Paperback ( )

I really wish this had been better. "Mortal Engines" is one of my favorite sci-fi books, and even the sequel was pretty dang good! But this one just...lacks. In a lot of places.
Reeve's writing itself is still super readable and interesting, a lovely blend of storytelling-like narration and vivid descriptions. I love the cities and towns he creates! The world of Mortal Engines is easy to get lost in, and he has managed to keep things feeling fresh throughout three books.
I also really enjoyed the time jump and getting to know Wren. I was a bit hesitant when I saw that this book was 17 years after the events of "Predator's Gold" but Reeve transitioned to this story almost seamlessly. Wren, while a tad underdeveloped, is an interesting character and I liked the generational leap.

Unfortunately, the plot itself wasn't very good. It felt a bit rehashed, like the first book with a bunch of bits and pieces rearranged and a new setting. I also have to admit that I'm 100% DONE with Pennyroyal's reoccurring appearance. He's predictable. He's blustering. He was fine originally, but I wish we could have gotten much less of him. I don't usually mind reoccurring characters, like Shrike, but because Pennyroyal is so predictable it makes the book that way, too.

One of the biggest problems with this book is Hester's characterization. The whole book she is angry, violent, childish, and lacked any sort of development. She seems almost jealous of Wren, and says several times that she wishes Wren would have never been born or that she is glad Wren got kidnapped. I would have thought that all those years in Anchorage would have given Tom and Hester time to get to know each other even more and communicate with each other, but apparently Hester hated it there the whole time and just never said anything to Tom even after all they've been through together. :/ Everything with Hester was just disappointing in this novel.

All in all, "Infernal Devices" was fine. I liked bits of it, disliked other bits. I'm still going to read the final book because I really am invested in the series, but I'm realllllyyy hoping the last book has more of the dynamic, action-packed wonders and fun of the first couple books, with way less murderous Hester.
( )

I can't help but feel that Philip is much better at writing about hulking traction cities and flying machines of all descriptions than writing great characters.

It's just really hard to care about his characters when they do such idiotic things. There's one character in the book who makes correct decisions and has a plan that actually works out exactly like the intend and I'm not sure if they're supposed to be liked or not.

Ah, I don't know.... ( )

Los giros en la trama fueron buenos, esta entrega sigue siendo aun mejor que la primera y Hester es un muy buen personaje que los demás deberían comprender mejor ( )

At first I was wondering why all the complaints about Hester, because we were just hearing about her from her daughters point of view. The ending though, it was so sad. (and Hester did seem to be unreasonably strange) ( )