Cogheart
Peter Bunzl

Subjects
- Action Adventures - chills, thrills and plenty of spills
Lily's life is in mortal peril. Her father is missing and silver-eyed men stalk her through the shadows. With her friends - Robert, the clockmaker's son, and Malkin, her mechanical fox - Lily is plunged into a murky and menacing world. Too soon Lily realizes that those she holds dear may be the very ones to break her heart...
Reviews

Excellent adventure story!
rgoodall

An exciting and interesting story.
Dalgleish

This was an exciting story with a great twist. I am looking forward to reading further books in the series.
JacquiBoyce

Set in an alternative Victorian England we begin the story after the exciting prologue with Lily at boarding school learning deportment, etiquette, embroidery and perfect manners! Lily though has other plans and would much rather be reading adventure stories of pirates, thieves and vampires in her beloved Penny Dreadful’s. Lily is a wonderful character full of love, compassion, kindness and bravery which she draws upon as the adventure unfolds. Lily finds a new friend and ally in Robert, an apprentice watch maker, who has rescued and repaired Lily’s beloved mechanimal fox Malkin. Robert makes an amazing hero, he’s brave and incredibly loyal but also far from the perfect heroes of many books as we learn of his fears and insecurities which make him even more real and relatable. The baddies of the story are spectacularly creepy and occasionally terrifying, bringing with them danger, fear, twists and turns they add a wonderful element to the book. As do the mechanicals, mechanimals and even the hi-bred part human, part machine characters! The many elements work well together to offer a real page turner of a book with excitement, adventure, love and loss.
SarahC39


Younger readers will enjoy this story. It is an exciting, though often perilous, adventure with a Victorian steampunk theme. It’s a nice read with likeable characters - human and mechanical. I’m giving it 4/5 for a couple of things though. I appreciate I’m reviewing it as an adult. 1. It’s quite predictable 2. Poor Robert. What a tragedy to just brush under the carpet! I will give the next in the series a try though.
Caroline2312

A mysterious, suspenseful, adventurous story about friendship, loyalty and secrets. Some brilliant examples of descriptions of characters and settings. An original and interesting story idea which develops beautifully.
MissFB

It’s funny, I tried reading this book last year and didn’t manage to get beyond the first chapter. This time, I couldn’t put it down. Loved the world that Peter Bunzl created, the characterization, the mechanicals and mechanimals, the energy and thrilling adventure. I didn’t realise that this was a debut novel. Very confident storytelling. 📚
Library Lassie

This book was full of gripping detail all the way through. Although many of the plot twists were more predictable as and adult reader the enjoyment and anticipation still remains. This is a fantastic read for anyone into fantasy adventures with a steam punk twist. For a darker tale similar in theme to this one I recommend Mortal Engines.
CharlotteD33

Engaging story aimed at years 5-6. Enjoyed the plot. Well written with good pace.
Beth23

I adored this book from start to finish. It is fast paced with lots of twists and turns. The development of the main characters, Lily and Robert, is excellent. Lily is my favourite though, she courageous, loyal and ready to break the rules in a heartbeat! I also loved the language used throughout the book. Marvellous. I can't believe it's taken me this long to read it!
Lizzy405

Interesting how it is set during the Victorian times and love that the main hero is a woman in the story line. The descriptions are stunningly written and I was hooked from the first page.

An alternative Victorian era adventure full of twists and turns and peppered with wonderful descriptive phrases that capture the imagination. Lily’s passionate defence of mechs and her treatment at the hands of the Kraken endear her to reader from the outset .
MsT

Lots of challenges face our hero and heroine, as they face their new world alone, Who do they trust and who do they fear. Very driven plot with few resting places. Good for independent readers but can be too descriptive and long as a class reader with lower ability students.
Jammy_D

Engaging, exciting. Mechanical characters are appealing and lend to wider curriculum work
MrsR3146

This was a little slow to get going but it eventually picked up and then I couldn't put it down.
MrsMcMurdo

A trilling book, with a mysterious adventure. Great twists and turns and a lovely ending. Would certainly recommend this to children.
Joannel16

This book was an amazing read from start to finish! The story was extremely well written, full of action and adventure, which kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoy books with a faintly magical air and the mechanimals' ability to have feelings and emotions really added to the the magic. A great read if you enjoy adventure and humour in your books. Also, there are more nooks in the series- can't wait!
RachelShaw

A great storyline with lots of action.
Efinch1811

I would recommend this to ks2 and early ks3 children who like a good adventure set in a fantasy world where humans live with robotic animals and servants. I enjoyed the plot of the story and I liked Robert the best and the enemy was convincing however I am not sure that I would read any more though, I just didn't really warm to Lily and her father particularly.
BelvoirLibrarian

This was a stunning read and I can't wait to read their next adventures. A dangerous adventure with a hint of tragedy, I couldn't put it down.
Lucy2992