Reviews

The Machines of Theda by C.E. Clayton

popthebutterfly's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own!

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: October 16, 2018

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (some sexual assault mentioned, sla

Publisher: DevilDogPress

Pages: 507

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Trying to put the events in Selkirk behind them, Tallis and Tomas find themselves in a land where people and machines have created a newfound relationship. Tallis wishes to hide and heal in this strange land while giving the people of Selkirk time to forget and perhaps forgive her. For with no one but once feral elves to verify her claim that she was not responsible for the recent carnage, who would give her an opportunity to explain?
Despite Theda’s golden coastline and amazing technology, something odd is happening throughout the port city of Aelius and Theda’s mechanical hub in Cato. Something nefarious is taking root in Tallis, making her bones ache; her dreams constantly torment her with visions she can’t ignore. But as Tomas isn’t affected, none believe Tallis’s claims that Theda is not as idyllic as it appears.
All Tallis and Tomas want is to rest and explore their budding relationship, free from the fear of death, but that desire is quickly crushed. How can Tomas and Tallis figure out what they mean to each other when a brilliant student sets her sights on Tomas, and a pirate makes secret plans for Tallis? Not to mention Theda’s elves have taken an uncomfortable interest in Tallis. Theda may be a land full of wonder, but Tallis is finding that wherever she goes, danger trails her like a mischievous shadow, following her every step.

Review: I loved returning to Tallis’ world and I loved how the book didn’t immediately feel weird because it had been months since I read the second book. Everything was wonderfully well summed within the first few chapters. The book featured my favorite two characters and they were so so sweet. I loved that the book series doesn’t have that insta-love component and the two characters have issues within their relationship like any relationship would. While I understand how it can be annoying to some people to read about the same issues sometimes popping up, it’s realistic. You’re never going to have a relationship where you talk about an issue once and it goes away. I’ve been married for almost 3 years now and I still have to talk to my husband about leaving his dirty socks everywhere. I loved the world building in this book and I was fully invested in it. The book was absolutely well written and I loved how the events turned out. I also thought the book had good commentary on slavery, which is still an issue in today’s world. I thought that it did well explaining the horrors of modern day slavery, how hidden it can be, how it sometimes can be legally sanctioned even by accident, and how fast people can just disappear.

However, I do feel that some of the later events were a bit coincidental and I feel that it was a bit too fast that Theda found a replacement for their issues, but it might come back to bite them in the butt in the end.

Verdict: Love this series and this book!
More...