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Treasures Retold #3
The King's Mechanic: Beauty and the Beast
Once upon a time in a world where magic and technology collide with unexpected consequences…
After her father is caught in the act of stealing a jeweled rose, Luna and her brother face a penalty worse then execution unless she works as the king’s mechanic. With her brother’s safety in mind, Luna does her best to please the king, trying to ignore his best friend, who is very interested in bedding her. As if these troubles weren’t enough, the king crashes a machine she considered safe to use and nearly dies. Can she keep him alive long enough to avert danger to herself, her brother, and possibly the whole kingdom?
What if Charles Perrault's Beauty can do more than soften the heart of a beast?
The book includes a bonus story and the original fairy tale.
About the Series
This fantasy novella series combines sorcery and science. It features retellings of your favorite fairy tales and of tales you've never heard. The fairy tales are suitable for teens and older readers alike, mixing steampunk fiction with magical elements in a fantasy world on threshold of technological advance. If the traditional “once upon a time” opening still captures your imagination, you will love these tales.
After her father is caught in the act of stealing a jeweled rose, Luna and her brother face a penalty worse then execution unless she works as the king’s mechanic. With her brother’s safety in mind, Luna does her best to please the king, trying to ignore his best friend, who is very interested in bedding her. As if these troubles weren’t enough, the king crashes a machine she considered safe to use and nearly dies. Can she keep him alive long enough to avert danger to herself, her brother, and possibly the whole kingdom?
What if Charles Perrault's Beauty can do more than soften the heart of a beast?
The book includes a bonus story and the original fairy tale.
About the Series
This fantasy novella series combines sorcery and science. It features retellings of your favorite fairy tales and of tales you've never heard. The fairy tales are suitable for teens and older readers alike, mixing steampunk fiction with magical elements in a fantasy world on threshold of technological advance. If the traditional “once upon a time” opening still captures your imagination, you will love these tales.
- GenresFairy TalesFantasy
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2015
About the author
Katharina Gerlach
111 books85 followersKatharina Gerlach was born in Germany in 1968. She and her three younger brothers grew up in the middle of a forest in the heart of the Luneburgian Heather. After romping through the forest with imagination as her guide, the tomboy learned to read and disappeared into magical adventures, past times or eerie fairytale woods.
She didn’t stop at reading. During her training as a landscape gardener, she wrote her first novel, a manuscript full of a beginner’s mistakes. Fortunately, she found books on Creative Writing and soon her stories improved. For a while, reality interfered with her writing but after finishing a degree in forestry and a PhD in Science she returned to her vocation. She likes to write Fantasy, Science Fiction and Historical Novels for all age groups.
At present, she is writing at her next project in a small house near Hildesheim, Germany, where she lives with her husband, three children and a dog.
She didn’t stop at reading. During her training as a landscape gardener, she wrote her first novel, a manuscript full of a beginner’s mistakes. Fortunately, she found books on Creative Writing and soon her stories improved. For a while, reality interfered with her writing but after finishing a degree in forestry and a PhD in Science she returned to her vocation. She likes to write Fantasy, Science Fiction and Historical Novels for all age groups.
At present, she is writing at her next project in a small house near Hildesheim, Germany, where she lives with her husband, three children and a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 12, 2015
Luna is in chains, arrested with her wretched father and sweet baby brother, dragged before the king himself. Which is worse: a quick death, or survival at the cost of three years solitary confinement? Luna better come up with an alternative soon. Things are only going to get worse from here.
Luna charmed me with her practical attitude. She reacts to her own blushing crush on two handsome men with a firm "NOPE, NOT GOING THERE." This is a heroine with her priorities in order, fighting with everything she's got to protect them. Her moments of weakness, of indecision, of young petulance all serve to humanize her, without ever diminishing her agency. This is a girl who won't go down easily, be it for a pretty smile or a headsman's axe.
A steampunk-type world is part of the twist on this fairytale retelling. Without giving too much away, I'll say it has one of my all-time favorite things: mind uploading into artificial bodies. Having a heroine who spends a good bit of time with her hands buried in engines and wiring makes everything more fun.
While there will be the occasional breather, the danger and action really don't let up until the very end. The stakes keep getting higher as well, so this is a story that begs to be devoured in one sitting.
(Based on free ARC of The King's Mechanic)
Luna charmed me with her practical attitude. She reacts to her own blushing crush on two handsome men with a firm "NOPE, NOT GOING THERE." This is a heroine with her priorities in order, fighting with everything she's got to protect them. Her moments of weakness, of indecision, of young petulance all serve to humanize her, without ever diminishing her agency. This is a girl who won't go down easily, be it for a pretty smile or a headsman's axe.
A steampunk-type world is part of the twist on this fairytale retelling. Without giving too much away, I'll say it has one of my all-time favorite things: mind uploading into artificial bodies. Having a heroine who spends a good bit of time with her hands buried in engines and wiring makes everything more fun.
While there will be the occasional breather, the danger and action really don't let up until the very end. The stakes keep getting higher as well, so this is a story that begs to be devoured in one sitting.
(Based on free ARC of The King's Mechanic)
February 18, 2015
FYI, I was given an ARC of this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favorite fairy tales to read as a kid and even now to watch the many versions on TV, so when I found out Katharina just wrote a version I had to read it. I love a lot of this authors fiction, so I knew I probably would not be disappointed and I was not. The rewrite was delightful and unexpected--not anything like I thought it would go down. The world and character function in the story is so unique and has that steampunk feel to it. The beast was not at all what you might imagine beforehand. I am not going to give any spoilers away. I can tell it was a fun read, even for an adult, and I did not stop until I got to the end. I have read the first two books in this series and they too were surprising, entertaining, imaginative and unique in their delivery and tale. Definitely recommend for a short fun read. I think kids will enjoy too. Great bedtime story if your kids like you to read ot them at night.
Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favorite fairy tales to read as a kid and even now to watch the many versions on TV, so when I found out Katharina just wrote a version I had to read it. I love a lot of this authors fiction, so I knew I probably would not be disappointed and I was not. The rewrite was delightful and unexpected--not anything like I thought it would go down. The world and character function in the story is so unique and has that steampunk feel to it. The beast was not at all what you might imagine beforehand. I am not going to give any spoilers away. I can tell it was a fun read, even for an adult, and I did not stop until I got to the end. I have read the first two books in this series and they too were surprising, entertaining, imaginative and unique in their delivery and tale. Definitely recommend for a short fun read. I think kids will enjoy too. Great bedtime story if your kids like you to read ot them at night.
March 6, 2015
FYI, I was given an ARC of this book free in exchange for an honest review.
'Beauty and the Beast' is such a well loved, favourite fairy tale that after so many versions of the story it must be difficult to come up with a fresh approach. But Katharina Gerlach has done precisely that with this new steampunk-y retelling of the story, aimed at young adults.
Initially, Luna takes on the position of 'King's Mechanic' to save herself and her brother from the consequences of their dissolute father's actions. But then Luna becomes caught up in the further intrigues of the King's court.
I won't spoil things by telling any more but just add that 'The King's Mechanic' is a thoroughly entertaining and thrilling adventure.
Part of Author Katharina Gerlach's 'Treasure's retold' series, this book provides excellent value, containing not only the 'King's Mechanic' novelette, but also a bonus short story and the original fairly tale.
'Beauty and the Beast' is such a well loved, favourite fairy tale that after so many versions of the story it must be difficult to come up with a fresh approach. But Katharina Gerlach has done precisely that with this new steampunk-y retelling of the story, aimed at young adults.
Initially, Luna takes on the position of 'King's Mechanic' to save herself and her brother from the consequences of their dissolute father's actions. But then Luna becomes caught up in the further intrigues of the King's court.
I won't spoil things by telling any more but just add that 'The King's Mechanic' is a thoroughly entertaining and thrilling adventure.
Part of Author Katharina Gerlach's 'Treasure's retold' series, this book provides excellent value, containing not only the 'King's Mechanic' novelette, but also a bonus short story and the original fairly tale.
March 1, 2015
The only reason Luna Ramirez isn't locked up in the castle's dungeon is because she's a great mechanic and the King wants her to fix the machine that the Royal Mechanic invented before he went missing. When the King crashes the machine and nearly dies, Luna finds herself in worse trouble than before - now she has to do all she can to keep him alive, both for her own protection and for the good of the kingdom.
The King's Mechanic is a steampunk-esque tale of court intrigue, which reminds me a little vaguely of Here Be Monsters! (maybe just the inventions bit). It's a little whimsical with a very likeable and spunky female protagonist.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The King's Mechanic is a steampunk-esque tale of court intrigue, which reminds me a little vaguely of Here Be Monsters! (maybe just the inventions bit). It's a little whimsical with a very likeable and spunky female protagonist.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2015
This was a fun and original retelling of a classic fairy tale. I love the story of Beauty and the Beast, so I was excited when I got the opportunity to read The King's Mechanic. The story was very quick to read, but it had a lot of story packed into it - it didn't feel like a novella, but more like a full length book. I saw where the story would end almost from the beginning, but it was still so cute and I loved getting to read it. Definitely recommended to fans of fairy tale retellings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
4 1/2 stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
4 1/2 stars!
February 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Luna, the main character, was awesome. She was string, brave and stubborn with a very rebellious streak. She loved her younger brother very much and begged the King to kill her but to spare her younger brother, to find him a new home with a good family where he would learn a trade and be able to provide for himself and for any future family that he might have. I really, really disliked her father. What kind of father would offer up his own daughter to take his place when he was given a death sentence? What a horrible man. This was a really cute retelling. I recommend it to anyone who loves fairytale retellings with a bit of technology thrown in.
March 17, 2015
Another amazing story written by the author. another unique fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
i admired Luna especially when she needed to make those decisions in order to save both herself and her brother. I really disliked the father. What kind of father would do that to his children. I'm glad that at least Luna has the sense to do something that would save them unlike their father.
This was another quick read that I was surprised I was at the end already. It is probably one of my favorite retellings yet of Beauty and the Beast. I'm looking gorward to reading more.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
i admired Luna especially when she needed to make those decisions in order to save both herself and her brother. I really disliked the father. What kind of father would do that to his children. I'm glad that at least Luna has the sense to do something that would save them unlike their father.
This was another quick read that I was surprised I was at the end already. It is probably one of my favorite retellings yet of Beauty and the Beast. I'm looking gorward to reading more.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2015
Rezi folgt...
February 20, 2015
Kurzweiliges Steampunk-Märchen mit patenter Heldin
Nach einem Diebstahl, den ihr Vater begangen hat, landet Luna nur deshalb nicht im Kerker des Königs, weil sie eine hervorragende Mechanikerin ist. Der König erkennt ihren Nutzen und beauftragt sie, eine Maschine zu reparieren, die der königliche Mechaniker vor seinem plötzlichen Verschwinden nicht mehr fertigstellen konnte.
Als der König mit eben diesem Fahrzeug verunglückt und beinahe stirbt, hat Luna alle Hände voll zu tun, das Leben des Königs zu retten, weil von seinem Wohlergehen ihr eigenes Leben und das ihres kleinen Bruders abhängt.
Am Ende hat es Luna mit zwei Biestern zu tun - einem mechanischem und einem menschlichen, und nur eines davon verdient ihre Zuneigung.
Diese Neuerzählung von Die Schöne und das Biest besticht durch ein originelles Steampunk-Setting und eine patente, pragmatische und sysmpathische Heldin. Luna ist kein unreifes Mädchen, das in Starre verfällt, nur weil ein Mann ihr schöne Augen macht. Selbst als sie für gleich zwei Männer zu schwärmen beginnt, bleibt sie dabei immer realistisch und verliert nicht den Blick auf die Wahrheit.
Die Handlung wartet mit kuriosen Einfällen und etlichen Wendungen auf, die man aufgrund der Kürze nicht erwartet hätte. Ein dampfbetriebenes Motorrad, solarbetriebene Edelstein-Batterien und ein mechanischer Mensch machen aus dem alten Märchen einen kurzweiligen Ausflug in eine Fantasy-Welt abseits von Magie und Schwertern.
Ich hätte mir an vielen Stellen mehr Tiefe gewünscht und auch Einblick in die Gedanken der anderen Charaktere. Die Handlung hätte jedenfalls genug Stoff für einen Roman gehabt. Einige der Plotwendungen erschienen mir zu praktisch (wie die verschwundenen Brüder des Königs, die niemand vermisste), aber am Ende fügte sich alles zu einem harmonischem und kurzweiligen Ganzen zusammen.
Zusätzlich zu dieser Novelle gibt es das Original des Märchens und eine Kurzgeschichte (mit der ich allerdings nichts anfangen konnte).
Die englische Fassung enthält bis auf einige technische Ausdrücke keine schwierigen Vokabel und ist gut für Jugendliche geeignet.
Ich erhielt von der Autorin ein Rezensionsexemplar gegen eine ehrliche Kritik, weshalb ich diese Rezension bereits am Erscheinungstag veröffentlichen kann.
Nach einem Diebstahl, den ihr Vater begangen hat, landet Luna nur deshalb nicht im Kerker des Königs, weil sie eine hervorragende Mechanikerin ist. Der König erkennt ihren Nutzen und beauftragt sie, eine Maschine zu reparieren, die der königliche Mechaniker vor seinem plötzlichen Verschwinden nicht mehr fertigstellen konnte.
Als der König mit eben diesem Fahrzeug verunglückt und beinahe stirbt, hat Luna alle Hände voll zu tun, das Leben des Königs zu retten, weil von seinem Wohlergehen ihr eigenes Leben und das ihres kleinen Bruders abhängt.
Am Ende hat es Luna mit zwei Biestern zu tun - einem mechanischem und einem menschlichen, und nur eines davon verdient ihre Zuneigung.
Diese Neuerzählung von Die Schöne und das Biest besticht durch ein originelles Steampunk-Setting und eine patente, pragmatische und sysmpathische Heldin. Luna ist kein unreifes Mädchen, das in Starre verfällt, nur weil ein Mann ihr schöne Augen macht. Selbst als sie für gleich zwei Männer zu schwärmen beginnt, bleibt sie dabei immer realistisch und verliert nicht den Blick auf die Wahrheit.
Die Handlung wartet mit kuriosen Einfällen und etlichen Wendungen auf, die man aufgrund der Kürze nicht erwartet hätte. Ein dampfbetriebenes Motorrad, solarbetriebene Edelstein-Batterien und ein mechanischer Mensch machen aus dem alten Märchen einen kurzweiligen Ausflug in eine Fantasy-Welt abseits von Magie und Schwertern.
Ich hätte mir an vielen Stellen mehr Tiefe gewünscht und auch Einblick in die Gedanken der anderen Charaktere. Die Handlung hätte jedenfalls genug Stoff für einen Roman gehabt. Einige der Plotwendungen erschienen mir zu praktisch (wie die verschwundenen Brüder des Königs, die niemand vermisste), aber am Ende fügte sich alles zu einem harmonischem und kurzweiligen Ganzen zusammen.
Zusätzlich zu dieser Novelle gibt es das Original des Märchens und eine Kurzgeschichte (mit der ich allerdings nichts anfangen konnte).
Die englische Fassung enthält bis auf einige technische Ausdrücke keine schwierigen Vokabel und ist gut für Jugendliche geeignet.
Ich erhielt von der Autorin ein Rezensionsexemplar gegen eine ehrliche Kritik, weshalb ich diese Rezension bereits am Erscheinungstag veröffentlichen kann.
March 10, 2015
Great book. This steampunk novel was a great read and I enjoyed it immensely. I look for specific things in a book, such as flushed out characters, a well defined setting, and a story line that flows cleanly from beginning to end. The King's Mechanic fulfilled all the criteria. From the first page it grabbed my interest and didn't let up all the way through to the very end. At first I didn't get the subtitle "Beauty and the Beast", but as the story progressed it became self-evident in a very different manner than I would have thought - yet, it really made the story.
I highly recommend this tale. With Characters that I could see and a story that easily had me swiping my Kindle screen, to see what happens next, I think anyone who enjoys fantasy or steampunk will find this book one they shouldn't pass on.
I highly recommend this tale. With Characters that I could see and a story that easily had me swiping my Kindle screen, to see what happens next, I think anyone who enjoys fantasy or steampunk will find this book one they shouldn't pass on.
February 18, 2015
Do you love fairy tale retellings? I do.
February 18, 2015
Magst du Märchen? Ich schon.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews