Curio Book Review
In Curio, Grey Haward lives in a world tightly controlled by Chemists who dictate every choice. The residents rely on a daily potion provided by these leaders. However, Grey’s family is unique because her grandfather and father can survive without the potion. This anomaly makes Grey question her own dependency, although she tries to stay unnoticed to protect the family secret.
One night, Grey’s best friend, Whit, takes the blame for her breaking curfew and returns home injured and in pain. In an act of gratitude and to help him recover, Grey sacrifices her potion. This incident sets off a chain of events, resulting in the Chemists taking an interest in her and eventually hunting her down.
To protect her, her grandfather’s shop assistant sends Grey through a wardrobe, unlocked with a key she mysteriously controls. In this new world, Grey is instructed to find “him,” though she has no idea who that might be. This world is dangerous, and Grey immediately stands out, catching the attention of a volatile man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
I don’t usually read steampunk, but that doesn’t mean I’m not intrigued by it. Debut YA author Evangeline Denmark, who has previously co-authored children’s books, tackles this genre with vibrant imagination in Curio. The novel stands out for its phenomenal world-building and high sense of adventure. It’s reminiscent of how Pirates of the Caribbean redefined swashbuckling tales—this book does the same for steampunk. It’s genuinely entertaining.
The story navigates a moral landscape of right versus wrong and tackles the power struggle between the evil forces in Grey’s world and those fighting to restore balance. Told in alternating settings—Curio City and a small western town—the narrative is split among three characters: Grey, Whit, and Blaise, whom Grey meets in Curio. This multi-perspective approach enriches the storytelling, offering a well-rounded view of the world through different characters’ eyes.
And then there’s the romance. The chemistry and sparks between characters are intense and well-executed. While the story doesn’t center solely on romance (the characters are busy trying to stay alive!), what’s there hints at fantastic potential, making it a crucial component of any good love story.
If you enjoy adventurous novels or fantasy-esque young adult tales, Curio is worth checking out. Released on January 5th, it also has a prequel novella, Mark of Blood and Alchemy, available for free on e-book platforms. Although I haven’t read the prequel, it likely offers a good introduction to Denmark’s writing style and the Curio series.
Adaptation Recommendation
Curio would be perfect for a television series or film. Until that happens, I recommend watching the adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal, which has a similar tone.
Overall Rating
“The stuff that dreams are made of.”
Romance Rating
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. I have loved none but you.”
Book Info:
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Blink (a division of HarperCollins)
Genre: Young Adult Steampunk/Fantasy (Book One)
Author Website: Evangeline Denmark
Buy on Amazon
