Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: borrowed
Publication Date: August 5th 2014
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Pacing: fast
POV: 1st person & female
Genres & Themes: YA, Gothic, Steampunk, Romance, Ghosts, Friendship.
BLURB:
There are whispers of a ghost in the slaughterhouse where sixteen-year-old Wen assists her father in his medical clinic—a ghost who grants wishes to those who need them most. When one of the Noor, men hired as cheap factory labor, humiliates Wen, she makes an impulsive wish of her own, and the Ghost grants it. Brutally.
Guilt-ridden, Wen befriends the Noor, including their outspoken leader, a young man named Melik. At the same time, she is lured by the mystery of the Ghost and learns he has been watching her … for a very long time.
As deadly accidents fuel tensions within the factory, Wen must confront her growing feelings for Melik, who is enraged at the sadistic factory bosses and the prejudice faced by his people at the hand of Wen’s, and her need to appease the Ghost, who is determined to protect her against any threat—real or imagined. She must decide whom she can trust, because as her heart is torn, the factory is exploding around her … and she might go down with it.
REVIEW:
How…
That cliffhanger is just the worst…yet those are actuallty my favorites for they in reality make me long for a sequel. I just hope the continuation for this book will be released soon.
The premise of the story is not that high but the story does deliver. We have this mysterious ghost who keeps surprising us and, guess what? He grants wishes! Whatever your desire, he will make it come true. Except that sometimes we wish too quickly, without giving something second thoughts…
Wen is the kind of character that you will like but maybe not actually connect with. She’s a good girl and caring but the reason I couldn’t connect with her is that she almost NEVER talks about herself so we don’t really get to know her. Same thing happened while reading The Cure for Dreaming (which I anyway highly recommend.)
Also, it was awkward how so many guys wanted to touch her or do her. By looking at the cover, Wen does seem like a very beautiful girl but I still can’t help but wonder if the author made Wen seem like a ‘victim’ so we try to empathize with her more than anything else. She is pretty naïve though.
The romance was adorable. It was a slow-burn and true. Not unpredictable but definitely heartwarming. Not easy since it is an unnexpected love and not many are in favor of it at all but the fight Wen takes for her love made it even more admirable.
Since this is also shelved as steampunk, it must include some clockwork, cool and inventive stuff, right? Well it does and they’re really great but also a bit scary. I wouldn’t want for people in this society to actually be able to create those. Imagine robotic spiders with a desire to kill in your house. Would you be able to sleep at night? So, yeah, those were creepy but surprising and I loved them still.
The writing itself didn’t impress me. There were way too many sentences starting with ‘I + verb term.’ The problem is that those are mostly action ones when I wanted more descriptions. We don’t know that much about the world-building except for what directly affects our main character. Still, it was good, just not incredible.
Now this is hard…Do I actually recommend this story? Hmm, I think it’s worth the read but at the same time not worth prioritizing if you have many other books you wish to start. Also, don’t forget that there is a huge cliffhanger so be warned if you, unlike me, despise those.
Would you consider voting for this review on Goodreads, if it were helpful? ^_^
Hm, tricky. I think it’s a miss for me then
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I don’t think you would enjoy it anyway. xd
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The ghost part of this story intrigues me. Like you said, I think I’ll add it to my TBR but I won’t be rushing out to buy it. Good to keep in mind.
Oh! I finally worked out how to properly get your button up on my blog 🙂 When you mentioned it before, I got really confused – then I realised you must’ve been showing up in the “recently commented” section. But now you’re up on the sidebar permanently! Just above my ‘read on goodreads’ list. Yays!
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Aww that’s nice! I’m still wondering how to put mines! Because there are some blogs I love that are on Blogger. I guess I’ll put them as ”image” with the links. Hmm, will have to take some to do so. And thanks by the way! Sure, no rush take it cool, this book is worth it but when having time. ^^
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Actually that’s exactly what I did – I added the imade with the link. I don’t really know how to do it with other blogs since you provided the code. I guess I might have another play around and see what I can come up with.
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I really like the steampunk idea, I mean I almost want to add for the robotic spiders…but everything else seems so meh and I hate cliffhangers. Thanks for the review, don’t think I’m gonna add this one.
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I wonder what you’d think of those steampunk element but then again you may not enjoy it for the other elements. Bouuu Kat, I want to actually recommend you some book sometime!!
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Lovely review 🙂
Although this is not what I usually read.
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Me neither. I rarelly read steampunk although I like variety. ^^ Thanks!
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This is actually one of the releases I’ve been waiting on so I’m excited!!! ❤ I didn't know there was a cliffhanger 😦 That got me worried. So thanks for the heads up, Lola!! I'm excited for the romance as well. Slow burn romance is always better than Insta-love. At least, for me.. I hope the writing won't bother me that much 😛
Fantastic review, Lola!! As always 😉
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I was excited too!! So many rave reviews for this one. Yeah, the cliff was so unexpected. Welcome and I’m sure you’ll love the romance. heh
Thanks girl! xx
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YEAH! So glad to hear you enjoyed it Lola. 🙂 It’s actually the book I’m going to read next, so your review has really made me excited. 🙂 The plot sounds absolutely unique and the characters well-written, so I have a feeling I’ll easily be able to invest myself in the story. I’m not sure how I’d feel about the writing, but thank you for warning us about it; it might be easier to read with a little forewarning. And a cliffhanger? WICKED!
Thanks for sharing, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! ❤
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Thanks 😀 Oh, I’m excited to read your thoughts! Plot was great indeed. Yeah well the writing could get better at least in the sequels. I hope. YES, very wicked ahahha!
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Sorry this one didn’t wow you completely Lola, but I’m glad you enjoyed some aspects of it! I adored this one, I’ve always been a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, so I just loved how that element played out in the slaughterhouse setting. So creepy. And those robotic spiders you mentioned? *shudders* I would probably just start sobbing if I ever saw one. I’d be frozen in terror and we all know how that would work out for me. Yikes:)
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The thing is that I haven’t read The Phantom of the Opera so that may be why I didn’t enjoy it as much as you did? Hmm. Hahaa yeah, please for no one to ever create those. :O
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I absolutely loved this read! Sarah is an amazing writer and I can’t wait for book two!
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I’m glad you think so! ^^
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The unique steampunk elements along with the ghost have me curious for sure. I actually would love to read this and have it on my tbr list – I have a soft spot for both those themes (plus romance) so this might be a good choice for me, Lola. Aw, but that ending sounds major though 😉
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Major ending indeed. I wonde what you’ll think of it! 😀 Enjoy Kim!
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I think I want to give this one a tr, but I’m not sure. Maybe from the library or if I find it on sale.
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From the libray would be just great. 😉
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oh it’s nice to have a sweet romance like that. And the mix with steampunk is intriguing but well cliffy like that aren’t nice I can understand.
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Very intriguing and pretty original plot although not much world-building. 🙂
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But but but hoooow? 3 stars? I thought it was going to be another 5 star review. Hmmm. I’m glad you liked Wen, but sorry you didn’t connect with her 😦 Yeah, I’ve heard nothing but praise for the slow-burn romance 🙂 I can’t wait to read it! EW! I’m not even fine with real spiders so no thanks! I don’t want any robotic ones either. EW EW EWWW. I’m not a reader fond of too much description, but I do appreciate creating a good scenery. I’m glady ou liked as a whole, but sorry you didn’t love it.
Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
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How so? It must be amazing to be a 5 star one XD Wen was nice in general. I know!! Spiders = ewww ewww ewww indeed. Thanks Siiri!
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Oh I have my eye on this one since i’ve heard so many good things! I love the fact that there’s a killer slow burn romance (will it give me all the feels?) and Wen sounds like an awesome character! Heopfully like you said, the sequel comes out soon and you love it, too!
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Oh, sure it’ll give yo feels. It was adorable heh. Thanks Lily!
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I have heard some really amazing things about this one but I’m really happy how guys see Wen, but it’s realistic I guess. I have no idea. But I do like the sound of romance and yes bring me some slow-burning romance!! I’m really glad you enjoyed this one even though not as much as I hoped you will. Great review, Lola 🙂
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Tanja, answer me!! How was Crown of Ice?? I can’t believe you didn’t notice me when you finished it. :O
Yeah, guess it is realistic. There is a feeling of historical fiction as well though not clear. Yay for slow-burn! Enjoy Tanja!
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I hate cliffhangers, but I also love them. I like to know EVERYTHING right away, so not knowing drives me insane. Then again, it also drives me to pick up the next book, so… yeah not so bad.
I’m sorry you couldn’t connect to Wen! That always makes a story a little less interesting for me. But a yay on the romance! 😀 Great review! I get VERY creeped out by ghosts, so I’m not sure if I’ll read this one, but from what I’ve heard it’s not too creepy, so I might.
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I think we may be the same haha although I DO give extra points when the cliffhanger is amazing LOL.
No creepy at all so no worries. Plus the ghost is pretty…special. 😛 Thanks Jessica. xx
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It’s kind of creepy that so many guys want to touch her… does this make the MC more vulnerable/susceptible, perhaps?
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Vulnerable I’d say. She’s too nice to be susceptible. 😛 I know, I may understand that there aren’t necessarily many women around but still. ».«
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This actually sounds pretty good. I’ve never heard of it before but I like the idea of the ghost that grants wishes. Great review!
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Thanks! It was nice. 😛 That was original for sure!
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I think I’m still gonna give this a try because I need more steampunk in my life and they said this was a Phantom of the Opera retelling, which is all sorts of win for me. Plus, a genie-like ghosts? Awesome. I appreciated your thoughts though and I will definitely tone down my expectations for this one. 🙂
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Yeah, it is a reteling to that classic but I haven’t read it. 😛 Thanks Sarah, of course, give it a try. You may enjoy it much much more. ^^
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Oh… cliffhanger! It’s not for me then. ha-ha
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Ha lol, well you’re not missing anything that special. 😛
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This story definitely sounds interesting, but I don’t think it would be for me. I’m currently reading a book without a whole lot of description, just action and dialogue, and it’s driving me crazy!
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Hhaahha, I understand. Sometimes I wonder why authors don’t care so much about world-building!! :O
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I like steampunk and, crazy or not, I want to find out about the robot spiders… 😉
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hehe, well to be honest they’re only at the end but still there are other stuff before. 😛
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By the way, I can’t find your blog anywhere!! Do you have a blog?
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I am a total chicken when it comes to books with ghosts, an absolute chicken I say! I might pick this up sometime, but I don’t think it’s something I’m chomping at the bit to read. :O Still, great review!
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Oh but it’s not scary at all!! At all. XD Hahahaha
Thank you!
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Fantastic review, Lola! This book sounds super cool, I can’t wait to read it!
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Thanks Ebony 😀 It was pretty original
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I have added this book to my TBR, alongside a Cure for Dreaming! They both sound like such good books, and you’ve sold them to me completely 😉 More so you than the blurb, because the blurb didn’t strike my eye too much.
http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/09/fountain-of-earth-book-review-giveaway.html
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The Cure for Dreaming was very good!! I really enjoyed reading it!! Aww thanks, Olivia! yeah some blurbs are just blaaah
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