Review – Of Dreams and Rust (Of Metal and Wishes, Book 2) by Sarah Fine (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Steampunk
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: August 2, 2016
ISBN-13: 978-1442483620
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Of Metal and Wishes duology
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“In the year since the collapse of the slaughterhouse where Wen worked as her father’s medical assistant, she’s held all her secrets close. She works in the clinic at the weapons factory and sneaks away to nurse Bo, once the Ghost, now a boy determined to transform himself into a living machine. Their strange, fragile friendship soothes some of the ache of missing Melik, the strong-willed Noor who walked away from Wen all those months ago—but it can’t quell her fears for him.
The Noor are waging a rebellion in the west. When she overhears plans to crush Melik’s people with the powerful war machines created at the factory, Wen makes the painful decision to leave behind all she has known—including Bo—to warn them. But the farther she journeys into the warzone, the more confusing things become. A year of brutality seems to have changed Melik, and Wen has a decision to make about him and his people: How much is she willing to sacrifice to save them from complete annihilation?”
This is the second and final book in the Of Metal and Wishes series. This was a well done ending to that series but didn’t provide quite as much closure as I would have liked. Additionally parts of the book were quite sad, so it wasn’t a real “feel good” book.
Wen has transferred to being a medical assistant at other factory in the Ring. Now she is at the factory where weapons are made. She still spends time with Bo, but mostly dreams about Melik…the Noor who escaped. When she finds out that weapons production is being increased and war on the Noor is iminent…she leaves the factory to travel out to Melik’s village in an effort to warn him of the upcoming battle.
However, things are complicated for Wen as a foreigner among the Noor and the battle machines on their way to attach the Noor are deadly indeed.
My main complaint is that this story felt incomplete and was almost more of a sketch than a story. It’s a quick read but left me feeling a bit dissatisfied because nothing was really resolved.
Overall I did continue to enjoy the world, the characters, and the steampunk elements in here. However the story was a bit sketchy and unfinished feeling. I did enjoy it and am glad I read it but also felt a bit disappointed.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
