Abney Park's The Wrath of Fate Review
What Caught My Attention -
This is easy... the title says it all, ABNEY PARK!!!
Once I read that, and found out YES Captain Robert Brown DID write this book, I was all like-
CAPTAIN,
Another thing, I have the second edition because, LOOK AT DAT COVER -
Now time to get a bit serious. Yes the cover, title and author did catch my attention, but what about the first couple of chapters? First Motion is the title of the first chapter. This chapter follows a man named Calgori who invented and perfected a form of time travel during the early 1900's (1906 to be exact) and succeeds. I love this chapter only because of the fact that you get to meet the greatest scientist with as little information as descriptions can provide. It was a joy to read. And mainly, caught my attention.
The next chapter is called The Chronofax which is one of the saddest and realistic yet unrealistic songs I've ever heard. This one hit me pretty hard actually, considering I have a brother basically the same as Samuel, except the fact that my bother isn't as violent. (instead of using an axe to break down my door, he kicked it.) Although my brother really didn't, to an extent, understand what he was doing, because he has a lot of different mental disabilities (most of which I am not comfortable explaining.) He would instantly regret and become sad after doing things of that nature.) Nonetheless I was still majorly effected by this chapter. Along with the fact that my parents treated him the same as Robert's did in the novel. Basically the entire chapter regarding this, I could completely relate to.
This is the main reason I was drawn so heavily to the novel. ( this, after the fact I got over the amazing cover) In review, I LOVED the first few chapters, I loved how they jumped back-and-forth between Robert and Calgori until they met up. It was surprising. Another thing I'd like to point out is just how wonderful Robert explains time travel. It is so understandable the way Calgori explains himself with the point of it all. (and surprisingly funny the way the crew responds) Honestly - if you have not yet ran to their website to buy this beauty then get on it! - http://thewrathoffate.abneypark.com/
Why I Continued Reading -
(spoilers DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY READ THE BOOK)
Oooh, this is a fun one. There are a couple of things I loooved in the middle sections of the book that I could. not. get. over. The chapter was called What The Hell Was That? And (spoilers!) I thought the title was going to tie in with the fact that, maybe something crazy would happen in the terms of battle, or fighting. But no, I was completely off guard with how this title would play out. Lilith which is a character that no one really at all likes in this book. Because she's annoying. (okay maybe some crew members take a liking to her, but I for one do not.) Well, what do you know? She kisses Robert, RIGHT ON THE MOUTH. His response? "What the hell was that?" Funniest part, ever. (to me at least) I really enjoyed that part.
After this interesting chapter comes one called A Stolen Monster. The entire chapter I was wondering what this meant. What do you mean a stolen monster? There's a picture of a baby under that but what does it mean? Aren't all children monsters? Right, not monster in the way I was thinking. Apparently Robert screws EVERYTHING UP, (at least he thinks so) and lands in the middle of a battle in World War II which, their old Airship from 1906 cannot stand up too. They end up safe because of ol' doc (transported them back to early 1900's) and they end up finding out that someone took the time travel orb thing in the middle of the ship. And at this point I thought it was Tanner, only because he got up and left into the forest without a word. Back to the point. The monster. Turns out, the easiest way to stop World War II from happening is to steal BABY HITLER. Genius. Oh if only River Song would have thought about that instead of trying to kill him while he's in power, maybe that episode would have gone over better.
The start of Book II The End of Days. All I have to say is; Can I please write a short spin off story of someone living with the tech deprived people behind the walls, and then leaving with the Neobedouins? Because honestly that's the only thing I thought about during this old mans explanation of the time 2150. It was so cool and inspiring!
The next chapter properly titled, Airship Pirates, explains the meaning behind the Abney Park song, Airship Pirate. I sang the heck out of this song when I was younger, in fact it's what drew me to steampunk to begin with! I think that's why I really, really love Abney Park. I began to fall in love with Sky Pirates after playing Final Fantasy 12 and once hearing this at age 13, I was hooked! I can't explain this much more. Anytime someone plays this song, I dance like a crazy person because It's something I just cannot help. And yes I am listening to the song as I type this. I'm off track again. With this chapter I was finally able to understand what Abney Park meant by,
What I Was Left With -
I catch myself looking to the sky in awe and longing just as Vaan from final fantasy 12 did all those years ago. Reading The Wrath of Fate refreshed my childhood memories; and I am so grateful for that! I found myself reading this novel in Roberts voice, and connecting the story to my own book, Zathena and the Sky Pirates only because this world is so diverse I can't stop myself from thinking of the Annabeth (the name of Aruno's airship).
I kind of picture Aruno and Robert, sitting in the tavern of "The Weary Banshee" drinking rum (Aruno's choice beverage influenced by Robert obviously; who drinks more rum then water) while listening to (and occasionally joining in) to sea chanteys and enjoying a nice "free" meal. My imaginations may be strange but hey, it sounds nice to me! I know I will always remember the scenes in this book vividly. The book reminds me a bit of my own, with the wording and play of descriptions. Captain Robert's descriptive powers however, are no match for mine! I know that I can always learn new writing techniques from this book, Retrograde, and any future books the Captain happens to write.
Why I Will Return -
The characters are easy to relate to and understand. The sad moments in this book make me remember my own, and that I can also no doubly relate to. This is a book, one I know I will continue to revisit time and time again. I can't wait to share this novel with young friends of mine, and explain to them the joy I received reading this novel!
This book was so hard to put down as well. Which means, I'd need to revisit again, just because of how wonderful it was! Heck I even read it at work. Then forgot it one day and honestly I felt like my world was going to end. (I had paused at A Minor Redemption major cliff hanger) I brought this book with me to restaurants, in the car, and on the bus. I read it while I knitted and sang. I even procrastinated a bit with my own novel. It was that good! I honestly love Robert for taking time out of his busy schedule to create, write and publish this amazing work of art for all of his fans, and new steampunk readers alike!
This is easy... the title says it all, ABNEY PARK!!!
Once I read that, and found out YES Captain Robert Brown DID write this book, I was all like-
CAPTAIN,
Another thing, I have the second edition because, LOOK AT DAT COVER -
Now time to get a bit serious. Yes the cover, title and author did catch my attention, but what about the first couple of chapters? First Motion is the title of the first chapter. This chapter follows a man named Calgori who invented and perfected a form of time travel during the early 1900's (1906 to be exact) and succeeds. I love this chapter only because of the fact that you get to meet the greatest scientist with as little information as descriptions can provide. It was a joy to read. And mainly, caught my attention.
The next chapter is called The Chronofax which is one of the saddest and realistic yet unrealistic songs I've ever heard. This one hit me pretty hard actually, considering I have a brother basically the same as Samuel, except the fact that my bother isn't as violent. (instead of using an axe to break down my door, he kicked it.) Although my brother really didn't, to an extent, understand what he was doing, because he has a lot of different mental disabilities (most of which I am not comfortable explaining.) He would instantly regret and become sad after doing things of that nature.) Nonetheless I was still majorly effected by this chapter. Along with the fact that my parents treated him the same as Robert's did in the novel. Basically the entire chapter regarding this, I could completely relate to.
This is the main reason I was drawn so heavily to the novel. ( this, after the fact I got over the amazing cover) In review, I LOVED the first few chapters, I loved how they jumped back-and-forth between Robert and Calgori until they met up. It was surprising. Another thing I'd like to point out is just how wonderful Robert explains time travel. It is so understandable the way Calgori explains himself with the point of it all. (and surprisingly funny the way the crew responds) Honestly - if you have not yet ran to their website to buy this beauty then get on it! - http://thewrathoffate.abneypark.com/
Why I Continued Reading -
(spoilers DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY READ THE BOOK)
Oooh, this is a fun one. There are a couple of things I loooved in the middle sections of the book that I could. not. get. over. The chapter was called What The Hell Was That? And (spoilers!) I thought the title was going to tie in with the fact that, maybe something crazy would happen in the terms of battle, or fighting. But no, I was completely off guard with how this title would play out. Lilith which is a character that no one really at all likes in this book. Because she's annoying. (okay maybe some crew members take a liking to her, but I for one do not.) Well, what do you know? She kisses Robert, RIGHT ON THE MOUTH. His response? "What the hell was that?" Funniest part, ever. (to me at least) I really enjoyed that part.
After this interesting chapter comes one called A Stolen Monster. The entire chapter I was wondering what this meant. What do you mean a stolen monster? There's a picture of a baby under that but what does it mean? Aren't all children monsters? Right, not monster in the way I was thinking. Apparently Robert screws EVERYTHING UP, (at least he thinks so) and lands in the middle of a battle in World War II which, their old Airship from 1906 cannot stand up too. They end up safe because of ol' doc (transported them back to early 1900's) and they end up finding out that someone took the time travel orb thing in the middle of the ship. And at this point I thought it was Tanner, only because he got up and left into the forest without a word. Back to the point. The monster. Turns out, the easiest way to stop World War II from happening is to steal BABY HITLER. Genius. Oh if only River Song would have thought about that instead of trying to kill him while he's in power, maybe that episode would have gone over better.
The start of Book II The End of Days. All I have to say is; Can I please write a short spin off story of someone living with the tech deprived people behind the walls, and then leaving with the Neobedouins? Because honestly that's the only thing I thought about during this old mans explanation of the time 2150. It was so cool and inspiring!
The next chapter properly titled, Airship Pirates, explains the meaning behind the Abney Park song, Airship Pirate. I sang the heck out of this song when I was younger, in fact it's what drew me to steampunk to begin with! I think that's why I really, really love Abney Park. I began to fall in love with Sky Pirates after playing Final Fantasy 12 and once hearing this at age 13, I was hooked! I can't explain this much more. Anytime someone plays this song, I dance like a crazy person because It's something I just cannot help. And yes I am listening to the song as I type this. I'm off track again. With this chapter I was finally able to understand what Abney Park meant by,
'But a glance below deck shows a crew of nuns and orphans!'Because before this, I had no idea what I was singing, or why for that matter. But being inside of Robert's mind helped me to understand what I was singing. Its inspiring how an embarrassing journey can become one of the greatest steampunk songs ever composed.
What I Was Left With -
I catch myself looking to the sky in awe and longing just as Vaan from final fantasy 12 did all those years ago. Reading The Wrath of Fate refreshed my childhood memories; and I am so grateful for that! I found myself reading this novel in Roberts voice, and connecting the story to my own book, Zathena and the Sky Pirates only because this world is so diverse I can't stop myself from thinking of the Annabeth (the name of Aruno's airship).
I kind of picture Aruno and Robert, sitting in the tavern of "The Weary Banshee" drinking rum (Aruno's choice beverage influenced by Robert obviously; who drinks more rum then water) while listening to (and occasionally joining in) to sea chanteys and enjoying a nice "free" meal. My imaginations may be strange but hey, it sounds nice to me! I know I will always remember the scenes in this book vividly. The book reminds me a bit of my own, with the wording and play of descriptions. Captain Robert's descriptive powers however, are no match for mine! I know that I can always learn new writing techniques from this book, Retrograde, and any future books the Captain happens to write.
Why I Will Return -
The characters are easy to relate to and understand. The sad moments in this book make me remember my own, and that I can also no doubly relate to. This is a book, one I know I will continue to revisit time and time again. I can't wait to share this novel with young friends of mine, and explain to them the joy I received reading this novel!
This book was so hard to put down as well. Which means, I'd need to revisit again, just because of how wonderful it was! Heck I even read it at work. Then forgot it one day and honestly I felt like my world was going to end. (I had paused at A Minor Redemption major cliff hanger) I brought this book with me to restaurants, in the car, and on the bus. I read it while I knitted and sang. I even procrastinated a bit with my own novel. It was that good! I honestly love Robert for taking time out of his busy schedule to create, write and publish this amazing work of art for all of his fans, and new steampunk readers alike!
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