Of Dreams and Rust

Gr 9 Up—A solid continuation of Fine's Of Metal and Wishes (S. & S., 2014), a unique retelling of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera. In the year after the slaughterhouse where she worked collapsed, Wen tries desperately to be content in the healing clinic with her father and taking care of the "Ghost" that formerly haunted the factory. However, after overhearing a secret plan, the teen must decide if she will risk everything to try to save those she believes are innocent or watch helplessly as war consumes all of her dreams. Fine excels at creating the frenzied chaotic landscape of a racially driven war-ravaged world. Her satisfying graphic action scenes serve as quite the antithesis to the quiet, romantic moments that rely on brief descriptions which leave much to readers' imaginations. While most of the characters' personalities remain constant, they also mature on various levels during the plot's twists and turns. Set in a dystopian landscape with a variety of diverse characters, this romantic steampunk novel will have readers often on the edge of their seats as they try to keep up with the heroine's adventures. Read as a stand-alone novel or as a sequel, this work will satisfy newcomers to the author's writing and long-term fans alike.