Mira Bartók

The Wonderling has a beautiful steampunk style cover and illustrations done by the author. Both the artwork and the writing should be experienced as a single piece of art. This book will appeal to many different kinds of readers. Whether you a a fantasy fan, are interested in social commentary (bullying, discrimination, slavery, class struggle, etc,), are into steampunk, delve into Arthurian literature, prefer adventure book or like the arts it's all here. The fact that the book has so many layers and themes makes it dense and chaotic at times, but Bartok overcomes that easily. Just take your time absorbing it all.

Many other reviewers saw links to other literature like the writing Charles Dickens, J.K. Rowling, Sir Thomas Malory. Yes, this book is a mix of all those influences, but the plot remains original with a few unexpected twists. The only thing that bothered me was that the ending seemed to come together a little too easily after all those arduous and complex adventures.

I saw Mira Bartok speak at the Boston Book Festival. She said that the main theme of the book is compassion. She hopes that the reader even has compassion for the most evil characters. Keep that in mind when you read it!… (more)

(Review by Zoe, aged 6.) This is one of the best books I have ever heard. It's super super super good. It's got lots and lots of adventure. It's set in imaginary places: Mrs Carbuncle's home, the wild, and the city. The main characters are one bird named Trinket and one sort of fox, sort of kangaroo-ish, sort of doggish animal, which has one ear, named Arthur – but at the start of the book he is named an unlucky number, Number 13. I think this book would be appropriate for people aged five and over.… (more)