Steel Lily by Megan Curd
Source: Received a copy from author in exchange for an honest review, no compensation.
Release date: August 12th, 2013
Edition: Ebook
Genre: Young Adult/Fiction/Dystopia
Rating: Brittany: 5/5
Michelle: 4.5/5
Synopsis via Goodreads:
AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.
She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Four: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.
Or so she thinks.
That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Four. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued. But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.
…Which means digging deeper.
When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, she learns that while some secrets are better left concealed, humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.
Brittany's Thoughts
This book was awesome! It is steampunk, dystopian, elemental and science fiction heaven. I LOVED the world building, it was so unique. From the idea of domes, to the elemental abilities, to the character's problems everything was so remarkably different than other books in this genre. I was feeling tired of the dystopian genre but this book was the perfect cure. Megan Curd's ability to create images is out of this world! I felt like I was in the dome with the characters! The plot twists and turns enough to keep you guessing but not feeling dizzy.
I really liked Avery's character. She is one of the strongest water Elementalists despite that she very much wants to be a normal teenager. At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy Avery but she really grows into a more sassy and spitfire character by the end. I also really enjoyed the banter between Avery and Jaxon. Yes, there is a swoon worthy boy in the book! :)
I haven't read a dystopian this good since The Maze Runner, Divergent, or even Hunger Games. It just caught my attention from the first sentences to the last! The ending was ARGH and a little bittersweet but it makes me want the second!
If you are looking for something different and love dystopian novels, than this book is for you! I also really think fiction readers will like this book, it has just a little bit of something for everybody.
Michelle's Thoughts
Ah Steampunk how I love you so! If it weren't for the inevitable bad guys that always show up in steampunk novels I would want to dive in and live there. It's just such a unique world. Right from the start of Steel Lily I could picture the world playing like a movie in my head, I could smell the rusty metal I could hear the gears turning. Megan Curd did a wonderful job of pulling me into Avery's world and keeping me there...
The characters in Steel Lily were entertaining, strong and varied. Jaxon was one of my favorites, so cocky and full of sarcasm but also a bit vulnerable once you break though the layers. Avery was a "spitfire" as well, She is tough and stands up for herself and her family and friends no matter what. I wanted to get to know some of the side characters more.. they kinda pop out of the background every now and again and leave you stunned. But it didn't deter from my love of the story.
The magic or Elemental side of the story was really interesting, I can't wait to see how the idea grows with the characters and what more will come. Steam punk and magic was a perfect blend and really kept me hooked on the story.
I agree with Brittany, Steel Lily has a bit of everything. Magic, Romance, Action, Adventure, Science and Survival. Mix it with amazing characters and Megan Curd has a fan in me! I can't wait for # 2!!
We are so excited to offer you a chance to win a copy of Steel Lily for yourself! Megan has offered up 2 Ebook Copies ( international ) and 1 signed paperback for the U.S. ! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
Water because it is so peaceful
ReplyDeleteWtaer, because it is so necessary to our world, and it could be used for destruction (tsunami) or for growth (rains for crops!)
ReplyDeleteIf I could control an element I'd control earth because you have it with you wherever you go and it can encompass so many more things such as metal and what not. This just reminds me of Avatar the Last Airbender :P
ReplyDeleteI won this book over the summer, but I haven't read it yet. It seems to be a really, really good one that deserves a lot of attention. I'm intrigued by the steampunk-ness of this book, which is different from what I usually read.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I like how you both read and reviewed it. :)
I would want to control water because our bodies are made up of it
ReplyDeleteI'd want to control water because I have a pretty big fear of it. Maybe then I wouldn't be so afraid of it and would enjoy swimming more. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWater. Because I have always had a desire to be near a lake, ocean or sea. I love the beach. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWater. People say how peaceful water can be, but it's also one of the most powerful. If anyone is familiar with Bruce Lee's saying:
ReplyDelete“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
I would control the air. It's so important, and when controlled, could effect all the other elements pretty dramatically.
ReplyDeletefire. As for me, Fire is the most powerful element. and fire for me means bravery and passion. ;)
ReplyDeleteWater, because it's unpredictable, and it's my symbol, it can be calm, and in few seconds it can be crazy, it can bring peace and downfall in the minutes. :)
ReplyDelete