I will not let them know my fear. But I will show them the flames.”
gearbreakers, zoe hana mikuta
Author: Zoe Hana Mikuta
Publication Date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Page Count: 416
Reading Method: Digital ARC [Thank you to the publisher!]
Dates Read: June 21 – 24
Synopsis:
The shadow of Godolia’s tyrannical rule is spreading, aided by their giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. War and oppression are everyday constants for the people of the Badlands, who live under the thumb of their cruel Godolia overlords.
Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a brash young rebel who specializes in taking down Windups from the inside. When one of her missions goes awry and she finds herself in a Godolia prison, Eris meets Sona Steelcrest, a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot. At first Eris sees Sona as her mortal enemy, but Sona has a secret: She has intentionally infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia from within.
As the clock ticks down to their deadliest mission yet, a direct attack to end Godolia’s reign once and for all, Eris and Sona grow closer―as comrades, friends, and perhaps something more…
Review:
I’m not going to lie. This book was a little outside of my comfort zone. But I’m SO GLAD I branched out! This one is pitched as “two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they’re fighting for a common purpose―and falling for each other” and with a description like that, who wouldn’t be intrigued?
Characters:
The characters were my absolute favorite part of this story. Obviously we have our main characters, Eris and Sona, but there’s also a whole crew of gearbreakers to fall in love with! If you love found family crews of misfit characters, you NEED to put this book on your radar. Each and every one of the teammates was funny, loveable, and valuable to the mission. They speak my love language – playfully mean, teasing to show affection.
Eris is a Gearbreaker who gets captured by the opposition while on a mission. It’s during her capture that she meets Sona, a talented pilot with a troubled past of her own. The two must learn to put aside their difference and find common ground so they can work together to destroy the society that ruined their lives. Both of these characters grow so much throughout the story and their interactions had me rolling!
I can’t wait to see more of these characters in the next book!
Writing:
There is a lot to take in in Gearbreakers. While many things are similar to the world we live in, the idea of the mechas and bots and everything was a lot to take in. I think it was written really well. It could have very quickly become too confusing and too much information to take in, but the way everything was described broke it down in an easy to understand and enjoyable format.
Gearbreakers was snarky and hilarious and a joy to read. There is never a dull moment. With all the high-stakes missions these crews go on, there is always room for something to go drastically wrong, and Mikuta has filled this book with twists and turns you won’t see coming.
Overall:
I loved Gearbreakers! The story was full of laughs, has unforgettable characters, unrelenting excitement, and a touching love story. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series.
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