Mechanica
Book One
by Betsy Cornwell
Genre: Retelling / Steampunk
Synopsis
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.
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I’ve had this on my shelf since August 2014. I have the hardcover copy. It got buried behind some other books and I just found it.
The second book is now available and has another stunning cover.
Have you read these yet? What do you think of the covers?
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I have had Mechanica on my TBR for quite a while too. It sounds really great
I added the second book to my list too. Got a good feeling about these:)
I haven’t read either of them. I do like the covers, especially the first one with the gears in silhouette.
The gears are a nice touch! I started reading this and it’s fun.
I have not read this series, but it sounds good. Maybe a bit of a Cinderella retelling?
It is. And it brings to mind The Lunar Chronicles, which I loved!
I love the fairy tale and steampunk blend. Gorgeous covers, too. I want to read these now. 🙂
I like the blend of genres and the covers really are gorgeous!
Oh interesting! I love seeing a spin on Cinderella and this one looks fun. Hope you get to read it soon!
Cinderella is one of my favorites and it being steampunk makes me especially curious:)
I’ve never read these but man, I am in love with those covers!
Aren’t the covers gorgeous!
I love the cover! It sounds great Cinderella but with science!
It sounds magical and the covers are stunning!
OMG Laura thesd covers are so prettyyyyy!
I know. I want them framed and hanging on my walls!
I LOVE these covers too. I read Mechanica and thought it was just okay. I might try the sequel sometime, we shall see.
The idea for this series sounds fun. I hope I enjoy it:)
Very attractive covers for the series!
I know. I love them!
great covers
sherry @ fundinmental
They really are!
The second one is new to me (and sounds wonderful!), but the first one is on my TBR pile waiting its turn. I remember when it first came out how excited I was to read it. One of these days. 🙂
I started it but had to set is aside for some review books and it got buried on my shelf. Got them both sitting close by now:)
I do love these covers.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I know. They’re gorgeous!
I hadn’t heard of these before so thank you for the heads up! The covers are stunning and the stories sound awesome.
I’m excited to finally get started on this series!
This sounds fantastic, Laura! I am really loving that cover as well. Glad you found it hidden in your stacks. I cannot wait to hear what you think of it.
I really need to organize my books. They are stacked and crammed all over the place. LOL