So, this is a rough one for me to review. Anyone who has been following me for any length of time knows how much I love Middle Grade books. There's something beautiful about a tough topic dealt with in a way that is consumable by young readers. Even better, there's something lovely about watching a young person conquer an unimaginable adventure. I always have high hopes for all the MG books that I read, and this was no exception.

At first, I was enchanted with the idea of a steampunk story for young readers. The idea of Lily living in a place that was populated with dirigibles and mechanical people just stole my heart. However, I soon found that this book had a few flaws. While the story moves quickly, and the plot stays on track, there's not a lot of depth here. I found myself thinking about many other books that this story is similar to, that do things just a little bit better. It's a little cookie cutter, and that made it a rough read for me.

Now, do I think that young readers would like this book? Probably! The story has plenty of twists and turns and Lily's group is plucky to a fault. As I mentioned above, the plot moves quickly and the characters are rather fun. As an adult reader though, this book just didn't hold the magic that I really wanted it to. Lily was the basic version of every young heroine I've followed on an adventure, and all of the things that happened to her felt similar to other books I've read as well. This wasn't a bad book, just not a memorable one for me.

For young readers who enjoy high flying adventures with a touch of danger, this is a book they'll love. For adult readers, I'm not so sure.

This is the First Steam Punk Middle Grader Book that I read and I totally enjoyed it! I found the interaction between the main character and the robotic servants to be a rather unique concept. I had to laugh when the robotic servants made mistakes. Making them nearly human.. with the exception of crying oil.

Loved the cover! That is what drew me to the book right away. I'd buy a physical copy if it came with a cover poster included! Yea.. I WOULD!!

Actual rating of 3.5

Lily Hartman finds Miss Scrimshaw's Academy boring, and dull. She's not allowed to read her Penny Dreadful magazines as they're forbidden, and all the girls are horrid. But that's okay, because she only has to wait until her father John Hartman comes to get her at the end of term, she can handle that. That is, until she is told by her headmistress that her father's zeppelin, the Dragonfly, has crashed and her father cannot be found, and is presumed dead. She leaves the academy with her housekeeper Ms. Verdigris to head back to Brackenbridge Manor. On the way Lily finds herself crossing paths with Mr. Roach, a strange man with silver eyes, and from this point on her life is thrown into turmoil as she soon finds out that there is a group of nasty men out to find a secret contraption that her father has invented. And they will stop at nothing to get it. Lily doesn't know who to trust as she starts to unravel the truth of her past, with her mechanimal Malkin, and the clock maker's son Robert, she sets off to try and find safety, and hopefully, her father.

All of the above happens in a charming old London, steampunk setting, with Zeppelins and Mechanical people and animals roaming about running daily errands and going about their tick-tocking ways.

Cogheart was a charming story, I feel mostly written for a middle grade age group, but still enjoyable for an adult audience. I found the world interesting, and I loved the addition of mechanicals and mechanimals. I've always had a fondness for steampunk, and this made me a little bit giddy with all the mention of cogs and clockwork. The characters were likable, and I felt for Robert, especially with the hardships that he goes through in this story. I found Lily to be a little bit obnoxious, but I don't feel that that was the intention of the author, it may have just been the way her dialogue was written. I absolutely hated Madame Verdigris on 'site' you could tell straight away that she's up to no good. I loved Anne and Malkin.

I found this story to be a bit too slow paced for my liking. A few times I thought about giving up and not finishing it, but I persisted because I hate DNFing books. I really do. The pacing honestly didn't get better until about 65% of the way through the story, as this was where the action started coming thick and fast and I found that I NEEDED to know what was going to happen. I'd even go as far to say that the pacing didn't really pick up properly until after the 70% mark, now that I think about it. The last 30% was great, it was non-stop, and the reveals were done fantastically.

I had some of the things worked out beforehand, but there was one thing that I didn't know about, not until we were told, so in this aspect, the story did a good job.

I found that the copy I received had some formatting issues, I had pages repeating fully, and then I had some segments missing the beginning of them which kinda threw off the flow of the book.

It's a faraway adventure and I believe any middle grader will enjoy the story, some adults too. The last couple of chapters were worth pushing through the worst of the book for, I must admit. I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series or not, I am interested to see where Lily, Robert, Malkin and Anne go next though.

The Quick Cut: In a steampunk world, a girl goes on an adventure after her father goes missing.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Jolly Fish Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There's something about steampunk that is so whimsical and smile inducing. Between the amazing outfits, steam machines, and out of this world combinations, it's an alternate universe many fantasy tripping people prefer to live in. However, when written into a book - you need more than just a phenomenal landscape to work with to make an outstanding novel.

Lily is hating life at her boarding school filled with proper etiquette and the appropriate walking pace. However, life is shaken completely When the housekeeper arrives to let her know that her father is disappeared and assumed dead. With her mother dead for some time, she now has a new guardian and finds that she can't let go of her dad's disappearance... especially since there is a silver haired main who meets them on the way home. This is the setting for when Lily takes off with her friend Robert and the mechanimal fox Malkin to determine once and for all: where is Lily's dad?

This book for me was a quick afternoon read that flowed very well. The pacing was on mark and the an environment that the sory takes place in transports you. These are easily the biggest strengths of this book. Unfortunately, the weaknesses this one has are so hard to ignore.

As much as whimsy and a fantastical setting can add strength to a story, it also cannot carry it. The book has no depth to it and considering how enjoyable the setting is, this is very sad. Lily and Robert are very likeable characters, but you never hear about their lives... what they're thinking, feeling, struggling with. Even for fantasy adventure, this is essential. The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix or Lord of the Rings for those more classically oriented know this to be true. With the adventure, you need the emotion and the passion.

Without depth to the tale, this story falls flat as nothing more than a pretty setting.

My rating: 2 out of 5

This was a great Victorian era steampunk story for younger readers which I would highly recommend.

This book was never boring, and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. Full of action and adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat, it will leave you wanting more. With good guys and bad guys (very bad guys) and some plot twists and turns, this is one book that I found hard to put down.

I would have liked to have seen a bit more character and relationship building as it sometimes felt "tacked on". I also thought it might be a bit violent for some younger readers so would recommend this book to the older end of the "middle grade" scale.

Overall a great book and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Cogheart was an adventurous story. It was an exciting read. I enjoyed it, and I believe it’s a great read for middle schoolers.

ARC Copy...decent and adventurous middle grade steampunk adventure consisting of soaring airships and curious mechanical animals plus adventure.

This was a true "ripping yarn." It reminded me quite a bit of some of Joan Aiken: a lot about the tone, the suspense, the plucky orphans, and the alternate historical England was reminiscent of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. I enjoyed it thoroughly and found it quite un-put-downable, especially towards the end. Although my guess is this is middle-grade, sensitive children might need a warning of some quite graphic, if cartoonish, violence, with the protagonists experiencing real peril.

Fun Steampunk novel involving clocks and clockwork!

Cogheart was easy to read and understand (read it to my little nephews and they loved it too). The story flowed well enough and I've already got a few favourite characters. Can't wait until Feb 2019!

Great story and character development. I'm already attached and eagerly awaiting a sequel.

This is the First Steam Punk Middle Grader Book that I read and I absolutely I adore it. The cover was eye catching which grabbed my attention instantly

I loved the how the story went and how the characters and world building was developed. It was a fun and thrilling read.

I love this adventure trilogy! It is great for kids to think outside the box! The story brings a boy and a girl, both heroes, and that makes the book great for girls and boys as well! Children can relate to one of the two main characters! Peter Bunzle opens a world for all the dreams out there ! Can’t wait for the third book !

Oh, be still my heart! This is one of the most creative steam punk novel for teens! Lily and Jack are really just adorable and brave as they navigate their way through dangers along with mechfox. I just wanted to hang out them and be a kid again! I was able to get lost in that world completely. The author manage to paint the steam punk world very vividly along with words such as cogs, by the ticks, and so forth. There are many factors in the book we deal with in real life. Overall, this book gave me overall warm fuzzy feelings! I believe many kids along with adults would totally enjoy this book. I cannot wait for the next book to come out! You guys have got to read this adorable novel!
I received this cute ARC of this book from Net Galleyes and North Star Editions for an exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

A fun middle grade adventure set in late 1890 London where mechanicals (robots) are a thing. Lily and Robert are clever main characters. A unique story that will appeal to most middle grade age kids.

This is a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's kid lit but this adult found it to be a delightful read. I'm always interested in steampunk books and am happy to have discovered this series. The cover is gorgeous!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy!