The Electrical Menagerie: A Review

Recently, I read Mollie E. Reeder’s debut novel and when I finished it, had discovered a new favorite. I went into it expecting something classic steampunk, perhaps with flashing circus lights and Greatest Showman-like drama. And I got that… with so much more. I was instantly drawn to the style of the writing and to the characters, so lifelike and unique that they could practically step out of the pages. And furthermore, there was a murder within the first few chapters! Right up my alley! I loved the prose and the mystery. Despite the action, this was still a cozy-feeling read to me. I was done with it in like two days and I loved every moment of reading it.

I’ve decided to add book reviews to this blog’s sphere, because I LOVE books and I have tons of them. Nothing excites me like the prospect of talking about a story I like with someone else, and as a tween I had a really hard time finding good books. I’d passed the point where tame middle grade interested me, but I sure wasn’t ready for the slew of nasty things that are common in most popular teen fiction. Even now, I still choose not to read a lot of mainstream YA thanks to the content. I’ve dreamed of creating something like Rotten Tomatoes or Kids In Mind, but for books, but at the present, the best I can do is rave about my personal reads on here, my tiny little online kingdom 😀

I think this book was intended for both middle grade readers and teen readers, and certainly either one could enjoy it. I read epic fantasy, crime/murder, and thrillers, and still loved this. It’s perfectly clean and the murders aren’t gory. One of the strong themes of the book is wonder — and I felt it while reading it. I got sucked into a fantasy world, but more truly, I got sucked into the characters. They were charming and multi-faceted, mysterious and yet down-to-earth. The prose was excellent and the storytelling voice full of wit, whimsy, and surprising depths.

I haven’t got much experience with reviews — usually my sharing about books consists of bright-eyed geekiness and excited rambling, but I’m giving it a go because seriously, folks, this is a good book. And I have so many more I want to share with you so you can enjoy the stories too and love them as much as I have.

The Electrical Menagerie, one-of-a-kind robotic roadshow, is bankrupt.
Sylvester Carthage, illusionist and engineer, has the eccentric imagination the Menagerie needs to succeed creatively — but none of the people skills. Fast-talking Arbrook Huxley, meanwhile, has all the savvy the Menagerie needs to succeed commercially — but none of the scruples.

To save their show, Carthage & Huxley risk everything in a royal talent competition, vying for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. In this stardust-and-spark-powered empire of floating islands and flying trains, The Electrical Menagerie’s bid at fame and fortune means weathering the glamorous and cutthroat world of critics, high society, and rival magicians — but with real conspiracy lurking beneath tabloid controversy, there’s more at stake in this contest than the prize.

Behind the glittery haze of flash paper and mirrors, every competitor has something to hide… and it’s the lies Carthage & Huxley tell each other that may cost them everything.

Amazon Blurb for The Electrical Menagerie, Buy Here

And while I’m at it, my writing friends, can I just point out how wonderfully well-done that blurb was?

So, here’s your invitation to go check it out. That’s all for now, folks. (wonders if she can legally say that.) Bonjour!