Review & Giveaway: Cogheart by Peter Bunzl

Cogheart 

(The Cogheart Adventures #1) 

By Peter Bunzl 

February 12, 2019 

Jolly Fish Press 

Source: ARC 

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Thirteen-year-old Lily Harman always dreamed of adventure. A strong-willed girl, Lily felt trapped in a life of Victorian stuffiness at her prim boarding school. But after her father-a famous inventor-disappears on a routine zeppelin flight, Lily's life gets turned upside down. 

Now cared for by her guardian, the heartless Madame Verdigris, Lily is quite certain that she's being watched. Mysterious, silver-eyed men are lurking in the shadows, just waiting for their chance to strike. But what could they possibly want from her? 

There are rumors, Lily learns, that her father had invented the most valuable invention ever made-a perpetual motion machine. But if he made such a miraculous discovery, he certainly never told Lily. And all he left behind is a small box-with no key, no hinges. 

With the help of a clockmaker's son, Robert, and her mechanimal fox, Malkin, Lily escapes London in search of the one person who might know something about her father's disappearance-and what he left behind. 

Praise for COGHEART: 

“With great style and panache, the novel deftly winds through the intricacies of friendship and moral choice while maintaining a fun edge.” —Publishers Weekly 

“An exciting, fast-paced adventure.”  —Booklist 

“Introduces dastardly villains, friendly mechanicals, and thrilling airship action. . . . with hair-raising and cinematic charm.” —Kirkus Reviews 

Download activities and see the book trailer at jollyfishpress.com/cogheart. 

When thirteen-year-old Lily’s famous inventor father disappears after a zeppelin crash, she finds herself at the mercy of her heartless guardian. And to make matters worse, strange men with silver eyes start to follow her and appear to be working with her guardian. Then there are the rumors of a priceless machine invented by Lily’s father. Soon Lily, along with a young clock fixer friend named Robert, and her mechanimal fox, Malkin, find themselves racing across London to save their lives and everything they hold close to their hearts. 

Cogheart is book one in Peter Bunzl’s thrilling and inventive middle-grade The Cogheart Adventures series. Well-paced, with a fun mix of adventure, mystery, and steampunk elements, Cogheart is an engaging page-turner. 

Peter Bunzl offers young readers an imaginative and innovative world full of mechanical people, animals, and hybrids; thrilling zeppelin air travel; wicked villains and plucky heroes. Cogheart takes both readers and Lily on a twisty, turny, heart-pounding adventure full of airship battles, clever escapes, gasp worthy secret reveals, and more.  

Bunzl’s smart and captivating world building will keep readers engaged, his likable and charming heroes will keep readers invested, while his deft and thought-provoking exploration of moral dilemmas, friendship, and family will give readers plenty to ponder. Cogheart has a satisfying conclusion but sets up plenty of more adventure and young readers will definitely want more.  

MY RATING 

4/5 Cupcakes

Peter Bunzl grew up in London and lives there with his partner Michael. He is a BAFTA-award-winning animator, as well as a writer and filmmaker. To learn more, visit his website, peterbunzl.com. 

Twitter: @peterbunzl 

Instagram: @peter_bunzl 

Win a copy of Cogheart!

Thanks to the generous folks at Jolly Fish Press, I have one copy for one winner.

-US only

-ends 2/18/19

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes

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