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Reviewed by Sarah Pierzchala for Readers' Favorite
In A Tale of The Broken Heart by Rose Plieseis, young Kristane and her twin brother Xander remember nothing of their past. Their only family is a rag-tag band of criminal youngsters, known as the Rogue, eking out a precarious living on the streets of the vibrant city of Kairos. Led by the imperious yet charismatic Rellion, the Rogue rubs shoulders with underworld dregs, low-class entertainers, upper-class doctors, conniving cult members, and marvelous clockwork creations. Some of these latter machines just might have attained consciousness and free will, becoming a form of life that can make them valued companions or deadly foes. As the mysterious Rellion begins to utter dark hints concerning a prophecy about a malevolent force from distant times, Kristane gleans hints that the only link to her past—her broken yet treasured heart-shaped locket—is more than a mere sentimental keepsake. Soon, the city is under assault, and Kristane and the Rogue are on the run from a cadre of menacing and deadly mechanical wraiths.
From the first page, I was captivated by this imaginative steampunk-flavored concoction. With lovely prose and many creative details, Plieseis vividly sets the stage for her world, while steadily ramping up the intrigue. Figures like Kristane, Xander, Rellion, and Blackmore display a satisfying balance of heroism and imperfection that makes them especially well-drawn and memorable, and it's a pleasure to see their relationships deepen and develop throughout the story. The pacing is excellent, as Plieseis does a masterful job of juggling the scattered locations and large cast of charming characters without ever losing the thread of the plot or confusing the reader. The violence is swashbuckling, and the main villains, Cristobal and Foon, display just the right amount of dastardliness, power, and menace. Overall, A Tale of The Broken Heart keeps its promise to tell an old-fashioned, high-stakes epic with aplomb, humor, and even a dose of transcendent beauty. The conclusion is satisfying and complete while leaving hints that there may be more adventures to come for Kristane, Xander, and their friends, old and new. This is a tale that will delight young readers and adults alike. Recommended.
