Of Metal and Wishes (Of Metal and Wishes, #1)

by Sarah Fine

[jnikkir]

This review can also be found at my blog, There were books involved...

-----------------------------

I've been reading a lot of retellings lately, and to be honest, the last few have been less than stellar. So I was kind of wary upon starting this book. Of Metal and Wishes is a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera - which I've never read, but I adore the musical. A YA retelling of this story sounded awesome - like it could be dark and gritty and romantic and fraught with feels. And Of Metal and Wishes totally delivered.

Of Metal and Wishes is the kind of book that you just experience. This book is beautiful - the writing pulled me in so easily to the dark setting, got me immediately invested in the characters, and effortlessly pulled me along with the plot and these characters' struggles.

Wen, the main character, has just started working as the doctor's (her father's) assistant in a slaughterhouse, in a "reimagined industrialized Asia". For the most part, Wen is extremely reserved in her mannerisms, but she's also incredibly strong - she has to be in order to be her father's assistant and help with the many accidents that occur in the slaughterhouse. And not only is she strong in that way, but as the environment in the slaughterhouse changes, she becomes determined to stand up against the injustices and inequality she witnesses.

(Quick note of warning for the terribly squeamish: Yes, this book takes place in a slaughterhouse, and its main character is the doctor's assistant. We are not spared any of the gory details.)

The plot in Of Metal and Wishes is driven by the appearance of Noor workers at the slaughterhouse - who are hired as a source of cheap labor, and who become a source of intense animosity between the native Itanyai and the Noor themselves. The Itanyai view the Noor as a coarse and barbaric people, and are extremely and immediately prejudiced against them from the moment they arrive to work.

There's an undercurrent of intense unease that runs through Of Metal and Wishes, fueled by this prejudice, by the growing discontent of the Noor and the way they are treated, and also by another source: The workers believe that a ghost haunts the deserted basement corridors and shadowy corners of the slaughterhouse. Though he's only been there for seven years, a custom has formed with the workers and bosses, to leave the Ghost small gifts and to write prayers to him, asking for favors. In granting them, he has built up a solid reputation, and he seems to be getting more and more involved in the events there. Especially once the skeptical Wen shows up and, after being humiliated by one of the Noor, dares the Ghost to prove his existence.

The Ghost is definitely one of the most fascinating characters in Of Metal and Wishes. I don't want to give too much away about him, because spoilers, but I really loved how he was portrayed, and the reasons for his fascination with Wen.

Melik, a young Noor who's nevertheless looked to as a leader among them, was also a fantastic character. He's a strong, compassionate person, and I never once questioned why he and Wen would be drawn to one another.

As this is a Phantom retelling, I wasn't surprised by the slight shadow of a love-triangle that happened, with the Ghost and Melik both falling for Wen for different reasons -- but thankfully, there was no real triangle from Wen's perspective. She and Melik are an entrancing couple to watch, and their relationship is one that, according to the Itanyai, absolutely should not exist. At first, their prejudices form a huge divide between them, but they fascinate one another, and their relationship helps them both view the disparity between their peoples in a whole new light. One thing I was really pleased with, was the fact that the chasm between them felt real, and not just like an obstacle thrown in to add an aspect of "forbidden romance" to the relationship. These characters fit together, but there are real struggles happening as they realize their feelings for one another.

 
In conclusion...

THANK GOODNESS FOR SARAH FINE. I was beginning to despair that I wouldn't find a great retelling anytime soon, but boy, she proved me wrong with Of Metal and Wishes. This book has everything I love about retellings - the same basic structure that's not too different from the original, changes that make the story feel fresh and new, and enough twists and amazing surprises to keep you on your toes the whole way through.

The characters, writing, and story were all completely engrossing, and I can say with near certainty that if you're a fan of Phantom of the Opera (not just the pretty music), you will also really enjoy this book.

I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and the conclusion to this story, because after that ending... I mean, the ending is good, and it can stand alone, but man. I absolutely want to know what happens next, and I'm so glad we'll get to find out!!

--

There were books involved...