Windup Pilots control giant robot deities under Godolia’s tyrannical rule, keeping order among the people of the Badlands. Eris is a Gearbreaker who destroys these Windups, while Sona is a Windup pilot trying to destroy Godolia from the inside. Unlikely alliance (and romance) builds between them as they attempt to take down the empire.

I think I forgot how to enjoy YA books. Don’t get me wrong, this book is fantastic! The worldbuilding is super interesting, the found family is ADORABLE, and all of the characters are so lovely.

But to me, the story just felt silly. The older I get, the more concerned I get about books like this. Like besties. Why are all these kids murdering people? Who let them do that? The conflict wasn’t as fleshed out as I wish it had been, and the romance just fell flat for me. It was so all-consuming for them, and it was cute, but like not excusing-mass-murder cute. I don’t know. Just felt weird. 

The sequel was solid, too. Godslayers felt like two complete books pressed into one (a whole new story began around the 50% mark) which made the whole thing feel like a trilogy.

But yay! Giant robots and lesbians! Cute found family dynamics!! If you like YA sci-fi, you’ll enjoy this one. It was just harder for me to enjoy it with my changing reading tastes.