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The Mech Trilogy #1
Mech - Heart & Soul
The people of Cambria are under threat of attack from evil aliens called the Marans. Orin, the genius son of a geeky professor, and his best friend Gigahertz, the most powerful of the planet’s Mechs, will be among those tasked with defending them. Juna, the youngest daughter of the Emperor (but don’t dare call her princess!), worries the Marans are not the only thing the people of Cambria need to fear. Life here simply isn’t fair and she wants to help make things right. Juna hasn’t seen Orin since they were very young, but fate has brought them back together. Now, joined by a diverse group of friends, they must find a way to defeat the Marans, sort the truth from the lies and win back the very heart and soul of the planet.
238 pages, Hardcover
Published June 7, 2021
4 people are currently reading
1795 people want to read
About the author
Ken Deeprose
3 books36 followersKen Deeprose is an engineer, board game designer, part-time renovator, full-time father and middle-grade science fiction author. His favorite activities include scaling the Himalayas, shark wrestling, juggling chainsaws and making up fake accomplishments. He currently lives in Calgary with his wife, teenage son, a cat that loves him and a dog that doesn’t.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 10, 2021
“Mech - Heart & Soul” Book One of The Mech Trilogy
Review By Brett Salter
Opening Line: “Watch where you're going!" Orin yelled at the truck that had just side-swiped him, sending his hoverbike careening through the middle of a sidewalk cafe.”
Favorite Lines: “What's that, General?" Orin asked. "It's simple," he replied. "We get our Mechs back."”
The Review:
“Mech - Heart & Soul” is book one of author Ken Deeprose’s The Mech Trilogy which follows several main protagonists’ adventures on the planet of Cambria.
Mech is a great word to title this book because it is the main focus of everything Ken has put together. Although the main protagonists are humanoid, the life blood of this book revolves around the technology they've invented and the mechanical creations they continue to innovate as the story progresses; ESPECIALLY the Mechs themselves. It's an appropriate juxtaposition assigned to the planet of Cambria which is mostly a barren wasteland. Though a few towns (Aldarae) are peppered across the area, the vast majority of the population live where the Emperor and his Elite family and friends reside. It's the technology that keeps them in power over the middle class and the lowest caste, hods who serve as the personal slaves to the upper class. In Ken's world, technology is power, and brains can get you to the top quickly.
Rather than read the plot for you, I want to take some time to focus on the positives of this book. I'll start with the characters themselves. There are plenty of likeable characters in this book who form the ragtag group by the end of the book. As we follow along in the pages, we meet the individuals that eventually become the heroes fighting to save THEIR planet and others. While the core group is made up of some interesting personalities like Taz and Skeet (2 of my favorites), the two main protagonists give us the most insight into character development. Orin, the genius son of a....well....genius inventor/professor shows us Cambria from the struggling protagonist perspective. He is constantly met with challenges and overcomes them with ingenuity and help from his friends. His actions set the plot in motion and his relationship with the next character I want to discuss provide a pretty solid backbone for a possible love story in the future.
Another well-written character is Juna, the princess who you just HAVE to root for once you see the deplorable and sickening ideals her family means for her to embody. On multiple times, I gave controlled cheers when Juna accomplished certain goals, like putting someone in their place, or landing a quick roundhouse to the head! She also acts as the reader's insight to plot developments that other characters would not be privy to thanks to her more clandestine abilities. It's an interesting and positive tactic to release information to the reader without forcing us into drawn-out exposition dumps. When you combine Orin's experiences in the world of the scientists, technicians, and freedom fighters with Juna's proclivity to unearthing the antagonist's schemes, the information is granted to the reader organically and fluidly. I really appreciate that since a world this deep would otherwise require laborious exposition. There is no clearer example of this other than when the first plot twists occurs. I did NOT feel the need to go back and check on it. It was there for me the whole time, I just did not figure it out. Magnificently done twist!
Another positive I want to talk about is the pace of the book. You can see by my Opening Lines segment that the action is never far from the core of these pages I would honestly say that the pages keep turning because of both the pacing of the plot and the vivid action sequences that show up every few chapters. Besides the ever-present actions scenes, the Mechs themselves are proponents of pacing. Each time we meet a new one, it adds to a sense of wonder and expectation to find out what they are capable of. The ONLY thing I wished for was more interaction between the characters and the Mechs. Gigahertz and Orin were meant to be best friends, but I only counted a handful of interactions between them. I am probably misremembering that, but I did feel like I wanted more between those two. And, of course, I wanted more from the Mechs!!! They're so cool and I loved that they were broken into different types. I feel like there is a ton of room to grow and develop those differences in the rest of the trilogy.
The last thing I want to touch on is the heist portion that occurs just before the climax. It was marvelous! If I could describe it by using blockbuster media, I would say it reminded me of Ocean's Eleven meets Transformers. Every character brings their special abilities to the plan and it goes just how you hope it would. I have a very soft spot in my heart for super Mecha having grown up on things like Voltron, Robotech, and Gundam, so the Mech fights drew my attention instantly. But to add the heist theme into the book really takes it to the next level.
This is a great book! I mean it! The genre definitely benefits from "Mech - Heart & Soul's" inclusion. I could easily see this book translating into an animated movie or even a live-action series. It's got that kind of throw-back feel to it while still maintaining cutting edge story telling from a witty and intelligent mind. And since everyone knows I am a huge theorizer, I went ahead and did some speculating of my own with this book. I can't help but wonder if Ken means for the rest of the series to take place on the mystery planet that I like to call Earth??? But don't listen to my crazy head canon, do yourself a service and go get the book from Freisden Press or Amazon!
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Sci-fiction over the age of 10. If someone you know likes military mech anime, literature, or video games, then they will enjoy this book and its dive into technology and giant robots. The book is 100% clean with basically no triggers. The only reason I say an age as high as 10 is because I believe younger audiences may have trouble following the plot. There is nothing in this book for parents to fear.
Final Review: 4.7 giant AI robot missiles out of 5 (4.7 / 5)
Review By Brett Salter
Opening Line: “Watch where you're going!" Orin yelled at the truck that had just side-swiped him, sending his hoverbike careening through the middle of a sidewalk cafe.”
Favorite Lines: “What's that, General?" Orin asked. "It's simple," he replied. "We get our Mechs back."”
The Review:
“Mech - Heart & Soul” is book one of author Ken Deeprose’s The Mech Trilogy which follows several main protagonists’ adventures on the planet of Cambria.
Mech is a great word to title this book because it is the main focus of everything Ken has put together. Although the main protagonists are humanoid, the life blood of this book revolves around the technology they've invented and the mechanical creations they continue to innovate as the story progresses; ESPECIALLY the Mechs themselves. It's an appropriate juxtaposition assigned to the planet of Cambria which is mostly a barren wasteland. Though a few towns (Aldarae) are peppered across the area, the vast majority of the population live where the Emperor and his Elite family and friends reside. It's the technology that keeps them in power over the middle class and the lowest caste, hods who serve as the personal slaves to the upper class. In Ken's world, technology is power, and brains can get you to the top quickly.
Rather than read the plot for you, I want to take some time to focus on the positives of this book. I'll start with the characters themselves. There are plenty of likeable characters in this book who form the ragtag group by the end of the book. As we follow along in the pages, we meet the individuals that eventually become the heroes fighting to save THEIR planet and others. While the core group is made up of some interesting personalities like Taz and Skeet (2 of my favorites), the two main protagonists give us the most insight into character development. Orin, the genius son of a....well....genius inventor/professor shows us Cambria from the struggling protagonist perspective. He is constantly met with challenges and overcomes them with ingenuity and help from his friends. His actions set the plot in motion and his relationship with the next character I want to discuss provide a pretty solid backbone for a possible love story in the future.
Another well-written character is Juna, the princess who you just HAVE to root for once you see the deplorable and sickening ideals her family means for her to embody. On multiple times, I gave controlled cheers when Juna accomplished certain goals, like putting someone in their place, or landing a quick roundhouse to the head! She also acts as the reader's insight to plot developments that other characters would not be privy to thanks to her more clandestine abilities. It's an interesting and positive tactic to release information to the reader without forcing us into drawn-out exposition dumps. When you combine Orin's experiences in the world of the scientists, technicians, and freedom fighters with Juna's proclivity to unearthing the antagonist's schemes, the information is granted to the reader organically and fluidly. I really appreciate that since a world this deep would otherwise require laborious exposition. There is no clearer example of this other than when the first plot twists occurs. I did NOT feel the need to go back and check on it. It was there for me the whole time, I just did not figure it out. Magnificently done twist!
Another positive I want to talk about is the pace of the book. You can see by my Opening Lines segment that the action is never far from the core of these pages I would honestly say that the pages keep turning because of both the pacing of the plot and the vivid action sequences that show up every few chapters. Besides the ever-present actions scenes, the Mechs themselves are proponents of pacing. Each time we meet a new one, it adds to a sense of wonder and expectation to find out what they are capable of. The ONLY thing I wished for was more interaction between the characters and the Mechs. Gigahertz and Orin were meant to be best friends, but I only counted a handful of interactions between them. I am probably misremembering that, but I did feel like I wanted more between those two. And, of course, I wanted more from the Mechs!!! They're so cool and I loved that they were broken into different types. I feel like there is a ton of room to grow and develop those differences in the rest of the trilogy.
The last thing I want to touch on is the heist portion that occurs just before the climax. It was marvelous! If I could describe it by using blockbuster media, I would say it reminded me of Ocean's Eleven meets Transformers. Every character brings their special abilities to the plan and it goes just how you hope it would. I have a very soft spot in my heart for super Mecha having grown up on things like Voltron, Robotech, and Gundam, so the Mech fights drew my attention instantly. But to add the heist theme into the book really takes it to the next level.
This is a great book! I mean it! The genre definitely benefits from "Mech - Heart & Soul's" inclusion. I could easily see this book translating into an animated movie or even a live-action series. It's got that kind of throw-back feel to it while still maintaining cutting edge story telling from a witty and intelligent mind. And since everyone knows I am a huge theorizer, I went ahead and did some speculating of my own with this book. I can't help but wonder if Ken means for the rest of the series to take place on the mystery planet that I like to call Earth??? But don't listen to my crazy head canon, do yourself a service and go get the book from Freisden Press or Amazon!
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Sci-fiction over the age of 10. If someone you know likes military mech anime, literature, or video games, then they will enjoy this book and its dive into technology and giant robots. The book is 100% clean with basically no triggers. The only reason I say an age as high as 10 is because I believe younger audiences may have trouble following the plot. There is nothing in this book for parents to fear.
Final Review: 4.7 giant AI robot missiles out of 5 (4.7 / 5)
April 4, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Mech – Heart & Soul
Author: Ken Deeprose
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
12 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Cool story. The author has a strong imagination and is good at telling a fun story. The characters were fun to get to know. I liked Orin the most. He was sort of brave, but smart too.” Boy, aged 12
“I liked that the girl, Juna, was strong-minded. I think she would be a good role model for children.” Girl, aged 12
“I thought the two central characters had good chemistry, not romantic, but they worked well together. There were a few funny bits too which were cool. I thought the beginning was a bit slow, but it got better. I liked the Mechs. I read with our teacher that the author is an engineer. This shows a lot.” Boy, aged 12
“This was an enthralling story. The thought of being attached by Marans made it exciting. I think the author should try to have more speech in the story, and less description. The cover was mega! I liked the lettering of the word MECH.” Girl, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘An exciting adventure packed full of dilemmas for the young characters to overcome. A Red Ribbon Winner and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Mech – Heart & Soul
Author: Ken Deeprose
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
12 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Cool story. The author has a strong imagination and is good at telling a fun story. The characters were fun to get to know. I liked Orin the most. He was sort of brave, but smart too.” Boy, aged 12
“I liked that the girl, Juna, was strong-minded. I think she would be a good role model for children.” Girl, aged 12
“I thought the two central characters had good chemistry, not romantic, but they worked well together. There were a few funny bits too which were cool. I thought the beginning was a bit slow, but it got better. I liked the Mechs. I read with our teacher that the author is an engineer. This shows a lot.” Boy, aged 12
“This was an enthralling story. The thought of being attached by Marans made it exciting. I think the author should try to have more speech in the story, and less description. The cover was mega! I liked the lettering of the word MECH.” Girl, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘An exciting adventure packed full of dilemmas for the young characters to overcome. A Red Ribbon Winner and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
March 5, 2022
Right off the bat I found this an easy read, which I didn’t expect, because I don’t normally read science fiction or action adventure books. It is a wholesome, humane story, with admirable, well-drawn characters who I enjoyed spending time with. I found all the intricate strategies, logistics and brilliant technology interesting. The detailed planning and execution of the projects necessary to bring their plans to fruition were quite fascinating.
Although plenty of descriptions were provided, I still struggled to visualize some of the interior scenes and equipment (but I figure surely someone will make it into a movie!). Even though most of the characters were logical, cerebral inventors, professors, military personnel and robots, I found many of them full of warmth, humor and affection. The plotting and pace were excellent, and the entire book held my attention. I had to reread certain sections that were dense with the workings of technology, or the engineering of new inventions, but it was worth it because they were intriguing. The last chapters were especially suspenseful, and the ending was satisfying.
A friend recommended this book, and I’m glad they did because this is the kind of science fiction I look for but can rarely find!
Although plenty of descriptions were provided, I still struggled to visualize some of the interior scenes and equipment (but I figure surely someone will make it into a movie!). Even though most of the characters were logical, cerebral inventors, professors, military personnel and robots, I found many of them full of warmth, humor and affection. The plotting and pace were excellent, and the entire book held my attention. I had to reread certain sections that were dense with the workings of technology, or the engineering of new inventions, but it was worth it because they were intriguing. The last chapters were especially suspenseful, and the ending was satisfying.
A friend recommended this book, and I’m glad they did because this is the kind of science fiction I look for but can rarely find!
December 28, 2021
In a world where aliens threaten to invade every couple of decades, the only option is to go big or lose your home! Enter: mechs of vast and awe inspiring design.
Just as the title would suggest, the heart and soul of this book is the mechs and the relationship with the people in the story. The mechs are versatile in their design and mannerisms which is very fun. The creativity with their functions and characters are impressive and numerous.
The two main human characters are developed very well and are vastly different which is quite nice. Even with their differences, they mesh wonderfully and it is fun to see their growing dynamic.
As a fan of world building, Ken Deeprose did an amazing job. I love the idea of a world with extreme tides. Ken captured the consequences of this in the economics, culture, and environment of the world well.
The middle grade target on these books is perfect. The challenges in the book are interesting and solved smoothly.
Just as the title would suggest, the heart and soul of this book is the mechs and the relationship with the people in the story. The mechs are versatile in their design and mannerisms which is very fun. The creativity with their functions and characters are impressive and numerous.
The two main human characters are developed very well and are vastly different which is quite nice. Even with their differences, they mesh wonderfully and it is fun to see their growing dynamic.
As a fan of world building, Ken Deeprose did an amazing job. I love the idea of a world with extreme tides. Ken captured the consequences of this in the economics, culture, and environment of the world well.
The middle grade target on these books is perfect. The challenges in the book are interesting and solved smoothly.
January 19, 2022
I received a copy of this book as a review copy from Goodreads. And I have to admit, going in, I wasn't expecting much.
Surprise!
I really, really enjoyed this book. I could see it as a movie. And now I want a Mech of my own. Despite being basically robots, the Mechs came across very human. The frustration Juna felt with her father and the class system was felt. At only 238 pages it was quick read. Way too quick as far as I was concerned.
Now I want more.
Surprise!
I really, really enjoyed this book. I could see it as a movie. And now I want a Mech of my own. Despite being basically robots, the Mechs came across very human. The frustration Juna felt with her father and the class system was felt. At only 238 pages it was quick read. Way too quick as far as I was concerned.
Now I want more.
November 2, 2021
Received the book through a giveaway. My 11yo son really enjoyed the book. Will likely buy the rest of the trilogy.
December 9, 2022
This is a well written book for middle school aged kids that are into robotics, engineering, space and princesses that are strong. I really enjoyed this read.
May 13, 2022
Mech - Heart & Soul by Ken Deeprose is a wonderful sci-fi book for children. The author's creativity and world-building abilities show on the pages. The characters are fun to read about, very well made, and likable. I recommend the book!
September 24, 2021
Young or old; the story has a great plot and will pull you in. Page after page the reader is drawn into a setting resembling, Star Wars, Star Trek and Star Gate. If you loved these books as a youngster you will surely enjoy the action in Mech. Every character is well developed and there are many. Become intrigued by the writing style and never put it down. Your son or daughter will love this book and so will your mom and dad.
December 8, 2022
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows the journey of Orin and his best friend Gigahertz as they work with the Emperor of Cambria’s daughter Juna to save the planet from the coming Third Maran War. Gigahertz, one of the giant robots protecting Cambria, is a Hydro Mech and war hero. The approaching war threatens everything they hold dear, but all is not as it seems in Cambria’s political realm.
The story progresses through both Orin’s and Juna’s alternating POVs. My personal favourite character in this was Princess Juna, though all the characters were unique and lovable, with strong personality traits and virtues that left me invested in them. Princess Juna doesn’t much care for being a princess, preferring to fight and train. Her strong sense of justice is what I enjoyed most about her, along with her unrelenting commitment to her friends—a trait that Orin shares.
The rich world building in this sci-fi tale is expertly woven into the plot in such a manner that the reader is never bored. Excellent sense of humour and engaging plot with plenty of age-appropriate information on things like gravitational force and all sorts of fun physics/engineering/STEM topics that are sure to trigger any reader’s interest, all presented in an educational yet entertaining way. Excellent flow between chapters as well as a strong hook into the next book of the series—readers should find their attention rapt and sustained.
This would be a great book for parents struggling to get their kids interested in reading, for kids interested in STEM subjects, and it would make a great addition to any classroom as well. If you love The Iron Giant (one that I grew up with as a kid!), The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), or Star Wars, this one should definitely be on your to-read list. This book would make for a great kids’ movie, actually. I rarely read middle-grade fiction, but I was thoroughly impressed by this story and would recommend it highly.
The story progresses through both Orin’s and Juna’s alternating POVs. My personal favourite character in this was Princess Juna, though all the characters were unique and lovable, with strong personality traits and virtues that left me invested in them. Princess Juna doesn’t much care for being a princess, preferring to fight and train. Her strong sense of justice is what I enjoyed most about her, along with her unrelenting commitment to her friends—a trait that Orin shares.
The rich world building in this sci-fi tale is expertly woven into the plot in such a manner that the reader is never bored. Excellent sense of humour and engaging plot with plenty of age-appropriate information on things like gravitational force and all sorts of fun physics/engineering/STEM topics that are sure to trigger any reader’s interest, all presented in an educational yet entertaining way. Excellent flow between chapters as well as a strong hook into the next book of the series—readers should find their attention rapt and sustained.
This would be a great book for parents struggling to get their kids interested in reading, for kids interested in STEM subjects, and it would make a great addition to any classroom as well. If you love The Iron Giant (one that I grew up with as a kid!), The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), or Star Wars, this one should definitely be on your to-read list. This book would make for a great kids’ movie, actually. I rarely read middle-grade fiction, but I was thoroughly impressed by this story and would recommend it highly.
December 21, 2021
Mech - Heart & Soul is the first book of The Mech Trilogy by Ken Deeprose. In this installation, Orin, Gigahertz, Juna and their friends attempt to save the people from Cambria from aliens called Marans.
I adored the world-building and story of the book. Ken integrated AI and humans into a fantasy planet in an innovative and one-of-a-kind way. It is well-thought-out and reading about such a distinct universe was very refreshing.
A more detailed review is available here.
I adored the world-building and story of the book. Ken integrated AI and humans into a fantasy planet in an innovative and one-of-a-kind way. It is well-thought-out and reading about such a distinct universe was very refreshing.
A more detailed review is available here.
December 7, 2021
The Mechs were interesting!
July 14, 2022
Won this book in giveaways on Good reads. I LOVE the story!!! This book is very attractive from the beginning, readers can quickly enter the world created by the author. In the middle part of the book, the plot develops slowly, and there is not enough tense conflict. The reason why I give five stars is that in addition to the plot, the relationship between the characters in the book (people and people, as well as people and Mechs) was handled delicately. I can feel their true emotions. Overall, I believe this book is attractive to people of different ages and easy to read. The suspense left by the author at the end is also very interesting. I can't wait to read the second book!
August 18, 2021
Very much enjoyed the first book of this trilogy! Good characters, interesting plot, kept my son engaged and thinking throughout... (as well as myself 🙂). I enjoy a good science fiction book as well as a drama and this did not disappoint. Highly recommend and looking forward to the next book!
October 27, 2021
***Won from a Goodreads.com giveaway***
A cute, fun story I could really imagine as a kid's cartoon. Even though a few things happen that are supposed to provide tension, there is really no tension in this book. Everything works out. So, I never felt that anything was going to happen to thwart the heroes' plans. I also felt many of the sentences were a bit convoluted/meandering for the age group and well, could have been tightened up a bit for any age group really.
Other than that, I did enjoy it and I'm curious as to where the story will go and finding out the answers to some unanswered questions.
A cute, fun story I could really imagine as a kid's cartoon. Even though a few things happen that are supposed to provide tension, there is really no tension in this book. Everything works out. So, I never felt that anything was going to happen to thwart the heroes' plans. I also felt many of the sentences were a bit convoluted/meandering for the age group and well, could have been tightened up a bit for any age group really.
Other than that, I did enjoy it and I'm curious as to where the story will go and finding out the answers to some unanswered questions.
March 14, 2025
Mech
I really liked this book. Although it’s not a genre I would typically read, it was amazing! Living in a world where things are not as they seem, and not all people can be trusted. Slowly, the intellectuals begin to discover what is really happening behind the curtains. Individually, they make plans to try and save their people. Without knowing who to trust they must carefully proceed when meeting new people and figuring out who to confide in. With limited access to resources and funding they must use their collective intelligence to problem solve.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
I really liked this book. Although it’s not a genre I would typically read, it was amazing! Living in a world where things are not as they seem, and not all people can be trusted. Slowly, the intellectuals begin to discover what is really happening behind the curtains. Individually, they make plans to try and save their people. Without knowing who to trust they must carefully proceed when meeting new people and figuring out who to confide in. With limited access to resources and funding they must use their collective intelligence to problem solve.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
September 2, 2021
So, honesty up front. I know the author, I was a test reader, and I admit to bias. That said, it's just very exciting to me to see a book I discussed with the author go out into the world. I love the origin story of how and why he started it. I'm excited for where the series goes next and I'm currently reading its sequel.
October 12, 2025
I had the pleasure of meeting this author at an event! This book was exactly what you would expect for mid-grade readers. Lots of action, teleporting to different planets, a war, and massive robots! I enjoyed the friendships and world. I think this book is a great read for boys in middle school (or girls who like sci-fi too!)
November 16, 2021
I won this book in a giveaway through Goodreads
Slow start, picked up in the middle, rushed ending.
Slow start, picked up in the middle, rushed ending.
November 30, 2021
My boys (11 and 14 yrs) enjoy this story. They want to know if there's a movie. I said, "Not yet. You'll just have to read the book."
October 11, 2022
Mech-Heart and Soul is a middle-grade book by Ken Deeprose. Orin is a young teenager who is intelligent enough to work in a tech-savvy department in Cambria, the Depot. The Mechs, large robots who have artificial intelligence, have been developed to defend the Cambrians against the Marans, a race of beings the general public has not seen. Three Mechs were the heroes of the first war against the Marans, and Orin has tasked himself with bringing them back to life, as the threat of another war approaches. At the Cambrian Palace, Princess Juna stumbles upon her father’s plan to put a certain class of people in danger. She despises the patriarchal monarchy in place and the deplorable caste system, and she seeks a way to help her friends who are part of other classes.
Ken Deeprose wrote characters who communicated deep themes of friendship. There were a lot of them to remember, but they added depth to the book. The story moved along at a medium pace, but a reader couldn’t skip a page, or they might miss valuable information, as the novel switches between Orin and Princess Juna’s point of view. There’s a level of mystery to the book, as the reader learns the identity of the Marans, and civil unrest descends on the Cambrian people. The story ends with some unanswered questions that pave the way for the next book in the series. I recommend Mech-Heart and Soul to children and teens who enjoy sci-fi stories. In addition, more experienced readers could enjoy the high-action plot.
Ken Deeprose wrote characters who communicated deep themes of friendship. There were a lot of them to remember, but they added depth to the book. The story moved along at a medium pace, but a reader couldn’t skip a page, or they might miss valuable information, as the novel switches between Orin and Princess Juna’s point of view. There’s a level of mystery to the book, as the reader learns the identity of the Marans, and civil unrest descends on the Cambrian people. The story ends with some unanswered questions that pave the way for the next book in the series. I recommend Mech-Heart and Soul to children and teens who enjoy sci-fi stories. In addition, more experienced readers could enjoy the high-action plot.
December 28, 2021
This is a book I read recently and really enjoyed. The plot is fast-paced and exciting. Even though it is the author's first book, I found it was well written and thoroughly thought out. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.
March 31, 2024
Hi everyone,
This is not so much a review as it is a welcome. Mech - Heart & Soul is my first novel and is written primarily for the middle-grade crowd, but anyone who likes a good adventure story with giant robots might find it fun too. It is the first book in The Mech Trilogy - a science fiction story told with equal parts action, heart and humour that follows a young genius and a reluctant princess as they try to save their world from mysterious aliens and a ruthless emperor. Of course, the giant robots known as Mechs are there to help, along with a diverse group of friends they meet along the way. Encountering battles, escapes and even a heist, they try to defeat their foes and win over the very heart and soul of the planet.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Ken
This is not so much a review as it is a welcome. Mech - Heart & Soul is my first novel and is written primarily for the middle-grade crowd, but anyone who likes a good adventure story with giant robots might find it fun too. It is the first book in The Mech Trilogy - a science fiction story told with equal parts action, heart and humour that follows a young genius and a reluctant princess as they try to save their world from mysterious aliens and a ruthless emperor. Of course, the giant robots known as Mechs are there to help, along with a diverse group of friends they meet along the way. Encountering battles, escapes and even a heist, they try to defeat their foes and win over the very heart and soul of the planet.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Ken
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