Curio by Evangeline Denmark: Just the right amount of action, style and romance!

This is a spoiler free review!

Curio

Written by Evangeline Denmark

Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction/Steampunk/Paranormal

Publisher: Blink

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Pages: 432

Source: Bought from Amazon

Places to Get this Book: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

Grey Haward has always detested the Chemists, the magicians-come-scientists who rule her small western town. But she has always followed the rules, taking the potion the Chemists ration out that helps the town’s people survive. A potion that Grey suspects she—like her grandfather and father—may not actually need.

By working at her grandfather’s repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed—or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists’ enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.

But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family’s secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows—her grandfather’s shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit’s life and also end the Chemists’ dark rule forever

Review:

This book intrigued me from the start even though I didn’t really know what it was about. Yes, I judged the book by it's cover, but can you blame me?

I adore steampunk YA novels and since this one, well I naturally ate it up.

The world building was phenomenal and done very well. It’s very entertaining. There are two world in this one. The world within the curio cabinet and the world in which she was born. Both are ruled by evil rulers.

Most of the characters are well developed and you care about them. I would however like it if I got to know more of their backstories but maybe that will come in the next few books.

I like how there are multiple points of views so you can see what is happening at different times rather than just what is happening to her.

The villains are well developed though I’m still not absolutely sure why some of them are so evil. Like what exactly is the point.

The action in this story is wonderful and kept me in suspense and on the edge of my seat rather often. I was scared for the character’s lives at all the right moments even though I knew they would probably survive.

Oh and we mustn't forget the romance. The chemistry between Blaise and Grey was on-point. I love how the romance didn’t take over the whole book because of the fact that everyone was trying to stay alive. I also like how Grey didn’t solely rely on Blaise to save her. She was a strong-willed, kickass female character.

Final Thoughts:

I loved this book! And I’d recommend this book to fans of Dystopian/Science Fiction. Be sure to pick this book up and give it a go. It doesn’t disappoint.

If Curio was a Movie:

Maybe Natalie Dormer or someone else with blonde hair as Grey

Ben Barnes as Blaise

Colin Morgan as Whit

Quotes from the Book:

"You never needed me. You're a better Defender than I could ever be."

"Love is magic in our veins. Love the hand of the punisher stays. Love heals what justice flays. Love defends and mercy reigns."

"We're not porcies with pumps for hearts and delusions for souls."

"You tricked me. The moment your blood flowed, you grew stronger."