Book Review: Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell
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Mechanica Published by Clarion Books on August 25, 2015 Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 323
Format: ARC
Goodreads
(Last Updated On: November 1, 2021)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.
First off, I’d like to say that I’m a huge fan of Cinderella. I was obsessed with her when I was younger, and to this day she is still my favorite princess. I will read absolutely any retelling about her, because I love the story so much! It’s basically every child’s dream.
This sounds like a cool twist on the Cinderella story. Thanks for introducing me to this one.
Great review! Cinderella is definitely my favorite fairy tale too. Betsy gave me an early copy of the book to review months back and I loved it. She said there would be some scenes added. So I'm curious what was changed.
This looks absolutely amazing, and that COVER! I'm definitely going to be getting this one when it comes out. It'll be my first steampunk book, so fingers crossed I love it as much as you do. Great review 🙂
The cover is what drew me to the book to 🙂 Simply obsessed!!!
I'm so jealous of you. I've been waiting to read this for so long (sadly, NetGalley denied my request because it had already reached its download limit). Thank you for sharing your opinion; it only makes me want to read the book even more.
Happy readings! 🙂
AHH! This was the focus of my last Waiting on Wednesday!! I'm so happy to see it got a great review and that my hope for it being everything I thought (and am excited) it would be may be true!!! Thanks for the awesome review!
This sounds really cool, I kinda get bored with over-simplified retellings. Is there a romantic component in addition to her new friends?
Aww this sounds like lots of fun, I'm reading a retelling at the moment but its not grabbed me yet 🙁
I didn't really love this one myself — though I thought the concept was great!
But if Tim Burton made this into a movie, I would DEFINITELY watch it!