Ahoy there me mateys! This book is a retelling of Cinderella where the main character is mechanically inclined. There are magicical fae elements, steampunk elements, and classic fairytale elements. Overall I thought this was a very entertaining read with more positives than negatives.

Our Cinderella is this version is Mechanica. She is intelligent, hardworking, a voracious reader, and has big dreams for the future. In particular I loved how the combination of magic and machinery is used to clean the house and deal with the demands of the evil stepmother and the “Steps.” I also adored the tiny mechanical horse named Jules and the other mechanical creatures that are her friends. The world-building was fun and the twisting of classical fairytale elements was lovely.

The introduction to the world through the middle of the novel were the best parts. For me, the problems began when the love interest was introduced. I mean of course he is the prince and the blurb makes it clear that the ending is not a fairytale romance. But the setup for the story and Mechanica’s discovery of the workshop and inventions were the fun parts. Mechanica’s conflict over her love interest and the “resolution” of her relationship problems were kinda irksome. It was a rather odd version of a love triangle. I didn’t hate the ending; I just wanted Mechanica’s relationships with her friends to have gone in a different direction.

That said I am glad I read it and I do believe at some point I will read the sequel if it arrives in a local library at whatever port I find meself in.

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