Review: Cogling

Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Edna doesn’t know why her little brother has an expensive pocket watch, but when she grabs it from him, he becomes a pile of cogs. She looks for help, but no one believes her story until Ike tries to take the watch from her and notices what it is. Ike tells Edna that this watch is used to keep Coglings going. Coglings are mechanical changelings that are left behind when children are stolen to work in factories. Edna and Ike are determined to rescue her brother and as they discover the deeper plot the hags have to take over the world, they must decide if they have what it takes to overcome these powerful beings. After all, they are just a servant and a thief.

Cogling is the newest book by Mierek and it will delight steampunk fans of all ages. Although it is classified as a children’s book, the main character is 15 years old, so most young adult readers will also enjoy the story. Edna’s adventure has peril and romance, yet the overall story is kept relatively clean for the younger reader. Reader beware that this is not your average steampunk novel. There are a lot of mechanical beings, but the other devices that are usually present in a steampunk story are not included. It doesn’t take away from the story; I found it refreshing that Mierek didn’t feel obligated to include these additional items. It is hard to tell if this will be a stand-alone novel or the first in a series. We will just have to wait and see. Cogling is a quick read that will have readers turning the pages while rooting for the characters to overcome all the different obstacles that seem to be thrown their way.


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