Monday, July 7, 2014

Review: Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Title: Of Metal and Wishes
Author: Sarah Fine
Series: Book One in the Of Metal and Wishes Series
Published By: Margaret K. McElderrly (August 5, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 5 Stars!

Book Description:
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.








I  have been a huge fan of Ms. Fine's beautiful and sometimes dark and emotional writing since picking up her very first book. She is one of those authors that completely gets you immersed in the world she has created and before you know it you are completely lost to it. 

Her beautiful and poignant writing is something to be revered and cherished. Something that can't be rushed or hurried as you dive into the breathtaking prose and soak it all in.

The almost steampunk Phantom of the Opera feel to this is so well done, so captivating that once you start you don't want to stop reading. You are immediately drawn right into Wen's world.

The darkness to this is just wonderful and yes, I know how that sounds but let me explain, Fine has a way of making even dark worlds full of hopelessness and despair, beautiful. You can see them, they become tangible so much so that it seems like you can reach through the very pages and feel the world around you and experience it for yourself. That bleakness, that hopelessness is Wen's world and because of it, it makes those rare happy times, those rare moments of sunshine so much brighter and so much better.

You want to cheer on the good guys and boo at the bad guys and even the monsters, you will find irresistible.

This was so well done I am dying to get my hands on the second book and so very glad that Wen's story isn't over yet, in fact, I have a suspicion that it has only just begun.  








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

45 comments:

  1. Oooh! I have this ARC too and it sounded and looked so good. I need to bump it up in my pile so I get to it sooner rather than later. So glad you loved it!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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  2. Oh I saw this one arounf but I don't remember if I actually read any reviews but it sounds so good with a good mix of genre. Thanks for the review!

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  3. Steampunk Phantom of the Opera?!?! Why don't I have this?!?!?!!?

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  4. Oooh, wow! I haven't read anything like this for a while now and it sounds awesome. Something I def. would enjoy reading. Something a bit darker than my usual reads. I might just wait to read this untill the second book comes out. Not a big fan of waiting.

    Nina from J'adore Happy Endings

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  5. AHHHHHH ALI!!! So excited to read this! I fell in love with Sarah basically from page one of Sanctum, so I need to get my hands on this book. I agree completely on what you said about her worlds - even though they're dark and gritty, they're still gorgeous. So, so glad to see a 5 star rating from you on this one!!!

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    1. YES Jenny, read this one. You will just love it too!

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  6. I'm reading this one on Saturday with a friend and I'm beyond excited! I love love Sarah Fine's writing and it makes me so happy to hear that she doesn't disappoint with this new book!
    I loved how you described the dark world in this! I know I'm in for a ride now!
    Beautiful review! :)

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    1. Thank you so much and I just know if you already love her writing, then you will love this one as well. :D

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  7. Oh my gosh, you had me in your third paragraph, goosebumps, Ali! I'm so glad you loved this. I've been so curious about this story and not sure if it was a me book or not. Now I'm sure. It is. Awesome review :)

    "The darkness to this is just wonderful and yes, I know how that sounds but let me explain, Fine has a way of making even dark worlds full of hopelessness and despair, beautiful. You can see them, they become tangible so much so that it seems like you can reach through the very pages and feel the world around you and experience it for yourself. That bleakness, that hopelessness is Wen's world and because of it, it makes those rare happy times, those rare moments of sunshine so much brighter and so much better."

    *sigh* Yep, adding it.

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  8. ooh 5 stars?! Awesome. This is a new one for me, and now I am really excited about it. I love that you enjoyed how she created a "darkness" in her book. I am super intrigued.

    Going on my TBR

    Thanks for the Great review! (Sorry, I haven't been around much last week. Life has been crazy.)

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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    1. No worries Michelle, it is that time of year. ;)

      I am so glad you are going to give this one a try though, yay!

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  9. "The almost steampunk Phantom of the Opera feel . . . "

    Say what? How has this not made more than a blip on my radar? I mean, yeah, I heard about it, but I don't even think I knew that it was YA fantasy (b/c YA fantasy is my favorite), let alone anything else more specific. *headdesk* Well, better late than never, right? ADDED. Wonderful review! Gonna LOVE it.

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  10. With my new book choosing system I've decided to not read reviews for books I haven't read yet, but of course I had to go ahead and read your review, since you gave this book a 5 star rating :P Your description-the almost steampunk Phantom of the Opera feel, totally sold me and I will be getting this book :D

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    1. LOL glad I could lure you in but most importantly I am so glad you are going to give this one a try. I really think you will like it.

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  11. YES!!!!! I have this coming up and I can't WAIT to read it! I've been in a slump where over half the books I pick up I set back down so I've been afraid to pick this up when I'm feeling so blah about books. But maybe this is one that will pull me out of it, even if it's just temporary.

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    1. I really hope it does Candace. It seems like a lot of us are in the same slump.

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  12. I'm so glad that this is a five-star rating! I haven't heard too much about this book or read anything about the author, so I wasn't sure about when I was going to read it.

    The writing in this sounds incredible. Also, "The almost steampunk Phantom of the Opera feel " you mention has me really intrigued. Awesome review :) This will definitely be moving up my TBR.

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    1. Yay! This really was fantastic and I can't wait for book two.

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  13. Happy Monday Kindlemom. I haven't read her but I think you just convinced me to try!

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    1. Yay! Any of her books are fabulous but I truly loved this one.

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  14. It's so hard to find good, dark YA Fantasy books, but I love the look of this one. Plus, the awesomeness of steampunk Phantom of the Opera is not lost of me. Great review!

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    1. So very true. This is one of a kind for sure and well worth the time.

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  15. Oh yeah! I am so glad that this one was just as good as her other series. I have had a copy of this for months and now you have me itching to drop everything and read it.

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  16. The book must have been awesomesauce for 5 stars. I can't wait to dive in :-)

    Anna guesting at Laura's Ramblins and Reviews

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    1. It really was worth the 5 stars. Wish I could have given it more.

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  17. I have to admit i've seen this cover around quite a bit but never took the time to really read the synopsis and learn more about it! You've got me reconsidering!

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  18. Ooo you really liked this and I tell ya what when you said you liked the steampunk Phantom of the Opera feel I got really excited. This author is one I have yet to try. Adding to my list! Fantastic review Ali.

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    1. Oh gosh Kim you need to try her work, you will love it!

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  19. Dang this sounds good! What an awesome review. Thanks for sharing :)

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  20. Hey, you don't have to explain darkness being wonderful to me. I totally understand. :D This sounds SO GOOD!!

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  21. This is the first review I have found for this book, and it sounds AMAZING!!! Now I have yet another book to add to my TBR list. I love the idea of a steampunk version of Phantom of the Opera! :)

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  22. Oooooh I am SO freaking excited to start this! I have a review copy and it's on my nightstand and now I'm plotting ways to skip ahead in my pile and make this one next. I love Sarah's writing in general, and your lovely review and 5 star rating has me sure I'm going to adore this!

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  23. I've been curious about this. I didn't request it for review. I couldn't decide if I wanted to read it or not, but after your review, I will definitely be checking it out.

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