Curio (1)
by Evangeline Denmark
Genre(s) Steampunk, Fantasy
Pages: 432
Published: Jan 2016
Publisher: Blink
Official Synopsis: "Grey Haward has always
detested the Chemists, the magicians-come-scientists who rule her small
western town. But she has always followed the rules, taking the potion
the Chemists ration out that helps the town’s people survive. A potion
that Grey suspects she—like her grandfather and father—may not actually
need.
By working at her grandfather’s repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed—or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists’ enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.
But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family’s secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows—her grandfather’s shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit’s life and also end the Chemists’ dark rule forever."
By working at her grandfather’s repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed—or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists’ enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.
But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family’s secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows—her grandfather’s shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit’s life and also end the Chemists’ dark rule forever."
Review: While I liked certain concepts of this book, overall I was just way too
confused. There is no real world-building. It just tosses us into this
strange world, quite different I must admit, and expects us to keep up! I
had no idea what a lot of things refeered to or why the world was the
way it was or what was really going on very well. This left me a bit
vexed and almost constantly questioning what was going on. This might
have made sense if it was a second o third book of a series and the
author had jumped in, expecting the reader to have read the first book.
But no, this IS the first book.
What I did like: Grey's character. Very independent, and caring. Bit reckless though. The writing is engaging and if I understood what was happening and had some backstory I think I would have been hooked.
Overall, disappointing but author has some potential. I would give her another chance still.
What I did like: Grey's character. Very independent, and caring. Bit reckless though. The writing is engaging and if I understood what was happening and had some backstory I think I would have been hooked.
Overall, disappointing but author has some potential. I would give her another chance still.
* I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair, honest review*
I hate when a book sounds this good but is a complete letdown. And books that confuse...no thanks. Props to the cover artist! Wicked.
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