doing that.
I really can't wait for the next book in the series and I will be counting the days before I can own this one in print. I am really hoping I can get a signed copy as this book was just so freaking good. This is the book other self-published authors need to look at!
May 7, 2018
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and to the editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the world building, that is really well done and I loved the concept of this novel. I think the author could do really good with the next books.
And I am thinking about going on with this series, even if I am not a huge fan of this first book. The characters were not bad, and I think that they’re developed enough, even if in this one the secondary ones aren’t so intriguing.
Anyway, I had no problems empathizing with them and I found the story quite captivating. So… I am not in love with this book, and I don’t think that I would fall in love with the sequels, but I think they may surprise me, so it’s possible that I’ll try the second one.
Sadly, it could have been better, but it’s not the worst book ever. I’m not so happy about it, but I am curious to see what the author could do.
Thanks to NetGalley and to the editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the world building, that is really well done and I loved the concept of this novel. I think the author could do really good with the next books.
And I am thinking about going on with this series, even if I am not a huge fan of this first book. The characters were not bad, and I think that they’re developed enough, even if in this one the secondary ones aren’t so intriguing.
Anyway, I had no problems empathizing with them and I found the story quite captivating. So… I am not in love with this book, and I don’t think that I would fall in love with the sequels, but I think they may surprise me, so it’s possible that I’ll try the second one.
Sadly, it could have been better, but it’s not the worst book ever. I’m not so happy about it, but I am curious to see what the author could do.
July 31, 2017
This can also be read at my blog: my way by Starlight
Okay team the problem with reading amazing ARCs? The fact that it means sequels are that much further away. Thanks to my friend Katie at Book Ink Reviews for the amazing recommendation!
Magpie's Song, oh my goodness, what can I say except for the fact that this book checked off all the things I want a book to be. Well developed characters with an interesting backstory and several layers? Check. World building enough to stand up to scrutiny and challenge the characters? Check. Both internal and external problems? Check. A varied cast of characters, including realistic supporting characters? Check. Potential romance that was a slow build and only added to the plot, wasn't the whole plot? Double check. And to top it all off we get a floating city, a clockwork dragon, and half-breed children immune to what is akin to the plague? Color me beyond interested.
I adored Magpie's Song. After all who doesn't love a main character who's a bit of a scoundrel? I love Raggy Maggy for that reason. At the moments when I often wanted her to snap back, she did. The sass runs deep in this one guys. And her interaction with other characters? Real, interesting, and complex.
Also all those cute little nursery rhymes at the beginning of the chapters? I almost want to go back end reread them. Somehow I think they'll be important. But truly, this steampunk-esqe novel is going places. We kept getting snippets of a prophecy, which doesn't even come into play at all yet. The main characters aren't paying it any heed which can only mean to me that we either get a lot of action in the next book to resolve the build up from this story, or The IronHeart Chronicles is going to be a multiple chapter wonder.
And world building, Pang has done a wonderful job with the Victorian city of BrightStone. They all dance so well together and yet there are so many layers. She shows in the gaps within classes too. Between the sparkling Meridions, who are literally a class above in their floating city, the BrightStone natives, and lastly but perhaps most interestingly their Moon Children half-breed offspring. The Moon Children to me are perhaps the most interesting, with their own divisions, struggles, motivations, and questionable origins.
All-in-all, I cannot recommend a book more highly. Please, just go read get it, i promise you won't regret it.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Allison Pang for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!
Okay team the problem with reading amazing ARCs? The fact that it means sequels are that much further away. Thanks to my friend Katie at Book Ink Reviews for the amazing recommendation!
Magpie's Song, oh my goodness, what can I say except for the fact that this book checked off all the things I want a book to be. Well developed characters with an interesting backstory and several layers? Check. World building enough to stand up to scrutiny and challenge the characters? Check. Both internal and external problems? Check. A varied cast of characters, including realistic supporting characters? Check. Potential romance that was a slow build and only added to the plot, wasn't the whole plot? Double check. And to top it all off we get a floating city, a clockwork dragon, and half-breed children immune to what is akin to the plague? Color me beyond interested.
I adored Magpie's Song. After all who doesn't love a main character who's a bit of a scoundrel? I love Raggy Maggy for that reason. At the moments when I often wanted her to snap back, she did. The sass runs deep in this one guys. And her interaction with other characters? Real, interesting, and complex.
Also all those cute little nursery rhymes at the beginning of the chapters? I almost want to go back end reread them. Somehow I think they'll be important. But truly, this steampunk-esqe novel is going places. We kept getting snippets of a prophecy, which doesn't even come into play at all yet. The main characters aren't paying it any heed which can only mean to me that we either get a lot of action in the next book to resolve the build up from this story, or The IronHeart Chronicles is going to be a multiple chapter wonder.
And world building, Pang has done a wonderful job with the Victorian city of BrightStone. They all dance so well together and yet there are so many layers. She shows in the gaps within classes too. Between the sparkling Meridions, who are literally a class above in their floating city, the BrightStone natives, and lastly but perhaps most interestingly their Moon Children half-breed offspring. The Moon Children to me are perhaps the most interesting, with their own divisions, struggles, motivations, and questionable origins.
All-in-all, I cannot recommend a book more highly. Please, just go read get it, i promise you won't regret it.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Allison Pang for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 2, 2020
I receieved a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off the cover is amazing. Also I am a little late with review, sorry.
I really enjoyed this book, it was fun and had a very intriguing plot. I wish there was more to the history, it feels incomplete, maybe we will get to see more in the next book.
I liked the setting, it was unlike any other I have read. Mags was a great MC. She rebeled a little from the beginning, not for love unlike character in other books. It was refreshing.
I liked the writing, it was simple but had some adult content. It was a little confusing at first with teenage style writing then reading about prostititution. But once I got over that it made a lot of sense.
It was some cliff hanger. I ahve bought the second and cannot wait to read the second one, which I have already bought. :)
3.5 stars out of 5 stars
First off the cover is amazing. Also I am a little late with review, sorry.
I really enjoyed this book, it was fun and had a very intriguing plot. I wish there was more to the history, it feels incomplete, maybe we will get to see more in the next book.
I liked the setting, it was unlike any other I have read. Mags was a great MC. She rebeled a little from the beginning, not for love unlike character in other books. It was refreshing.
I liked the writing, it was simple but had some adult content. It was a little confusing at first with teenage style writing then reading about prostititution. But once I got over that it made a lot of sense.
It was some cliff hanger. I ahve bought the second and cannot wait to read the second one, which I have already bought. :)
3.5 stars out of 5 stars
January 31, 2022
As the first book in a new series Magpie's Song follows Raggy Maggy, a strongwilled, impulsive orphan living on the streets trying to make a living as a scrapper. She dreams of one day going to Meridion, the city floating above her world yet she gets sucked into a quest to save the population from The Rot which will also hopefully lead to a better life for Moon Children like her.
Since this is the first and understandably used for setting up the different characters and building the world in which they live, the pace is rather slow and especially in the middle it seems like nothing really happens for pages at a time. Yet the characters are well drawn, Maggy is the story's voice and that's also why you learn tidbits here and there just like she does. At the end of the book I am left with more questions than answers, it's definitely an ending towards a second book without any closure and since I got real invested in Magpie's story and want to find out what happens next I hope the next book will follow quickly!
***Thank you Netgalley and Allison Pang for giving me the chance to read and review this book***
Since this is the first and understandably used for setting up the different characters and building the world in which they live, the pace is rather slow and especially in the middle it seems like nothing really happens for pages at a time. Yet the characters are well drawn, Maggy is the story's voice and that's also why you learn tidbits here and there just like she does. At the end of the book I am left with more questions than answers, it's definitely an ending towards a second book without any closure and since I got real invested in Magpie's story and want to find out what happens next I hope the next book will follow quickly!
***Thank you Netgalley and Allison Pang for giving me the chance to read and review this book***
January 29, 2022
a REALLY interesting world. the world building and the mystery was really cool. I will say we spend the whole book building up to mags going into the pits and then we don't even see her in them which was a good cliffhanger cause I want to read the second one but it left me a little on the lurch like "oh is that it?"
I really liked the main character she was really cool and had a good vibe. she makes friends and has good judgement but she isn't a moron that has me yelling every time she messes up.
the dragon is adorable and I want one lol
I really liked the main character she was really cool and had a good vibe. she makes friends and has good judgement but she isn't a moron that has me yelling every time she messes up.
the dragon is adorable and I want one lol
November 22, 2018
“Magpie? What kind of name is that?”
“I like pretty things. Jingle. Jewels. And eyes.”
“Eyes?”
“Aye. Shiny. Fun to pluck out.”
This could be a fantasy book…
buuuuut it also be dystopian…
Oh! Look! A clockwork dragon!
While my attempt to categorize the genre of Magpie’s Song is clumsy, the story telling is anything but! I cannot tell you enough how well Allison Pang blends these elements together perfectly.
The world building of Brightstone is intricate and well detailed; we come to know about them through Raggy Maggy – the main character of the book. However, because we are limited to Magpie’s perspective, little is known about the upper caste: Meridions. All we know is that they are a race who live on a floating city that is linked to Brightstone where the middle and lower caste survive.
Brightstone is more of a slum than an actual city; I’m honestly curious if people can actually get out of Brightstone, say, if they become rich or enlist in certain services. Because the whole atmosphere of the place is filled with corruption and violence as we are introduced to gang-like clans, a plague called the Rot, conspiracies, and a death that remains unsolved til the end.
The concept of Moon Children highlights issues like prejudice through the “untouchability” of these Moon Children. No one knows exactly how they came to be though there are speculations, and for some reason, Moon Children are immune to the Rot. This should hold them as some special miracle, right?
Nope!
Instead Moon Children are fetishized in brothels, and are also considered “sin eaters” among the “religious”. And this is the world our protagonist Raggy Maggy comes from who I loved to bits, by the way!
She’s foul mouthed, brave, and harsh. She’s a child born for freedom. Brightstone is the only world Magpie has ever known, and Sparrow the only friend she had. Crisis upon crisis falls onto Magpie, and it’s interesting to read how she relies on her limited experiences and skills as thief and scavenger to make sense of things. While Maggy is no stranger to the injustice around her I get a feeling that it’s not peace she wants as I can sense a streak of bloodlust in her, especially after losing her friend and clan.
The secondary characters we are introduced to complicate Maggy’s life much more than she likes, and they’re all very, very grey. Each of them carry their own secrets that adds a complex layer to the story making it more of a character driven story line.
The physical copy of the book I received is so beautiful! The cover is gritty and dark; I especially love the rhymes that start each chapter, it’s a completely different and unique experience for me. They add to overall ominous feeling of the story.
Magpie’s Song is one of those books that I would recommend readers to go into without reading the blurb.
Follow me at Camillea Reads and on IG @biblio.khaleesi for more bookish adventures
“I like pretty things. Jingle. Jewels. And eyes.”
“Eyes?”
“Aye. Shiny. Fun to pluck out.”
This could be a fantasy book…
buuuuut it also be dystopian…
Oh! Look! A clockwork dragon!
While my attempt to categorize the genre of Magpie’s Song is clumsy, the story telling is anything but! I cannot tell you enough how well Allison Pang blends these elements together perfectly.
The world building of Brightstone is intricate and well detailed; we come to know about them through Raggy Maggy – the main character of the book. However, because we are limited to Magpie’s perspective, little is known about the upper caste: Meridions. All we know is that they are a race who live on a floating city that is linked to Brightstone where the middle and lower caste survive.
Brightstone is more of a slum than an actual city; I’m honestly curious if people can actually get out of Brightstone, say, if they become rich or enlist in certain services. Because the whole atmosphere of the place is filled with corruption and violence as we are introduced to gang-like clans, a plague called the Rot, conspiracies, and a death that remains unsolved til the end.
The concept of Moon Children highlights issues like prejudice through the “untouchability” of these Moon Children. No one knows exactly how they came to be though there are speculations, and for some reason, Moon Children are immune to the Rot. This should hold them as some special miracle, right?
Nope!
Instead Moon Children are fetishized in brothels, and are also considered “sin eaters” among the “religious”. And this is the world our protagonist Raggy Maggy comes from who I loved to bits, by the way!
She’s foul mouthed, brave, and harsh. She’s a child born for freedom. Brightstone is the only world Magpie has ever known, and Sparrow the only friend she had. Crisis upon crisis falls onto Magpie, and it’s interesting to read how she relies on her limited experiences and skills as thief and scavenger to make sense of things. While Maggy is no stranger to the injustice around her I get a feeling that it’s not peace she wants as I can sense a streak of bloodlust in her, especially after losing her friend and clan.
The secondary characters we are introduced to complicate Maggy’s life much more than she likes, and they’re all very, very grey. Each of them carry their own secrets that adds a complex layer to the story making it more of a character driven story line.
The physical copy of the book I received is so beautiful! The cover is gritty and dark; I especially love the rhymes that start each chapter, it’s a completely different and unique experience for me. They add to overall ominous feeling of the story.
Magpie’s Song is one of those books that I would recommend readers to go into without reading the blurb.
Follow me at Camillea Reads and on IG @biblio.khaleesi for more bookish adventures
March 9, 2022
There is occasionally one of those books that you just cannot put down. This for me was one of them. From the first page I was hooked and had to read from start to finish. The world building and the characterisations are outstanding. Now I want book 2!
With thanks to #NetGalley and #Outland Entertainment for the ARC
With thanks to #NetGalley and #Outland Entertainment for the ARC
July 9, 2017
There are spoilers below.
This book begins with Maggy and her friend Sparrow attempting to capture what appears to be a clockwork dragon that is about the size of a robin. I knew then this was going to be a fantastic novel. And it was. It really was.
The description of this book drew me in and coupled with the gorgeous cover art, I had high hopes. The first pages hooked me completely. I received a digital copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I want to purchase a hard copy of this book though. If you head over to Ms. Pang’s website, she gives you a sneak peek of the header art for the first chapter. Yinz guys, it is pretty.
The structure of society in this novel is an interesting one. Meridian is glittering city in the sky anchored to the ground below by large black chains. I saw shades of Bioshock Infinite in the concept (also, I’d to thank gamer husband for that reference because he made me sit through hours of him playing that game). On the rare occasion the denizens of Meridian set foot on the ground below they are marked by their glowing skin. The world in Meridian’s shadow is known as BrightStone. The Upper Tier is where the wealthiest citizens reside, while Maggy lives in the slums with the Moon Children. The pale hair of the Moon Children set them apart from the rest of BrightStone and they are treated as the unwanted and unworthy. They have formed three major clans that have distinct territories within the slums. There are Moon Children who are clanless, but the clans are intended to provide some protection and shelter. Of course, there are always going to be bad leaders who seek to use the clan structure only for personal gain.
Meridian was not always attached to BrightStone. Shortly after it appeared, came the plague. A deadly disease that swiftly took a fair number of the population. But Moon Children are immune to it. Why? Well instead of finding out, the higher religious order (in this novel it is known as The Salt Temple), the Upper Tier nobility, and the Inquestors condemn them for holding so much sin that disease won’t even take them. Or at least that’s what I gathered their reasoning to be because it was so ridiculous I wanted to smack them all with their own novel. Unfortunately, the Inquestors are not an innocuous entity that doesn’t believe or understand science. They are cruel and unrelenting in their disdain for the Moon Children. Hence the inception of the Tithe. All the Moon Children live with the threat of being Tithed over their heads. They exist in a constant state of survival mode. It lives little room for love or living life.
Maggy is programmed to think from one meal to the next. Her clan leader, Rory, is less than great at his job shall we say? When he turns her out, I was not at all surprised. But I believe in karma, Rory. Maggy is slow at changing her mindset from survive this night to big picture let’s save all of BrightStone. I’ve seen so many novels where the heroine jumps all in right away because of this sense of a bigger purpose. Maggy’s hesitation was refreshing to read. Finally, a strong female character who says wait…let’s think about this for a moment. It certainly isn’t a lack of courage that holds her back. The plan the exiled doctor and Ghost have created is a mad one. It requires Maggy to do the one thing she’s deliberately avoided having happen her entire life. Be Tithed. When she does agree to the plan, it is little wonder at her impatience. Of course she wants to get it over with as soon as possible. She has things first she needs to learn though. As one does when you are trying to prove a conspiracy theory and topple the current leadership.
Maggy’s heart-shaped panel and clockwork dragon are mysteries in this novel. Maggy has no idea where or when the panel was placed on her. However, it holds her heart in place, so to remove it would mean death. The dragon grows attached to her, finding her at all the wrong moments when it should be out of sight. It takes to riding on her shoulder and scaring anyone who comes near her. The creator of these inventions is referenced several times throughout the novel, but seems to have gone missing a number of years before. Where is she? Why did she build these things? How did she come to know Maggy? All of the questions go unanswered.
Moon Children have little time for friends and so Maggy has very few. Sparrow is more a sister to her. Someone she must protect. I wasn’t all that surprised about what happened with Sparrow, but I was surprised about when it happened. She has a great deal of influence over Maggy both directly and indirectly. Her companionship has shaped a large portion of Maggy’s life. When Ghost stepped out of the shadows and onto the page, I immediately thought, oh…I’m going to like you. Initially, he is simply an acquaintance of Sparrow and Maggy. I was really hoping he was going to be in the story a lot, and luckily he is. You get quite a bit about his background over the course of the novel and he becomes a fully fleshed out person by the end. His motivations are clear, which I think comforts Maggy in many ways. They genuinely seem to care for each other. Even though Maggy has agreed to be Tithed, they cannot stop what is happening between them. The last scene in the novel between with them both is heartbreaking. I mean absolutely gut wrenchingly sad. Although there are hundreds of other people around at the time, for a second it just the two of them. I was grateful for it, for Maggy’s sake.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I believe there are at least two novels in the series slated for release after this one. This one is left on a cliffhanger, so I’m eagerly awaiting to see what fate has in store for Maggy.
First Thought When Finishing The Novel
What? It ends here? Where is the rest of the book?
Final Thoughts
I’m seriously loving this Ghost/Maggy thing. I’m really wondering what actually goes on in the Pits, because no one truly knows. What are they going to find down there? However, I want to go to Meridian too. Are we going to get there in the next book? Also, I want a clockwork dragon to ride on my shoulder. No joke. How do we go about making that happen?
This book begins with Maggy and her friend Sparrow attempting to capture what appears to be a clockwork dragon that is about the size of a robin. I knew then this was going to be a fantastic novel. And it was. It really was.
The description of this book drew me in and coupled with the gorgeous cover art, I had high hopes. The first pages hooked me completely. I received a digital copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I want to purchase a hard copy of this book though. If you head over to Ms. Pang’s website, she gives you a sneak peek of the header art for the first chapter. Yinz guys, it is pretty.
The structure of society in this novel is an interesting one. Meridian is glittering city in the sky anchored to the ground below by large black chains. I saw shades of Bioshock Infinite in the concept (also, I’d to thank gamer husband for that reference because he made me sit through hours of him playing that game). On the rare occasion the denizens of Meridian set foot on the ground below they are marked by their glowing skin. The world in Meridian’s shadow is known as BrightStone. The Upper Tier is where the wealthiest citizens reside, while Maggy lives in the slums with the Moon Children. The pale hair of the Moon Children set them apart from the rest of BrightStone and they are treated as the unwanted and unworthy. They have formed three major clans that have distinct territories within the slums. There are Moon Children who are clanless, but the clans are intended to provide some protection and shelter. Of course, there are always going to be bad leaders who seek to use the clan structure only for personal gain.
Meridian was not always attached to BrightStone. Shortly after it appeared, came the plague. A deadly disease that swiftly took a fair number of the population. But Moon Children are immune to it. Why? Well instead of finding out, the higher religious order (in this novel it is known as The Salt Temple), the Upper Tier nobility, and the Inquestors condemn them for holding so much sin that disease won’t even take them. Or at least that’s what I gathered their reasoning to be because it was so ridiculous I wanted to smack them all with their own novel. Unfortunately, the Inquestors are not an innocuous entity that doesn’t believe or understand science. They are cruel and unrelenting in their disdain for the Moon Children. Hence the inception of the Tithe. All the Moon Children live with the threat of being Tithed over their heads. They exist in a constant state of survival mode. It lives little room for love or living life.
Maggy is programmed to think from one meal to the next. Her clan leader, Rory, is less than great at his job shall we say? When he turns her out, I was not at all surprised. But I believe in karma, Rory. Maggy is slow at changing her mindset from survive this night to big picture let’s save all of BrightStone. I’ve seen so many novels where the heroine jumps all in right away because of this sense of a bigger purpose. Maggy’s hesitation was refreshing to read. Finally, a strong female character who says wait…let’s think about this for a moment. It certainly isn’t a lack of courage that holds her back. The plan the exiled doctor and Ghost have created is a mad one. It requires Maggy to do the one thing she’s deliberately avoided having happen her entire life. Be Tithed. When she does agree to the plan, it is little wonder at her impatience. Of course she wants to get it over with as soon as possible. She has things first she needs to learn though. As one does when you are trying to prove a conspiracy theory and topple the current leadership.
Maggy’s heart-shaped panel and clockwork dragon are mysteries in this novel. Maggy has no idea where or when the panel was placed on her. However, it holds her heart in place, so to remove it would mean death. The dragon grows attached to her, finding her at all the wrong moments when it should be out of sight. It takes to riding on her shoulder and scaring anyone who comes near her. The creator of these inventions is referenced several times throughout the novel, but seems to have gone missing a number of years before. Where is she? Why did she build these things? How did she come to know Maggy? All of the questions go unanswered.
Moon Children have little time for friends and so Maggy has very few. Sparrow is more a sister to her. Someone she must protect. I wasn’t all that surprised about what happened with Sparrow, but I was surprised about when it happened. She has a great deal of influence over Maggy both directly and indirectly. Her companionship has shaped a large portion of Maggy’s life. When Ghost stepped out of the shadows and onto the page, I immediately thought, oh…I’m going to like you. Initially, he is simply an acquaintance of Sparrow and Maggy. I was really hoping he was going to be in the story a lot, and luckily he is. You get quite a bit about his background over the course of the novel and he becomes a fully fleshed out person by the end. His motivations are clear, which I think comforts Maggy in many ways. They genuinely seem to care for each other. Even though Maggy has agreed to be Tithed, they cannot stop what is happening between them. The last scene in the novel between with them both is heartbreaking. I mean absolutely gut wrenchingly sad. Although there are hundreds of other people around at the time, for a second it just the two of them. I was grateful for it, for Maggy’s sake.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I believe there are at least two novels in the series slated for release after this one. This one is left on a cliffhanger, so I’m eagerly awaiting to see what fate has in store for Maggy.
First Thought When Finishing The Novel
What? It ends here? Where is the rest of the book?
Final Thoughts
I’m seriously loving this Ghost/Maggy thing. I’m really wondering what actually goes on in the Pits, because no one truly knows. What are they going to find down there? However, I want to go to Meridian too. Are we going to get there in the next book? Also, I want a clockwork dragon to ride on my shoulder. No joke. How do we go about making that happen?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2017
A copy of this review can also be found at Book Ink Reviews
Oh. Oh. Oh. Right now, this book is moving over to my reread pile before the next one in the series comes out. It is really that bloody fantastic. It is part Star Wars, part Hunger Games, part Assassin's Creed. And it is fantastic, even with some shortcomings.
Mags is a lovable character. She's strong, determined, down to earth, and feels deeply. I loved being in her head and reading everything from her POV--point of view-- because she's hilarious, flippant, mature, and sarcastic at turns. She also has a fake heart as a young 19 year old. As another young woman with an open heart surgery under her belt and a fake valve to show for it, this touched me as a point that most people won't care about past the implications of an early hint of Ironheart.
Ghost is the next character we get the most of, and he is sincere and shows that he cares for Mags. While Molly, Lucian, Sparrow, and Archivist Chaunders, and Martika are left with some reveals of character background and not much more.
That is where this book got knocked from a 5 star rating to a 4. They are all fairly 2-D. We get snippets of seeing deeper into who they are, but not enough to make me feel like I really know them. This could be, in part, because Mags isn't trusted or trusting through most of the book. But even the ones she calls her friends, the ones to whom we should be emotionally attached, are not anyone that I could attach to because I didn't know anything about them. I'm hoping this will change in the next book, because this is slated to become a fantastic series.
It is more New Adult than Young Adult due to language and content, and as an adult reader, I am firmly okay with this. However, if you have young readers that are reading higher levels of books, only have them pick this one up if you're okay with language, violence, and minor suggestive content.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Pang, and Indie for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh. Oh. Oh. Right now, this book is moving over to my reread pile before the next one in the series comes out. It is really that bloody fantastic. It is part Star Wars, part Hunger Games, part Assassin's Creed. And it is fantastic, even with some shortcomings.
Mags is a lovable character. She's strong, determined, down to earth, and feels deeply. I loved being in her head and reading everything from her POV--point of view-- because she's hilarious, flippant, mature, and sarcastic at turns. She also has a fake heart as a young 19 year old. As another young woman with an open heart surgery under her belt and a fake valve to show for it, this touched me as a point that most people won't care about past the implications of an early hint of Ironheart.
Ghost is the next character we get the most of, and he is sincere and shows that he cares for Mags. While Molly, Lucian, Sparrow, and Archivist Chaunders, and Martika are left with some reveals of character background and not much more.
That is where this book got knocked from a 5 star rating to a 4. They are all fairly 2-D. We get snippets of seeing deeper into who they are, but not enough to make me feel like I really know them. This could be, in part, because Mags isn't trusted or trusting through most of the book. But even the ones she calls her friends, the ones to whom we should be emotionally attached, are not anyone that I could attach to because I didn't know anything about them. I'm hoping this will change in the next book, because this is slated to become a fantastic series.
It is more New Adult than Young Adult due to language and content, and as an adult reader, I am firmly okay with this. However, if you have young readers that are reading higher levels of books, only have them pick this one up if you're okay with language, violence, and minor suggestive content.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Pang, and Indie for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2018
Guys, this book was going to be two stars. I swear it was. It started and my eyes rolled so hard. But something magical happened, and I was drawn in, and now I'm left feeling upset that I finished it before the obvious sequel is ready. That's a good problem to have!
Mags is a Moon Child, member of a downtrodden caste in a steampunk world. Moon Children are exceptional because they are unable to catch The Rot, a disease that infects the other 2/3 of the book's population.
Hijinks ensue, one thing leads to another, and Mags finds herself in a conspiracy to overthrow the government (or at least the social structure), she has an automaton dragon that seems to be intelligent life, and everyone keeps looking sideways at her one-of-a-kind mechanical heart that was probably put there by the most famous inventor/scientist of all time. You know, as one does. I can't read that and not want to keep reading, so I don't think you will either!
This reads a bit like a grittier (but not much grittier) Cinder, which is a good thing. The world-building's pretty good, the character development is solid, and I'm invested in Mags and her ragtag group. The misadventures that happen hit hard, as they should. No one should be able to change the fate of the world without a few losses.
There are a few moments in the book that made me raise an eyebrow of incredulity, but the piece as a whole works without stressing out my suspension of disbelief too much. At the end of any book that's intended to have a sequel, there's a spectrum of endings that run the gamut between total resolution and total cliffhanger. My preference is solidly in the middle. This book ignores my preference and goes for absolute cliffhanger, while I don't love.
I'd recommend this book for fans of YA fantasy and sci fi, or fans of steampunk. If you liked Cinder, or the Red Queen series, this would be great for you! It's different enough to enjoy but gives you a new world to escape into and a new "Strong Female Lead" to love. It climbed its way from 2 to 4 starts, which is hard to do! I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the next one.
(Originally posted on my review blog: https://wordpress.com/post/ireadthere...)
Mags is a Moon Child, member of a downtrodden caste in a steampunk world. Moon Children are exceptional because they are unable to catch The Rot, a disease that infects the other 2/3 of the book's population.
Hijinks ensue, one thing leads to another, and Mags finds herself in a conspiracy to overthrow the government (or at least the social structure), she has an automaton dragon that seems to be intelligent life, and everyone keeps looking sideways at her one-of-a-kind mechanical heart that was probably put there by the most famous inventor/scientist of all time. You know, as one does. I can't read that and not want to keep reading, so I don't think you will either!
This reads a bit like a grittier (but not much grittier) Cinder, which is a good thing. The world-building's pretty good, the character development is solid, and I'm invested in Mags and her ragtag group. The misadventures that happen hit hard, as they should. No one should be able to change the fate of the world without a few losses.
There are a few moments in the book that made me raise an eyebrow of incredulity, but the piece as a whole works without stressing out my suspension of disbelief too much. At the end of any book that's intended to have a sequel, there's a spectrum of endings that run the gamut between total resolution and total cliffhanger. My preference is solidly in the middle. This book ignores my preference and goes for absolute cliffhanger, while I don't love.
I'd recommend this book for fans of YA fantasy and sci fi, or fans of steampunk. If you liked Cinder, or the Red Queen series, this would be great for you! It's different enough to enjoy but gives you a new world to escape into and a new "Strong Female Lead" to love. It climbed its way from 2 to 4 starts, which is hard to do! I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the next one.
(Originally posted on my review blog: https://wordpress.com/post/ireadthere...)
August 13, 2017
Magpie's Song is a gritty, young adult novel similar to Bardugo's Six of Crows, and pulls elements from Mistborn and Red Rising. Set in the mythical town of BrightStone (or at least I think it's mythical...there no mention if this is earth, NY, Old London, etc.) the citizens are divided into Moon Children, the upper class and the working class. The inhabitants are literally overshadowed by the supreme denizens of a floating island called the Meridian.
This town is governed by the villainous Inquestors and the infamous, rich Lord Balthazar. The focus of the plot and setting is on a disease not dissimilar to the bubonic plague, called The Rot. Rotters, generally the working class, are cast into the Pit like lepers ever month and are accompanied by a Moon Child - half-breed children of the Meridian and the BrightStone who are immune to the disease. Moon Children are recruited into steampunk gangs once they turn during adolescence. Our MC, Magpie or Mags is a Moon Child, she is thrust into a plot when she nabs a Meridian dragon-automaton from a garbage heap. Her discovery nearly gets her killed and her adventures following unravel pieces of her history as well as reveal the source of the rot.
Mags is a sarcastic, kick-ass heroine that tends to act before thinking. She has no recollection of her past (up until the age of 12) but like most heroes has strong feelings towards the injustices taking place around her. I love that Pang did not turn her into a Mary Sue (yet). Her character growth is based purely on experience and skills. The supporting cast including Sparrow, Ghost, Molly and Lucian are well developed and Mag's interactions with them help to add depth to her character and the plot.
Overall 4 stars for Magpie's Song. This book is filled with action, mystery, and a dash of romance. The writing was simple and engaging and the pacing kept me entertained during an entire flight to Tokyo. I did not give the story a full 5 stars because I am apprehensive on how the sequel will turn out after reading a tiny snippet - so my rating may still change!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. Thank you!
This town is governed by the villainous Inquestors and the infamous, rich Lord Balthazar. The focus of the plot and setting is on a disease not dissimilar to the bubonic plague, called The Rot. Rotters, generally the working class, are cast into the Pit like lepers ever month and are accompanied by a Moon Child - half-breed children of the Meridian and the BrightStone who are immune to the disease. Moon Children are recruited into steampunk gangs once they turn during adolescence. Our MC, Magpie or Mags is a Moon Child, she is thrust into a plot when she nabs a Meridian dragon-automaton from a garbage heap. Her discovery nearly gets her killed and her adventures following unravel pieces of her history as well as reveal the source of the rot.
Mags is a sarcastic, kick-ass heroine that tends to act before thinking. She has no recollection of her past (up until the age of 12) but like most heroes has strong feelings towards the injustices taking place around her. I love that Pang did not turn her into a Mary Sue (yet). Her character growth is based purely on experience and skills. The supporting cast including Sparrow, Ghost, Molly and Lucian are well developed and Mag's interactions with them help to add depth to her character and the plot.
Overall 4 stars for Magpie's Song. This book is filled with action, mystery, and a dash of romance. The writing was simple and engaging and the pacing kept me entertained during an entire flight to Tokyo. I did not give the story a full 5 stars because I am apprehensive on how the sequel will turn out after reading a tiny snippet - so my rating may still change!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. Thank you!
Read
July 27, 2019When I came across this book, I rubbed my hands in anticipation. A steampunk setting with an infectious agent is right up my street.
We're taken into a well fleshed out dystopian world with the usual elements of social stratification into rich overlords, a middle tier, and those who live on the street. Main character Maggy is at the bottom of the heap, being one of the Moon Children who are so despised, even as lip service is given to the... mystic/symbolic way in which they aid society. When she stumbles upon a dead body and a clockwork dragon that takes a liking to her, her life becomes a lot more complicated.
The entire book is written from Maggy's perspective, in first person present tense. It's a PoV that normally takes me a few chapters to settle into, but I reached the end still feeling that the narrative voice was odd. This might be because the prose and vocabulary feel far more complex than we'd expect from a young street rat, so it always felt as if there was some other narrator between the reader (me, at least) and Maggy the character. Additionally, nearly every paragraph included a sentence with a participial or absolute phrase: the similar sentence structures were repeated enough that I found it distracting from the text. I noticed a couple of typos, but nothing significant.
The worldbuilding was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the little details immensely, such as surgeons tattooing a "signature" on any wounds they stitch, which has all kinds of delicious implications.
As to the story itself, Maggy ends up in all kinds of trouble, some of which she deals with, and some of which has lingering consequences, clearly leading into the sequel. We learn plenty about society and hints as to what's going on behind the scenes. Much of the story covers what Maggy learns (and how). However, I came away feeling that the book served more to introduce the scope of Maggy's challenges than as a complete story in itself. Personally, I'd have preferred to see a more distinct resolution.
If you enjoy immersive dystopian worlds, Magpie's Song is worth a look.
We're taken into a well fleshed out dystopian world with the usual elements of social stratification into rich overlords, a middle tier, and those who live on the street. Main character Maggy is at the bottom of the heap, being one of the Moon Children who are so despised, even as lip service is given to the... mystic/symbolic way in which they aid society. When she stumbles upon a dead body and a clockwork dragon that takes a liking to her, her life becomes a lot more complicated.
The entire book is written from Maggy's perspective, in first person present tense. It's a PoV that normally takes me a few chapters to settle into, but I reached the end still feeling that the narrative voice was odd. This might be because the prose and vocabulary feel far more complex than we'd expect from a young street rat, so it always felt as if there was some other narrator between the reader (me, at least) and Maggy the character. Additionally, nearly every paragraph included a sentence with a participial or absolute phrase: the similar sentence structures were repeated enough that I found it distracting from the text. I noticed a couple of typos, but nothing significant.
The worldbuilding was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the little details immensely, such as surgeons tattooing a "signature" on any wounds they stitch, which has all kinds of delicious implications.
As to the story itself, Maggy ends up in all kinds of trouble, some of which she deals with, and some of which has lingering consequences, clearly leading into the sequel. We learn plenty about society and hints as to what's going on behind the scenes. Much of the story covers what Maggy learns (and how). However, I came away feeling that the book served more to introduce the scope of Maggy's challenges than as a complete story in itself. Personally, I'd have preferred to see a more distinct resolution.
If you enjoy immersive dystopian worlds, Magpie's Song is worth a look.
July 21, 2017
Raggy Maggy, aka Magpie, is a Moon-Child, a supposed unwanted child of a BrightStone woman and a Meridian male. She collects scrap in the desolate wastelands of the Warrens for her clan. Maggy stumbles upon a strange clock-work dragon and a dead Meridian male. The dragon’s presence heralds all kinds of changes for poor Mags. When her clan exiles her, she has no alternative but to agree to her saviors’ mad plans of sneaking down into the Pits, a dark place where the Rot-infected people are placed. Can Maggy find the truth behind the peculiar plague’s existence? Or will Maggy lose more people she cares about before the journey begins?
Maggy is quite the unorthodox, yet interesting, character. I love how she refuses to allow the pariah status associated with her kind to have any real power over her. Maggy proves continuously through the book she’s capable of thinking for herself. She tends to consider angles her companions would never consider. I love her wily cleverness. I enjoy Mag’s interaction with Ghost, who is a charismatic part of this story and I cannot wait to see the direction their relationship takes in future books. But what I admire the most about Maggy is her tenaciousness in both the things she puts her mind to and the people she cares about.
MAGPIE’S SONG is book one in Allison Pang’s brand new, self-published series, IRONHEART CHRONICLES. The story starts out rather slow, which is necessary for the author to properly set up the world and the characters. I like how the story is written in Maggy’s point-of-view. It did take me some time to adjust to Maggy’s distinct narrative.
MAGPIE’S SONG is a dark dystopian story with a balanced mix-mash of steampunk and fantasy. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the author’s world, especially the details she intricately wove into the tale. I cannot wait to delve into more of Maggy’s adventures.
- Courtesy of Romance Junkies
Maggy is quite the unorthodox, yet interesting, character. I love how she refuses to allow the pariah status associated with her kind to have any real power over her. Maggy proves continuously through the book she’s capable of thinking for herself. She tends to consider angles her companions would never consider. I love her wily cleverness. I enjoy Mag’s interaction with Ghost, who is a charismatic part of this story and I cannot wait to see the direction their relationship takes in future books. But what I admire the most about Maggy is her tenaciousness in both the things she puts her mind to and the people she cares about.
MAGPIE’S SONG is book one in Allison Pang’s brand new, self-published series, IRONHEART CHRONICLES. The story starts out rather slow, which is necessary for the author to properly set up the world and the characters. I like how the story is written in Maggy’s point-of-view. It did take me some time to adjust to Maggy’s distinct narrative.
MAGPIE’S SONG is a dark dystopian story with a balanced mix-mash of steampunk and fantasy. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the author’s world, especially the details she intricately wove into the tale. I cannot wait to delve into more of Maggy’s adventures.
- Courtesy of Romance Junkies
May 8, 2019
This is an author who also wrote the Abby Sinclair series (oh if you haven't read it... go do it now! Seriously, we will wait...) so I was very happy when I won my copy. This is quite different than her other series. This one is is YA (older) and a bit steampunk-ish (not too heavy on it) with a mystery to by solved. It also is dark with a dystopian feel. It isn't dystopian since it happens in a much different world than ours, but you know something happened to separate the rich from the rest of the rabble. It also created a plague which cannot be cured and children who are immune to the plague and are marked by their snow white hair. Rejected and feared, the children barely survive in thieving clans and used as caretakers to those infected and doomed to die in the tunnels.
Okay, I don't want to give away any more as it also has a mystery feel to the story and it is always good to slowly have things revealed. The worldbuilding is easy to slip into and you want to know everything and you become more invested as the story reveals bits of this world. The world isn't bright and shiny, but as I have already stated, it is dark, it is dirty, and dangerous. I also wouldn't worry with the YA title as it has murder, betrayal and even casual sex (nothing graphic, but just states it as fact). It also has some incredible gadgets that I hope the author explores more in future books.
My biggest complaint? It isn't long enough. You know where the book was going and it took it's time to get there (which isn't a bad thing here) and when it gets there it ends. It isn't a cliffie but you need the next book to find out what how and more about this world.
I give this book 4 stars. I think anyone wanting a fantasy world which isn't heavy handed but engaging should try this book. Also, don't forget to try her other series. You won't regret either series.
Okay, I don't want to give away any more as it also has a mystery feel to the story and it is always good to slowly have things revealed. The worldbuilding is easy to slip into and you want to know everything and you become more invested as the story reveals bits of this world. The world isn't bright and shiny, but as I have already stated, it is dark, it is dirty, and dangerous. I also wouldn't worry with the YA title as it has murder, betrayal and even casual sex (nothing graphic, but just states it as fact). It also has some incredible gadgets that I hope the author explores more in future books.
My biggest complaint? It isn't long enough. You know where the book was going and it took it's time to get there (which isn't a bad thing here) and when it gets there it ends. It isn't a cliffie but you need the next book to find out what how and more about this world.
I give this book 4 stars. I think anyone wanting a fantasy world which isn't heavy handed but engaging should try this book. Also, don't forget to try her other series. You won't regret either series.
August 13, 2017
I generously received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I didn't know a lot about it which is a good thing because then I didn't have a mind set as to how I thought the story would be and I was able to enjoy it a lot more without expectations.
Magpie is a nineteen year old Moon Child which is a person who has light blonde hair, very fair skin and judged harshly as apparently much of society sees these people as the oddballs living in the Warrens. Her kind is harshly judged because they are immune to a disease known as The Rot that is essentially the Wasting Disease. It's a very poor, run down area. Meridions are considered High Society and live in a huge city that floats above the town that Magpie lives in and then there's also Brightstone which is a cross between middle and lower class. She hasn't had an easy life but she doesn't complain about it and instead has found a way to survive in such a harsh world where food is often scarce, being able to escape out of tricky situations is essential and having street smarts is required if you plan to reach adulthood.
She comes across a mechanical mini Dragon while salvaging to make money with her best friend Sparrow at her side which is apparently from Meridion and eventually leads to a whole heap of trouble. What trouble you say? You'll have to read to find out!
I seriously adore Magpie and Ghost who have had their own share of hardships but work so well together. I can't tell yet if there will be a romance there but it certainly has potential!
This book was a fascinating mix of Steampunk, adventure, friendship, unexpected allies, a dash of heartbreak and lots of surprises.
It was such a pleasure to read this book and I look forward to reading more in this series!
Going into this book, I didn't know a lot about it which is a good thing because then I didn't have a mind set as to how I thought the story would be and I was able to enjoy it a lot more without expectations.
Magpie is a nineteen year old Moon Child which is a person who has light blonde hair, very fair skin and judged harshly as apparently much of society sees these people as the oddballs living in the Warrens. Her kind is harshly judged because they are immune to a disease known as The Rot that is essentially the Wasting Disease. It's a very poor, run down area. Meridions are considered High Society and live in a huge city that floats above the town that Magpie lives in and then there's also Brightstone which is a cross between middle and lower class. She hasn't had an easy life but she doesn't complain about it and instead has found a way to survive in such a harsh world where food is often scarce, being able to escape out of tricky situations is essential and having street smarts is required if you plan to reach adulthood.
She comes across a mechanical mini Dragon while salvaging to make money with her best friend Sparrow at her side which is apparently from Meridion and eventually leads to a whole heap of trouble. What trouble you say? You'll have to read to find out!
I seriously adore Magpie and Ghost who have had their own share of hardships but work so well together. I can't tell yet if there will be a romance there but it certainly has potential!
This book was a fascinating mix of Steampunk, adventure, friendship, unexpected allies, a dash of heartbreak and lots of surprises.
It was such a pleasure to read this book and I look forward to reading more in this series!
July 28, 2017
Great books linger in your thoughts long after the last page is turned. Magpie’s Song is such a book, and I am eager to read the next book in the series. The world of Magpie’s Song is divided in three. Meridian, the city of luxury and technology flies above. It rules Brightstone, the city below with an iron fist. Brightstone fears the Rot, a flesh eating plague that randomly attacks members of the population, and turns others inexplicably into Moon Children, silver haired, capable of great physical prowess and immune to the Rot. They are the Sineaters of Brightstone, looked down upon and often sent to the Pits where the plagued are isolated.
Raggy Maggy is a scavenger of scrap, struggling to meet her quota. When she and her friend discover a clockwork dragon, a series of cascading events leads her to become a wanted criminal involved in a conspiracy to discover the source of the Rot and ultimately end Meridian rule. Magpie (Maggy) is a compelling narrator in a world where allegiances can not be taken for granted and trust is a rare commodity. To find out the truth, Magpie must enter the Pits - a place no one has ever returned from.
Magpie’s Song will appeal to those who enjoy dystopian fantasy. Magpie is a strong character, slightly feral, and capable of acknowledging weakness without whining. Angst and mooning about romance have no place in her life or in Magpie’s Song. The supporting characters are equally fascinating and I look forward to learning more about them as the story progresses.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Magpie’s Song from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Raggy Maggy is a scavenger of scrap, struggling to meet her quota. When she and her friend discover a clockwork dragon, a series of cascading events leads her to become a wanted criminal involved in a conspiracy to discover the source of the Rot and ultimately end Meridian rule. Magpie (Maggy) is a compelling narrator in a world where allegiances can not be taken for granted and trust is a rare commodity. To find out the truth, Magpie must enter the Pits - a place no one has ever returned from.
Magpie’s Song will appeal to those who enjoy dystopian fantasy. Magpie is a strong character, slightly feral, and capable of acknowledging weakness without whining. Angst and mooning about romance have no place in her life or in Magpie’s Song. The supporting characters are equally fascinating and I look forward to learning more about them as the story progresses.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Magpie’s Song from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
August 21, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Magpie’s Song is a fun, steampunk-esque novel about a girl with a clockwork heart who finds a dragon. In this novel, Allison Pang creates a world plagued by a mysterious rot to which only the even more mysterious moon children are immune. The girl with a clockwork heart is one such moon child. Raggy Maggy, orphaned and defined by her distinctive white hair, is a member of the Banshee clan, forced to scavenge for snacks in order to survive. The discovery of a metal dragon in the scrapheap, however, leads Maggy down a road of conspiracy, discovery and betrayal.
The novel itself is the first in a series and, as such, it involves a lot of world-building. We, as readers, are introduced to the social structure, the impenetrable meridian and those that live in its shadow. Unfortunately, this set up means that it does take a good two-thirds of the book before the main story kicks off. That being said, a lot does happen during those first parts, helping to set up the novel with action as well as description; as Maggy is forced from her normal, everyday life into playing a part for plan we’ve only seen the surface of.
Nothing feels completely safe and plenty of questions are asked, some of which are answered but some we will have to wait for the sequels. What is particularly interesting is the mystery which revolves around Raggy Maggy; the mystery of where she comes from and the reason for her clockwork heart.
Maggy, as our lead character, is reckless and also prone to mistakes, but she also has a heart. These traits make her an endearing lead. It is strongly implied, but never actually stated, that she is bi- or pan-sexual (and, indeed, there are a few diverse characters in this book). Those she teams up with are also quite distinct: Ghost, who lives up to his name; Lucian, the careful doctor with a hidden side and Molly, the harsh brothel-owner and scrap-dealer. Each contributes to the novel in their own way and each feels integral to the plot.
This novel does have a dark side, one with death, torture and hopelessness, but Pang handles it well, keeping the novel’s heart even when things take a turn for the worse. As such, it can be enjoyed by people of most ages (although it is more orientated towards teens); the writing is easy to understand and helps the story flow. If you enjoy steampunk novels with action, mystery and compelling characters, then you may enjoy this book too.
Magpie’s Song is a fun, steampunk-esque novel about a girl with a clockwork heart who finds a dragon. In this novel, Allison Pang creates a world plagued by a mysterious rot to which only the even more mysterious moon children are immune. The girl with a clockwork heart is one such moon child. Raggy Maggy, orphaned and defined by her distinctive white hair, is a member of the Banshee clan, forced to scavenge for snacks in order to survive. The discovery of a metal dragon in the scrapheap, however, leads Maggy down a road of conspiracy, discovery and betrayal.
The novel itself is the first in a series and, as such, it involves a lot of world-building. We, as readers, are introduced to the social structure, the impenetrable meridian and those that live in its shadow. Unfortunately, this set up means that it does take a good two-thirds of the book before the main story kicks off. That being said, a lot does happen during those first parts, helping to set up the novel with action as well as description; as Maggy is forced from her normal, everyday life into playing a part for plan we’ve only seen the surface of.
Nothing feels completely safe and plenty of questions are asked, some of which are answered but some we will have to wait for the sequels. What is particularly interesting is the mystery which revolves around Raggy Maggy; the mystery of where she comes from and the reason for her clockwork heart.
Maggy, as our lead character, is reckless and also prone to mistakes, but she also has a heart. These traits make her an endearing lead. It is strongly implied, but never actually stated, that she is bi- or pan-sexual (and, indeed, there are a few diverse characters in this book). Those she teams up with are also quite distinct: Ghost, who lives up to his name; Lucian, the careful doctor with a hidden side and Molly, the harsh brothel-owner and scrap-dealer. Each contributes to the novel in their own way and each feels integral to the plot.
This novel does have a dark side, one with death, torture and hopelessness, but Pang handles it well, keeping the novel’s heart even when things take a turn for the worse. As such, it can be enjoyed by people of most ages (although it is more orientated towards teens); the writing is easy to understand and helps the story flow. If you enjoy steampunk novels with action, mystery and compelling characters, then you may enjoy this book too.
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