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Mechanical Heart
Can you save someone who doesn’t know if she’s alive?
Breen lives locked away, separated from the world by the walls of her clock tower and the machine of gems, gears, and magic that replaces her heart. That is, until an unexpected visitor appears in her tower, offering a dangerous gift: freedom. His promises awaken hope for a life unbound by the tower walls — but she knows that if he learns about her heart, it’s only a matter of time before he turns on her.
Josiah is powerless. Though he’s the crown prince of the mighty Chanian empire, he feels stifled by his inability to protect his people from the schemes of corrupt nobles. When he discovers a girl trapped in a locked clock tower, he thinks he’s finally found a problem he can solve . . . but more than just walls keep her captive.
From the royal palace to the streets of Rivenford to the tops of clock towers, secrets hide around every corner in this steampunk retelling of Rapunzel. Breen and Josiah hold the keys to each other's struggles — if they can break down the barriers that divide them.
Breen lives locked away, separated from the world by the walls of her clock tower and the machine of gems, gears, and magic that replaces her heart. That is, until an unexpected visitor appears in her tower, offering a dangerous gift: freedom. His promises awaken hope for a life unbound by the tower walls — but she knows that if he learns about her heart, it’s only a matter of time before he turns on her.
Josiah is powerless. Though he’s the crown prince of the mighty Chanian empire, he feels stifled by his inability to protect his people from the schemes of corrupt nobles. When he discovers a girl trapped in a locked clock tower, he thinks he’s finally found a problem he can solve . . . but more than just walls keep her captive.
From the royal palace to the streets of Rivenford to the tops of clock towers, secrets hide around every corner in this steampunk retelling of Rapunzel. Breen and Josiah hold the keys to each other's struggles — if they can break down the barriers that divide them.
408 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2019
6 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Pennington
8 books154 followersSarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. Sarah’s first published work, Blood in the Snow, received a perfect score and Special Unicorn status in Rooglewood Press’s Five Poisoned Apples contest. Her sixth book, Through a Shattered Glass, won in the Novella category of the 2023 Realm Awards. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys fiber arts, baking, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.
Sarah can be found online at sarahpenningtonauthor.com. She also blogs at Light and Shadows (tpssaralightshadows.wordpress.com) and Dreams and Dragons (dreams-dragons.blogspot.com).
Sarah can be found online at sarahpenningtonauthor.com. She also blogs at Light and Shadows (tpssaralightshadows.wordpress.com) and Dreams and Dragons (dreams-dragons.blogspot.com).
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 17, 2023
[Clean Fiction, but could also be considered light Christian Fiction as there is a God called Jeros that people pray to and talk about, plus a few Scriptures are referenced.]
This was a throughly entertaining read. It was very different with the light Rapunzel retelling and the Steampunk setting. Steampunk books have such a fun setting and I find them to be a fun treat because they mix in the early 1900s fashion that I love with some fancy—or old school, depending on how you look at it—technology.
I really liked Breen as well and how ASL was such an important part of the story—I love when languages have a part of a novel. This is a very light retelling of Rapunzel, with the main similarity being that Breen is locked in a tower—a clock tower.
There’s magic from crystals (they have to be recharged), but it’s part of the world and not something someone learns or casts. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure about this element because—magic, you know? It’s a touchy topic and brings many thoughts and conversations about it, especially online in the Christian book community. I personally didn’t get creepy vibes from it, but it was obvious who was using it for wrong reasons and showed their actions as wrong—just not the entire alchemy parts. No throwing the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak.
Magic Alchemy and Blood Alchemy are major parts of the book and are discussed a lot. There’s people who use those for good and others who use it for wrong. We see discussions in a Senate via Josiah’s point of view and all the different angles of alchemy, but particularly blood alchemy which has been illegal for years but some are trying to pass a bill that would allow it to be practiced.
And that was something I really liked about this book: all the moral dilemmas and thinking about both sides of an argument. I can very easily see both sides to most debates and I love it when a book presents something that the reader will pause and think, “What’s my opinion on this topic?”. Sign me up, I love when that happens and this book really had that element. I would be tempted at times to want to skim over some of the Senate debates, but I had a feeling that the author was telling us readers all of this information for a reason—which she was and giving us more facts on both sides. It felt so well written, such good debates and discussions. There were smart characters, both those who we can trust and even those that have questionable motives. It was neat.
There’s no romance in this book, which I’ll admit I was a little bit disappointed about, but I have to say that I loved the epilogue (I felt so proud of our characters) and I loved the message of friendship. Josiah can seem pushy, but his heart is in the right place. I really liked him and his hero mentality even if it causes some extra hassles and troubles at times. I would say that he’s hands down my favorite Crown Prince I’ve ever read about.
While reading, I got a bit anxious for justice and answers. I didn’t feel like I was reading fast enough, haha! The ending felt a wee bit rushed, but I would still buy a physical copy for my shelves. (I do really dislike this cover though.)
Main Content-
The God of this world is called Jeros and our main characters mention Him and also pray to Him; A few Scriptures are referenced and mentioned; 'H's are capital when referring to Jeros.
It's hard to share the blood alchemy stuff because a lot of it is spoilers, but here's some rough details: Breen is part machine due to an accident that nearly killed her and we see her side of being not quite human, but not quite machine either (including when she has to be fixed which wears on her, up to semi-detailed); There's normal (magic) alchemy (which is legal) and blood alchemy (which is illegal), some are pushing for blood alchemy to be legalized because of the "assumed" benefits that it could have for the good of society (I put "assumed" because they're not supposed to be testing it (because, you know, it's illegal) but can you really trust their word??), but the problem with that is that those miracles for those who are neath death need the blood of someone else--it's assumed that it works best if that someone else is dying; There's crystals that can be used with normal alchemy and then also blood alchemy, but all crystals will eventually have to be recharged; This and all the discussions and debates about it are the main part of the book.
We see Breen getting beaten and slapped a few times (semi-detailed); Breen is also starved by the masters; Blood/Bleeding, Pain, Injuries, Falling from high stories, & Passing out (semi-detailed); Fighting, Shooting someone in self-defense (multiple times), & seeing two deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths, murders, & accidents (barely-above-not-detailed).
No language stronger than "blast", "stupid", and "idiot".
This was a throughly entertaining read. It was very different with the light Rapunzel retelling and the Steampunk setting. Steampunk books have such a fun setting and I find them to be a fun treat because they mix in the early 1900s fashion that I love with some fancy—or old school, depending on how you look at it—technology.
I really liked Breen as well and how ASL was such an important part of the story—I love when languages have a part of a novel. This is a very light retelling of Rapunzel, with the main similarity being that Breen is locked in a tower—a clock tower.
There’s magic from crystals (they have to be recharged), but it’s part of the world and not something someone learns or casts. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure about this element because—magic, you know? It’s a touchy topic and brings many thoughts and conversations about it, especially online in the Christian book community. I personally didn’t get creepy vibes from it, but it was obvious who was using it for wrong reasons and showed their actions as wrong—just not the entire alchemy parts. No throwing the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak.
Magic Alchemy and Blood Alchemy are major parts of the book and are discussed a lot. There’s people who use those for good and others who use it for wrong. We see discussions in a Senate via Josiah’s point of view and all the different angles of alchemy, but particularly blood alchemy which has been illegal for years but some are trying to pass a bill that would allow it to be practiced.
And that was something I really liked about this book: all the moral dilemmas and thinking about both sides of an argument. I can very easily see both sides to most debates and I love it when a book presents something that the reader will pause and think, “What’s my opinion on this topic?”. Sign me up, I love when that happens and this book really had that element. I would be tempted at times to want to skim over some of the Senate debates, but I had a feeling that the author was telling us readers all of this information for a reason—which she was and giving us more facts on both sides. It felt so well written, such good debates and discussions. There were smart characters, both those who we can trust and even those that have questionable motives. It was neat.
There’s no romance in this book, which I’ll admit I was a little bit disappointed about, but I have to say that I loved the epilogue (I felt so proud of our characters) and I loved the message of friendship. Josiah can seem pushy, but his heart is in the right place. I really liked him and his hero mentality even if it causes some extra hassles and troubles at times. I would say that he’s hands down my favorite Crown Prince I’ve ever read about.
While reading, I got a bit anxious for justice and answers. I didn’t feel like I was reading fast enough, haha! The ending felt a wee bit rushed, but I would still buy a physical copy for my shelves. (I do really dislike this cover though.)
Main Content-
The God of this world is called Jeros and our main characters mention Him and also pray to Him; A few Scriptures are referenced and mentioned; 'H's are capital when referring to Jeros.
It's hard to share the blood alchemy stuff because a lot of it is spoilers, but here's some rough details: Breen is part machine due to an accident that nearly killed her and we see her side of being not quite human, but not quite machine either (including when she has to be fixed which wears on her, up to semi-detailed); There's normal (magic) alchemy (which is legal) and blood alchemy (which is illegal), some are pushing for blood alchemy to be legalized because of the "assumed" benefits that it could have for the good of society (I put "assumed" because they're not supposed to be testing it (because, you know, it's illegal) but can you really trust their word??), but the problem with that is that those miracles for those who are neath death need the blood of someone else--it's assumed that it works best if that someone else is dying; There's crystals that can be used with normal alchemy and then also blood alchemy, but all crystals will eventually have to be recharged; This and all the discussions and debates about it are the main part of the book.
We see Breen getting beaten and slapped a few times (semi-detailed); Breen is also starved by the masters; Blood/Bleeding, Pain, Injuries, Falling from high stories, & Passing out (semi-detailed); Fighting, Shooting someone in self-defense (multiple times), & seeing two deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths, murders, & accidents (barely-above-not-detailed).
No language stronger than "blast", "stupid", and "idiot".
August 7, 2019
THIS BOOK! I’ve been so excited for it and anxiously awaiting its release FOREVER and now it’s finally here and aaahhh! I. loved. it. The premise is the coolest ever: Steampunk Rapunzel in a clock tower. By one of my favorite authors. Um, yes please!
I was utterly hooked from the first chapter and I absolutely love this world, these characters, and the writing style!
The characters! I adored them. The story is really about friendships (instead of the expected romance—though to be honest, I will admit I was totally shipping people for some future time after the book. XD *cough*) which was pretty awesome! This little group of friends—I just love them! Especially the dynamics of the relationships, and how different they were.
Deaf characters and signing were an integral part of the story, which was fascinating! I loved how all of that played out—it was brilliant.
Also, the characters were so rational and actually thought things through instead of just dashing around being idiots, which was also different. XD (I mean, a few times I was all “I don’t care if that’s the rational choice—what about such-and-such a character and what if they diiiie? Noooo!” and I was on pins-and-needles wanting to know how it would turn out, but eheheh I never said I was a rational, just that they are. XD)
I . . . may have gotten super emotionally invested in these people and their story. :P
I got so WORRIED and it was kind of intense! O_O Even though a lot of it wasn’t exciting all the time, it was still so GRIPPING and and just absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t stop reading.
It was brilliantly written and I have no idea how the author did it, especially with all the politics. It was all so cool and mysterious and the plot worked together and just—I don’t know! It was awesome! Like clockwork fitting together effortlessly, all the little gear-pieces turning and bringing you leaping across between each plot element and threading through the different storylines. I loved the writing, and the story kept being unexpected, and it was just SO GOOD.
Josiah and his notebook! Okay, so Prince Josiah’s awesome and I love how he keeps track of everything in his notebook. It’s the best! :D And I have no clue how he makes speeches and navigates politics and also runs around being awesome investigating stuff and still has time to be a stellar friend and brother. (I honestly got mad at Breen for pushing him away because he’s just trying to help and he’s the best, okay!) Love him.
Breen is a broken cinnamon roll of awesome and I was sooo invested in her story and just wanted her to have a happy ending! *flails around* She was so great and unique and well-written and relatable and yeah, I loved her. Also, her inventing skills are fabulous, which makes me happy. :D
Grace is Josiah’s sister and you totally forget she’s a princess sometimes because she’s just so nice and outgoing and it’s awesome. :D She makes a fabulous friend and I also appreciated how, since she was deaf, that explained why Josiah is so good at signing and could therefore communicate with Breen. Because plot!
And there’s also Luis who fixes clocks and is the best-friend character and I LOVED him! He kept making me laugh but he wasn’t silly or anything, and his friendship with Josiah, and the girls, is the bessst. Everyone needs a Luis! And there were other characters (like Peter) who were also awesome.
THIS WORLD. I absolutely lived and breathed this world and felt so caught up in it! The steampunkery was awesome, and the dash of alchemy/magic/power-crystals that was a perfect blend of sciency/fantasy. And just the settings were so well-drawn, and the world and culture. The worldbuilding was absolutely fabulous and everything felt so incredibly well-thought-out and just WORKED. I totally want to come back to this world someday!
It’s so gorgeous but also has its shady, darker side, and the story doesn’t shy away from the tricky questions about life. The book is very full of secret plots and politics (sooo much debating and stuff, but it was fascinating) and moral dilemmas and all of that. Occasionally I had quibbles or just wanted everything to be okayyyy because my emotions did not sign up for this, but on the whole it was awesome. :P
The Rapunzel elements were fabulous but also didn’t take over the story, which was cool—it’s very much its own book, just built around the trappings of the Rapunzel story. (Also, the villains. UGH. Madame Gottling and co. are so chilling!)
I haven’t read nearly enough steampunk, and I was so thrilled to get to read this one! It reminds me a little of some others in the genre (like by H.L. Burke, though a large percentage of my steampunk reads have been from that author so far. XD) but is entirely its own thing as well. I loved-loved-loved the clocktowers and the clocks and inventions and gears and just all of the steampunk-ness! (Also, check out the clock images in the chapter headers. It took me awhile to notice, but LOOK AT THEM. You’ll see what I mean. *grins*)
I can’t stop thinking about this book! I’ve hardly finished it and it already feels like I’ve known this book forever—it just feels so classic and awesome and has already settled in on my steampunky-favorites mental list!
I’m definitely going to want this one on my shelf—and you need it there too!
Mechanical Heart is a stellar steampunk Rapunzel tale, full of politics and friendships and clocks and the most epic worldbuilding. I can’t wait to go back and visit!
I was utterly hooked from the first chapter and I absolutely love this world, these characters, and the writing style!
The characters! I adored them. The story is really about friendships (instead of the expected romance—though to be honest, I will admit I was totally shipping people for some future time after the book. XD *cough*) which was pretty awesome! This little group of friends—I just love them! Especially the dynamics of the relationships, and how different they were.
Deaf characters and signing were an integral part of the story, which was fascinating! I loved how all of that played out—it was brilliant.
Also, the characters were so rational and actually thought things through instead of just dashing around being idiots, which was also different. XD (I mean, a few times I was all “I don’t care if that’s the rational choice—what about such-and-such a character and what if they diiiie? Noooo!” and I was on pins-and-needles wanting to know how it would turn out, but eheheh I never said I was a rational, just that they are. XD)
I . . . may have gotten super emotionally invested in these people and their story. :P
I got so WORRIED and it was kind of intense! O_O Even though a lot of it wasn’t exciting all the time, it was still so GRIPPING and and just absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t stop reading.
It was brilliantly written and I have no idea how the author did it, especially with all the politics. It was all so cool and mysterious and the plot worked together and just—I don’t know! It was awesome! Like clockwork fitting together effortlessly, all the little gear-pieces turning and bringing you leaping across between each plot element and threading through the different storylines. I loved the writing, and the story kept being unexpected, and it was just SO GOOD.
Josiah and his notebook! Okay, so Prince Josiah’s awesome and I love how he keeps track of everything in his notebook. It’s the best! :D And I have no clue how he makes speeches and navigates politics and also runs around being awesome investigating stuff and still has time to be a stellar friend and brother. (I honestly got mad at Breen for pushing him away because he’s just trying to help and he’s the best, okay!) Love him.
Breen is a broken cinnamon roll of awesome and I was sooo invested in her story and just wanted her to have a happy ending! *flails around* She was so great and unique and well-written and relatable and yeah, I loved her. Also, her inventing skills are fabulous, which makes me happy. :D
Grace is Josiah’s sister and you totally forget she’s a princess sometimes because she’s just so nice and outgoing and it’s awesome. :D She makes a fabulous friend and I also appreciated how, since she was deaf, that explained why Josiah is so good at signing and could therefore communicate with Breen. Because plot!
And there’s also Luis who fixes clocks and is the best-friend character and I LOVED him! He kept making me laugh but he wasn’t silly or anything, and his friendship with Josiah, and the girls, is the bessst. Everyone needs a Luis! And there were other characters (like Peter) who were also awesome.
THIS WORLD. I absolutely lived and breathed this world and felt so caught up in it! The steampunkery was awesome, and the dash of alchemy/magic/power-crystals that was a perfect blend of sciency/fantasy. And just the settings were so well-drawn, and the world and culture. The worldbuilding was absolutely fabulous and everything felt so incredibly well-thought-out and just WORKED. I totally want to come back to this world someday!
It’s so gorgeous but also has its shady, darker side, and the story doesn’t shy away from the tricky questions about life. The book is very full of secret plots and politics (sooo much debating and stuff, but it was fascinating) and moral dilemmas and all of that. Occasionally I had quibbles or just wanted everything to be okayyyy because my emotions did not sign up for this, but on the whole it was awesome. :P
The Rapunzel elements were fabulous but also didn’t take over the story, which was cool—it’s very much its own book, just built around the trappings of the Rapunzel story. (Also, the villains. UGH. Madame Gottling and co. are so chilling!)
I haven’t read nearly enough steampunk, and I was so thrilled to get to read this one! It reminds me a little of some others in the genre (like by H.L. Burke, though a large percentage of my steampunk reads have been from that author so far. XD) but is entirely its own thing as well. I loved-loved-loved the clocktowers and the clocks and inventions and gears and just all of the steampunk-ness! (Also, check out the clock images in the chapter headers. It took me awhile to notice, but LOOK AT THEM. You’ll see what I mean. *grins*)
I can’t stop thinking about this book! I’ve hardly finished it and it already feels like I’ve known this book forever—it just feels so classic and awesome and has already settled in on my steampunky-favorites mental list!
I’m definitely going to want this one on my shelf—and you need it there too!
Mechanical Heart is a stellar steampunk Rapunzel tale, full of politics and friendships and clocks and the most epic worldbuilding. I can’t wait to go back and visit!
I received a free e-ARC of this book for the blog tour and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Review originally posted with the blog tour here: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...
August 7, 2019
A gripping and richly-detailed fantasy that kept me glued to the page until the very end. It's clearly a Rapunzel retelling, but it goes far beyond the typical fairy-tale retelling tropes to build a unique, fully-developed world and a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked the intricate magic system and the tasteful inclusion of characters whose deafness fit naturally into the story instead of being used as a plot device. Plus, heartwarming relationships and plot twists that literally made me gasp aloud. I'm eager to read more from this author.
February 14, 2021
Well, I always intended to review this, but now I can’t remember that review! But I will say this book was quite impressive! I went into it expecting a short romantic steampunk fairytale retelling, but what I got was a steampunk novel with heavy emphasis on politics and ethics with fantastic world-building.
Content: super clean, very light possible romance. Some sad minor character death.
Content: super clean, very light possible romance. Some sad minor character death.
October 1, 2019
First off, this review is severely overdue. I was supposed to have it done and published back in August when the Golden Braids collection books were set for publication. Many apologies to the author!
But seriously, folks. The Golden Braids collection has some of the most unique Rapunzel stories I have ever read. Five different books, with five different perspectives on the classic tale, all by five different authors. You will not regret picking up any of these books. Add them at once to your TBR list.
This book. THIS BOOK. It's sooo hard to review because there's so much there. I mean, all the Golden Braids books were awesome, but I think this one nudges out the others for my favorite. Let me see if I can explain why. Wish me luck. I'm still kinda having mental repercussions from finishing it.
Full review here: https://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2019/10...
But seriously, folks. The Golden Braids collection has some of the most unique Rapunzel stories I have ever read. Five different books, with five different perspectives on the classic tale, all by five different authors. You will not regret picking up any of these books. Add them at once to your TBR list.
This book. THIS BOOK. It's sooo hard to review because there's so much there. I mean, all the Golden Braids books were awesome, but I think this one nudges out the others for my favorite. Let me see if I can explain why. Wish me luck. I'm still kinda having mental repercussions from finishing it.
Full review here: https://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2019/10...
December 24, 2024
Read on KU. A clockpunk YA with an unexpectedly thoughtful handling of ethical themes like disability and governance! Loved the deaf and signing rep! Also, I loved that it did not suddenly turn into a romance. This is all about friendship and respect. I was really impressed with the handling of a constitutional monarchy! Usually in spec fiction, the royal characters swoop in and save everyone or click their fingers and make things happen according to their whims. The prince character in this story worked through a parliamentary process to advocate for the vulnerable characters. Don’t get me wrong, this also had some fun, tense sequences, but I was just surprised by the accuracy and maturity of the elements I mentioned. The story also gave me food for thought as to how the disabled and abled characters interacted, especially when a vulnerable character needed to be rescued, but in a way that honoured her.
This is a science-fantasy in my mind. Read it if you prefer more “hard” speculative elements in fantasy!
This is a science-fantasy in my mind. Read it if you prefer more “hard” speculative elements in fantasy!
August 8, 2019
I love a good fairytale retelling, and this book was no exception. Mechanical Heart is the first book I've been able to read by Sarah Pennington, but I've been following her blog for a long time, and I've been able to read some things she's written on there. Because of that, I was not at all surprised at how much I loved this book! The world was absolutely amazing and so well developed, and I couldn't put the book down.
[Probably some minor SPOILERS below, so if you want to read this book without knowing anything about the plot... just go buy it!]
The plot itself wasn't necessarily fast-paced or full of action that keeps you reading, but it was more suspense-driven. There was so much character development, and I loved getting to know these characters, especially Breen and Josiah. I also really liked the approach the author took to the characters' interactions in the clock tower. Grace provided a great contrast to Josiah as well, and I loved that the little sister was taking over. That played into the plot so well. (I'm trying so hard to avoid spoilers...) The tension with Madame and my own questions kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. While I guessed some of the plot twists ahead of time, I was still surprised by a lot of things, which was awesome.
Breen was probably my absolute favorite. I loved having a deaf main character, and the author handled that aspect of Breen's character so well... plus it plays into the story in an important way later on. Her development really tugged at my heart, too. Basically, she's awesome and the best and I want to give her a hug. <3
Josiah was also pretty awesome. I loved his character arc too, and I also loved that he did his own research throughout the story. He wasn't a typical stuck-up noble, but you can also see that he has his shortcomings, too. He was a really well-rounded character, and I would love to see more of both him and Breen. :D
There's not anything I really disliked about the book. There were a lot of senate/government meetings, but they provided important information and tied in really well with the rest of the plot, so they weren't boring. There's also a lot of magic and alchemy, if that's something that concerns you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review, but all opinions and comments are my own.
[Probably some minor SPOILERS below, so if you want to read this book without knowing anything about the plot... just go buy it!]
The plot itself wasn't necessarily fast-paced or full of action that keeps you reading, but it was more suspense-driven. There was so much character development, and I loved getting to know these characters, especially Breen and Josiah. I also really liked the approach the author took to the characters' interactions in the clock tower. Grace provided a great contrast to Josiah as well, and I loved that the little sister was taking over. That played into the plot so well. (I'm trying so hard to avoid spoilers...) The tension with Madame and my own questions kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. While I guessed some of the plot twists ahead of time, I was still surprised by a lot of things, which was awesome.
Breen was probably my absolute favorite. I loved having a deaf main character, and the author handled that aspect of Breen's character so well... plus it plays into the story in an important way later on. Her development really tugged at my heart, too. Basically, she's awesome and the best and I want to give her a hug. <3
Josiah was also pretty awesome. I loved his character arc too, and I also loved that he did his own research throughout the story. He wasn't a typical stuck-up noble, but you can also see that he has his shortcomings, too. He was a really well-rounded character, and I would love to see more of both him and Breen. :D
There's not anything I really disliked about the book. There were a lot of senate/government meetings, but they provided important information and tied in really well with the rest of the plot, so they weren't boring. There's also a lot of magic and alchemy, if that's something that concerns you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review, but all opinions and comments are my own.
June 20, 2020
I'm always conflicted when I finish a good book, and sit down to write a review. Do I start with the characters? The setting? The twists?
Characters will do for now, because they were my favorite part of it. Luis, in particular; he's a wonderfully pointed, sarcastic side character. Grace should receive mention as well, as she's a sweet character--with backbone (that isn't to say she "kicks butt" or anything like that, but she's firm, clever, and knows how to deal with people)!
Josiah, brother to Grace, is a knight in shining armor. Or rather, he wants to be. He's frustrated with his inability to make wide, sweeping changes that benefit the masses, and is stuck with sloughing through political mazes. Which he does remarkably, I must say.
Breen is a captive, but she's far from helpless. She figures things out on her own, and isn't ready to accept help/spill her story right away. When it comes to fiction, I typically ignore this flaw in characters (accepting help a tad too hastily), as it tends to be a staple in fiction, and I understand that most authors want their story to move along. A common problem with having a character come off as reluctant is the fear of dragging the story and making readers lose interest. With this story, the reluctance gave everything a bit of flavor! It forced other characters to react, heightened the suspense, and made the friendships all the richer for having stuck through the trials.
Speaking of trials, there are:
Determined antagonists (kind of obvious to the reader, not so to the characters, as the readers get to see the antagonists behind their facades).
Fears.
Doubts.
Politics.
Alchemy.
Never a dull moment to be had.
Miscellany things I loved: The accuracy of the sign language (it's written in the style of regular speech, but the visible interactions--emphasis on facial expressions, etc--are spot-on). Breen's reluctance for help. It was just the right amount of stubborn. Also, the banter between Luis and Josiah; the friendly needling, sarcasm, advice.
And you can see the cover, right?
All in all, this is a wonderful book to read. Oh, might I add: the steampunk element isn't terribly heavy--mostly aesthetic, with fantasy elements--so there isn't anything to get confused by if you don't often read steampunk.
Characters will do for now, because they were my favorite part of it. Luis, in particular; he's a wonderfully pointed, sarcastic side character. Grace should receive mention as well, as she's a sweet character--with backbone (that isn't to say she "kicks butt" or anything like that, but she's firm, clever, and knows how to deal with people)!
Josiah, brother to Grace, is a knight in shining armor. Or rather, he wants to be. He's frustrated with his inability to make wide, sweeping changes that benefit the masses, and is stuck with sloughing through political mazes. Which he does remarkably, I must say.
Breen is a captive, but she's far from helpless. She figures things out on her own, and isn't ready to accept help/spill her story right away. When it comes to fiction, I typically ignore this flaw in characters (accepting help a tad too hastily), as it tends to be a staple in fiction, and I understand that most authors want their story to move along. A common problem with having a character come off as reluctant is the fear of dragging the story and making readers lose interest. With this story, the reluctance gave everything a bit of flavor! It forced other characters to react, heightened the suspense, and made the friendships all the richer for having stuck through the trials.
Speaking of trials, there are:
Determined antagonists (kind of obvious to the reader, not so to the characters, as the readers get to see the antagonists behind their facades).
Fears.
Doubts.
Politics.
Alchemy.
Never a dull moment to be had.
Miscellany things I loved: The accuracy of the sign language (it's written in the style of regular speech, but the visible interactions--emphasis on facial expressions, etc--are spot-on). Breen's reluctance for help. It was just the right amount of stubborn. Also, the banter between Luis and Josiah; the friendly needling, sarcasm, advice.
And you can see the cover, right?
All in all, this is a wonderful book to read. Oh, might I add: the steampunk element isn't terribly heavy--mostly aesthetic, with fantasy elements--so there isn't anything to get confused by if you don't often read steampunk.
December 7, 2025
I loved this! All the stars! Over the past year or two I have spent so much of my reading time thinking about all the books I have yet to read. This was one of the few I was in no rush to finish. I was so happy to just Be in the clock tower with Breen, Josiah and Grace. It felt cozy, even with the high stakes.
I loved Josiah's character- his sense of responsibility over his people, his determination to help and his hope in God. I love that he turns to religion when faced with a moral dilemma. I love that several characters are deaf and how signing is such a big part of the story. It made me aware of a few things I hadn't thought about before (e.g. not being able to communicate in badly lit areas). I also loved and found it SO refreshing that this fantasy book, ideal for a teen audience, has no romance in. It makes it perfect for a Muslim teen.
I wish the cover was of the girl from the back or something that would be more appealing to boys too. As the story is half (or more) from Josiah's experience, I think it could be enjoyed by males too.
CONTENT:
While the main characters are likely in their early 20's, this book is ideal for teens (13+).
No swearing, no romance, only reference to alcohol is the MMC turning it down.
Most gritty/intense topic is beatings of indentured slaves.
The faith in this is a fictional monotheistic one with only one comment slightly off Islamic theology.
I loved Josiah's character- his sense of responsibility over his people, his determination to help and his hope in God. I love that he turns to religion when faced with a moral dilemma. I love that several characters are deaf and how signing is such a big part of the story. It made me aware of a few things I hadn't thought about before (e.g. not being able to communicate in badly lit areas). I also loved and found it SO refreshing that this fantasy book, ideal for a teen audience, has no romance in. It makes it perfect for a Muslim teen.
I wish the cover was of the girl from the back or something that would be more appealing to boys too. As the story is half (or more) from Josiah's experience, I think it could be enjoyed by males too.
CONTENT:
While the main characters are likely in their early 20's, this book is ideal for teens (13+).
No swearing, no romance, only reference to alcohol is the MMC turning it down.
Most gritty/intense topic is beatings of indentured slaves.
The faith in this is a fictional monotheistic one with only one comment slightly off Islamic theology.
May 15, 2020
Honestly...wow.
Positives: Wow...just...nice. The setting, the steampunk background (that genre has definitely impressed me so far), the DEPTH of every character, the formation of such strong friendships, the conclusion of the plot, and just...it was all done so well. The Christian themes were presented in a way that showed the author's beliefs, yes, but in relation to the characters and not to their own self (tricky to have a God-figure in magical worlds and the author did this well). The more leisurely pacing as also done well (writing and all better than last) and I didn't find that anything dragged for too long, especially considering most everything was relevant to the plot. And the resolution of the entire thing (and hopefully invitations for sequels? I could see sequels happening...) was done perfectly.
Negatives: I don't know...it was all very tightly woven. Everyone had his or her depth, though...the villains weren't super explained much. Perhaps that's me (hehe) but I don't remember the exact motivations behind our villains besides wanting to continue their work...why exactly they turned to that, I suppose it was for power - but if it was for that, then their motivation WAS explained well through other means (the theme of power being harmful to human nature was shown, that is). Can't think of a negative that isn't an opinion, really...perhaps some may get frustrated that they know everything but our characters don't? I just think it's a testament for how we're made to want the protagonists to suceed.
Opinion: So everything was so well-woven! Seriously, I loved this version of Rapunzel - think it's one of the best ones I've read so far. For the negative opinions that I had, they were mostly minor. One was just that I wish other character's flaws had been thrown in their faces by good people like our male protagonists' flaws were (if that makes sense). And another was that I wanted more background for the villains as aforementioned, though it wasn't strictly necessary (ah, wishes). HOWEVER, I still LOVED the book and I LOVED the explanation of magic and the combination of exposition and showingness (that's a word) that flowed through the narrative.
I'm pretty sure Josiah was my favorite character, the poor antsy, obsessive, but in the end good-hearted boy. :))) The other characters were wonderful as well, though, and I don't think I disliked anyone (at least overall, sometimes I did not-like them, :P). And can we take a moment to appreciate how the author found it was important for our Rapunzel to have more friends and not just one? BECAUSE YES, THANK YOU!
Content: Just some violence, gets a bit dark but it's not gory. Psychological abuse and other emotionally draining things happen but it's all handled tastefully.
Now...to wait for a sequel if it happens? :D
Positives: Wow...just...nice. The setting, the steampunk background (that genre has definitely impressed me so far), the DEPTH of every character, the formation of such strong friendships, the conclusion of the plot, and just...it was all done so well. The Christian themes were presented in a way that showed the author's beliefs, yes, but in relation to the characters and not to their own self (tricky to have a God-figure in magical worlds and the author did this well). The more leisurely pacing as also done well (writing and all better than last) and I didn't find that anything dragged for too long, especially considering most everything was relevant to the plot. And the resolution of the entire thing (and hopefully invitations for sequels? I could see sequels happening...) was done perfectly.
Negatives: I don't know...it was all very tightly woven. Everyone had his or her depth, though...the villains weren't super explained much. Perhaps that's me (hehe) but I don't remember the exact motivations behind our villains besides wanting to continue their work...why exactly they turned to that, I suppose it was for power - but if it was for that, then their motivation WAS explained well through other means (the theme of power being harmful to human nature was shown, that is). Can't think of a negative that isn't an opinion, really...perhaps some may get frustrated that they know everything but our characters don't? I just think it's a testament for how we're made to want the protagonists to suceed.
Opinion: So everything was so well-woven! Seriously, I loved this version of Rapunzel - think it's one of the best ones I've read so far. For the negative opinions that I had, they were mostly minor. One was just that I wish other character's flaws had been thrown in their faces by good people like our male protagonists' flaws were (if that makes sense). And another was that I wanted more background for the villains as aforementioned, though it wasn't strictly necessary (ah, wishes). HOWEVER, I still LOVED the book and I LOVED the explanation of magic and the combination of exposition and showingness (that's a word) that flowed through the narrative.
I'm pretty sure Josiah was my favorite character, the poor antsy, obsessive, but in the end good-hearted boy. :))) The other characters were wonderful as well, though, and I don't think I disliked anyone (at least overall, sometimes I did not-like them, :P). And can we take a moment to appreciate how the author found it was important for our Rapunzel to have more friends and not just one? BECAUSE YES, THANK YOU!
Content: Just some violence, gets a bit dark but it's not gory. Psychological abuse and other emotionally draining things happen but it's all handled tastefully.
Now...to wait for a sequel if it happens? :D
July 19, 2019
RTC after release date (since that's what someone else is doing and idk the proper policies xD). Definitely enjoyed it, though!
January 16, 2021
Well-written and engaging, Mechanical Heart was worth the read! I had fun with the steampunk qualities of this Rapunzel retelling, and the characters were solid.
At times, I did struggle to get through the scenes that dealt with Chania's politics. Because of the plot, those scenes were necessary, but I could have used some more excitement in between to break up the slower pace of politics.
This was my first time reading anything by Sarah Pennington, but I hope to enjoy more from her in the future!
At times, I did struggle to get through the scenes that dealt with Chania's politics. Because of the plot, those scenes were necessary, but I could have used some more excitement in between to break up the slower pace of politics.
This was my first time reading anything by Sarah Pennington, but I hope to enjoy more from her in the future!
September 3, 2019
Heartbreaking
This is the story of a girl is pain, who sees herself as not even alive.
Hopeful
She’s found in this half life, given friendship, and ultimately the chance to save herself and others.
Excellent writing
I won’t say this book has no flaws, it’s the creation of a human. But Ican make no complaints. The world and characters feel real, the dialogue is skillful, the plot drew me along.
Clever characters
There’s clever characters of several kinds. Breen and Luis are both brilliant at creating things. Grace is emotionally intelligent. Josiah is great at coordinating, acting decisively, and getting to the bottom of a matter. There’s also plenty of cleverness coming from the villains.
No romance thread
I have no problem with romance in stories. But they don’t all need it, and i love how this story deals with other relationships. Some people would have tried to include a romance, and that would just be a distraction from everything else.
Compassionate characters
The thing I admire Josiah most for is his strong desire to help everyone he can. He doesn’t always go about it the best way, and might care a little much at the start about being the hero, but he cares. Grace cares. Luis is laid back, but he cares. And Breen despite living alone for so long has such a heart for the well being of others.
Deaf and mute characters
I’m not one to talk about diversity and inclusiveness much, but i love how this story dealt with people who are different; There’s several deaf characters and I think Sarah did a wonderful job of portraying them
All up, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it for those who like steampunk, stories about royalty, or stories about oppressed people.
Content rating: Safe for teens. There’s some violence and some discussion of blood and injuries.
This is the story of a girl is pain, who sees herself as not even alive.
Hopeful
She’s found in this half life, given friendship, and ultimately the chance to save herself and others.
Excellent writing
I won’t say this book has no flaws, it’s the creation of a human. But Ican make no complaints. The world and characters feel real, the dialogue is skillful, the plot drew me along.
Clever characters
There’s clever characters of several kinds. Breen and Luis are both brilliant at creating things. Grace is emotionally intelligent. Josiah is great at coordinating, acting decisively, and getting to the bottom of a matter. There’s also plenty of cleverness coming from the villains.
No romance thread
I have no problem with romance in stories. But they don’t all need it, and i love how this story deals with other relationships. Some people would have tried to include a romance, and that would just be a distraction from everything else.
Compassionate characters
The thing I admire Josiah most for is his strong desire to help everyone he can. He doesn’t always go about it the best way, and might care a little much at the start about being the hero, but he cares. Grace cares. Luis is laid back, but he cares. And Breen despite living alone for so long has such a heart for the well being of others.
Deaf and mute characters
I’m not one to talk about diversity and inclusiveness much, but i love how this story dealt with people who are different; There’s several deaf characters and I think Sarah did a wonderful job of portraying them
All up, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it for those who like steampunk, stories about royalty, or stories about oppressed people.
Content rating: Safe for teens. There’s some violence and some discussion of blood and injuries.
August 9, 2019
Mechanical Heart is a Rapunzel/Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling in a steampunk world. It has an engaging world, political maneuvering, and colorful magic, but the real strength of this story is definitely in the characters. I love their voices. Luis is probably my favorite, whether he’s helplessly trying to keep Josiah from doing Yet Another Crazy Thing or he’s inventing something to save the day. He tries to be the voice of reason, but he’s such a faithful friend that he lets Josiah drag him into all sorts of trouble.
Breen is also great. She’s very stubborn, and even though her situation is difficult she doesn’t let herself drown in angst. I love the scene at the beginning when she just refuses to talk to Josiah, because she doesn’t want to lie but doesn’t think he will leave if he hears the truth. And she’s clever, an inventor in her own right and a force to be reckoned with.
Other high points: Parliamentary debates about legalizing blood alchemy. (If you like both fantasy and politics you’ll see why I enjoy these.) Josiah wrestling with everything he does. (When you first meet him you think he’s overbearing… and he is, but he’s also engaging and unintentionally funny.)
If you’re a fan of steampunk, nineteenth century politics, friendship, or convoluted magic plots, you’ll enjoy this book!
Breen is also great. She’s very stubborn, and even though her situation is difficult she doesn’t let herself drown in angst. I love the scene at the beginning when she just refuses to talk to Josiah, because she doesn’t want to lie but doesn’t think he will leave if he hears the truth. And she’s clever, an inventor in her own right and a force to be reckoned with.
Other high points: Parliamentary debates about legalizing blood alchemy. (If you like both fantasy and politics you’ll see why I enjoy these.) Josiah wrestling with everything he does. (When you first meet him you think he’s overbearing… and he is, but he’s also engaging and unintentionally funny.)
If you’re a fan of steampunk, nineteenth century politics, friendship, or convoluted magic plots, you’ll enjoy this book!
January 24, 2026
Wow, that was something indeed! I'm not quite sure what I expected going into the book storyline-wise, but it definitely kept me immersed until the end. It has hints of Rapunzel in it (ahem, being locked in a tower and manipulated into not leaving) and is set in a fantasy steampunk kingdom.
I felt so bad for poor Breen. She didn't deserve the cruelty and manipulation she had to endure. I loved seeing her inner strength come out, and when she discovered again that she was worth something. My heart broke for Stephen.... I love Peter. Grace is amazing and everyone should have a friend like her. Josiah was rather pushy at times but so good-hearted. Also I greatly respect the amount of patience he has for politicians because I don't think I could, especially with the evil ones.
I loathe Weston and I cannot say I am sorry for what happened to Madame. That is all. They are wretched and deserve no more attention from me.
But. Possibly my favorite—and most surprising—aspect of the book is the fact that it is heavy with politics and procedure... and I still hung on every word! For context, I usually would grow bored quickly of that kind of content, so it was an unexpected surprise for me that I loved it. And understood what what going on, haha.
The writing was very good and concise and I enjoyed it very much. And as for sensitive content, there is no swearing or explicit content (there is absolutely no romance actually), but it does have violence (not super heavy though) and deals with heavier topics such as death, slavery, and abuse of children. It also has some magic, in the form of crystals and used in alchemy, that is simply a part of the fantasy world.
I felt so bad for poor Breen. She didn't deserve the cruelty and manipulation she had to endure. I loved seeing her inner strength come out, and when she discovered again that she was worth something. My heart broke for Stephen.... I love Peter. Grace is amazing and everyone should have a friend like her. Josiah was rather pushy at times but so good-hearted. Also I greatly respect the amount of patience he has for politicians because I don't think I could, especially with the evil ones.
I loathe Weston and I cannot say I am sorry for what happened to Madame. That is all. They are wretched and deserve no more attention from me.
But. Possibly my favorite—and most surprising—aspect of the book is the fact that it is heavy with politics and procedure... and I still hung on every word! For context, I usually would grow bored quickly of that kind of content, so it was an unexpected surprise for me that I loved it. And understood what what going on, haha.
The writing was very good and concise and I enjoyed it very much. And as for sensitive content, there is no swearing or explicit content (there is absolutely no romance actually), but it does have violence (not super heavy though) and deals with heavier topics such as death, slavery, and abuse of children. It also has some magic, in the form of crystals and used in alchemy, that is simply a part of the fantasy world.
January 22, 2022
Stunning!
What a wonderful read! The world setting is unique and well fleshed out, the characters are believable and engaging, the magic and steampunk elements are well-structured and easy to understand while still being intriguing. I loved all the characters and didnt have any trouble rooting for them.
Sarah Pennington does an excellent job addressing both dramatic tension and bits of lighthearted humor to make a story that flows well and carries itself through to the end. And I dont always get engaged by political subplots, but she did a very good job addressing the government scenes and sensitive issues (like the struggles faced by deaf and disabled people) without feeling heavyhanded. The victories feel like they were worked for and not just handed to the characters.
Honestly, you dont even have to know the story Rapunzel to enjoy this as its own story, but I like how the premises were weaved in so you can recognize them if you know what to look for! I highly recommend reading this if you like fantasy, steampunk, alchemy, or just a really well-written story.
What a wonderful read! The world setting is unique and well fleshed out, the characters are believable and engaging, the magic and steampunk elements are well-structured and easy to understand while still being intriguing. I loved all the characters and didnt have any trouble rooting for them.
Sarah Pennington does an excellent job addressing both dramatic tension and bits of lighthearted humor to make a story that flows well and carries itself through to the end. And I dont always get engaged by political subplots, but she did a very good job addressing the government scenes and sensitive issues (like the struggles faced by deaf and disabled people) without feeling heavyhanded. The victories feel like they were worked for and not just handed to the characters.
Honestly, you dont even have to know the story Rapunzel to enjoy this as its own story, but I like how the premises were weaved in so you can recognize them if you know what to look for! I highly recommend reading this if you like fantasy, steampunk, alchemy, or just a really well-written story.
March 16, 2021
Mechanical Heart is a magical blend of steampunk and fantasy. I was immediately immersed in the story. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages. It's a quick and clean read.
Recommend to readers who enjoy steampunk.
I borrowed a copy from Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Recommend to readers who enjoy steampunk.
I borrowed a copy from Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
September 2, 2019
I didn't realize it at first, but I was reading two of Sarah Pennington's stories at the same time; both very different from one another, and both very good.
This story is about a group of people who want to use something that could be good for their own ends, and they don't care how they get it. Breen is one of the people who is "benefitting" from the blood magic, it is keeping her mechanical heart going - but she is nothing more than a slave to those who "helped" her. In clock towers all over the kingdom, others are in slavery as well because those who want blood magic to be legalized have used them as guinea pigs, replacing parts of their bodies with mechanics that run on crystals powered by blood.
The Prince isn't sure about blood magic and does his own investigation, discovering Breen in the clock tower and finding out more than he ever imagined was happening.
Breen is a great character, very complex. She keeps her fire, but is so beaten down that at times it seems that fire will be snuffed completely. When the Prince comes to her clock tower, at first she is frightened because he wants to save her and she is sure she can't be saved, but over time hope creeps in.
This is a clean read.
This story is about a group of people who want to use something that could be good for their own ends, and they don't care how they get it. Breen is one of the people who is "benefitting" from the blood magic, it is keeping her mechanical heart going - but she is nothing more than a slave to those who "helped" her. In clock towers all over the kingdom, others are in slavery as well because those who want blood magic to be legalized have used them as guinea pigs, replacing parts of their bodies with mechanics that run on crystals powered by blood.
The Prince isn't sure about blood magic and does his own investigation, discovering Breen in the clock tower and finding out more than he ever imagined was happening.
Breen is a great character, very complex. She keeps her fire, but is so beaten down that at times it seems that fire will be snuffed completely. When the Prince comes to her clock tower, at first she is frightened because he wants to save her and she is sure she can't be saved, but over time hope creeps in.
This is a clean read.
December 22, 2020
A steampunk fairy tale about friendship and learning to trust, this story made me forget it was a Rapunzel retelling until I was almost finished with it. I loved the world, the characters, and the story. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat a few times, and the adventure kept me reading for several nights long after I ought to have turned out my light.
Recommended for fans of Rapunzel retellings and steampunk fantasy.
Recommended for fans of Rapunzel retellings and steampunk fantasy.
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