Tuesday 18 April 2017

Cogheart - Book Review


Cogheart - Book Review
Peter Bunzl
MG Steampunk
(The Cogheart Adventures #1)
UK Publisher: Usborne 

Synopsis:

Some secrets change the world in a heartbeat…

Lily’s life is in mortal peril. Her father is missing and now silver-eyed men stalk her though the shadows. What could they want from her?

With her friends—Robert, the clockmaker’s son, and Malkin, her mechanical fox—Lily is plunged into a murky and menacing world. Too soon Lily realises that those she holds dear may be the very ones to break her heart…

Murder, mayhem and mystery meet in this gripping Victorian adventure.

Review:

Cogheart was utterly charming. I thought it had a style similar to Cornelia Funkes Inkheart, mixed with a dash of Neil Gaiman’s imagination in stardust. Throw in a bunch of airships, some mechanical wonders along with a helping of friendship and hey presto! A magical book is made.

Set in a fantastical version of Victorian London, the story follows eleven-year-old Lily as she sets out on a journey to find her missing father. Pursued by silver-eyed men who are certain Lily holds the key to unlocking her father’s “secret work” Lily must dodge every scheme they throw at her… or see a powerful weapon fall into the wrong hands…

A really great book! There were so many aspects of this story that I enjoyed. First I loved the world-building, full of airships and mechanical people/animals, but I was saddened by how the humans of the world treated the technology so coldly and without feeling. However this offered a sharp contrast against Lily’s warm character and I adored her own mechanical family. They were so amusing, with distinct personalities and word choices of their own, “Clanging crumpets!”

However I felt the beginning of the story quite slow and it takes several chapters to pick up the pace.  It’s not until Lily runs away from her guardian that the story starts to take a more interesting turn, but these beginning chapters also allow the reader to get a feel for Lily’s tom-boyish character.

Sadly though I actually saw the big plot-twist coming, but it was delivered in a dramatic manner that I think younger readers will enjoy this immensely. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I'm most curious to see where Lily’s adventures take her next!

A heart warming Middle Grade read. I give cogheart 3.5 stars!

Talk to Me

Has anyone else read this book? If so I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments :)

Looking for more Middle Grade Adventure? Try THE DREAM SNATCHER or TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER

12 comments:

  1. I knew where the cogheart is even if reading near the end, I really like the fox, but I didn't like one of the deaths, it didn't seem all that justifiable to me, in a way, it did but it was a move that says, how dangerous the situation is but it also makes this book far too sad and far too hard to accept such a death. and more humor would have add something more to the story.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. Yeah, I worked out where the cogheart was too - but for the most part I still enjoyed the adventure. But I totally agree, some of the deaths were totally unnecessary - I kept waiting for some magical fix to happen...

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  2. Thanks for linking this up to the British Books Challenge x

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  3. I don't read much MG but this one sounds pretty good! I bet my son would like it too. :)

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    1. Its a really nice read and great for both girls and boys :)

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  4. I was intrigued by the cover of this but haven't picked it up yet. Think I'll have to now - Inkheart crossed with Stardust just sounds perfect!

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    1. I really hope you enjoy it - its a nice and rather quick MG read :)

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  5. The fact that you're comparing this to "Inkheart" is enough to capture my interest! But I must sheepishly confess that I haven't read that book....I do own it, though. This book, "Cogheart", sounds absolutely FABULOUS!! I also like that it has some influence from Neil Gaiman.

    Your lovely review really clinched it for me, as well! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!!

    Hope you're having a GREAT Saturday!! <3 :)

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    1. You haven't read ink heart! Ahh that's one of my favourite childhood books - I really hope you pick it up soon as its such a magical read. Cog heart has a similar writing style but is more a victorian steam punk sort of read - also a great book! Hope you also are having a good weekend :)

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  6. I haven't read it and I don't uuuuusually read a lot of MG but OMG THAT COVER IS SO CUTE!! And I love the premise. :D I'm glad it was a mostly-win for you!!

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    1. Ha ha - I actually picked this one up just because of the cover (I'm totally shallow that way) but it was a really fun read. I think the next in the series comes out soon and I'm looking forward to checking it out. It too has an awesome cover... and this time its purple!

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