Made of Steam and Stardust

by Bianca Breen

When a comet hurtles toward her planet, sixteen-year-old inventor Gerdie is determined to stop it and use her success to improve the conditions of the factories she works in: she'll build a machine that will save the world.

But as she hunts for the parts to build her creation, she encounters Fell—a mysterious boy with an unsettling connection to the comet. He's being hunted by the ruthless Conqueror Seki, and soon Gerdie is, too.

On the run, the duo uncovers chilling blueprints for a deadly army of automatons. The army is nearly complete, but a final piece is still missing.

If Gerdie doesn't find it before Conqueror Seki does, the comet will be the least of her worries.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2025

About the author

Bianca Breen is a professional book nerd. Bianca is passionate about the book community, founding YA for WA in 2021 and previously holding the position of Communications Director at the Australian Young Adult Literature Alliance (#LoveOzYA) and co-host of The YA Room. In 2021 she was the winner of the ASA Award Mentorship, and has won several residencies, including with KSP Writers’ Centre, Vancouver Arts Centre, and the City of Swan. Her short works have been published with Dragon Soul Press, Night Parrot Press, and more. Bianca devours stories with magic, adventure, forests, and a dragon or two. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Writing from La Trobe University and lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Find her on Instagram @biancabreen

Reviews

[Stuart McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book, especially for Bianca's debut novel! A really interesting premise that was delivered so spectacularly. It had me trying to work things out, thinking I'd picked all the twists, and then having me sit there thinking "damn" when they were revealed! I can't wait to see what Bianca brings in her next novel!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karleah Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heart-warming and whimsical story. I found it to be such a unique blend of scifi, steampunk, and fantasy, and couldn't really think of much to compare it to. I loved the adventure/journey elements, the found family vibes, and the WHIMSY. What a brilliant debut. you can really tell that this story was a labour of love. I adored reading this as an adult reader, but I think it would be absolutely MAGICAL for middle-grade readers curled up in the school library with this book in their hands.
Bright and warm and beautiful, a story written out of stardust. Very well done by Bianca Breen, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

I received an ARC of this book for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sasha Wasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED the characters, especially tenacious Gerdie and ethereal Fell.
On a forgotten outpost of Earth, Gerdie works in a dangerous factory where she longs for a safer world for herself and her coworkers - and to have the opportunity to pursue her passion of inventing. But the selfish conqueror Seki leads a repressive regime where no one can thrive but him. Can Gerdie and her friends create a better world?
No spoilers - you've got to read it yourself! Wonderful, wonderful book.

[Georgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made of Steam and Stardust is a heartwarming and well-crafted debut.

I loved the sci-fi/steampunk world with its fusions of past, present, and future. The characters were distinct and felt like they belonged. Gerdie, Leo, and Fell's arcs were simultaneously unique yet intertwined, making for a narrative that felt whole and complete.

This book is perfect for middle grade and young adult audiences, and it's something that would've had me starstruck snuggled up reading it in the school library.

Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader - while I received an advance copy for free, this review is voluntary and my own thoughts.

[Heather Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the alternating points of view in this debut YA sci-fi novel by West Australian author Breen. The plot zips along, switching between the feisty wannabe inventor Gerdie and her bestie, the tortured Leo. In a classic sci-fi trope, he’s a young man in denial of his great destiny. Then there’s their mysterious new friend, Fell, who has strange powers and turns out to be out of this world in more ways than one.

Set in the 2300s, Earth is a fond memory and trees are almost a thing of the past. When a comet is found to be hurtling towards her planet, Gerdie sets herself the goal of inventing something to stop it.

The novel follows the parallel grief storylines of both Gerdie and Leo while also focusing on their respective action journeys. It will appeal to sci-fi and cli-fi fans that enjoy reading about feisty teen characters.

[Liam Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made of Steam and Stardust is a brilliantly crafted debut that is sure to smash it in the MG/YA markets.

All characters have good placement within the story and feel fleshed out and clear in their motivations. They each have their place and their history, and none seem added for the sake of it.

In terms of plot, the story is well crafted and the promise given to the reader at the start of the story is enacted on and the payoff is absolutely worthy of the read. The SciFi/gearpunk world is teeming with life, while still having a whimsical and fantastical feeling to the magical elements.

I look forward to seeing if there is more that this world has to offer, and if it doesn't, I'm more than satisfied to have witnessed Gerdie's story.

Thank you to Bianca for the ARC copy! Though I received the copy for free, the views and opinions in this review are voluntary and wholly my own.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written YA steampunk inspired novel with rich world-building and deep character development.

I loved this book! Follow Gerdie, Leo and Fell as they fight to free Treshane from the destructive reign of conqueror Seki.

I’ve never read a book quite like this! I’m so impressed by the intricacies of this book crafted in such a short time.

Huge thank you to the author for an ARC!

[Michaela Ironwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, steampunk/gearpunk tale of friendships, self-worth and bravery. This story is jam-packed with lovably flawed characters, intriguing lore, well-foreshadowed twists and a unique fantasy element. In a world on the path to destruction, everyone's a hero in their own way, rising up to fight the chaos. A spectacular debut!

This review is based on an ARC I received, but my honest opinion is voluntarily given.

[Poppy Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those of us who are lucky enough to know Bianca Breen know that she's been championing Australian YA for years. So, to see her debut novel out in the world is a huge deal! I'm definitely not alone in saying I'm incredibly proud of her and grateful to her for all the work she does. Bianca is the real comet.

The highlight of Made of Steam and Stardust, for me, is the worldbuilding. It's so strong, and the way we travel through the world to slowly see it unfold is brilliant. This is a whole new planet, a whole new country, but its history and terrain make it very different to our Earth. Seki, the dictator who took over the country and has since done his best to destroy it, has destroyed all flora and fauna, and makes the people live in constant chaos and fear. The way Bianca writes this chaos, in ways that critique how we're constantly distracted in our own society, to stop us having the ability to fight back against injustice, is extremely clever.

For Gerdie, a poor orphan who works in dangerous factories - but who has a huge heart and a dream to invent things that will save the world - it just can't be her destiny to risk her life every day when she should be among the stars. Enter sweet Leo and Fell, who come with a whole host of plot twists, who are the keys to taking Seki down. Gerdie doesn't just want to help save the world. She's going to save the world alongside the two boys, whether the world likes it or not.

I think we can all see a bit of ourselves in these characters, or get some hope from them. Whether it's Gerdie's bravery and intelligence, Fell's determined softness, or Leo's journey of recovering from trauma and finding his agency.

The plot travelled well, and the writing was great. The only major thing I didn't vibe with - which is just my personal preference - is that the chapters are quite long. Because the book moves at a fast pace, the long chapters made it a bit tiring as I needed more breaks.

Thank you to Stag Beetle Books for my e-ARC!

[Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made of Steam and Stardust is an amazing blend of storytelling and worldbuilding. It's an easy-to-read book perfect for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure.

I really loved the world that the author created. From the start, it is easy to see the problems Gerdie and the planet are facing, and over time more details are weaved into the plot to give you a history of the planet and Conqueror Seki's reign.

I think my biggest issue with the book was that I had trouble connecting to some of the characters. Gerdie felt too naive, and Fell didn't really have enough of a personality for me to be invested in him. I loved Leo though! His backstory is so interesting, and it was fun slowly learning about him and the Catells throughout the book. Also M.O.R.T. my beloved ❤️

Going back to Gerdie, I found she was a bit naive at times, in a way that was kind of frustrating. What possessed her to want to go find the company on the automaton blueprint so she could get help with her comet destroying machine?? Like girl, please, that sounds like a terrible idea. 😭 She thought the blueprint could be linked to her father's DEATH and she wanted to ask them for tips??? It would have made more sense for her to want to investigate what was going on with her father's death, in my opinion. At that point in the story, the comet part of the plot felt a bit less important overall compared to everything else going on and the more immediate dangers.

Overall though, this is a fun read, especially if you like worldbuilding with sci-fi/fantasy vibes! 🌟

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Bianca Breen and Booksirens, for this arc.

While the premise of the book sounded adventurous and innovative, it is unfortunate that the story was too short to encapsulate this premise.
Gerdie has a rebellious spirit, which I absolutely adored. In search of a way to leave a mark behind, she invents incredible things to improve the harsh world under the rule of Conqueror Seki. Set in a steampunk-like London, one can imagine all kinds of impressive inventions. However, I found it hard to picture these in my mind and also to feel a real connection with the characters.

Gerdie, Leo and Fell all embark on this quest to overthrow Seki/ run from him. The first part of their quest felt a bit blunt, but when they eventually split up, things got more interesting. We get more in-depth backstories about our characters, enhancing our sentiments toward them. It would have been pleasant if this were the case earlier in the story, but alas.

There are some minor characters too that could have been more interesting to be explored, since it felt like they were important assets to the story and the main characters. Now they were portrayed as just that, side characters, attributes for the main quest, so to speak.

Overall, the story was rather fast-paced, making it feel a bit crammed for such a great journey. However, the writing was very well written with wonderful descriptions. Made of Steam and Stardust is a sensational story in a too short-written book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily McGuiness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Gerdie wants to be a famous inventor, and when a comet starts hurtling toward her home, she knows this is her chance. She plans to build a machine to stop the comet in its tracks. She didn’t, however, plan on Fell.

Loads of fun, with adventure, a little bit of danger, friendship, and a couple twists to keep you guessing. I love a book that can surprise me, and there was one moment where I was genuinely surprised I hadn’t seen the reveal. But, cleverly done, it was a moment of ‘oh of course, it couldn’t have been anything else’, once I thought about it.

The use of the italicised passages with odd capitalisations were a great addition to keep readers guessing and turning the page from the very start. And indeed, I was wrong about what I thought they meant, and personally believe that what they really are is far better than my previous assumption. Definitely passes the first sentence test with:

“WElcomE tO mY world
chAotic, isN’T It?”

The characters were believable, and Gerdie thankfully avoided being an obnoxious overly strong feminist, which I find most YA falls into this trap. Favourite character was by far Leo, who was also not your standard handsome-broody-traumatised-strong saviour male. That being said, he was all of those things, but without the over the top writing to make it irritating and unrealistic.

Have to share my favourite line of Gerdie’s to finish:

“‘Come on,’ she said, setting off down the street. ‘It’s a nice day for sabotage’.”

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made of Steam and Stardust is a really magical, imaginative book that kept me gripped from the first sentence right to the last page.

From the very beginning, I was left wondering about what the italicised passages meant. I had several guesses (all were wrong) but I loved the twist with them, and the various other twists throughout the story. There were several events and reveals that I couldn't predict and it was such a fun book to read for that.

The writing style was beautiful, so compelling, and the worldbuilding was amazing. I could picture the desolate, industrialised landscape on this new planet so clearly. I loved the snippets of history woven through the novel, the connections back to Earth, but something that we only get fragments of because the characters themselves don't know their history properly.

The characters, for me, were the heart of this story. I loved Gerdie instantly, cheering her on as she took matters into her own hands and tried to make a difference, as well as Fell, ethereal and gentle, and Leo, downtrodden but with a heart of gold. The friendships shone through, and I could understand their motivations, doubts, and even forgive them when (at times) they made slightly reckless decisions.

It's safe to say I loved this book, and I'm looking forward to reading whatever Bianca Breen writes in the future!

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book. I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Fionna Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A YA steampunk that follows Gerdie and Leo as they battle, not just their own demons, but some very real ones in the form of a) a giant comet hurtling towards their planet, and b) all round jerk, and conqueror - Seki. The world building felt rich and gritty and the imaginative inclusions of things like, tree looking air filters in this futuristic world, had me walking outside and hugging some actual trees just to show some appreciation.

The characters felt fleshed out and complicated, with my favourite being Fell. Not only for his beautiful name (aptly given upon his arrival), but for his delightful backstory.

Whilst ultimately uplifting, the story is speckled with grief and sadness, which I guess is life really, but the story handles itself with grace and optimism so even the saddest of moments are coloured with hope.

This book is perfect for upper middle graders and YA readers alike (and obviously beyond), who love a fantasy world with futuristic feels. Elements of the book reminded me of Stardust ⭐

[Krys | I Like the Walrus Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Made of Steam and Stardust and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is beautifully written, entertaining and well plotted.

The reader follows Gerdie as she gets swept up in events that she could never have predicted and Leo who is hiding a secret that will change everything. I love how the main characters stories unfold naturally and come together at the end for a thrilling climax.

The main message is about believing in yourself. Although I love how the author acknowledged how powerful it can be to hear that the people closest to you also believe in you.

I would recommend this book to science fiction fans from middle grade onwards. The book reminds me of Star Wars (without the space ships) more so than fantasy or dystopian.

An excellent debut novel and I look forward to reading more of Bianca Breen’s work.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, which was wonderful as I was really looking forward to reading the story of Gerdie and Fell. It’s not my usual genre, so I loved that I found such gorgeous characters and well thought out world to spend time in. There are some really surprising moments which kept me on my toes, and when my new friends were near the end of their quest, I couldn’t put this down. I had to stay up way past my bedtime to finish it. 😁 This is a great YA read for teens who like a bit of magic, or for readers of any age who just want a rollicking good story.

[Sharon Giltrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made of Steam and Stardust was an absolute pleasure to read from the opening line to the last line. I easily fell in love with characters Gerdie, Fell and Leo and eagerly followed their journeys. The world building was amazing and the plot twists exceptional. I recommend this book to anyone who loves reading no matter what their favourite genre is. This book is for everyone. Great work team!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hannah Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, heartwarming debut novel that will appeal to middle grade and young adult readers alike.

Gerdie’s tenacity, Leo’s quiet determination and Fell’s soft nature made for an easy and enjoyable read. The world felt real, fleshed out and believable, and the story moved along at a quick pace, while still leaving space for those quieter moments between the three characters that were lovely to watch.

Can’t wait to see what Bianca does next!

[Rhiannon G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful debut from Bianca Breen - this was a great mix of YA and middle-grade, set in a unique world with a twisty, satisfying story.

I loved how the lore wasn't beaten over the reader's head, we were left to fill some gaps. The characters were all wonderful, I particularly enjoyed Gerdie and Fell's characters - especially Fell, whose main plot twist caught me off guard in the best way! Definitely worth the read.

[perth ratbag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have devoured this book as a young reader, as did I as an adult. This book has all the hallmarks of a great adventure story – FUN, world building 10/10, I can probably build a gadget or two now – and does my favourite thing any children's book can do; makes readers critical of their governing authority!!

Made of Steam and Stardust is your next favourite younger reader's, favourite young readers novel.

[Bianca Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read it, I love it ;)

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you believe me if I told you I read this in one sitting because I did

[L. Hues · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and imaginative debut. Made of Steam and Stardust brings steampunk vibes, fierce rebellion, and emotional twists into a fun, fast adventure. I love a bold, brilliant heroine who keeps me on my toes.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent debut novel. It’s a lovely story for young teens, and one I truly wish I’d had when I was younger.

The story is heartwarming and beautifully told. Gerdie and Fell are such memorable characters and easy to love.

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally found a book I completely resonate with. It’s amazing how many traits I share with Gerdie!

Gertrude Sailor — a girl who wants to help everyone, carve out a place of respect in the world, and who’s passionately in love with invention, robots, and science.

"If you tell yourself something enough, eventually it becomes true."

"And I want to be worth something, to make people’s lives easier."

"There is stardust under your skin."

I loved the idea of M.O.R.T. (maybe it’s time I go full Gertrude mode myself to build one for me!) And Hadrian’s arc? So delicately layered and beautifully told.
The writing is rich, and thoughtful. The book felt like a shimmering silk woven out of words that dance in a rhythm.

And in the end, we all know —
We are, Made Of STEAM AND STARDUST ;)

P.S - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.