Venturess

Mechanica #2

by Betsy Cornwell

Young inventor Nicolette Lampton is living her own fairy tale happy ending. She's free of her horrible step-family, running a successful business, and is uninterested in marrying the handsome prince, Fin. Instead, she, Fin, and their friend Caro venture to the lush land of Faerie, where they seek to put an end to the bloody war their kingdom is waging. Mechanical armies and dark magic await them as they uncover devastating secrets about the past and fight for a real, lasting happily-ever-after for two troubled countries—and for themselves.

Smart and unconventional, this novel will appeal to readers of romance and adventure alike.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Steampunk, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Magic, Science Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2017

About the author

Betsy Cornwell is a New York Times bestselling author living in west Ireland. She is the story editor and a contributing writer at Parabola, and her short-form writing includes fiction, nonfiction, and literary translation and has appeared in Fairy Tale Review, Zahir Tales, The Violence Prevention Initiative Journal, and elsewhere. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. from Smith College.

Mechanica was published in 2015 and has featured on several best of the year lists, including Amazon.com’s Best Young Adult Books and USA Today‘s Must-Read Romances. In a starred review, Kirkus called this retelling of Cinderella “a smart, refreshing alternative to stale genre tropes.” Mechanica is a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten nominee for 2016.

Betsy’s debut novel, Tides, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim including a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, a place in the Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, and a Bisexual Book Awards nomination.

Betsy has two more novels forthcoming from Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in 2017 and 2018.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this book to conservative readers, like myself. There's mild spoilers throughout my review, so I'd only recommend reading it if you want to hear about the content.

I couldn't connect to the book on any level, really, but I especially didn't like the relationships happening. The main one is a threesome. There are 2 girls and a guy. There's mention at the end that the three of them could have been married by the Fey, but that's not what they wanted. (They sleep in the same bed, and there's mention of sleepy intimacy. They kiss and call each other "Darling", but it never mentions sex in any way.) One of the girls within the threesome also has another relationship with a different girl. I'm not into relationships like that.

Once they reach the land of Faerie, the story became frustrating to read. The faeries have no gender, so they're referred to as fe and fer. (I have an ARC, but just to give you an example....."The Fey blinked, and I thought I saw a flicker of surprise or recognition, in fer blue eyes as fe looked me up and down. But fer face soon grew cold and impassive again.") Trying to read like that was distracting and irritating to me.

I absolutely hated the ending, and thought it was awful. I didn't like certain characters being changed, and I was baffled as to why one part was chosen to end that way. With all the other controversial topics mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if it was thrown in just to getting "dying with dignity" into the story. (I'm not saying that was the intention, because I don't know.)

I just couldn't connect to the story, and was hugely frustrated by it. It felt like so many controversial topics were trying to be smashed into the story that the story itself was greatly sacrificed. If you're not as conservative as I am, and agree with the author on the opinions within the story, you might enjoy the story much more. We're all different! It wasn't my cup of tea, though.

[Jay G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...

*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review*

VIDEO REVIEW: https://youtu.be/kjOdBBziVmo

4.5 Stars

Such a great sequel! The friendship between Nicolette, Caro and Fin was even better than the previous book. The storytelling was more vibrant and action packed and I loved the new setting of Fairie! There were a lot of twists and turns I didn't see coming which I really enjoyed!

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Right from the start, I was seeing red flags all over and it was making me very hesitant to continue so I checked reviews on Goodreads. No wonder there were so many “off” things. The main relationship is three people.
This is a YA book. That’s vile. I won’t be saying more.

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make sure you have read Mechanica, Betsy's imaginative, steampunk retelling of Cinderella, because Venturess is a tale you do not want to miss. It is full of adventure, suspense, and beauty and has an aura of fairy tale nostalgia. Imagine adding characteristics of Peter Pan and Avatar to the story of Cinderella and you will find Venturess.

Venturess will not only continue the story from book one, Mechanica, but it will take you on a new journey. Venturess holds the struggles between right and wrong, humanity and the hunger for power, and imagination and banality. Venturess will find that magical place in your heart, that you never knew needed to be filled, and will nestle itself there.

I could not put this one down! This sequel to Mechanica was everything I expected it to be and so much more! The story continued with the amazing friendship between Nicolette, Caro, and Fin that I absolutely adore, and kept me on my toes with some unexpected twists! I found intrigue in the airship travel, and Captain Wheelock, and felt like the journey to Faerie was a self discovery quest for Nicolette. Faerie felt so real to me and I fell in love with the Fey leader, Talis, and the Fey people. My heart broke toward the end when I learned the truth about the Ashes that powered the automatons, but I felt that ending of the book was fitting and heartwarming!

Definitely a must read for fairy tale lovers! This sequel to Mechanica will not disappoint. Venturess will be one that stays with you always.

A very special thank you to Tara in Digital Marketing and Publicity Specialist with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers for allowing me access to this Advanced Reading Copy of Venturess!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was nervous that after how much I loved Mechanica, I would be disapointed with this next installment. I needn't have worried, because this book exceeded all of my hopes.

Perhaps I will write a fuller, more conventional review later on, from my notes and bookmarks, but for now, some thoughts:

It's difficult for me to put into words exactly why I love these books so much, partially because it's hard for me to pin it down even in thoughts. They're well-told stories with complex, believable, flawed-but-loveable characters, but my love for them is more than that. These stories feel like coming home. They are comfort, despite their hardships. Perhaps it is because I feel an echo of myself on the pages, in Fin, Nick, and Caro, in the families built by the Fey, in the way love in all its forms is quietly celebrated.

On page 309 a character speaks the line "But you're in Faerie now, Nick, and everyone in this place sees you three for what you are." I feel like somehow, this book does that for me. It sees me for who I am, for what I am, and accepts what it sees.

[Mel (Daily Prophecy)]

*pets pretty cover*
Shame I disliked the first book so much.

[Stella ☆Paper Wings☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Just thought I'd throw a mini-review up here since I never really reviewed this and since it's been a few years I probably never will. I can't remember precisely why I didn't like it other than that it doesn't make much sense as a sequel to a Cinderella retelling since it's really a totally different concept, and the plot was really all over the place.

However in retrospect, I have to credit the fact that the man relationship in this book is polyamorous and it features genderless fairies. I can't say whether I thought actually good representation since it's been so long, but I can count on one hand the amount of books I've read with polyamorous rep. I think I might just be a little mature for this series, but I would recommend it for younger readers who want this rep that's honestly few and far between.

[Anelise · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you haven't read the first book, Mechanica, you should definitely read that first. Mechanica is a Cinderella retelling, but "Cinderella", or in this case Mechanica, is a mechanic and all she wants to do is go the technological exposition in order to escape the clutches of her step-family. Venturess is about what happens after Nick starts up a very successful business.

This story has many unexpected twists which kept me on my toes when reading this! I loved learning about Faerie and all the inhabitants when Nick, Fin, and Caro venture there to possibly negotiate a peace treaty with the fae. I loved this story even more than the first because it continued the story of "Cinderella" whereas most Cinderella retellings stop after Happily Ever After.

Highly recommend this story to anyone who likes fairy tale retellings!

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

As certain people in court try to maneuver public opinion and the King into outright war with Fey, Fin still boldly speaks for peace...but that may prove dangerous. For his good, the good of the kingdom, and her own curiosity about a letter she's received, Nick encourages Fin to try visiting Faerie in person to work out a peace treaty. Nick personally hopes to reunite with her old friend and housekeeper, as well as finding out more about the magic that makes her inventions so successful. With their friend Cora, Nick and Fin set out in a brand new airship to see if they can bring peace to the kingdom and their own hearts.

I'm sorry to say it because I absolutely loved Mechanica, but this is one of those sequels I could do without. I was satisfied with the ending of Mechanica but this furthering of their story doesn't feel as satisfactory. In fact, I'm not sure what the purpose of the story was. It started off ok, but there didn't feel to be any resolution at all. Nick and Fin and Cora's relationships are...unconventional to say the least, and though they say they are a family that could get married by Fey standards, it doesn't feel resolved. There's still hints that Nick likes the captain in a little different way and Cora has something stronger with Bex...and it just comes off like they all have no clue what love really means, are scared of losing their friendship by having special friends, and/or are scared of commitment. Next, the kingdom is supposedly all riled up into going to war against the Fey and thinks Fin is dead, and they are acting like it'll just be easy to waltz back home, reclaim the throne and tell everyone the war is over and they have a peace treaty with the Fey...ummm, I smell a revolution instead. Plus the climax with Fitz felt really rushed and anticlimactic. And then there's the whole Ashes ethical thing and Nick losing all her best mechanical friends because they were actually tortured undead souls! Oh, and P.S. her mom is still alive in that state too, let her believe herself dead for years, just watched her suffer via magical means...and they had a better relationship when Nick thought she was dead. And we needed that plot twist because...??? Anyway, I am heartbroken to say I was much happier not knowing any of the things I learned in this book and imagining my own ending to Mechanica's story. This just feels messy. I'm really not sure what the point of it was supposed to be. Yes, we get to visit Faerie, but I really can't tell you all that much about it. Nick spends most of her time there dealing with inner and outer conflicts than exploring the world and I felt like there was very, very little world building. Overall, I think I was disappointed because I feel like it leaves the readers with more questions and heartache than answers or healing. There are many points that weren't fleshed out anywhere near enough to feel like they were adequately addressed. And that's a sad state. It felt like rushed and unfocused writing. The only group I'd recommend it to is an ethics class who wants to debate some sticky fantasy ethical situations. I'm still planning on reading The Forest Queen because I know this author can do wonderful things like she did with Mechanica and I'm hoping this is just a sophomore slump thing.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. There are three friends (two women and one man) who repeatedly sleep together, it is hinted they have a very close relationship (no details what this means), and the fey evidently regularly have married families of this sort. Also kissing between both man/woman and woman/woman happens. There are a couple battles and shootings/incidents with bloody injuries described or fatalities from drowning and shootings. Nick learns disturbing things about Ashes they come from people or animals who are burned alive, and that's what gives them the ability to bring mechanics to life, though the soul is perpetually feeling like it is still burning...VERY disturbing.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Mechanica we were introduced to a complex world with the kingdoms of Faerie and Esting so different from each other and so intriguing. The folk from the Faerie kingdom are re-imagined in a way that shows them as distinctly nonhuman, however humanoid their appearance can be. The magic of Faerie and the mechanical, gear-driven inventions of Esting are as unlike as their creators. And there is Nicolette, our heroine - intelligent, inventive, and so lonely and mistreated since the deaths of her parents. Our hearts can't help but long for her success and happiness.

Now we have Venturess, the second of Nicolette's adventures. After the events in Mechanica, Nick moves from her childhood home and into the city. She lives near her friends Fin and Caro and has a workshop of her own to make her inventions and sell them. When Fin's father agrees to an attempt to negotiate a peace with Faerie, Nick and Caro climb aboard the airship with Fin and set off for the land across the sea. Incredible sights await them, along with discoveries about Nick's past, but so do danger, treachery, and battle. Can their love and friendship see them through all these hazards and into a future where the two realms are at peace?

The wonderment of all the mechanical gadgets (clockwork and otherwise), and the magic of Faerie will dazzle the imaginations of readers. Familiar characters from the first novel such as Fitz, Bex, Lord Alming, and Mr. Candery appear, along with our trio of heroes and Nick's trusty steed Jules. New personalities include the airship's crew, its captain (Wheelock), and the Faerie ruler Talis. Questions of loyalty, duty, love, friendship, and the meaning of family are all addressed by Nick and her companions, and readers will ponder them as they enjoy the story. After all, every good fairy tale has something to teach us.

I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys fairy tale reworkings, mixtures of magic and mechanics, and young adults who are brave enough to reach for their dreams.

The publisher was kind enough to supply a galley for me to read and review.

[Katrina Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venturess is the second book in the Mechanica series by Betsy Cornwell; a steampunk fairytale retelling. I absolutely loved Mechanica and was so excited to finally dive into the next part of Nicolette's story.

One of the things I love most about this series is Nicolette's strong conviction about being her own heroine and how love, as defined by society, plays a lesser role. Her version of love comes in the form of her two best friends: Fin and Caro. These three characters share such a unique bond that speak directly to my soul.

Love is such a diverse and ever adapting facet and my own unique family dynamic reflects that. Maybe that's why I am so drawn to these characters. My home consists of me, my wife, our daughter AND our daughter's father. We share a bond that is unprecedented and to see something similar reflected in the pages of a young adult novel makes me all warm and tingly inside.

Aside from the relationship these characters maintain, the imagery and world building that Cornwell created in Venturess are just as stunning as the first novel. While I wish that there were even more steampunk themes addressed here, I know that many of Cornwell's readers begged for the Faerie side to be more predominant and in that, she delivered.

I love seeing what Nicolette has in her repertoire when it comes to her inventions including the modifications to Jules which is revealed simply by looking at the phenomenal cover of the book. I also loved the quick sneak peak into the premise of Cornwell's next book, The Forest Queen. I can only hope to get my hands on it ASAP.

Venturess is truly a one of a kind story and I implore you to pick it up.

Xx
LenaMay

[Teenreadsdotcom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just days after her grand reveal in MECHANICA, Nicolette is finally beginning to make a life for herself, free of her step family’s tyranny. Her friendship with Fin (heir to the Esting throne) and Caro (palace servant) continues to blossom. Her sponsor, Lord Alming, has given her money to start her own store for her magical mechanical inventions.

But amid all her happiness, revolution is brewing with the Faeries who have had enough of Esting’s oppressing rule. Most Estingers, including Fin’s father, the King, want to force the Faeries back into submission and even obliterate their race. Fin and his friends, on the other hand, vehemently defend this innocent population and their freedom.

Nicolette and her friends are put to the test when she receives a letter from her old housekeeper, Mr. Candbery, a Fey who escaped from Esting years ago and is now begging for help from Nicolette and Prince Fin to sign a treaty/truce and bring an end to the killing and destruction. The situation at home is becoming dire, as Nicolette discovers a secret robot army. Will she follow her sponsor or stand up for what she believes in? As Nicolette journeys with her friends into this unknown territory, she wonders, is Mr. Candbery really who he says he is? Do they have what it takes to save him and his people?

When I started reading VENTURESS, I had no idea it was a sequel (and had not read the first book), but for the most part, Betsy Cornwell does a great job incorporating details from MECHANICA, so I wasn’t too lost.

My biggest reservation about VENTURESS is that it seemed like CINDER for a younger audience. I felt like Cornwell reused themes from other books but oversimplified them. The message of tolerance and feminism weren’t the most original or most effectively conveyed. For example, Nicolette argues that women should be independent and do what they want and yet all her inventions are things to help women with household chores. The tolerance message fell equally flat. While his father, the King, wants all living beings to be his subjects, Fin wants people to be free but never once fights to overthrow the corrupt and cruel monarchy that he belongs to. I was also disappointed by the lack of romance. The threesome among Fin, Nicolette and Caro is strange and confusing, constantly teetering between romance and friendship.

However, the engaging side characters made up for most of these flaws. Surprisingly, Cornwell managed to create a very realistic and touching relationship between Nicolette and her robot horse creation that brought me nearly to tears in some scenes. Mr. Candbery effectively neutralized Nicolette’s sometimes immature and annoying behavior, making it funny by revealing how absurd her thinking is at times.

Overall, Cornwell set a great pace for the book with suspense and action and, setting aside a few flaws, I would recommend VENTURESS to preteen fantasy lovers looking for a quick summer read.

Reviewed by Alice D., Teen Board Member

[Michelle Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and I really recommend it. It really hits ya hard at the end though, so be prepared.

[Milena · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is certain message here in this book and Loved it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up to the first book. Relevant and well written themes of anti-colonialism, found families and the legitimacy of polyamory. Much as I enjoyed Mechanica, this book is much faster paced and more eventful, expanding upon the complexities of the world and the characters.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Edelweiss*
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk
*Rating* 3.5

*My Thoughts*

Venturess, by author Betsy Cornwell, is the surprising second installment in the authors Mechanica series. At the end of Mechanica, readers were told that the story was an open-ended standalone with hopes that the ending would satisfy those who actually got through the book without giving up on the story. The author said that she did have future plans for the characters and their world. 2 years later, Venturess is released. The story takes place in the same world, with the same characters, but with a whole different story idea, and even more action, adventure and surprises.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

[heyshelbyhi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it about 60% of the way through this one and had to stop. The first half of the book was actually really good, but then my concerns about the three main characters having a “relationship” were confirmed, and since I’m very conservative this didn’t appeal to me at all.

The fae were referred to as “fe” and “fer “ because they don’t have male and female genders, and it was difficult to try and follow along with all of that. An example: “I’ll deal with this one,” fe said, then fe jerked fer head toward us.”

There was a part where Nick and Jules the horse flee from the automaton version of Nick’s mother, and then witness a man being burned so others could gather his ashes, (to be reanimated?) and that was the end for me. 😕

[Lulu (the library leopard) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm... I'm not totally sure how to rate this. Basically, it was five stars for certain things I love reading about like airships and fairies and steampunk and a love triangle resolved with polyamory and found family but more like two stars for actually resolving issues and being well-paced...

And yeah, I cried over a fictional metal horse.

[R Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. I cried—I’m going to buy this and Mechanica like whoa. (And all this is because I got an ARC of The Forest Queen.)

Cornwell is definitely on my favorite Author list!

[Abi (The Knights Who Say Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books always hit me with at least one big thing where I’m like “you did NOT set that up enough to do this and get away with it,” but i did still like the book, so maybe it did get away with it.

[Stacy Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Meghann

Venturess is the second in a Cinderella tale written for a young adult audience. The first book in the series, Mechanica, covers Nicolette’s plight from an orphan in her stepmother’s house to the fiancé of the heir apparent. Venturess takes place where Mechanica leaves off and, although I didn’t read the first book myself, I did see reviews expressing the positive feminist undertones of the novel.

Venturess would make a good addition to an LGBTQ collection. The relationships between characters are well described and promote positive interactions. Jumping into the second book, without reading the first was a little confusing in regards to relationships. Finn, the crowned prince and Nicolette pretend to be engaged to each other for the sake of saving the Fey, but they have no intention of marrying. They often express love for each other, but are not romantically involved. It seemed that their romantic failure is a major plot twist in the first novel.

Caro, also a main character, is in a romantic relationship with Brex, a stable girl, but often claims love for Nicolette and Fin. Fin, Nicolette and Caro all proclaim that they are closer even than best friends. It is mentioned several times in the narrative that they share a bed for sleeping. Nothing sexual is described or even inferred. The last chapter mentions that the Fey offered to marry the three of them together, but the trio declined. I would definitely recommend that readers finish the first book before undertaking the second in order to better understand the relationships in the novel and how they originated.

Nicolette, nicknamed “Nick” in the novel, is attempting to prevent genocide of the Fey population. As such the narrative describes the Fey as a blue-freckled race of magical peoples who have been the target of repeated discrimination in Nick’s home country. Positive themes of acceptance and freedom are prevalent in the book. The Fey people also have no male/female distinctions in their pronouns. He/Her is written as Fe/Fer, which can be somewhat distracting while reading, but offers a unique take on the current discussions of gender identity.

I would recommend this book to older teens who enjoy fairy-tale retellings or LGBTQ titles.

[EJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is DOPE as all get out. I enjoyed the first one as a great twist/retelling of Cinderella and it didn't end with the traditional 'marries the prince and lives happily ever after'. This one takes it to the NEXT LEVEL with platonic best friends who openly are like 'we are not getting married but we are family and you're never taking that away from us'. Galaxy brain level stuff going on here lads! Oh and the plot is very interesting and good too.

[Jan farnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the first book in this dualogy Mechnica it was delightful retelling of Cinderella with a steampunk twist.  Book two Venturess takes us on a delightful adventure to Faerie which the author does a fantastic job of drawing us into.  Their are plot twists that i did not see coming and heart break beyond imagine.  This is a great two book series that any fan of retellings will enjoy.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous cover.

Overall, it had a very rough start. There were many times in the beginning I wanted to quit reading this book and move on to something else.

However, I am glad I continued with it. It gets a lot better. It has a sweet ending.

JULES! I won't spoil anything, but my baby! God I love that horse. Best fictional horse ever.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venturess was everything I'd hoped the sequel of Mechanica would be. It was cute, it was funny, and it possesses a serious strength. A YA novel that breaks the mold of awful love triangles and unhealthy relationships, replacing them with the importance of platonic love and polyamory. It expertly handles these concepts while realistically portraying Nick's change in mindset--she is still sometimes sucked back into the societal norms she grew up with, but realizes that she doesn't have to rely on them and accepts her love for her friends and the family they make together. Combined with a powerful plot of intrigue and war and politics, Venturess is a HUGE winner in my book. I loved it!

[Aleshanee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rezension folgt...

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I saw this book at my local library and checked it out at 845pm. It's now midnight, and I just finished it. It's a good compelling read! I really am intrigued by the family Nick, Caro, and Finn have. however, I think there's a lot that gets glossed over, and you feel removed from the story at times. It took around half the book to get to Faerie, and then so much gets crammed in. I'll still read the next book, but this one just felt a little more removed emotionally for me than the first.

[Danielle Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful book by Betsy Cornwell.

[Elan Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children and adults

Brace yourself for an adventure to an exotic location....steam punk meets Cinderella withe a twist. Romance, air travel, and a happy ever after.

[Cassie C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come!