Curio by Evangeline Denmark

★★★★★

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.

From start to finish, Evangeline Denmark’s novel, Curio, captures its readers within a fantastical, dystopian adventure. With not one, but two fascinating worlds, intriguing and diverse characters, and life-threatening controversy, it is a unique and addictive read - very hard to put down. I absolutely loved Denmark’s imaginative world-building, as well as Grey’s coming-of-age growth over the course of the novel. Fans of young adult fiction, especially with elements of steampunk, should make time to read Curio as soon as possible - I highly recommend it and now look forward to reading more from Evangeline Denmark in the future.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Curio and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Be sure to read Curio's novella prequel, too!