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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
A fabulous steampunk adventure story. Great characters and a pacy plot, I loved it!
Showed promise, right amount of magic but not enough surprises.
This was a true "ripping yarn." It reminded me quite a bit of some of Joan Aiken: a lot about the tone, the suspense, the plucky orphans, and the alternate historical England was reminiscent of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. I enjoyed it thoroughly and found it quite un-put-downable, especially towards the end. Although my guess is this is middle-grade, sensitive children might need a warning of some quite graphic, if cartoonish, violence, with the protagonists experiencing real peril.
I was given a copy of Cogheart by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of Cogheart by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A well written and entertaining read. Bunzl's characters are interesting and the plot is well paced. The story is rather predictable but the clever idea of "mechanimals" gives the book enough originality to be enjoyable.
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!
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!
(3.25 for me, 4 Stars for the target audience) BACK TO READING, PALS.Not that I haven’t been reading but I haven’t been reading-reading if you know what I mean. I’ve been reading fanfiction and re-reading Jessica Sorensen’s Sunnyvale trilogy. NOW I’M BACK TO NEW BOOKS. (Which is good because, well, my TBR is over-flowing right now. Sorry, floor and bedroom. I know, it’s crowded in here.)
The first (of hopefully many books to come) that I read in (it seems) a long time is the Middle Grade victorian steampunk novel „Cogheart“ (written by Peter Bunzl).
The three main characters are: Lily, Robert and Malkin. Lily’s father is missing and she is being chased by a group of guys with mirror-eyes that are searching for some invention her father made. She meets Clockwork apprentice Robert who she befriends and who helps her find out what is going on. The third party on their journey is Malkin, the mechanical fox that was made by Lilys father for her.
The story is fast-paced! It felt like I was speed-reading through this novel! It’s fun and easy breazy – while being really engaging and non-boring. (Which is especially good for a Middle Grade book.) Although (a bit cliche) – it was sweet!! More death than I thought going into it though, by the way. Not graphic or bloody but it’s mentioned.
Would definitely recommend this one to my nephew when he’s older. 7,5/10. Good addition to the genre.
The first (of hopefully many books to come) that I read in (it seems) a long time is the Middle Grade victorian steampunk novel „Cogheart“ (written by Peter Bunzl).
The three main characters are: Lily, Robert and Malkin. Lily’s father is missing and she is being chased by a group of guys with mirror-eyes that are searching for some invention her father made. She meets Clockwork apprentice Robert who she befriends and who helps her find out what is going on. The third party on their journey is Malkin, the mechanical fox that was made by Lilys father for her.
The story is fast-paced! It felt like I was speed-reading through this novel! It’s fun and easy breazy – while being really engaging and non-boring. (Which is especially good for a Middle Grade book.) Although (a bit cliche) – it was sweet!! More death than I thought going into it though, by the way. Not graphic or bloody but it’s mentioned.
Would definitely recommend this one to my nephew when he’s older. 7,5/10. Good addition to the genre.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wasn't really very interested in this story. I think it was quite slow, cold and action-based. I can see why it's used as a class text but I would prefer to use similar themed books by Vashti Hardy as I think they have more warmth to them.
My year 6 teacher read this book to my class, loved it soo much