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The Books of Ore #1

The First Book of Ore The Foundry's Edge (The Books of Ore) by Cam Baity

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Two kids on a rescue mission.A mysterious realm of living metal.One secret that will change the world.For Phoebe Plumm, life in affluent Meridian revolves around trading pranks with irksome servant Micah Tanner and waiting for her world-renowned father, Dr. Jules Plumm, to return home. Chief Surveyor for The Foundry, a global corporation with an absolute monopoly on technology, Phoebe's father is often absent for months at a time. But when a sudden and unexpected reunion leads to father and daughter being abducted, Phoebe and would-be rescuer Micah find themselves stranded in a stunning yet volatile world of living metal, one that has been ruthlessly plundered by The Foundry for centuries and is the secret source of every comfort and innovation the two refugees have ever known.Cam Baity and Benny Zelkowicz have fashioned an intensely inventive, engaging, and thought-provoking tale of two worlds on a collision course and the two young rivals who find themselves on the front line. The Foundry's Edge is the first book in a trilogy that will transport young readers down a mechanical rabbit hole and send them on an adventure that explores the hidden costs of indulgence, the perils of unchallenged nationalism, and the world-altering power of compassion and conviction.

Hardcover

First published April 15, 2014

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About the author

Cam Baity

3 books17 followers
Cam was born during a nasty heat wave in Richardson, Texas. He has been drawing ever since he figured out how to use his hands, and in second grade he wrote his first book about an adventurous wombat in fluorescent high-top sneakers named “Mr. Cuzul.” In fourth grade, he got his first taste of celluloid when he starred in an independent feature penned by Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Tracy Letts. Fortunately for Cam, the film was never completed.

He discovered Dungeons & Dragons in middle school and soon became obsessed with making art and telling stories. Attending the Arts Magnet High School in Dallas, Cam won accolades for his work including First Place in Painting at the 1996 Visual Arts Guild Exhibit. His obsessions with art and story collided when he studied animation at The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan as well as CalArts. He made short films, which screened around the world at festivals like Cinequest, Anima Mundi, and the BBC British Short Film Festival. With eighteen years of experience in the film industry, his credits include major motion pictures such as TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE and popular television series like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and ROBOT CHICKEN, for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.

Most recently, Cam has written on Dreamworks TV’s TROLLS, and he is completing his trilogy of fantasy novels published by Disney, THE BOOKS OF ORE. In his spare time, he has returned to the passion of his youth, threatening the livelihood of adventurers as their beloved and oft feared "Dungeon Master."

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
1 review1 follower
May 29, 2014
As a nine year old book fanatic I thought this book was epic I really liked the characters and liked the setting a ton poor doc... Can't wait to read the next books I wonder what is going to happen. Awesome book and it is one of my favorite books now 100 stars!
Profile Image for Dark Faerie Tales.
2,274 reviews565 followers
July 22, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This book wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the characters and spent most of the time confused.

Opening Sentence: The man in the fog was watching her.

The Review:

Phoebe Plumm’s dad helps run the Foundry, he’s the world leader in machines and all new technological advances. But it seems the Foundry might not be as innocent as citizens were led to believe. Phoebe is an escapee of the recent kidnap of her and Mr. Plumm, she teams up with one of her worst enemies to get her father back. This journey leads Micah and Phoebe into Mehk, a world that the Foundry has been abusing for years as a way to discover the new advances that Phoebe has coveted in the past. Because Mehk is a world of living, breathing metal.

We start in the future, a not-so-far future but one rich in technological innovations. I loved the way all the different trends were described, and it was really interesting to be immersed into such an advanced society. For example, we have cable bikes: bikes attached to thick wires that intersect and cross like roads, except in the air. Also, the honeygum, which made my mouth water: a flavored, thick liquid that solidifies into gum in your mouth. Learning about the bright civilization the world had become was one of my favorite parts of reading this story. However, once things got complicated, it went into a downward spiral. I started enjoying myself less and less and got more confused with every page. It all started when we were introduced to Mehk. Suddenly, the duel point of view of the Foundry chairman that was also added only made things harder to get into. There is supposedly a war that is about to erupt, but I wish that I could have seen more groundwork behind the two countries before learning about their troubles.

Enter the Mehk, an astoundingly unique world full of living metal. Throughout the ages, this world has been plundered and its inhabitants murdered by the Foundry, so that the corporation can create greater machines and tech for the human world of “bleeders”. Its inhabitants mostly speak in rattletrap, the language of the metal creatures. It was awesome to hear about the different species of metal things, but at the same time it was difficult to understand. The originality of the concept is so amazing that before reading I was excited to dive in, but I wasn’t able to get lost in the world building because of I would still be muddling through what had been talked about last paragraph. So much was put into the stories of Mehk and how it connected with the Foundry but that was when I most wanted to chuck the book at the wall. Once, a character mentions CHAR, which captures the metal creatures in eternal torment. I didn’t realize until the end that the character had been describing that the creatures were melted down to liquid. Finally, my last complaint about Mehk. The Mehkans speak so annoyingly. Dollop, a main character during the children’s time in Mehk, talks with a stutter. “S-s-so.” And another large amount of the book is devoted to two characters that talk with words that sometimes I have to search on the internet because they aren’t often used by today’s people, even if they are English.

This book is technically considered middle grade but I didn’t see it. The words used were YA level and the emotions the characters had belonged in a YA book as well.

Phoebe and Micah were two enemies turned friends. If you love book romances, I warn you not to start this one as you will be disappointed. The relationship is a cute friendship and doesn’t stray behind one hug at the very end! Maybe this is why it is considered young adult…

If you are drawn in by the exciting and unique premise, and can easily keep up with hard and confusing plotlines, I encourage you to pick this up. However, this novel was not for me. I didn’t appreciate the characters very much. The setting was the only redeeming quality that I very much enjoyed, except when I was angrily rolling my eyes because I didn’t get it. Mehk is such an interesting and intriguing idea that I wish I could have had a better experience with it. While the end of the book has a couple of twists, I saw one coming for awhile, and the other just didn’t affect me. I didn’t connect with the Micah or Phoebe enough to really care about what happened to them. In fact, the only character I loved was Dollop, who I just thought was a really adorable metal creature I imagined in the shape of a dog. Plus, the plotline really dragged towards the middle. I hope you like this novel better than I did!

Notable Scene:

Is that… me?

Her hair was a matted nest, her face sunburned and strained with sweat-streaked grease. She held her own gaze for a long moment, marveling at the hardened girl staring back at her.

She was doing this. She was going to find him.

FTC Advisory: Disney Hyperion provided me with a copy of The First Book of Ore: The Foundry’s Edge. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Profile Image for Anya.
763 reviews179 followers
September 28, 2014
The Foundry’s Edge by Cam Baity and Benny Zelkowicz is a middle grade adventure that explores a fascinating alternative world with hints of steampunk and biopunk. Phoebe and Micah are two kids from different stations in the manor house who definitely don’t want to team up, but when the lord of the manor, Phoebe’s dad, gets abducted, neither is willing to to let the other take over rescuing him. The world of The Foundry’s Edge is somewhere between the Industrial Age and current day, with technology that doesn’t seem to completely fit the time period, because its origins are much different than everyone thinks.
Note: I received The Foundry’s Edge through Netgalley for an honest review. Some things may have changed in the final version.

On Starships and Dragonwings Button

The Foundry's Edge by Benny Zelkowicz, Cam Baity (The Books of Ore #1)
Published by Disney Hyperion on April 15th, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, MG, Steampunk
Length: 448 pages
How I got my copy: NetGalley

Two kids on a rescue mission.
A mysterious realm of living metal.
One secret that will change the world.

For Phoebe Plumm, life in affluent Meridian revolves around trading pranks with irksome servant Micah Tanner and waiting for her world-renowned father, Dr. Jules Plumm, to return home. Chief Surveyor for The Foundry, a global corporation with an absolute monopoly on technology, Phoebe's father is often absent for months at a time. But when a sudden and unexpected reunion leads to father and daughter being abducted, Phoebe and would-be rescuer Micah find themselves stranded in a stunning yet volatile world of living metal, one that has been ruthlessly plundered by The Foundry for centuries and is the secret source of every comfort and innovation the two refugees have ever known.

Strengths:
The Foundry’s Edge takes place in a secret world full of living metal creatures that seem startlingly similar to the latest inventions in Phoebe and Micah’s world. I absolutely loved this unique blend of steampunk technology and biopunk inspiration in a middlegrade story. I can’t wait for the rest of the series just to find out more about the world :D.
Many species in the metal world of The Foundry’s Edge appear to be sentient, which raises some really interesting questions about personhood for Phoebe and Micah. Because Phoebe and Micah’s world has come to rely so heavily on the technology developed, however, the kids have to confront some difficult moral grey zones and realize that there isn’t always an easy answer. I loved how The Foundry’s Edge presented these questions and worked through both sides of the story to really give younger readers something to puzzle over.
It is always refreshing to find adult characters that are actually well-developed in middle grade stories. Phoebe’s dad and other adults running operations in The Foundry’s Edge at first seem two-dimensional through Phoebe and Micah’s perspective, but develop into well-rounded characters once the kids start being confronted with the truth of their world.
What is a middle grade book without adorable secondary characters?? Dollop quickly won my heart with his underdog role as an outcast metal creature, but becomes so much more and even gets a few scenes from his perspective!

Weaknesses:
Phoebe and Micah are really not very likable characters. They are pretty bratty and mean to each other and the other people around them. Phoebe especially starts as quite the spoiled child, treating the servants rather badly whether they deserve it or not. I’m hopeful since they both grow during The Foundry’s Edge, but it lessened my enjoyment of this first book when I couldn’t really root for them.
The Foundry’s Edge gets pretty violent towards the end and so might not be entirely appropriate for some younger readers. It deals with torture and the near death of central characters, so keep that in mind if you’re deciding on whether a youngster should read this one.
While I always hope that a middle grade story will have a plot to interest adult readers, The Foundry’s Edge didn’t manage to surprise me with any of the big plot twists since they were pretty heavily foreshadowed.

Summary:
The Foundry’s Edge is an excellent start to a really exciting new middle grade series. The world that Phoebe and Micah explore is just so cool and I can’t wait to see what else there is to discover. The Foundry’s Edge deals with some tough issues of morality and personhood as well as violence, so it is definitely on the older end of the middle grade spectrum. While I wasn’t really surprised at any point, I highly recommend The Foundry’s Edge for adults who enjoy middle grade and steampunk!
Profile Image for All Things Urban Fantasy.
1,921 reviews620 followers
May 7, 2014
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

A traditional set-up with a good helping of charm, THE FOUNDRY’S EDGE by Cam Baity and Benny Zelkowicz packages a lot of common YA fantasy tropes in an unconventional wrapper. Though the biggest ‘surprise’ of the novel is revealed in the first third of the book, it’s a dark twist with far-reaching consequences, and that edge turns the first Book of Ore from a predictable story to an adventure worth taking.

Though the tone can be a bit ponderous and detail-heavy – at least until the kids leave the city – the characters of Micah and Phoebe are spot on. They’re believable preteens, and the authors have done a great job highlighting the difference a few years can make at that age. Phoebe is caught between childhood and adolescence, developing faster than she’d like with all the insecurities that entails. Micah has a ten-year-old’s passion for taking things apart to see how they work, not to mention dreams of being a hero that lead to plenty of recklessness. They even acquire a cowardly sidekick with a devotion to a hodge-podge of religion who finds his courage during the quest, too.

Without spoiling the big secret, I’ll just say that there’s a darkness to this YA tale that will likely appeal to its target audience. Meridian has grit and the ‘mech-punk’ world is close enough to ours, at first, that the truth of it holds a stealth environmental message for a contemporary audience. (Maybe not that stealth.) The real cost of her affluent life in the city affects the emotional Phoebe more than it does the pragmatic Micah, and she has a better view of the bigger picture that will no doubt affect her decisions in the other books of the planned trilogy. Though not quite a cliffhanger, the ending does make the reader wonder, what will happen next?
Profile Image for Fantasy Literature.
3,226 reviews165 followers
December 29, 2014
The Foundry’s Edge, by Cam Baity and Benny Zelkowicz, is a solid MG/YA entry that, I’d say, had more potential than was met. In failing to fully take advantage of its possibilities, it never falls so far as to be a “bad” read, but it also rarely inspires or enthralls, though it picks up in the latter quarter of the novel, both in terms of action and emotion.

The story is set at first in the city of Meridian, a technologically advanced (well past any other regions) city thanks to being the home of the Foundry, a corporation that has been spitting out all sort of marvelous inventions/gadgets. Meridian is threatened, though, by surrounding regions, who are both jealous and leery of Meridian’s technical and scientific prowess. Years ago war raged between the two groups, and since that time, the Foundry has been keeping Meridian’s enemies at bay by giving them more and... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Profile Image for Meghan.
Author 2 books17 followers
April 7, 2015
If you or your child likes action-packed books set in fantastical worlds, this book is a must-read!

Phoebe's world is about to crumble when she discovers her father has been keeping a secret about his role at the Foundry. After a wild chase with the robotic minions of her father's evil boss, Phoebe finds herself on a mission - with the unlikeliest ally at her side: her father's servant's son. The two do not see eye to eye on anything, but must come to terms with their hatred for each other in order to save her father, and his master, from certain demise.

Baity and Zelcowicz create a remarkably original world. With incredible imagination and detailed description, new creatures you didn't think were possible, become possible.

Enjoy!

Profile Image for Jeff Raymond.
3,092 reviews210 followers
April 15, 2014
The Foudry's Edge is trying to be an epic steampunky/fantasy/sci-fi hybrid, but is instead extremely bloated with a cookie-cutter plot that doesn’t feel like it actually goes anywhere. It's your standard revolutionary futuristic/technopunk story with kids and none of it especially works. The book is especially bloated - at over 450 pages, it is in significant need of some pruning. The ending is also significantly tough, with a fairly pat result and what feels like a tacked-on epilogue that only serves to set up the next book in the series.

There are much better books in all the genres this is trying to exist in this space. An overall disappointment in a genre I love, and in a genre that needs great books for this age group.
1 review
June 28, 2014

The Foundry's Edge takes readers of ALL ages on an exciting ride through a totally new and highly original world.
Authors Baity and Zelkowicz challenge readers to stretch their imagination and actively participate in the adventure by forming mental images of this world of living metal. Children as well as adults will be fascinated by vivid descriptions of the many unique creatures and landscapes and upon finishing the book, will anxiously await the second volume.
Profile Image for Asher.
12 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2025
This book was fantastic! There is so much action and you really connect to the characters! I've read them ALL! It's my favorite book ever! hard recommend. No question.
Profile Image for Mieneke.
782 reviews88 followers
August 27, 2014
The Foundry’s Edge is the first instalment in The Book of Ore and is aimed at the middle grade market. As such it is a bit younger than I usually read, but in my opinion it’s very much at the upper range and there will be plenty young adult readers who will get a kick out of this story. It’s a very fun romp with a lot of action and very cool characters. I enjoyed the book tremendously, not least because of the wonderfully inventive world of Mehk and the cool characters that inhabit it.

The narrative is a portal novel with two distinct worlds between the human world where we first encounter Phoebe and Micah, in the city of Albright and that of Mehk, where they find themselves transported on their journey to rescue Phoebe’s father. The world of Albright is a modern one, yet at the same time had a steampunky vibe. It has a lot of amazing tech that makes the world feel exciting. But the world of Mehk is where  Baity and Zelkowicz really go to town with their imaginations and creativity. Mehk is a completely different universe, not because it has magic, though there might be, but because life in Mehk is metal-based and everything is alien, yet strangely familiar to Phoebe and Micah. I really enjoyed the creatures the authors dreamed up and it made for a fascinating backdrop for the children’s adventures.

The main characters, Phoebe and Micah, are a great duo. Phoebe is a bit of a brat, between the way she treats those who care for her with her father away and her endless practical jokes, which at times a rather mean-spirited, yet at the same time is oddly endearing and ultimately rather lonely, with a father often away on business and having lost her mum in a drowning accident. Phoebe’s love of her father is sorely tested and she has to learn that hardest of lessons any child will have to learn, that their parents are fallible and human and forgiving them for it. Micah is the youngest son of her father’s housekeeper and employed as a grease monkey. Resentful of Phoebe’s privileged existence he is unaware of her sadness and loneliness and only decides to go after Phoebe and her father in hopes of making a good impression on him. Phoebe and Micah’s interactions start out rather adversarial, yet slowly trust grows between them, yet this doesn’t happen without setbacks either. The gradual change was well-handled and I really liked the bond they forged between them.

On their quest to rescue Phoebe’s father the children encounter numerous creatures, ranging from crane-like beings, to huge tank-like creatures, to one resembling a wheelbarrow who serves as transportation. The ones we get to know most closely though are Mr. Pynch, a ball-like creature, and The Marquis, who I picture something like a streetlamp, who serve as their guides to the Citadel and Dollop, a strangely lopsided creature, who can rearrange himself in whatever configuration is most useful and as a result doesn’t know who or what he is exactly. I loved Dollop; he rather reminded me of a cross between Harry Potter’s Dobby and Gurgi from The Black Cauldron. He doesn’t just provide comic relief at times, he’s also a non-threatening way from the children to learn about Mehk.

While the story is a big adventure and action-driven romp, there are some serious themes underlying the story, such as exploitation, genocide, annihilation, and colonialism. All is not well in the human world where Phoebe and Micah’s home country of Meridian is technologically superior due to its mechanical wonders. They are at the brink of war and there is a lot of politicking, heavily influenced by the corporate interests of the Foundry, source of these wonders. At the same time the Foundry commits atrocities in Mehk to obtain the components necessary to create their products, which leads to exploitation of the Mehkies, mass-killing of those considered expendable, annihilation of Mehk through an infestation known as CHAR and a general occupation of the world of Mehk, which leads to the rise of freedom fighters in the form of the Covenant. Baity and Zelkowicz slip these issues in with subtlety and without being heavy-handed.

The Foundry’s Edge was fun, yet with serious undertones. This book would be a great read for an adventure-mad middle-grader or young teen and is an entertaining read for adults as well. The first in a series, the book sets up the worlds and events, creating a conflict for the children to resolve in the next book and it will be interesting to see what Phoebe and Micah will have to deal with next, how they will take on The Foundry and help the innocent citizens of Mehk.

This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Profile Image for Pop Bop.
2,502 reviews125 followers
August 9, 2016
If There Had Been A Metal Foundry in Wonderland

This may sound a bit odd, but the best way for me to describe this book is that it is a middle grade, slightly steampunk, version of "The African Queen", and I mean all of that in a good way.

The authors have created two engaging protagonists. They set them in a fascinating world, and then send them on a quest of adventure and self-discovery.

First our heroes. Phoebe Plumm is privileged and at the absolute top of the social/economic ladder. She takes her grand and gilded life for granted and gives no thought to the have-nots. Actually, she starts out so snarky, mean and angsty that I gave some thought to abandoning the book, since I was not inclined to spend too much time with this unattractive character and wasn't entirely sure I could trust the authors to turn the narrative around. Have no fear. The plot slips into gear pretty early on, and Phoebe is brought down and shaken up fairly quickly. Our hero, Micah, is at the opposite end of the scale. A part orphan scavenger type, he works under almost Dickensian conditions on the Plumm estate. He delights in tormenting Phoebe, even though he is always caught and punished, and he shows a daring and feisty spirit.

Once Phoebe and her father are kidnapped and Micah rides to the rescue, and Phoebe and Micah team up to save her father, the story really takes off. And this is where the amusing, engaging and even endearing "African Queen" vibe comes. She has to loosen her stiff neck and recognize Micah's virtues and talents. Micah has to stop treating her like a delicate bluenose and recognize that she has some engaging spirit and gumption. Really, middle grade Hepburn and Bogart. I enjoyed it immensely.

This is basically a kidnap, chase, rescue, adventure story and so you think, "well, what's new in that?". For this book the answer is "plenty". The author has created a world that survives entirely on working almost sentient metal. It can be fashioned into anything - clothing, structures, jewelry, gizmos and gadgets, and the almost living metal is the lifeblood of the society, (and the source of the Plumm family's wealth). This develops two ways. First, it allows for descriptions of great marvels, big and small, and for the creation of an almost magical alternate world. Second, the metal and its nature and source lie at the heart of the book's mystery/adventure.

(MILD SPOILER). In addition to the valuable ore contained in the alternate world described by the authors, we also have metal based life forms. Just think "Transformers" with a lot more complexity, character, heart and creativity and you'll get the idea. This is where the heavy, immersive dose of "metal punk" comes in.

The upshot is an immersive world, a novel plot, two appealing characters who develop nicely during the course of the tale, and some ripping action. That works for me.

Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
Profile Image for Van (Short & Sweet Reviews).
662 reviews17 followers
May 17, 2016
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Before I get to my review, I just want to tell you guys how beautiful this book is in person. The end page (right when you open the book) has a black background with symmetrical patterns repeated from top to bottom, each page has another pattern that complements those end pages in lines/dashes and the book has silver gilded edges! That’s my favorite part of the book’s aesthetics!

I had a good idea of what type of book The Foundry’s Edge was when I started it. It’s Steampunk Fantasy, with a lot of reviewers comparing it to Alice in Wonderland. I definitely got that vibe; the world of Mehk is scary, enchanting and strange all at the same time. What I liked most about the book was all the gadgets and tech the authors created. it was just as unique as the city of Mehk…considering the gadgets derived from there. As for the set up of the story it is standard, somewhat formulaic. The Foundry’s Edge follows two preadolescent, Phoebe and Micah, on a rescue mission. It took me longer than usual to get engaged with the story and characters. Things didn’t get truly interesting till they entered the City of Mehk, where they met an ancient and a friendly Mehkie and from there it was nonstop action as they tried to outrun Goodwin’s men/ robots.

I’ll be honest. I didn’t like either kid at the beginning. Phoebe and Micah were cruel to each other. There were endless name calling and petty retaliation stunts and tricks. I didn’t find it funny or amusing. But when Phoebe’s father and Micah’s employer was kidnapped, the two put their differences aside to rescue him. It was a long time before the two called a truce, which literally happened in the last couple of chapters of the book. The two cannot be more different, which isn’t surprising since Phoebe comes from a wealthy family and Micah from the more questionable part of town. But at the same time they work well as a team (well, once they stopped competing). Phoebe was calculated and had better intuition. While Micah was more of a risk taker, the type to act/talk before he think but that didn’t stop him from outsmarting and outrunning the bad guys at every turn. Phoebe and Micah did a lot of growing up in the short span of the novel, which can be clearly seen at the end of the book. With the surprise ending that changed the two lives’ forever. I am intrigued to see where Baity and Zelkowicz will take Phoebe, Micah and Dollop next.

Overall, I enjoyed The Foundry’s Edge way more than I expected. Despite the book’s rocky start the world building and characters are pretty solid and the last half of the book was intense and full of action! I can’t wait to read book two of the series, Waybound! This series is meant for Middle Grade, but I think it will appeal to all audiences.
Profile Image for Daniel.
2,761 reviews41 followers
October 22, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5

On the surface, this book sounds like it should be a run-away best-seller. Set slightly in the future, or perhaps in an alternate universe, Phoebe Plumm and Micah Tanner live in Meridian. Phoebe's father, Dr. Jules Plumm is the Chief Surveyor for The Foundry - a major corporation that has a monopoly on technology. But The Foundry has been getting its technology and resources from a strange world - one where metal comes to life - for centuries. It is the source of everything Phoebe's world hold's dear. But someone has finally had enough, and Phoebe and her father are kidnapped, and Micah, the servant, must come to their rescue.

But what should be an exciting read, with kidnappings and metal-come-to-life, in a futuristic steam-punk sort of atmosphere, gets bogged down in trying to be cool.

The young characters never drew me in to the story which means I had no vested interest in what happened to them. The setting was unique and quite interesting, and I thought I'd found a really great new concept ... and maybe it was ... but I just never really cared. I was turned off by the characters and was wishing I could have some people who would actually be interesting discover the world of living metal so that I could enjoy the book.

One of the problems with the book is that it doesn't have a very good focus in regards to its target audience. It's written, with concepts and language, as a YA, but the characters act like a middle grade level. At over 400 pages, which do NOT move along easily, this is a challenging book for young readers. A little trimming and fewer attempts at CTPP (cool things per page) would actually help.

With a great concept (and it is) and Disney-Hyperion being the publisher, you would expect this to be the book everyone is talking about. But it's been out for two years now and it is not very well-known. This is a stronger indication than even Goodreads rating system, that the book fails to capture the excitement that the readers are looking for.

Looking for a good book? The Foundry's Edge is a first book in a series by Cam Baity & Benny Zelkowicz that has a great premise but doesn't deliver on the story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Erik This Kid Reviews Books.
836 reviews70 followers
December 28, 2016
Synopsis- Phoebe Plumm was waiting for her dad to come back home. He was gone, probably on a work trip, but for around three months – his longest yet. One day, Phoebe’s dad is suddenly home, and they need to leave – immediately. Only, they don’t make it away in time. The two of them are captured by identical robot men. Only their housekeeper’s son, Micah, sees this happen, and he decides to rescue them. Phoebe escapes on her own, and ends up meeting up with Micah. They try to find Dr. Plumm, Phoebe’s dad, but end up in a fascinating world, where everything is made of metal, and it seems like the machines there may actually be alive!

What I Thought- This was an exciting book! I enjoyed the world that Phoebe and Micah discovered, along with the secrets they uncovered about the company her dad worked for. The book was an interesting dystopian story, and I enjoyed reading about it. The coauthors worked well together, creating memorable characters in a realistic setting. Micah was a fun character, and you can see him grow from a mean-spirited, selfish person into a mature(-ish) person. Phoebe was a brat (a good-natured one, but still pretty naive) in the beginning, and she really evened out as the story went on. The dystopian world spun by the authors was fascinating and one that the reader can loose him/herself in. One downside- there was some minor language (cussing) throughout the book that didn’t need to be there. At 448 pages the authors give kids a full story that will keep them wrapped up until the last sentence. I cannot wait to read the Second Book of Ore!
*note* I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book
Profile Image for Christy.
1,240 reviews62 followers
November 11, 2014
I was given a copy of this book free for an honest review which I've given.

I really liked this book. I give it 4 1/2 stars since I didn't quite love it. I wasn't sure if I was going to when I first started it because it's very "steampunkish" in nature. Sometimes I really like that genre, other times the books aren't so great. This one fits the very good side of the genre. Some of it was hard for me to follow because there is a LOT of world-building in this book and quite a bit of nonsensical terms. I feel like once you get into the story though, it makes sense.

Though it took me a while to warm up to Phoebe, I liked Micah right away. I also really liked a couple of the characters who ended up being not so nice guys, so I won't tell you who they are. They were just very well written and I wish they'd ended up heroic. The premise of this story is very fantastical, so those of you who love fantasy and very descriptive world-building will love this book. At times I thought maybe I just wasn't quite smart enough :) But it does all start to become familiar once you get into it.

It is definitely not written for the typical middle grade reader. It is a very long book with a lot of description rather than a lot of plot (not that it doesn't have a plot...the plot just is more spread throughout the story.) I wish this first book had been shorter. The subsequent books could have grown in size as the Harry Potter series did. If you've got an advanced reader on the older side of middle grade, this would be a good book for them.
Profile Image for Cindy Hudson.
Author 14 books26 followers
June 3, 2016
As the daughter of one of the Foundry’s top executives, 12-year-old Phoebe Plumm lives a privileged life in her mansion at the top of the hill. Despite the gadgets and baubles that make life easier for her, she is lonely. But her life takes a turn when she and her dad are kidnapped and the two of them are separated. With the help of Micah, a boy who works on her estate, she escapes and avoids recapture as the two of them go on a quest through a strange land to rescue her father, discovering a terrible secret about the Foundry along the way.

The First Book of Ore: The Foundry’s Edge takes readers into a world where machines are alive and humans are the intruders. Before they left home, Phoebe and Micah were enemies, playing mean pranks on each other. Their new environment, however, is harsh, and they need to trust each other if they hope to survive.

The Foundry’s Edge creates an alien world where the evil leaders of a powerful corporation exploit locals. As Phoebe and Micah escape from one danger after another, they are horrified to find out the truth of what happened behind the scenes of their comfortable lives. When the inevitable confrontation occurs, they have to pull on all their strengths, and their budding friendship, to survive.

This first book in the series takes readers on an adventure with a conclusion that will leave them eager to read the next installment. I recommend The Foundry’s Edge for ages 9 to 13.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
17 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2014
I received a copy of this beautiful book in the mail that has swirls, fancy letters and silver on the edge of the pages. It made me more eager to start reading. In the beginning, I thought there were too many descriptions and adverbs to keep me entertained. But as I kept reading, there were lots of interesting things described in this science fiction world I would have loved to see a picture of. Too bad they didn’t hire an illustrator to add some artwork to the story.

I liked the idea that everything seemed fine at first, but that a war was lurking underneath. There is always something going on, even if it doesn’t look that way. Steampunk is a genre that might be considered close to this one, so if you’re into science and technology, that would be interesting, just to see new inventions and fantasy based combinations of what we have on earth. Although the main characters aren’t very likeable at first, they develop over time and start seeing each other’s qualities. I think that marks a good novel: The characters don’t stay the same. I also thought their relationship with their parents was interesting... not going to spoil much about that.

I am usually not a big fantasy action book reader, but when there are themes involved like taking advantage, societal changes, extermination, and the use of resources, it could make the reader think and have a better look at these realities that are just as much part of this world. The book may, in that sense, enhance one’s morals.
49 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2015
As far as writing goes this is a very well put together book. Kudos to the authors for their writing skills. It has a good plot with fairly descriptive writing. I did have issues with the characters of Mehk-they are hard for my brain to imagine. The creatures resembling machines and weapons are an interesting idea, but for me, I just couldn't picture what Mr. Pynch, Dollop and other characters look like. Maybe some illustrations would help? Maybe a website with pictures of all the characters would help! Also, Mr. Pynch had me wondering if the words he spoke were real words or not! I doubt even middle school age could follow his dialogue! His speech was too lofty for me! LOL! How did he learn to speak?? That is the question....

I enjoyed the basic plot even if it has a sad ending. I do want to see where the authors take the story so I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see what happens!

If you like science fiction and steam punk you will enjoy this story.

UPDATE: They have pictures on http://camandbenny.com/books-of-ore/ Yay!! I'm really ready for the next book now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review2 followers
June 8, 2015
The Foundry's Edge is a book seemingly marketed toward kids, but the sophisticated story and characters, as well as several themes and subtle references thrown in, will tell you otherwise. I am 29 years old and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would say that a very wide age range would enjoy this story (10-60), but college age and up would get the most out of it. The story has greed, guilt, heroism, capitalism, religion, loyalty, and many other layers which make it sophisticated and very enjoyable. I had a little difficulty getting going for the first few chapters, but definitely got sucked in once some of the initial plot development was completed.
I would certainly recommend this to most readers who have any imagination and like a story that doesn't follow the same boring script most books do. I am giving this book 5 stars for a great overall story, getting me emotionally invested in the characters, and a solid ending. I am looking forward to the second book and will definitely order it.
3 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2014
I was one of the lucky few to get my hands on advance copy... Wow. Cam and Benny have dreamt up a whole new world that I'm still trying to wrap my mind around. Definitely warrants more than one read, so go ahead and buy it when it comes out on the 15th. Our two unlikely heroes are children themselves (10 and 12), just at that perfect age when adolescents are desperate to find their place in the world, and realize that adults are not the idols they once seemed. Phoebe and Micah, on a rescue mission, accidentally discover a world of metal that has been hidden from society, and solely responsible for all of life's luxuries... at a terrible cost. Can't say more without spoiling it. All I will say is, you haven't read anything like it. This book is smart and solid for readers from 8-800. It will easily replace the dummed-down fantasy books that we've all been fed so far. The characters and landscape are just begging for a movie to be made. Here's hoping!
49 reviews4 followers
March 26, 2014
Phoebe Plumm lives the good life. She has a sort of mean nasty attitude towards those not in her rank and status. Micah works on Phoebe's family estate and loves to antagonize her, even though this usually lands him in trouble. When Phoebe and her Father are kidnapped it is our hero, Micah, that comes to the rescue. After some fancy footwork Micah and Phoebe must drop the walls between their lives and work together to find Phoebe's father. I love how they are whisked into the world of living metal. The descriptions the authors share of this facinating world is inspiring and believable. Filled with many details, you almost see and feel the inner workings of the foundry. This story is an exciting read with a little mystery and action. Perfectly suited for the ages listed above... and for those of us who are still young at heart.
1 review3 followers
August 14, 2016
WOW! This book hurls its readers down a completely new rabbit hole, into a strange and thrilling universe only a pair of animators could've dreamed of! When you learn the first-time authors are both seasoned animators, it makes all the more sense how boldly cinematic, and vividly stylized this work is. I found myself anxious to see how these wonderfully developed characters and insanely imaginative worlds would leap off the big screen. I would be VERY surprised if this book (apparently only the 1st of a trilogy!) didn't become the next big blockbuster franchise coming soon to a theater near you!!!
Profile Image for Karen.
33 reviews
September 29, 2014
I liked this book, but the beginning was a little rough. The young girl was very irascible and the young boy was really irritating. Seeing them work things out and begin to grow and change as characters was very rewarding. It wasn't anything unrealistic or quick. It seemed like a natural progression. I especially liked the the new take on what we normally consider non living resources. The book keeps everything pretty simple: good is good and bad is bad. You are responsible for what you do and you have to do the right thing, no matter how scary or hard it is. A good start to the series.
Profile Image for Megan Christopher.
46 reviews47 followers
August 27, 2016
A traditional set-up with a good helping of charm, THE FOUNDRY’S EDGE by Cam Baity and Benny Zelkowicz packages a lot of common YA fantasy tropes in an unconventional wrapper. Though the biggest ‘surprise’ of the novel is revealed in the first third of the book, it’s a dark twist with far-reaching consequences, and that edge turns the first Book of Ore from a predictable story to an adventure worth taking.

Read the rest of this review on All Things Urban Fantasy.
Profile Image for Dragana.
1,889 reviews151 followers
February 22, 2016
Likes:
+ Wonderful descriptions and writing: "Time felt like a snake shedding its skin, and the slithering of seconds and hours slowly peeled away."
+ Complex & original idea and world-building.

Dislikes:
- I hated Phoebe (MC). She is very spoiled rich girl. She has everything and does not appreciate it. Makes pranks. Egocentric and think people do thing specifically to annoy her...
- Names are hard to remember.
- Mechans are so complex and unlike humans that sometimes I can not picture how they look (although there are descriptions).
Profile Image for Read Taylor.
10 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2017
Finally got around to reading this after getting it for my Kindle when it first came out. As soon as i finished the first one I downloaded and read the second, and am ordering hard copies to hand off to my son.

Now I'm all jealous of Ben but will wait for the movie version to come out. Surely one is coming?
Profile Image for Cecilia Rodriguez.
4,343 reviews54 followers
March 24, 2016
A dystopian steampunk story that contains themes of Capitalism and exploitation of less advanced cultures.
Baity and Zelkowicz want their readers to pay attention to what decisions are being made by government on the behalf of their population.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Stephanie Belyeu.
65 reviews
January 9, 2017
Not gonna lie... takes a bit to start and some of the vocabulary is above a child's level... but it gets good. A world is created that I have never imagined before or came across before in my reading... for that alone, I recommend a read.
Profile Image for Carolynn Markey.
295 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2018
really interesting, fast paced. unique world, but yes, much steampunk very coming of age story. Good thing I love well written steampunk coming of age stories where the young heroine is (maybe) going to rescue everyone and find out all the hidden government secretes.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
Author 11 books141 followers
Read
February 1, 2014
It's my SLJ book. Review will be printed there. But so far....pretty awesome.
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