Nocturnal Book Reviews: Early Review: The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Early Review: The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Monday, April 23, 2012 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Egalley thanks to Abrams

Synopsis from Goodreads
This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

Release date: 1st May 2012.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US | The Book Depository US/UK

4/10

* * *

Well, I'll keep my review short on this one as I don't have much to say.

First of all, I understand now why they needed to change the cover, because this book needs all the sellable points it could get. However don't be misled, - Lena is not blond and she doesn't have chicken wings. Her Pecular trait is goblinism - long hands and long feet.

I really struggled with The Peculiars and was tempted to DNF it a few times. It was excruciatingly slow to the point of boredom, and didn't deliver promised "dark and trilling adventure", unless you count the adorable cat shot in the leg and a malfunctioned aerocopter.

There are a few steampunkish elements, but it's all done in an unappealing and overly descriptive manner.

My main problem however is the main heroine herself. She makes all the wrong choices, she is quite vapid and treacherous, and I couldn't understand why Jimson and Mr. Beasley kept making allowances for her mistakes.

Overall, a great disappointment. Fascinating topic, interesting setting, wonderful inventions. It all should work, but instead leaves you unmoved. A pity.

* * *

Очень неудачная книга.

Вот вроде бы все присутствует для формулы успеха - молодая героиня в поисках приключений, сказочные существа, злостный маршал, их ненавидящий, сумасшедший изобретатель и очаровательный юный библиотекарь с котом размеров Матроскина.

И в итоге вышла скучнейшая книга с бесконечными описаниями, дурой-Леной, которая стучит на своих друзей в целях правопорядка, а потом плачется и ждёт пока её кто-нибудь не спасёт.

Кошка - единственный характер книги вызывающий симпатию и уважение. Все остальные меня нисколько не затронули. Еле дочитала и никому не советую.

Tags: 4/10, maureen doyle mcquerry, steampunk, YA, стимпанк

4 comments:

Blodeuedd said...: What a disappointment. I saw this one on goodreads and it sounded interesting but I hate those tstl heroines. I fear this book would not work for me either; 23 April 2012 06:20
Rebecca (Kindle Fever) said...: Hey! I see a new, pretty layout. o: (Yes, I've been missing for way too long... lol) Love it!

It sucks you found this to be a disappointment. It sounds so good! I admit I get a bit worried to pick it up now, but I'm still curious. Great review!; 24 April 2012 02:37
Eva Yewke said...: I cannot get over that cover. :); 24 April 2012 20:06
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews said...: Girls, I was a tad disappointed too. The Book Smugglers have a fantastic review which explains why this book hasn't work for them either and I totally agree with them.; 26 April 2012 12:02