Early Review: Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Mechanica

Author: Betsy Cornwell

Release Date: August 25, 2015

Publisher: Clarion

ISBN:  0547927711

ISBN13: 9780547927718

Genre: YA/Science Fiction/Steampunk

Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home.

But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.

Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.

I feel like I have to start this review by saying that MECHANICA is NOTHING like CINDER by Marissa Meyer because let's face it, people are still commenting on it being a rip-off of that story. If you're thinking that by reading the blurb, I can honestly tell you that they are nothing alike, so go ahead and grab a copy and enjoy Cornwell's take on Cinderella.

We all know the story of Cinderella, but MECHANICA gives it a new little spin. Nicoletta has lost both of her parents and is at the mercy of her evil stepmother. She yearns to follow in her mother's footsteps and finding her mothers secret workshop on her sixteenth birthday makes her dreams possible. She is very strong willed, willing to get her hands dirty and very determined to become self-sufficient so she can leave her stepmothers home and do what she loves. I really loved that Nicolette's happily ever after was her own and not what everyone was expecting. Nicolette was 100% her own person and she followed her dreams the way she saw them happening.

MECHANICA was a smooth and easy read with very likable characters. I did find that some parts of the story were a little dull which made it hard to get excited about the things that were happening. I also wasn't into the romance part of the book. It wasn't anything really big, but I wasn't buying the insta-love. If you love Cinderella re-tellings, I think you will probably enjoy MECHANICA, if you're just not that into them, I would probably skip it.

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson

Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Pocket
Blud Book #1
ISBN:   1451657889
ISBN13: 9781451657883
Genre: Steampunk/Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)

Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk . . . and completely irresistible.

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

Tish falls in love with a locket at an estate sale and ends up taking it home. She gets it open, goes to bed and finds herself dreaming of a man and a world not like her own. 


Tish is a bit broken when it comes to relationships. She previously escaped from an abusive relationship and is content to be on her own taking care of her elderly patients and grandmother. From the start she is attracted to Criminy but refuses to let him close for fear that she will lose herself again. Criminy was a fun character to get to know. He is a gypsy musician and he claims Tish is his soul mate from the start. There relationship slowly builds and Tish finds herself torn between worlds. Sang ended up being one of the more original worlds I have read lately. Everything was well described from the landscape to the different people to the unique and deadly wildlife. We meet a wide array of characters that were well developed and brought their own something to the story. I very much hope that even though each book in the series will revolve around a different budding relationship, that we will be able to follow Tish and Criminy a bit more so that we know what their future holds.

I found WICKED AS THEY COME to be superbly unique and fun to read. The characters were all full of spunk, the plot was nicely paced, and the world was original and easy to fall into. I will definitely be looking for more from debut author Delilah Dawson. 


I gave it 4/5 stars

Review: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

Cold Fire
Author:Kate Elliott
Release Date: September 26, 2011
Publisher: Orbit
Spiritwalker Book #2
ISBN:   1841498831
ISBN13: 9781841498836
Genre: Fantasy/Steampunk
Review Copy Source: netgalley

Only one thing is certain: when Hallows' Night comes, the Wild Hunt will ride - and it feeds on mortal blood.

Cat and her cousin Bee are caught in a maze of intrigue, treachery, and magic. Everyone seems to want something from them: the Cold Mages are trying to take them prisoner, and the warlord who wants to conquer all of Europa seems sure they have a special destiny to aid him whether they want to or not. Worse, hidden powers deep in the spirit world are rising, and they are the most dangerous of all. Cat must seek allies and figure out who she can trust in order to save the ones she loves. For if she doesn't, everything will be lost.  

I have some mixed thoughts about COLD FIRE. On one hand I love the imagination and the overall storyline, on the other hand although tons of things take place there tends to be many points in the book that go by too slow and I end up being a bit bored at times. The book also jumped around a lot which left me a little bit confused trying to figure out what situation I was reading about and when it was happening. There were points were I was shocked, frustrated, ecstatic and lost but the story has a way of keeping you wanting to read even during the times where you wish something would just happen already.

Cat's character is so complex and full of mystery. She has her faults but she is great with fighting for what she wants and learning from her mistakes. I really fell in love with Vai in COLD FIRE. We get to see a different side of him away from the cold mage's and it really made me understand him more. He really showed himself to Cat and fought for their marriage instead of giving in. I did not care much for Bee in this installment. She frustrated me with her loyalties to what I see as the wrong people. Rory is Rory, he wasn't in a lot of the book but I have nothing bad to say about him. Their are some great shocking revelations, new characters and allies introduced and a heck of a cliffhanger at the end. If you read COLD MAGIC you will definitely want to read COLD FIRE but be prepared for a long ride.

I gave it 3/5 stars
 

Review: The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

The Iron Duke

Author: Meljean Brook

Release Date: October 5, 2010

Publisher: Berkley Trade

The Iron Seas Book #1

ISBN: # 9780425236673

Genre: Steampunk Romance
First in an all-new series where seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas. After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.
But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Rhys Is the Iron Duke, He defeated the evil Horde and is now a hero to all of England. Detective Willamina (Mina) Wentworth is called to his home one night to investigate a body that was dropped on Rhys' front porch. She meets the handsome, stubborn, strong willed Rhys and instantly pulls away and tries to keeps her distance to protect herself while he tries everything he has to possess her. This is the second steampunk book series that I have read and I was very happy with it. When I first heard of steampunk I didn't think I would like it at all and I'm happy that I gave it a chance because I fell in love with the genre. The world that Meljean Brook created is completely believable and I had no problem imagining myself walking down the streets. The story was full of adventure, steamy romance and Paranormal elements. The only thing Im sad about is that the next Iron Sea's story wont continue Mina and Rhys story cause I want to read about them more.

I gave it 4/5 Stars