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The Lock-Eater
For fans of Nevermoor and Howl's Moving Castle comes an epic middle grade fantasy about a girl with the ability to unlock anything—including the empire's darkest secrets.
Melanie Gate is a foundling with a peculiar talent for opening the unopenable—any lock releases at the touch of her hand. One night, her orphanage is visited by Traveler, a gearling automaton there on behalf of his magical mistress, who needs an apprentice pronto. When Melanie is selected because of her gift, her life changes in a flash, and in more ways than she knows—because Traveler is not at all what he seems. But then, neither is Melanie Gate.
So begins an epic adventure sparkling with magic, humor, secret identities, stinky cats, fierce orphan girls, impostor boys, and a foundling and gearling hotly pursued by the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the land.
Action-packed yet layered, The Lock-Eater is a mix of lush world-building, high stakes, humor, and emotional heft—a page-turner and so much more.
"Will have readers tumbling through the pages...Deeply immersive." —Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series
"Perfect for fans of Ursula LeGuin and Diana Wynne Jones." —Eliot Schrefer, author of The Lost Rainforest series
"A thrill...Charming." —Kirkus
Melanie Gate is a foundling with a peculiar talent for opening the unopenable—any lock releases at the touch of her hand. One night, her orphanage is visited by Traveler, a gearling automaton there on behalf of his magical mistress, who needs an apprentice pronto. When Melanie is selected because of her gift, her life changes in a flash, and in more ways than she knows—because Traveler is not at all what he seems. But then, neither is Melanie Gate.
So begins an epic adventure sparkling with magic, humor, secret identities, stinky cats, fierce orphan girls, impostor boys, and a foundling and gearling hotly pursued by the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the land.
Action-packed yet layered, The Lock-Eater is a mix of lush world-building, high stakes, humor, and emotional heft—a page-turner and so much more.
"Will have readers tumbling through the pages...Deeply immersive." —Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series
"Perfect for fans of Ursula LeGuin and Diana Wynne Jones." —Eliot Schrefer, author of The Lost Rainforest series
"A thrill...Charming." —Kirkus
Unknown Binding
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
Zack Loran Clark
22 books134 followersZACK LORAN CLARK is a writer and editor of books for young readers. He is the author of The Lock-Eater and co-author of The Adventurers Guild trilogy with Nick Eliopulos. A lifelong fantasy nerd, avid Dungeons & Dragons player, and aspiring sorcerer, he lives with his husband and their dog in Brooklyn, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 8, 2022
Imagine, if you will, what would have happened in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz if Dorothy had ditched the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion and traipsed off with the Tin Man to defeat the corrupt Wizard and witches of the world. That’s not a perfect description of what you get with The Lock-Eater by Zack Loran Clark, but I also don’t think it’s the worst way to explain what’s going on here. It’s funny, but though the last Harry Potter book was released in 2007, the influence of that series pervades so much of contemporary middle grade fantasy novels. Look on any bookstore or library shelf of new titles and you’ll see "[First Name / Last Name] and the [Something] of the [Something]" as a standard title. So many of them involve a kid finding out their true powers just in time to defeat some dark evil. The Lock-Eater is no exception, but unlike those other books it skews the standard formula. It doesn’t follow the same beats as those other books, its storytelling is just a touch wilder, and the ultimate message says a lot about the changes infusing children's literature today. That’s probably why I rather like it as much as I do. In those awkward little cavities, in its vibrant descriptions and skillfully wrought characters, this strange little book manages to become incredibly memorable. I’ll tell you this: Hand this work of fantasy over to the child that’s beginning to get bored with the Harry Potter knock-offs of the world. It’ll give them something to think about.
To be clear, being able to open any lock you encounter is NOT a normal trait at the Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls. Yet for whatever reason, foundling Melanie Gate has always had the gift. Labeled “lock-eater” by one of the other girls, the talent has never led to much of anything. That is, until the night she accidentally destroys all the windows and doors of the orphanage while trying to let out a particularly obnoxious cat. Not long thereafter a gearling comes to the home, seeking a girl with special abilities. It’s only when Melanie leaves with the automaton that she discovers that not only is it sentient but it's lost its memory and is desperately in need of her help. Now girl and robot are on the run from the authorities who seek them both, but for very different reasons. It seems that these two are more than they first appear.
World building is not for the faint of heart, but when it comes to immersive fantasies like The Lock-Eater it is also wildly important. Read enough fantasies and you begin to find yourself critiquing how effectively an author embeds you in a world entirely of their own conjuring. Some authors try to do too much and make up for it with hundreds and hundreds of pages. Others zip so quickly through the storyline that you never get a sense of the space. A good author strikes a kind of balance. They have to give you the impression that there are more things to be discovered in their world if you just scratch below the surface of the storyline, but they keep everything moving as well. You need confidence that the author would know the answer to any question you lobbed at them about their creation, no matter how oblique. In this, I admire Clark’s panache. He carefully keeps everything pretty simple at the start. You’ve got a bunch of girls in an orphanage with just one magical element: Melanie’s lock eating. From that sturdy base and wellspring of emotional security (this may well be the most mentally grounded crew of orphans you’ve ever encountered on a page) Clark is able to start pulling out details about the world in which they live, the politics, the magics, and even the automations. He keeps the pace steady, never lingering too long or dwelling too deep, but also never sacrificing the smells, emotions, colors, and other pesky details that help make a story come to life. There’s logic to the decisions here, and also light, life, and beauty.
But let’s get back to that notion of how contemporary children’s fantasies still labor in the shadow of Harry Potter. The Potter books themselves took a wide array of already well-worn tropes in hopes of producing something original. Thus it’s a bit unfair to consider orphans, magical destinies, secret births, magic schools, and an autocratic magical regime intolerant of divergent opinions to be old hat. After all, when it comes to fantasy, it isn’t about whether or not you’ve seen a griffin before, but if the author you’re reading has brought their own particular panache and style to the griffin motif. In Mr. Clark’s case, he’s got a couple advantages on his side. For example, these days you can insert GLBTQIA+ themes in your children’s novels and still get published (something not quite as certain even a decade ago). As such, Melanie’s crush on a pretty young seamstress who returns her affections gives the book a special flavor. There’s also a lot here about finding your chosen family, which rings true. Clark also has a lot to say about the political advantages of keeping a nation at war for the warmongers as well as some deeper ponderings about the nature of self.
I am a 43-year-old woman reading books penned for twelve-year-olds. And while I might like to flatter myself that I can read like a child, that’s not really possible. Particularly when you take in account just how many books of this sort I’ve read over the course of my career. So when I can see where a book is going, like who a particular villain might be, it may be cute that I get a thrill figuring stuff out, but it actually makes it a bit difficult to determine whether or not a child reader will find the breadcrumbs laid out by the author too. In the case of The Lock-Eater I found myself positively delighted when Mr. Clark put out those breadcrumbs and then, just as I was certain I knew the big reveal, threw a curveball (for the record, this is one of my finer mixed metaphors and I’m keeping it here). I thought I had figured out Traveler’s deal. The twist, however, is not only more fun but makes a lot of sense when it’s revealed (much to my relief). There was another surprise when it came to Melanie’s origins that I also really didn’t see coming. In that particular case, Mr. Clark not only had to dot the book with clues but also foreground some deep philosophical ponderings on Melanie’s part on the nature of what does or does not constitute a life. Downright slick, it is.
I’d be amiss in not tipping my hat to the language on display here. The plotting is strong. The characters lovable or loathsome as required. But so much of what separates a truly great fantasy novel from the hundreds of simply okay ones depends on an author’s ability to twist language around his or her little finger. Mr. Clark, I am pleased to report, has that skill. Clearly honed in his previous fantasy novels for kids, he supplements his world building with delicious dives into depth and color. My favorite passages, in fact, were often the strangest and most evocative. A sumptuous dream involving an elaborate dinner plate and forbidden food, or a trip to the outer planets that literally takes you to the stars. Every time I encountered such writing I had to step back to admire it a little. A kid wouldn't have this problem.
Time and again I hear that the current trend in children’s literature (and film, for that matter) is marked by a shift from duty to others to duty to the self. Harry Potter and others fight to save the world. Melanie fights for herself and her chosen family above all. When we reach the story’s close she has made a choice but you also get the sense that she could change her mind if she truly wanted to. Her journey is as much a search for self as it is a beatdown of the baddies. And while we’re not yet seeing how the pandemic has influenced our children’s literature, I can’t help but think that stories about young people desperate for getting out into the world, seeking adventure, may have a slightly different flavor today than they did a couple years ago. The Lock-Eater is a marvelous example of how you may render old ideas new, if only you’ve the ability to combine smart, timely writing with the current zeitgeist. Our kids are lucky they get to tap into books like this. Let’s hope for more of the same.
To be clear, being able to open any lock you encounter is NOT a normal trait at the Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls. Yet for whatever reason, foundling Melanie Gate has always had the gift. Labeled “lock-eater” by one of the other girls, the talent has never led to much of anything. That is, until the night she accidentally destroys all the windows and doors of the orphanage while trying to let out a particularly obnoxious cat. Not long thereafter a gearling comes to the home, seeking a girl with special abilities. It’s only when Melanie leaves with the automaton that she discovers that not only is it sentient but it's lost its memory and is desperately in need of her help. Now girl and robot are on the run from the authorities who seek them both, but for very different reasons. It seems that these two are more than they first appear.
World building is not for the faint of heart, but when it comes to immersive fantasies like The Lock-Eater it is also wildly important. Read enough fantasies and you begin to find yourself critiquing how effectively an author embeds you in a world entirely of their own conjuring. Some authors try to do too much and make up for it with hundreds and hundreds of pages. Others zip so quickly through the storyline that you never get a sense of the space. A good author strikes a kind of balance. They have to give you the impression that there are more things to be discovered in their world if you just scratch below the surface of the storyline, but they keep everything moving as well. You need confidence that the author would know the answer to any question you lobbed at them about their creation, no matter how oblique. In this, I admire Clark’s panache. He carefully keeps everything pretty simple at the start. You’ve got a bunch of girls in an orphanage with just one magical element: Melanie’s lock eating. From that sturdy base and wellspring of emotional security (this may well be the most mentally grounded crew of orphans you’ve ever encountered on a page) Clark is able to start pulling out details about the world in which they live, the politics, the magics, and even the automations. He keeps the pace steady, never lingering too long or dwelling too deep, but also never sacrificing the smells, emotions, colors, and other pesky details that help make a story come to life. There’s logic to the decisions here, and also light, life, and beauty.
But let’s get back to that notion of how contemporary children’s fantasies still labor in the shadow of Harry Potter. The Potter books themselves took a wide array of already well-worn tropes in hopes of producing something original. Thus it’s a bit unfair to consider orphans, magical destinies, secret births, magic schools, and an autocratic magical regime intolerant of divergent opinions to be old hat. After all, when it comes to fantasy, it isn’t about whether or not you’ve seen a griffin before, but if the author you’re reading has brought their own particular panache and style to the griffin motif. In Mr. Clark’s case, he’s got a couple advantages on his side. For example, these days you can insert GLBTQIA+ themes in your children’s novels and still get published (something not quite as certain even a decade ago). As such, Melanie’s crush on a pretty young seamstress who returns her affections gives the book a special flavor. There’s also a lot here about finding your chosen family, which rings true. Clark also has a lot to say about the political advantages of keeping a nation at war for the warmongers as well as some deeper ponderings about the nature of self.
I am a 43-year-old woman reading books penned for twelve-year-olds. And while I might like to flatter myself that I can read like a child, that’s not really possible. Particularly when you take in account just how many books of this sort I’ve read over the course of my career. So when I can see where a book is going, like who a particular villain might be, it may be cute that I get a thrill figuring stuff out, but it actually makes it a bit difficult to determine whether or not a child reader will find the breadcrumbs laid out by the author too. In the case of The Lock-Eater I found myself positively delighted when Mr. Clark put out those breadcrumbs and then, just as I was certain I knew the big reveal, threw a curveball (for the record, this is one of my finer mixed metaphors and I’m keeping it here). I thought I had figured out Traveler’s deal. The twist, however, is not only more fun but makes a lot of sense when it’s revealed (much to my relief). There was another surprise when it came to Melanie’s origins that I also really didn’t see coming. In that particular case, Mr. Clark not only had to dot the book with clues but also foreground some deep philosophical ponderings on Melanie’s part on the nature of what does or does not constitute a life. Downright slick, it is.
I’d be amiss in not tipping my hat to the language on display here. The plotting is strong. The characters lovable or loathsome as required. But so much of what separates a truly great fantasy novel from the hundreds of simply okay ones depends on an author’s ability to twist language around his or her little finger. Mr. Clark, I am pleased to report, has that skill. Clearly honed in his previous fantasy novels for kids, he supplements his world building with delicious dives into depth and color. My favorite passages, in fact, were often the strangest and most evocative. A sumptuous dream involving an elaborate dinner plate and forbidden food, or a trip to the outer planets that literally takes you to the stars. Every time I encountered such writing I had to step back to admire it a little. A kid wouldn't have this problem.
Time and again I hear that the current trend in children’s literature (and film, for that matter) is marked by a shift from duty to others to duty to the self. Harry Potter and others fight to save the world. Melanie fights for herself and her chosen family above all. When we reach the story’s close she has made a choice but you also get the sense that she could change her mind if she truly wanted to. Her journey is as much a search for self as it is a beatdown of the baddies. And while we’re not yet seeing how the pandemic has influenced our children’s literature, I can’t help but think that stories about young people desperate for getting out into the world, seeking adventure, may have a slightly different flavor today than they did a couple years ago. The Lock-Eater is a marvelous example of how you may render old ideas new, if only you’ve the ability to combine smart, timely writing with the current zeitgeist. Our kids are lucky they get to tap into books like this. Let’s hope for more of the same.
July 20, 2026
3.5 stars
Such a promising start. The world-building floundered in the middle though and the plot began to lose my interest.
Such a promising start. The world-building floundered in the middle though and the plot began to lose my interest.
March 5, 2022
Probably one of the best books I've ever read. Maybe even better than Harry Potter (Alicia will hate me for that).
April 13, 2023
I absolutely loved this story of self-discovery, magic, friendship and family.
March 15, 2022
Delightful characters take shape in a wonderfully imagined world where magical philosophies are at war with each other.
Melanie finds herself while adventuring with Traveler, a sentient automaton who turns out to be more than meets the eye.
I would recommend this book to all interested readers and especially to those middle grade readers who enjoy having their vocabulary challenged.
Melanie finds herself while adventuring with Traveler, a sentient automaton who turns out to be more than meets the eye.
I would recommend this book to all interested readers and especially to those middle grade readers who enjoy having their vocabulary challenged.
August 23, 2022
A terrific book as a girl learns how to recognize boundaries that can make a person feel trapped, what it means to have family and be loved unconditionally, and embrace yourself.
February 14, 2022
This book could be a good choice for kids who read above grade level but need kid-appropriate content. The content feels appropriate for elementary schoolers, but the vocabulary includes words like "isotopic," "leonine," "pugnacious," and "solipsism."
Rep: Main character and love interest are both girls (no labels are chosen, rejected, or discussed). Main character is implied to be masculine of center. People who use they/them pronouns, and otherwise nonbinary people, are acknowledged in passing (not with any label), though there are no major nonbinary characters. Major character is a man in love with a man (but he's not in a relationship and it's only discussed briefly). No homophobia per se, although the main character catches some flak (from a villain) for "cross-dressing." Some side characters of color, but most major characters are coded as white.
Rep: Main character and love interest are both girls (no labels are chosen, rejected, or discussed). Main character is implied to be masculine of center. People who use they/them pronouns, and otherwise nonbinary people, are acknowledged in passing (not with any label), though there are no major nonbinary characters. Major character is a man in love with a man (but he's not in a relationship and it's only discussed briefly). No homophobia per se, although the main character catches some flak (from a villain) for "cross-dressing." Some side characters of color, but most major characters are coded as white.
September 27, 2022
Omg, where to start? This book was super adorable and delivered on everything I expected. It's marketed as middle grade, but as an adult, I felt so touched by this book and it's legitimately the first book I've read in a while that has made me cry!
I'll start with the world-building. It's the perfect balance between interesting, magical, but not over-explained. The characters are super loveable and sympathetic, especially our protagonist, Melanie. The author surrounds her with characters that will pull on your heartstrings without developing unnecessary, petty conflict. Melanie's compassion shines in how often and adoringly she thinks of everyone she loves. These thoughts power her through her journey of self-discovery in a natural way.
The book also takes a lot of tropes (e.g., Melanie being an orphan) and turns the expectations from them on their head. Being an orphan is not a "sad" aspect of Melanie's backstory, and in fact, her headmistress is benevolent, loving, and kind to all of her wards. I was fully expecting Speaking of plot twists, this book kept me on my toes and I was genuinely surprised by all the reveals!
Finally, the book is delightfully, casually queer. Melanie has a super cute crush on a side character. She subverts gender roles, and this is highlighted in her journey. There's also a significant MLM romance. Warm fuzzies and also intense emotions all around!
Love love loved this book and am not sure why it isn't more popular!
I'll start with the world-building. It's the perfect balance between interesting, magical, but not over-explained. The characters are super loveable and sympathetic, especially our protagonist, Melanie. The author surrounds her with characters that will pull on your heartstrings without developing unnecessary, petty conflict. Melanie's compassion shines in how often and adoringly she thinks of everyone she loves. These thoughts power her through her journey of self-discovery in a natural way.
The book also takes a lot of tropes (e.g., Melanie being an orphan) and turns the expectations from them on their head. Being an orphan is not a "sad" aspect of Melanie's backstory, and in fact, her headmistress is benevolent, loving, and kind to all of her wards. I was fully expecting Speaking of plot twists, this book kept me on my toes and I was genuinely surprised by all the reveals!
Finally, the book is delightfully, casually queer. Melanie has a super cute crush on a side character. She subverts gender roles, and this is highlighted in her journey. There's also a significant MLM romance. Warm fuzzies and also intense emotions all around!
Love love loved this book and am not sure why it isn't more popular!
June 30, 2024
Cool middle grade fantasy! Fun, suspenseful and creative. A few too many made up words/creatures, but overall quite enjoyable.
January 17, 2026
Such a good middle grade fantasy! This is my son’s favorite book so of course I had to read it and was really impressed. I found it to be a genuinely original and unpredictable story. Highly recommend!
March 29, 2026
Errors:Page 147: "--and the steady supply (of) books and honeyed milk Harbargain brought to cheer her up."
Rescued from my once-local Pickens County Library System from their discards section during one of their monthly sales. I'm looking forward to putting this in the YMCA's little library soon. :)
As conceited as I may be as a redhead, I won't deny the appeal of seeing an auburn-haired protagonist on the cover of a middle grade book with the most pizazzy-galaxy-printed coat I've ever seen, positioned atop the most elaborately Dwemeresque head outside of Skyrim. And with so many reviews deigning the work four- and five-stars, I knew I couldn't go wrong for $1.
And I didn't.
This book made me irrationally angry at how other authors pigeonhole young adult readers. So many adults forget that most children from 8 to 12 years old are capable of forming cogent questions and spend time ruminating on many of the topics involved in this steampunk anti-Matilda story. Kids of the book's target audience frame societal cues with sincere simplicity and the work's narrative tone shepherds the protagonist (and the reader) towards evaluating concepts they overhear adults arguing: gender identity, what determines life and personhood, the dichotomy of tools as a dehumanizing or value-establishing premise, and deep philosophy about reality and the sense of self in the grander scope of perception (to ourselves and how that may be skewed by others). There's several fantasy concepts explored in the work, enriching the entire narrative for the benefit of a wide audience, lending itself to a story that ranges from brightly wholesome and optimistic to emotional shattering that breeds empathy for other characters.
Here's an excerpt to illustrate my points on page 42:
Something at the heart of gender non-conformity in queer spaces is the use of pronouns to recognize the humanity of someone who may not fully relate to or ascribe to gender norms. Children are typically raised in cisgendered environments and perceive persons as "boy" or "girl", and even as Melanie is struggling that something with sentience doesn't identify with the same binary, she recognizes that something with sentience she does know doesn't identify in the same binary, and the pronouns reflexively shift. The alternation of a dehumanizing use of "it" and "they" reveals the conflict of Traveler and Melanie's perceptions of one another in a gentle, non-combative way. She's trying to ascribe humanity while at the same time realizing the gearlings are a classist convention requiring intentional vernacular (and later, psychological) exploration. Traveler approaches the concept through a rudimentary but biological stance. And in this exchange, the narration ascribes these very human attributes to a being that refutes the application in the dialogue. These three different voices (the narrator, Melanie, and Traveler) create an engaging, wholesome dialogue that breach a highly politicized social commentary without creating a "good guy/bad guy" or strawman argument, while at the same time serving a narrative purpose: introducing the reader, bit by bit, into this highly fantastical world.
And in this discussion of how gearlings and humans overlap in terms of sentience, Traveler and Melanie discuss other things like agency, power, and what makes the difference between a tool and a weapon. 'Tool' and 'weapon' are terms stripped of humanistic traits, despite the exploitation of others that occurs when utilizing others to achieve goals. We see this in Parno's gearling, Blitz, and later in Abraxas' "dubbleganger". All things stripped of their humanity while also performing actions proving or assuming familiarity or sentience. And part of Loran Clark's charm in narrative voice is exploring these dichotomies through many perspectives. One person's tool is another person's friend, one person's worm becomes another person's magicked needles, one person's goals become another person's ideals weaponized into blackmail.
And at the core of it, Loran Clark never forgets there's a little girl wanting to learn her ascribed mythology, and how she learns identity is what you choose to be, even when it doesn't feel like you have much choice. Do you want to be a bipedal primate, or do you want to be something with more nuance? Do you want to accept things as they are, or explore how they could be? Because you never know when someone may relate to your plight and decide to be the helping hand. The admission of the guard on page 305 was not only impressive, but speaks to Loran Clark as an author; to utilize and bring dimension to even his most tertiary characters reveals a level of dignity he affords the world-building.
And that part makes me angry, because many authors create characters as set dressing, depriving them of humanity and honor, even if the world being written touts the value of humanity in it. Loran Clark writes every single character with intrinsic value to better underscore how those in great seats of power degrade lower classes, again, reflected in the "tool/weapon" allegory. And back on chapter 23, Melanie dives headfirst into deep philosophy to the point Immanuel Kant would nod approval.
I've mentioned in other reviews before, that as a child around Melanie's age, I had created a resume and cover letter to apply to become a correspondent for Dateline with my America Online email address. Even if "children are still children--even the geniuses... (are) indulged a degree of flightiness (54)," it doesn't negate their capacity for deep, intellectual thought. Naivete aside, others who may downplay Loran Clark's narratives as being too adult-oriented (Melanie having a crush on a girl, affronted by sexism related to garments, recognizing Riquem and Zerend were more than friends through visions) foist denial or intentional ignorance of their own identity at ten years old. My first kiss was to a girl when I was eight, placing the "romance" aspect of the work into an accurately timed framework, and should other readers blame some moral failing of family or society neuters the very human feelings and experiences this work intentionally explores through Melanie's perspective.
This story, even in its darkest plot beats, claws at optimism during a time when most authors later turn to cynicism for young adult audiences. Hope in the adventures and struggles we face are the bread and butter for the best, timeless fantasy stories, and the story Loran Clark unveils chapter by chapter is one that would make Tolkein smile. He, too, scrutinized power and the eventual downfall of totalitarian regimes that weaponized cruelty through sentient beings. The three-eyed thaumacracy Loran Clark comes to demonize through the narration placates a general populace by making magic a socialized practice that falsely edifies equality when actively ostracizing those who approach magic alternatively.
Kids notice this kind of bold hypocrisy, and kudos to Loran Clark for acknowledging and incorporating this perception as a quality several of Melanie's peers possess as well.
I wish more young adult and adult romantasy readers indulged in middle grade books more often; they'd likely hold authors to higher quality standards than they currently do.
Rescued from my once-local Pickens County Library System from their discards section during one of their monthly sales. I'm looking forward to putting this in the YMCA's little library soon. :)
As conceited as I may be as a redhead, I won't deny the appeal of seeing an auburn-haired protagonist on the cover of a middle grade book with the most pizazzy-galaxy-printed coat I've ever seen, positioned atop the most elaborately Dwemeresque head outside of Skyrim. And with so many reviews deigning the work four- and five-stars, I knew I couldn't go wrong for $1.
And I didn't.
This book made me irrationally angry at how other authors pigeonhole young adult readers. So many adults forget that most children from 8 to 12 years old are capable of forming cogent questions and spend time ruminating on many of the topics involved in this steampunk anti-Matilda story. Kids of the book's target audience frame societal cues with sincere simplicity and the work's narrative tone shepherds the protagonist (and the reader) towards evaluating concepts they overhear adults arguing: gender identity, what determines life and personhood, the dichotomy of tools as a dehumanizing or value-establishing premise, and deep philosophy about reality and the sense of self in the grander scope of perception (to ourselves and how that may be skewed by others). There's several fantasy concepts explored in the work, enriching the entire narrative for the benefit of a wide audience, lending itself to a story that ranges from brightly wholesome and optimistic to emotional shattering that breeds empathy for other characters.
Here's an excerpt to illustrate my points on page 42:
"What should I call you?" she asked. "Do you have a name?"
"You know, I honestly rather like Traveler! It's aspirational. One day I'll have to thank Mr. Harbargain for the idea." The gearling began pacing around, stretching its arms and legs. Was stretching actually useful for it? Or was it a habit it had picked up watching the people of Crossport? Melanie wondered if she'd ever get used to how strangely human the automaton seemed.
"All right... Traveler," she said. "And... well, pardon me if this is rude, but are you a boy or a girl gearling?"
Traveler raised a finger to its mask, tapping contemplatively where a human's lips might be. "Ah! Hm. I honestly hadn't thought of it," the gearling said. "Must I be one or the other?"
Melanie shook her head. "Not at all. Harle, the baker's apprentice Mrs. Harbargain buys our bread from, goes by they."
"Still, it seems very human."
"Which you... don't consider yourself to be?"
"Oh, not at all! There's a difference between humans and people, you know. Humans are bipedal primates. A person is more difficult to define, but let's start by saying it's a thinking individual. I consider myself a proud member of the second category, but merely a baffled witness to the first."
The gearling stopped pacing for the first time since Melanie had agreed to the journey, turning toward her with a whir. "Very well Let's go with he for now. May I change my mind later?"
"Sure!" Melanie said with a laugh. "Some people do."
Something at the heart of gender non-conformity in queer spaces is the use of pronouns to recognize the humanity of someone who may not fully relate to or ascribe to gender norms. Children are typically raised in cisgendered environments and perceive persons as "boy" or "girl", and even as Melanie is struggling that something with sentience doesn't identify with the same binary, she recognizes that something with sentience she does know doesn't identify in the same binary, and the pronouns reflexively shift. The alternation of a dehumanizing use of "it" and "they" reveals the conflict of Traveler and Melanie's perceptions of one another in a gentle, non-combative way. She's trying to ascribe humanity while at the same time realizing the gearlings are a classist convention requiring intentional vernacular (and later, psychological) exploration. Traveler approaches the concept through a rudimentary but biological stance. And in this exchange, the narration ascribes these very human attributes to a being that refutes the application in the dialogue. These three different voices (the narrator, Melanie, and Traveler) create an engaging, wholesome dialogue that breach a highly politicized social commentary without creating a "good guy/bad guy" or strawman argument, while at the same time serving a narrative purpose: introducing the reader, bit by bit, into this highly fantastical world.
And in this discussion of how gearlings and humans overlap in terms of sentience, Traveler and Melanie discuss other things like agency, power, and what makes the difference between a tool and a weapon. 'Tool' and 'weapon' are terms stripped of humanistic traits, despite the exploitation of others that occurs when utilizing others to achieve goals. We see this in Parno's gearling, Blitz, and later in Abraxas' "dubbleganger". All things stripped of their humanity while also performing actions proving or assuming familiarity or sentience. And part of Loran Clark's charm in narrative voice is exploring these dichotomies through many perspectives. One person's tool is another person's friend, one person's worm becomes another person's magicked needles, one person's goals become another person's ideals weaponized into blackmail.
And at the core of it, Loran Clark never forgets there's a little girl wanting to learn her ascribed mythology, and how she learns identity is what you choose to be, even when it doesn't feel like you have much choice. Do you want to be a bipedal primate, or do you want to be something with more nuance? Do you want to accept things as they are, or explore how they could be? Because you never know when someone may relate to your plight and decide to be the helping hand. The admission of the guard on page 305 was not only impressive, but speaks to Loran Clark as an author; to utilize and bring dimension to even his most tertiary characters reveals a level of dignity he affords the world-building.
And that part makes me angry, because many authors create characters as set dressing, depriving them of humanity and honor, even if the world being written touts the value of humanity in it. Loran Clark writes every single character with intrinsic value to better underscore how those in great seats of power degrade lower classes, again, reflected in the "tool/weapon" allegory. And back on chapter 23, Melanie dives headfirst into deep philosophy to the point Immanuel Kant would nod approval.
I've mentioned in other reviews before, that as a child around Melanie's age, I had created a resume and cover letter to apply to become a correspondent for Dateline with my America Online email address. Even if "children are still children--even the geniuses... (are) indulged a degree of flightiness (54)," it doesn't negate their capacity for deep, intellectual thought. Naivete aside, others who may downplay Loran Clark's narratives as being too adult-oriented (Melanie having a crush on a girl, affronted by sexism related to garments, recognizing Riquem and Zerend were more than friends through visions) foist denial or intentional ignorance of their own identity at ten years old. My first kiss was to a girl when I was eight, placing the "romance" aspect of the work into an accurately timed framework, and should other readers blame some moral failing of family or society neuters the very human feelings and experiences this work intentionally explores through Melanie's perspective.
This story, even in its darkest plot beats, claws at optimism during a time when most authors later turn to cynicism for young adult audiences. Hope in the adventures and struggles we face are the bread and butter for the best, timeless fantasy stories, and the story Loran Clark unveils chapter by chapter is one that would make Tolkein smile. He, too, scrutinized power and the eventual downfall of totalitarian regimes that weaponized cruelty through sentient beings. The three-eyed thaumacracy Loran Clark comes to demonize through the narration placates a general populace by making magic a socialized practice that falsely edifies equality when actively ostracizing those who approach magic alternatively.
Kids notice this kind of bold hypocrisy, and kudos to Loran Clark for acknowledging and incorporating this perception as a quality several of Melanie's peers possess as well.
I wish more young adult and adult romantasy readers indulged in middle grade books more often; they'd likely hold authors to higher quality standards than they currently do.
March 3, 2022
The Lock-Eater is a gripping high-fantasy novel with an atmospheric magic system reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle! Oh, and most importantly, it's adorably queer!
January 11, 2023
We all know strange things happen at crossroads. In elegant prose Zack Loran Clark shows us the troubled world of Crossport--and the larger magical empire (the thaumacracy) in which it is contained-- through the eyes of young Melanie Gate, a foundling at Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls. And like Melanie, with a special ability to open things that others prefer to keep hidden, we will be off on our own merry trails once we walk through the gate and cross into the larger world where magic is no longer supervised strictly by the bureaucrats.
The book opens by telling us "Abraxas was not a good cat." I laughed out loud at the introduction of this Gnostic duality setting the book’s theme in the first paragraph. (Never mind that my own son is named Abraxas.) I found that first chapter to be perfectly rendered. The compelling and playful language, often deep and philosophical ideas, and lively material Mr. Clark has loaded into his first solo book inform readers that they have entered an intricately and thoughtfully crafted world.
Pacing is modulated as the journey unfolds. Sentient beings of all types, organic as well as inorganic, populate this book: a girl who is more and maybe less than she imagines, a “gearling” who does not understand his own genesis, a being of complete energy, humanoid cats and frogs, flying cloaks, weaponized gryphons, and many many moments where things are truly not as they seem. But then, this is a world of magic, of two magics, in fact, at war with each other. Nevertheless, the subtext is always about identity and community. In moments of rest these fully developed characters contemplate their own existence and place in their changing world.
My favorite passage is spoken by the clockwork automaton (Mr. Clark’s wonderful take on the Tin Man trope) discussing what use can or should be made of them. “Being a tool isn’t such a bad thing. The farmer levers the earth to feed the masses. The poet is a wedge, cracking into language to hunt for deeper meaning. There’s pride in being a tool, as long as one has a choice.”
Every middle school student I have ever taught would resonate with these questions and love the brilliantly-delivered action scenes as well. I could not put this book down once I hit that final third and the party of adventurers walks into their penultimate crisis. I cannot wait to read this book again, aloud with my 9-year-old grandson, as I have Mr. Clark’s other works. There are truly laugh-out-loud moments, silly jokes, poignant scenes, and explosions. Lots of magical moments!
I have been a fan of Mr. Clark since reading his first co-authored fantasy series, The Adventurers Guild, and honestly, long before that. I am delighted now to unequivocally recommend his first solo MG fantasy, The Lock Eater.
The book opens by telling us "Abraxas was not a good cat." I laughed out loud at the introduction of this Gnostic duality setting the book’s theme in the first paragraph. (Never mind that my own son is named Abraxas.) I found that first chapter to be perfectly rendered. The compelling and playful language, often deep and philosophical ideas, and lively material Mr. Clark has loaded into his first solo book inform readers that they have entered an intricately and thoughtfully crafted world.
Pacing is modulated as the journey unfolds. Sentient beings of all types, organic as well as inorganic, populate this book: a girl who is more and maybe less than she imagines, a “gearling” who does not understand his own genesis, a being of complete energy, humanoid cats and frogs, flying cloaks, weaponized gryphons, and many many moments where things are truly not as they seem. But then, this is a world of magic, of two magics, in fact, at war with each other. Nevertheless, the subtext is always about identity and community. In moments of rest these fully developed characters contemplate their own existence and place in their changing world.
My favorite passage is spoken by the clockwork automaton (Mr. Clark’s wonderful take on the Tin Man trope) discussing what use can or should be made of them. “Being a tool isn’t such a bad thing. The farmer levers the earth to feed the masses. The poet is a wedge, cracking into language to hunt for deeper meaning. There’s pride in being a tool, as long as one has a choice.”
Every middle school student I have ever taught would resonate with these questions and love the brilliantly-delivered action scenes as well. I could not put this book down once I hit that final third and the party of adventurers walks into their penultimate crisis. I cannot wait to read this book again, aloud with my 9-year-old grandson, as I have Mr. Clark’s other works. There are truly laugh-out-loud moments, silly jokes, poignant scenes, and explosions. Lots of magical moments!
I have been a fan of Mr. Clark since reading his first co-authored fantasy series, The Adventurers Guild, and honestly, long before that. I am delighted now to unequivocally recommend his first solo MG fantasy, The Lock Eater.
May 12, 2026
✧༺༻∞ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 ∞༺༻✧
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Like genuinely.
This was such a hidden library gem and I need more people to read it immediately.
Middle grade truly is the ultimate palate cleanser.
After reading something super intense, emotionally heavy, or after accidentally binging way too much horror (which is definitely me), middle grade always swoops in and reminds me why I love reading in the first place.
And this book?
Pure magic.
This is whimsy in book form.
I'm talking:
automatons
secret identities
dangerous wizards
magical societies
an orphanage setting
a witch kingdom
found family vibes
“girls only, boys not allowed" energy
a stinky cat
Like.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
This book was MADE for me.
And can we talk about the fact that the main character is named Melanie?
Immediate bias activated.
Instant connection.
Ten bonus points.
No further explanation needed.
What I loved most was how effortlessly magical everything felt.
Every chapter introduced something new and delightful, and I never knew what charming, strange, or wonderful thing was waiting around the corner.
It captured that feeling of childhood wonder so perfectly.
The kind of story that reminds you that magic can be hidden in unexpected places.
But beneath all the whimsy, this book also has stakes.
Powerful magic.
Dangerous secrets.
Characters trying to figure out who they are and where they belong.
And it balances those heavier moments with so much heart and charm that I couldn't help but fall completely in love with it.
This is exactly the kind of middle grade fantasy I adore.
Cozy.
Adventurous.
Quirky.
Magical.
And endlessly imaginative.
Honestly, books like this are why I never understand when people dismiss middle grade.
Some of the most creative, heartfelt, and enchanting stories I've ever read have come from this age category.
₊˚⊹♡ 5 stars ♡⊹˚₊
A hidden gem.
A whimsical adventure.
And proof that middle grade fantasy is absolutely undefeated.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Like genuinely.
This was such a hidden library gem and I need more people to read it immediately.
Middle grade truly is the ultimate palate cleanser.
After reading something super intense, emotionally heavy, or after accidentally binging way too much horror (which is definitely me), middle grade always swoops in and reminds me why I love reading in the first place.
And this book?
Pure magic.
This is whimsy in book form.
I'm talking:
automatons
secret identities
dangerous wizards
magical societies
an orphanage setting
a witch kingdom
found family vibes
“girls only, boys not allowed" energy
a stinky cat
Like.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
This book was MADE for me.
And can we talk about the fact that the main character is named Melanie?
Immediate bias activated.
Instant connection.
Ten bonus points.
No further explanation needed.
What I loved most was how effortlessly magical everything felt.
Every chapter introduced something new and delightful, and I never knew what charming, strange, or wonderful thing was waiting around the corner.
It captured that feeling of childhood wonder so perfectly.
The kind of story that reminds you that magic can be hidden in unexpected places.
But beneath all the whimsy, this book also has stakes.
Powerful magic.
Dangerous secrets.
Characters trying to figure out who they are and where they belong.
And it balances those heavier moments with so much heart and charm that I couldn't help but fall completely in love with it.
This is exactly the kind of middle grade fantasy I adore.
Cozy.
Adventurous.
Quirky.
Magical.
And endlessly imaginative.
Honestly, books like this are why I never understand when people dismiss middle grade.
Some of the most creative, heartfelt, and enchanting stories I've ever read have come from this age category.
₊˚⊹♡ 5 stars ♡⊹˚₊
A hidden gem.
A whimsical adventure.
And proof that middle grade fantasy is absolutely undefeated.
November 30, 2023
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. It had all “the things” though. Female protagonist, diverse group of bffs, queer friendly, adventure, magic, male and female adult role models and semi- complicated villains that weren’t all bad all the time. I like that not all men and not all adults are evil, which sometimes happens in books with strong female protagonists.
Still I couldn’t get into it. It was work listening to the audiobook and the story didn’t flow very well. It’s possible it was just the narrator, but she did a fantastic job so I don’t think it was that. Honestly, I found Melanie impulsive and her impulses are generally a mistake 🤦♀️. It was frustrating watching her make so many huge mistakes and the fact that everything works out in the end anyway is somehow annoying. There should have been some consequences 😬. I’m not saying she didn’t leave a whirlwind of destruction everywhere she went effecting her and people she cares about. I’m saying she didn’t have any consequences to her except mild guilt.
This book seems good for a confident 4th or 5th grader. It’s not scary or unnecessarily focused on “boys”. Very accessible to kids who want adventure without gore.
2 stars because it couldn’t hold my attention and it was exhausting to finish…. But I did finish.
Still I couldn’t get into it. It was work listening to the audiobook and the story didn’t flow very well. It’s possible it was just the narrator, but she did a fantastic job so I don’t think it was that. Honestly, I found Melanie impulsive and her impulses are generally a mistake 🤦♀️. It was frustrating watching her make so many huge mistakes and the fact that everything works out in the end anyway is somehow annoying. There should have been some consequences 😬. I’m not saying she didn’t leave a whirlwind of destruction everywhere she went effecting her and people she cares about. I’m saying she didn’t have any consequences to her except mild guilt.
This book seems good for a confident 4th or 5th grader. It’s not scary or unnecessarily focused on “boys”. Very accessible to kids who want adventure without gore.
2 stars because it couldn’t hold my attention and it was exhausting to finish…. But I did finish.
November 25, 2023
This was my LGBT+ pick for my class, and I think it did a good job addressing that people can have different genders (there is trans rep, and non-binary rep with the mcs) and can also like whomever they choose (fmc has a crush on another fem character), but that those are just parts of your identity that shouldn't have to be explained or justified. Everyone who didn't present as a cis/het character, just existed as they were in their own skin and that was really nice for me to see. It was all age appropriate (extremely) as well so if that's a concern for someone you know....don't worry lol.
I also enjoyed the plot, although I felt like it moved really fast and sometimes it felt ridiculous because of it. There were a lot of dark themes and moments, and those helped save the story and keep it within the age crossover realm imo.
I wish this was a series though as I think the plot could have been more deeply explored and expanded upon if it wasn't a standalone. It just had too tidy of an ending considering all the stuff that happened in the story.
This would be a good movie though!
I also enjoyed the plot, although I felt like it moved really fast and sometimes it felt ridiculous because of it. There were a lot of dark themes and moments, and those helped save the story and keep it within the age crossover realm imo.
I wish this was a series though as I think the plot could have been more deeply explored and expanded upon if it wasn't a standalone. It just had too tidy of an ending considering all the stuff that happened in the story.
This would be a good movie though!
January 27, 2022
I LOVE THE LOCK-EATER! Clark's deep love for and mastery of fantasy storytelling comes through constantly. At each turn this story takes a situation you've seen before--a young orphan with an innate magical talent gets invited by a witch to learn magic, for example--and turns it into something different, deeper, and entirely unpredictable.
Fans of The Adventurers Guild know Clark is a master of tension and stakes, and this book is no different. Melanie is on her journey of self-discovery, but it's impossible to separate her destiny from the fate of an entire world. Add in discussions about the difficulty of pacifism, the allure of empire, and the dangers of ranking life's value...and you get something that will keep readers of this age range thinking hard on the edge of their seats.
This book is truly a marvel, and I want to spend more time in this world. Sequel please!
Fans of The Adventurers Guild know Clark is a master of tension and stakes, and this book is no different. Melanie is on her journey of self-discovery, but it's impossible to separate her destiny from the fate of an entire world. Add in discussions about the difficulty of pacifism, the allure of empire, and the dangers of ranking life's value...and you get something that will keep readers of this age range thinking hard on the edge of their seats.
This book is truly a marvel, and I want to spend more time in this world. Sequel please!
April 12, 2022
Wow. After reading a review (by Betsy) of this title on Goodreads and liking what I heard about queer LGBTQ+ themes and excellent writing, I checked out The Lock-Eater out from my local library as an eBook—and I absolutely loved it.
It was a real page-turner and some of the twists surprised me! When a story written for young adults manages to surprise adult readers, that’s definitely something that makes my ears perk up. Reminded me a bit of Diana Wynn Jones’ writing in that sense; enjoyable for a wide range of readers.
I really got into the characters and actually felt myself tearing up at a few of the scenes.
I really hope more people can read and enjoy this title! Both younger readers and adults. I’ll be on the lookout for more by this author, and to seeing how his work continues to grow in the future!
It was a real page-turner and some of the twists surprised me! When a story written for young adults manages to surprise adult readers, that’s definitely something that makes my ears perk up. Reminded me a bit of Diana Wynn Jones’ writing in that sense; enjoyable for a wide range of readers.
I really got into the characters and actually felt myself tearing up at a few of the scenes.
I really hope more people can read and enjoy this title! Both younger readers and adults. I’ll be on the lookout for more by this author, and to seeing how his work continues to grow in the future!
added-to-work-list
July 13, 2022MC Rep: sapphic female
February 26, 2023
🔒🗝️🌕Tԋҽ Lσƈƙ-Eαƚҽɾ🌕🗝️🔒
Melanie Gate lives a happy life at Merrytails Orphanage, where she spends her days with a delightful group of girls. Her heart will never stop yearning for adventure beyond the orphanage, as she stays hidden away in this orphanage with her dangerous and powerful magic, known to few. Until a gearling comes bearing a message: he needs one of the girls who shows signs of magic to accompany him on a journey. Melanie grabs the opportunity, disguising herself as Lady Porta the Periwinkle, a magic prodigy. As they run into wizards with hidden agendas, witches with secret identities, elementals with wavering loyalties, a seamstress who crafts beautiful clothes, and a mysterious cat, the adventures of Melanie and Traveler get tangled within a history of war between the thaumacracy and Hexe of the South.
Zack Loran Clark has crafted a world with such an evocative atmosphere that I was utterly captivated while reading. The story was whimsical, the settings were all unique, and the characters were complex and memorable. I appreciated how the orphanage was portrayed as a safe and happy place for Melanie. In books, the orphanage is often described as a terrible place filled with horrible people. It was interesting to see Merrytails Orphanage shown in a better light. The people in the orphanage cared deeply for Melanie, and Mrs. Harbargain was a caring mother figure. I thought it was an interesting part of Melanie's character that she didn't yearn for parents or wonder who her parents were. It was sweet because the people in the orphanage were her found-family, and that was enough for Melanie's heart.
The sentient gearling, Traveler, was such a great character. He was the perfect companion for Melanie, acting as her friend and a mentor figure in her life. His character was a lot more complex than I expected it to be, and I was utterly blown away by the powerful story that the author wrote. Zack Loran Clark included significant scenes, such as the Traveler questioning whether he had to be male or female, Melanie being chastised for wearing a boy's coat and how she dealt with those comments when wearing the coat felt like her, and the lengths that some will go to obtain immortality.
The good vs. evil trope was turned on its head, introducing a more complex story where both were a mixture of good and evil. In a sense, both sides were morally grey, and it was interesting to see Melanie explore the difficult situation between the opposite sides of war. The lore and world-building were top-notch! The sight of unicorns and horses made of cloaks, elementals made of electricity, Kassopi, Grouille, and The Zwarte Woud was breathtaking.The story manages to span over certain parts of the world, allowing the reader to get a better sense of the constructs of the world as well as the places.
When finishing this book, I found myself wanting more from the story, cast, and characters. However, this was a really powerful (standalone?) novel, and the ending was wrapped up nicely! The plot twists were shocking and some of the best ones I've read in a while. The relationship between Riquem and Zerend was as heartbreaking as it was realistic. It shows how friendships can crumble under the search for power. I loved following Melanie on her journey to forge new friendships and rediscover herself! I will definitely pick up more by this author.
☑️PLOT
☑️PLOT TWISTS
☑️CHARACTERS
Melanie Gate lives a happy life at Merrytails Orphanage, where she spends her days with a delightful group of girls. Her heart will never stop yearning for adventure beyond the orphanage, as she stays hidden away in this orphanage with her dangerous and powerful magic, known to few. Until a gearling comes bearing a message: he needs one of the girls who shows signs of magic to accompany him on a journey. Melanie grabs the opportunity, disguising herself as Lady Porta the Periwinkle, a magic prodigy. As they run into wizards with hidden agendas, witches with secret identities, elementals with wavering loyalties, a seamstress who crafts beautiful clothes, and a mysterious cat, the adventures of Melanie and Traveler get tangled within a history of war between the thaumacracy and Hexe of the South.
Zack Loran Clark has crafted a world with such an evocative atmosphere that I was utterly captivated while reading. The story was whimsical, the settings were all unique, and the characters were complex and memorable. I appreciated how the orphanage was portrayed as a safe and happy place for Melanie. In books, the orphanage is often described as a terrible place filled with horrible people. It was interesting to see Merrytails Orphanage shown in a better light. The people in the orphanage cared deeply for Melanie, and Mrs. Harbargain was a caring mother figure. I thought it was an interesting part of Melanie's character that she didn't yearn for parents or wonder who her parents were. It was sweet because the people in the orphanage were her found-family, and that was enough for Melanie's heart.
The sentient gearling, Traveler, was such a great character. He was the perfect companion for Melanie, acting as her friend and a mentor figure in her life. His character was a lot more complex than I expected it to be, and I was utterly blown away by the powerful story that the author wrote. Zack Loran Clark included significant scenes, such as the Traveler questioning whether he had to be male or female, Melanie being chastised for wearing a boy's coat and how she dealt with those comments when wearing the coat felt like her, and the lengths that some will go to obtain immortality.
The good vs. evil trope was turned on its head, introducing a more complex story where both were a mixture of good and evil. In a sense, both sides were morally grey, and it was interesting to see Melanie explore the difficult situation between the opposite sides of war. The lore and world-building were top-notch! The sight of unicorns and horses made of cloaks, elementals made of electricity, Kassopi, Grouille, and The Zwarte Woud was breathtaking.The story manages to span over certain parts of the world, allowing the reader to get a better sense of the constructs of the world as well as the places.
When finishing this book, I found myself wanting more from the story, cast, and characters. However, this was a really powerful (standalone?) novel, and the ending was wrapped up nicely! The plot twists were shocking and some of the best ones I've read in a while. The relationship between Riquem and Zerend was as heartbreaking as it was realistic. It shows how friendships can crumble under the search for power. I loved following Melanie on her journey to forge new friendships and rediscover herself! I will definitely pick up more by this author.
☑️PLOT
☑️PLOT TWISTS
☑️CHARACTERS
November 18, 2022
What it’s about: Melanie is a foundling living in an orphanage with other foundlings. One night, when a witch's mechanical servant appears requesting a foundling become her apprentice, everyone looks to Melanie, as she's always had a strange "knack" - she can open any lock, a fact that has earned her the nickname "lock-eater". Melanie doesn't love the name, but she's been hoping for an adventure, and working for a witch seems like a good start.
But as soon as Melanie and the mechanical man leave the orphanage, Melanie starts to realize that her escort is not what he seems to be.
Before she knows it, Melanie is in the middle of more adventure than even she has ever wanted - impersonating a magical prodigy, tricking powerful wizards, meeting princesses, and coming face-to-face with gryphons.
Little does Melanie realize that she is part of an ancient feud between the science-minded wizards of the empire and the nature-minded witches of the Ley. It will take all of Melanie's cunning - and her special ability with locks - to survive as hidden forces come into contention, all with the goal of ending Melanie!
What I thought: This book was absolutely delightful! I had trouble putting it down.
Melanie's main companion is Traveler, a magically-powered automaton who seems to be a lot more capable than most of his kind. Traveler hopes Melanie can provide him the cover he needs to move about, as the automatons are the property of wizards and are not free to move about on their own. In exchange, Traveler is willing to teach Melanie magic - something Melanie is thrilled to learn.
But their subterfuge quickly hits an obstacle as Melanie accidentally ends up staying at the same inn as a major wizard of the Empire. He doubts Melanie's story, and comes up with a plan to force her to join him for a tour of the subjugated frog people. He further forces Melanie to assist him with a plot to steal a valuable magical artifact from the frog people.
In trying to escape this situation, Melanie finds herself dealing with the enemy of the wizards, one of the Ley-powered witches. And just when Melanie thinks she's found a safe place, she learns a terrible secret about herself that connects her to both the witch and to Traveler.
Along the way, Melanie finds herself falling for a tailor-girl in a small village. What's interesting is that the hide-bound, rigid wizards of the Empire are repeatedly annoyed by Melanie wearing a boy's coat and pants instead of a dress; but most of the free-thinking (and likable) characters have no problem with Melanie dressing however she likes, and liking whoever she likes.
Why I chose those shelves: bullying: Melanie is bullied by several different parties; con man: Traveler is not what he seems to be; dark, death-dying: There are some deaths throughout the story - nothing gory, but the end of characters; diverse: The orphans, who play a larger part in the story than one might suppose, are of various ethnicities; fantasy: This story takes place in a world where there are at least 2 different types of magic; female, third person, multiple perspectives: The story is told almost entirely from over Melanie's shoulder, but it does have a few switch-offs to other characters; friendship-found family: Melanie and the other orphans may not have blood relatives, but they are a family, and Melanie finds more friends along the way who become like family to her; humor: There are some funny moments throughout the story; illness: A character is ill, which leads to some magical experiments that don't go as planned; lgbt, romance: Melanie has her first crush on another girl; political: There are threads of the story that deal with the machinations of war and political wrangling; thriller, weird: I haven't read too many stories like this, and it's thrillingly put together - plus, there are lots of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat moments throughout the book
Why I rated it like I did: This book is just great!
But as soon as Melanie and the mechanical man leave the orphanage, Melanie starts to realize that her escort is not what he seems to be.
Before she knows it, Melanie is in the middle of more adventure than even she has ever wanted - impersonating a magical prodigy, tricking powerful wizards, meeting princesses, and coming face-to-face with gryphons.
Little does Melanie realize that she is part of an ancient feud between the science-minded wizards of the empire and the nature-minded witches of the Ley. It will take all of Melanie's cunning - and her special ability with locks - to survive as hidden forces come into contention, all with the goal of ending Melanie!
What I thought: This book was absolutely delightful! I had trouble putting it down.
Melanie's main companion is Traveler, a magically-powered automaton who seems to be a lot more capable than most of his kind. Traveler hopes Melanie can provide him the cover he needs to move about, as the automatons are the property of wizards and are not free to move about on their own. In exchange, Traveler is willing to teach Melanie magic - something Melanie is thrilled to learn.
But their subterfuge quickly hits an obstacle as Melanie accidentally ends up staying at the same inn as a major wizard of the Empire. He doubts Melanie's story, and comes up with a plan to force her to join him for a tour of the subjugated frog people. He further forces Melanie to assist him with a plot to steal a valuable magical artifact from the frog people.
In trying to escape this situation, Melanie finds herself dealing with the enemy of the wizards, one of the Ley-powered witches. And just when Melanie thinks she's found a safe place, she learns a terrible secret about herself that connects her to both the witch and to Traveler.
Along the way, Melanie finds herself falling for a tailor-girl in a small village. What's interesting is that the hide-bound, rigid wizards of the Empire are repeatedly annoyed by Melanie wearing a boy's coat and pants instead of a dress; but most of the free-thinking (and likable) characters have no problem with Melanie dressing however she likes, and liking whoever she likes.
Why I chose those shelves: bullying: Melanie is bullied by several different parties; con man: Traveler is not what he seems to be; dark, death-dying: There are some deaths throughout the story - nothing gory, but the end of characters; diverse: The orphans, who play a larger part in the story than one might suppose, are of various ethnicities; fantasy: This story takes place in a world where there are at least 2 different types of magic; female, third person, multiple perspectives: The story is told almost entirely from over Melanie's shoulder, but it does have a few switch-offs to other characters; friendship-found family: Melanie and the other orphans may not have blood relatives, but they are a family, and Melanie finds more friends along the way who become like family to her; humor: There are some funny moments throughout the story; illness: A character is ill, which leads to some magical experiments that don't go as planned; lgbt, romance: Melanie has her first crush on another girl; political: There are threads of the story that deal with the machinations of war and political wrangling; thriller, weird: I haven't read too many stories like this, and it's thrillingly put together - plus, there are lots of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat moments throughout the book
Why I rated it like I did: This book is just great!
March 26, 2025
Quick synopsis
: An orphan girl goes on adventures with her magical-robot friend. They try to save people, sometimes succeed, and in the end both learn what's really important in life.
Brief opinion : This is an author I love. The story was great, characters were great, lessons were wonderfully subtle, everything was good... but for some reason the book was never able to hold my attention. I have no idea why.
Plot : Melanie Gate is an orphan. She lives in a home with a dozen or so other orphaned girls, one matron, and one cat. The story's opening line:
Nearly everyone at the Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls agreed: Abraxas was not a good cat.
During a stormy night a gearling (magical robot, sort of) arrives at their door to adopt an apprentice for the witch he serves. Melanie, who always has odd (magical) things happening around her, is selected. Off the two go into the night.
The pair travel from city to city, meeting other races that live in the story's country (cat people, frog people, good people, evil people, different kinds of magical people).
Eventually things come to a head with the evil leader of the government's magical group.
The first line of the final chapter made me smile:
Writing/editing : Both were perfect. This author has a great sense of description. Describing Abraxas's yowling:
His voice was like a mournful young soprano with a rock in her mouth, trapped inside a bucket.
I liked how the occasional words from the in-world language seemed like German words though sometimes spelled phonetically by an English speaker. That made them seem both foreign and yet understandable (common German words, like strass for street and licht for light).
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I at least liked, if not loved, everything about this book except one thing: The book's title just didn't work for me. It was explained in a line or two within the story, and I suspect the author thought it was unique enough that it would get attention, but based on the title alone this book sat on my Kindle for years, sinking lower and lower and lower. But that's a minor thing, and perhaps others like it.
I love that the lessons were subtle. For example one character said:
"We're both still figuring out who we are. Don't let the cruelest people you meet decide that for you."
Also there was a lot of LGBT stuff, but there was never notice made of it -- it was just as normal in the story's world as straight relations. That was really nice.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Okay. I wish I could rate it higher. Everything about it was good, it just hadn't held my attention. Maybe it was a me-issue and not a book issue?
Brief opinion : This is an author I love. The story was great, characters were great, lessons were wonderfully subtle, everything was good... but for some reason the book was never able to hold my attention. I have no idea why.
Plot : Melanie Gate is an orphan. She lives in a home with a dozen or so other orphaned girls, one matron, and one cat. The story's opening line:
Nearly everyone at the Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls agreed: Abraxas was not a good cat.
During a stormy night a gearling (magical robot, sort of) arrives at their door to adopt an apprentice for the witch he serves. Melanie, who always has odd (magical) things happening around her, is selected. Off the two go into the night.
The pair travel from city to city, meeting other races that live in the story's country (cat people, frog people, good people, evil people, different kinds of magical people).
Eventually things come to a head with the evil leader of the government's magical group.
The first line of the final chapter made me smile:
Writing/editing : Both were perfect. This author has a great sense of description. Describing Abraxas's yowling:
His voice was like a mournful young soprano with a rock in her mouth, trapped inside a bucket.
I liked how the occasional words from the in-world language seemed like German words though sometimes spelled phonetically by an English speaker. That made them seem both foreign and yet understandable (common German words, like strass for street and licht for light).
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I at least liked, if not loved, everything about this book except one thing: The book's title just didn't work for me. It was explained in a line or two within the story, and I suspect the author thought it was unique enough that it would get attention, but based on the title alone this book sat on my Kindle for years, sinking lower and lower and lower. But that's a minor thing, and perhaps others like it.
I love that the lessons were subtle. For example one character said:
"We're both still figuring out who we are. Don't let the cruelest people you meet decide that for you."
Also there was a lot of LGBT stuff, but there was never notice made of it -- it was just as normal in the story's world as straight relations. That was really nice.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Okay. I wish I could rate it higher. Everything about it was good, it just hadn't held my attention. Maybe it was a me-issue and not a book issue?
March 5, 2023
It wasn't until after I finished the Lock-Eater that I realized this book is advertised for fans of both The Trials of Morrigan Crow and Howl’s Moving Castle. Both titles are amongst my favorite books, so that's a high bar for me to compare Lock-Eater to. I can kind of see the comparison as well, so that's a plus.
Melanie Gate has grown up in an orphanage since she was a toddler. She's a foundling who was discovered next to a magically enforced city gate when she was small. A city gate that somehow unlocked itself against the wishes of the powerful enchantments upon it. "Lock eating" is Melanie's special talent. She's good at opening things, even to the detriment of others around her. On the night that Melanie accidentally destroys all the windows in the orphanage, a catastrophe befalls the city. The highest enchanter in the land has been assassinated and war is now brewing. When a mysterious animatronic magical servant appears at the orphanage one night to offer Melanie and apprenticeship to a witch outside the city, it seems fishy, but Melanie takes the offer. Now, she's got some very dangerous people on her tail. What's more, is Melanie even who she thinks she is?
Lock-Eater was a surprisingly entertaining and fast paced read. Melanie and the Traveler were very interesting and the plot was just fun to follow. While the twists at the end seemed a little slapdash and predictable, I could easily see something like this becoming a series. I definitely got hints of Nevermoor in here, along with Howl's Moving Castle, so I can see where the comparison comes from, even though this book didn't land as favorably for me as those titles did.
3.75/5 stars
Melanie Gate has grown up in an orphanage since she was a toddler. She's a foundling who was discovered next to a magically enforced city gate when she was small. A city gate that somehow unlocked itself against the wishes of the powerful enchantments upon it. "Lock eating" is Melanie's special talent. She's good at opening things, even to the detriment of others around her. On the night that Melanie accidentally destroys all the windows in the orphanage, a catastrophe befalls the city. The highest enchanter in the land has been assassinated and war is now brewing. When a mysterious animatronic magical servant appears at the orphanage one night to offer Melanie and apprenticeship to a witch outside the city, it seems fishy, but Melanie takes the offer. Now, she's got some very dangerous people on her tail. What's more, is Melanie even who she thinks she is?
Lock-Eater was a surprisingly entertaining and fast paced read. Melanie and the Traveler were very interesting and the plot was just fun to follow. While the twists at the end seemed a little slapdash and predictable, I could easily see something like this becoming a series. I definitely got hints of Nevermoor in here, along with Howl's Moving Castle, so I can see where the comparison comes from, even though this book didn't land as favorably for me as those titles did.
3.75/5 stars
May 30, 2024
After yet another incident involving locks breaking open as if on their own, Melanie Gate has to admit that she has an unusual magical power, but she doesn't appreciate the nickname other girls at the orphanage have suggested: lock eater. Her fate changes quite abruptly when an automaton, a gearling of the high wizards, arrives and asks Melanie to be her apprentice. This sets off a fantastic adventure filled with cat-people, frog-people, griffins, elementals, and so many more creatures that Melanie had never thought she'd meet. But as she poses as a magical prodigy, it quickly becomes clear that she's accidentally broken the wizard laws, and soon Melanie and the gearling find themselves trapped in a decades-long war centered around the search for illicit power and a war that may harm everyone Melanie loves most.
I wasn't sure what to expect based on the title and cover of this book, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. There are so many beautiful whimsical moments and incredibly intelligent conversations. While Melanie makes mistakes, she's willing to apologize and make things right, and I love the way she talks through her problems instead of sticking to assumptions and ending up trapped by miscommunication. The world building is entrancing, and the adorable romantic elements made me smile. This book makes many good points and doesn't hesitate to ask hard questions. It's a delight to read, and I hope to see many more books like this from Jack Loran Clark. Thank you!
I wasn't sure what to expect based on the title and cover of this book, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. There are so many beautiful whimsical moments and incredibly intelligent conversations. While Melanie makes mistakes, she's willing to apologize and make things right, and I love the way she talks through her problems instead of sticking to assumptions and ending up trapped by miscommunication. The world building is entrancing, and the adorable romantic elements made me smile. This book makes many good points and doesn't hesitate to ask hard questions. It's a delight to read, and I hope to see many more books like this from Jack Loran Clark. Thank you!
July 20, 2025
“I’m a girl in a boy’s coat . I’ve lied and I’ve stolen, and that was just my first day outside the gate.” Melanie sighed. “We’re both still figuring out who we are. Don’t let the cruelest people you meet decide that for you.”
I love this book so much that I started working on my review at 50% in. This is marketed as fiction for young readers, but honestly? Everyone young and old and in-between would enjoy this funny, action-packed, absolutely lovely gem of a book.
The story combines lush writing, magical world-building, and a deep emotional pull. I went into the book thinking that it would be a lighthearted take on a magical adventure (and it is), but it also wove in historical wars, societal issues, treaties, and a misled empire. And in the middle of it is a very human girl, her automaton companion, a cloak-donkey named Unicorn, and a surly cat, who more or less are thrust into conflict and figuring out how to solve problems together.
Beneath even all that, are characters who move through this world figuring out that maybe it wasn’t made for them and that maybe they are too different, but they are choosing to be who they are in spite of it.
I love this book so much that I started working on my review at 50% in. This is marketed as fiction for young readers, but honestly? Everyone young and old and in-between would enjoy this funny, action-packed, absolutely lovely gem of a book.
The story combines lush writing, magical world-building, and a deep emotional pull. I went into the book thinking that it would be a lighthearted take on a magical adventure (and it is), but it also wove in historical wars, societal issues, treaties, and a misled empire. And in the middle of it is a very human girl, her automaton companion, a cloak-donkey named Unicorn, and a surly cat, who more or less are thrust into conflict and figuring out how to solve problems together.
Beneath even all that, are characters who move through this world figuring out that maybe it wasn’t made for them and that maybe they are too different, but they are choosing to be who they are in spite of it.
January 19, 2022
This very middle grade fantasy stars young Melanie, who was brought up in a loving and safe orphanage for girls. Because she has the mysterious ability to open locked things (doors, windows, boxes) just by wishing it so, she is picked to leave with a clockwork being who comes to the orphanage looking for a possible apprentice to his mistress, who is a witch.
Almost from the moment Melanie steps out into the street to begin her new life, she learns that it's Traveler (the "gearling") himself who needs her help. And so begins Melanie's dangerous, action-packed adventure. Along the way she learns the importance of kindness, friendship, and loyalty, and a few secrets about our heroes are revealed. The book questions gender expectations and has some LBGTQ+ elements.
Narrator Ann Marie Lee performs the audiobook with appropriate enthusiasm and drama, perfect for young listeners and within the bounds of adult enjoyment.
Thanks to the publishers for the digital, print, and/or audiobook review copies.
Almost from the moment Melanie steps out into the street to begin her new life, she learns that it's Traveler (the "gearling") himself who needs her help. And so begins Melanie's dangerous, action-packed adventure. Along the way she learns the importance of kindness, friendship, and loyalty, and a few secrets about our heroes are revealed. The book questions gender expectations and has some LBGTQ+ elements.
Narrator Ann Marie Lee performs the audiobook with appropriate enthusiasm and drama, perfect for young listeners and within the bounds of adult enjoyment.
Thanks to the publishers for the digital, print, and/or audiobook review copies.
January 29, 2022
An adorable and high-energy magical adventure with a tense, engaging plot!!
I LOVE the creative descriptions, the way we 'feel' all the spells being used. The worldbuilding is clear -- we learn about different magical elements in ways that feel naturally-built-up to.
A few more things really pleasantly surprised me: without spoiling too much I really appreciate that the other girls from the orphanage contribute to the plot too. Even characters that are minor aren't outright throw-away. All of the characters are distinct and memorable -- my favorite is the froglike princess who wears bug jewelry, the descriptions of her and her castle are hilarious and just truly fantastic. The little romance is sweet too.
The existential questions are wise, and I like that the pacing knows when to slow down sometimes and let the characters process some big realizations and big life lessons -- this asks some pretty difficult, hard-hitting questions.
Definitely recommend for any middle-grade-age reader, but also, readers of any age!
I LOVE the creative descriptions, the way we 'feel' all the spells being used. The worldbuilding is clear -- we learn about different magical elements in ways that feel naturally-built-up to.
A few more things really pleasantly surprised me: without spoiling too much I really appreciate that the other girls from the orphanage contribute to the plot too. Even characters that are minor aren't outright throw-away. All of the characters are distinct and memorable -- my favorite is the froglike princess who wears bug jewelry, the descriptions of her and her castle are hilarious and just truly fantastic. The little romance is sweet too.
The existential questions are wise, and I like that the pacing knows when to slow down sometimes and let the characters process some big realizations and big life lessons -- this asks some pretty difficult, hard-hitting questions.
Definitely recommend for any middle-grade-age reader, but also, readers of any age!
February 3, 2022
In this story, Melanie is an orphan living in an orphanage who wants to go have adventures and has a special skill and talent where she can open locks, any locks and then one night a visitor comes to the orphan home and offers Melanie a chance to become an apprentice to a magical person.
So, Melanie becomes an apprentice for a local witch and starts having adventures, and soon learns things are not as they seem or as she thought they were. Things are in a bit of a mess in their world and there's the underlying message of finding and being true to yourself. I can see this appealing to fans of Nevermoor and it's an enjoyable read.
If you're a fan of Middle Grade, Nevermoor, or similar MG series then I'd recommend checking this one out. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group/Dial Books for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
So, Melanie becomes an apprentice for a local witch and starts having adventures, and soon learns things are not as they seem or as she thought they were. Things are in a bit of a mess in their world and there's the underlying message of finding and being true to yourself. I can see this appealing to fans of Nevermoor and it's an enjoyable read.
If you're a fan of Middle Grade, Nevermoor, or similar MG series then I'd recommend checking this one out. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group/Dial Books for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 17, 2024
Absolutely magical, for fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Kate Milford, and anyone who enjoys reading fantasy stories about kids discovering a world where they have magic, making best friends and going on world changing and dangerous adventures.
This author does a great job in developing the world without getting bogged down in too many details or letting the reader's focus drift, the characters are well rounded and develop realistically over the novel, and even though there are a lot of characters they all get moments to shine and are memorable on their own.
The pacing is also on point - each section of the book leads seamlessly to the next part in the adventure while adding in enough details and action in each part to keep the plot going, and the story satisfying.
It also has a very sweet story of a first crush that again is developed well in the story and while not the focus, adds to the details and well-rounded adventure story here. I can't wait to read a sequel!
This author does a great job in developing the world without getting bogged down in too many details or letting the reader's focus drift, the characters are well rounded and develop realistically over the novel, and even though there are a lot of characters they all get moments to shine and are memorable on their own.
The pacing is also on point - each section of the book leads seamlessly to the next part in the adventure while adding in enough details and action in each part to keep the plot going, and the story satisfying.
It also has a very sweet story of a first crush that again is developed well in the story and while not the focus, adds to the details and well-rounded adventure story here. I can't wait to read a sequel!
January 24, 2025
This is a really weird one!! Def not your average run-of-the-mill middle grade fantasy adventure. The pacing and plotting were certainly unconventional and the unfamiliar beats threw me a little, but I appreciated how Clark upsets your expectations: the orphanage head Mrs. Harbargain truly and deeply cares for her charges, Melanie leaves the orphanage but the rest of the Merrytrails girls still are part of the story, the call to adventure is not what it seems. I absolutely loved the philosophical ponderings on what constitutes a person, a life. What is real, what determines the difference between being amongst other minds and being alone. It’s so powerful on its own, but it’s also crucially relevant to the story, much more than a rhetorical exercise.
I also just found it so satisfying and hilarious how Parno thinks Melanie’s “boy’s” coat is so offensive and unbecoming and inappropriate, yet literally everyone she comes across compliments it and remarks on how fabulous and incredible it is.
I also just found it so satisfying and hilarious how Parno thinks Melanie’s “boy’s” coat is so offensive and unbecoming and inappropriate, yet literally everyone she comes across compliments it and remarks on how fabulous and incredible it is.
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