Great story and loved the romance. Loved the cast of characters and how the story came to be. Great story and I would read this author again.

Mist, Meta, and Ash by Gwendolyn Care is a great continuation of the story! It's fun to see how characters develop and change along with the addition of new faces.

I did not get the chance to read this ARC prior to the book's publication, but we did end up buying it for our library collection.

Enjoyed it, but the earlier books kept me more interested. ..

I decided to give this series one more chance due to a friend telling me that it got better. It didn't, not for me at least. I still didn't enjoy the writing and the characters really got on my nerves for some reason.

I really enjoyed the continuation of this story. We see more points of view in this story, as it is less centrally focused on Elsa. Character development is strong. A strong ending to the duology.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

While the world building in this series is fascinating, as a reported duology it leaves something to be desired. Without adequate resolution, it seems like a money-grab by Gwendolyn Clare or more likely Imprint. Duologies are a great trend in young adult literature that I would like to see continued - enough of a story to draw the reader in and create worlds and multi-faceted characters but not so drawn out as to grow tiresome.

I so enjoyed the first book, Ink, Iron, and Glass, so I was really looking forward to reading this. The series is absolutely unique, seeing as the main character can create new worlds out of words. Its absolutely action packed. Definitely pick up this series!

Just like the first book, Ink, Iron, and Glass, I found myself wanting more from the story. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story and I find this world fascinating. However, I probably won't continue on with their story.

Title: Mist, Metal, and Ash
Author: Gwendolyn Clare
Genre: YA, fantasy
Rating: 4.0 out of 5

In an alternate Italy, Elsa can create new worlds by writing in books. Special writing. Special books. Special talent…and one that puts her in danger when political extremists steal a book that can change the very nature of the world itself.

In the wake of a horrific betrayal, Elsa has one goal: track down the book before the extremists can use it to wreak havoc. Getting revenge on her betrayer will be just a bonus. But Elsa doesn’t realize the secrets she’ll encounter along the way, some of which she’s even kept from herself.

I love steampunk, but I don’t actively seek it out—I don’t know why. I have not read the first book in this duology, Ink, Iron, and Glass, but I highly recommend doing that, as I spent the first third of the book being highly confused. I ended up loving the world and its nuances: differences from our own, but some similarities, too. There’s a lot of action here, and a bit of romance, but it’s all woven together seamlessly. I like the intrigue with Casa as well.

Gwendolyn Clare is a scientist and a writer. Mist, Metal, and Ash is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Imprint/Macmillan via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Mist, Metal, and Ash is the second book in the Ink, Iron, and Glass series. The series is best read in order for the events of book two to make sense.
After Leo betrayed his friends and escaped back through the portal with the editbook created by Elsa's mother, Elsa, Porzia, and Faraz are left to pick up the pieces left after the battle they just fought against Riciotti Garibaldi, Leo's father, and Aris, Leo's brother. Together the three friends begin a plan to retrieve the editbook to keep Garibaldi from destroying the world and killing countless people. When the trio finds out Leo is actually on their side, they use his knowledge to enhance their strategy and enlist more help. They use their various gifts of scriptology, mechanical engineering, and alchemy to find the Garibaldis' lair, and thus begins a fight none of them had bargained for.
After reading Ink, Iron, and Glass and utterly enjoying it, I couldn't wait to read the sequel. I wasn't disappointed. The unique pairing of fantasy, science, and literature was absolutely fascinating, and I thought it worked out well. The characters were realistic, the descriptions were vivid, and the plot was engaging. One of my favorite characters was Skandar, Faraz's creature. Even though he didn't speak, he was used as comic relief and played a big role in the plot. A big surprise for me was the developing relationship between Porzia and Revan, which I thought was sweet. I didn't agree with some of the views expressed, but other than that I really enjoyed this book. There were some loose ends left untied at the end, so I'm hoping for a book three... I know this duology isn't for everyone, but this unique world will delight those who enjoy fantasy and science fiction. I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This world is one of my favorites.- I love the idea of books being actual, physical worlds . This book (and the first) are action packed and include a fast-paced plot, and interesting characters. I liked Elsa's character in the first novel but she becomes even more polished and developed in the second novel. A great sequel, with many twists and turns-- did not disappoint. Great read.

In an alternate 19th-century Italy, Elsa has an incredible gift: she can craft new worlds with precise lines of script written in books. But political extremists have stolen the most dangerous book ever scribed―one that can rewrite the Earth itself. Now Elsa must track down the friend who betrayed her and recover the book before its destructive power is unleashed.

Mist, Metal, and Ash is an imaginative sequel to Ink, Iron and Glass full of intrigue, action, romance and a good dash of surprise plot twists and turns. Elsa believe Leo has betrayed them all but that is far from the truth. Instead, he has returned to his home so that he may say the girl he loves and do recon of his own. Possibly my favorite 'character' remains Casa, the sentient family abode who goes a little haywire trying to protect her family.

Looking forward to the next book and what seems to be the culmination of events and the story.

I finished this ebook ARC today. I feel like I am just as middle ground on this one as I was with Ink, Iron and Glass. The characters were great and the pace was good. Some plot points were easy to see coming, and some were convenient but overall the story was interesting enough that I wanted to finish to see what happend.

It is the nineteenth century in Italy and Elsa can create new worlds using script that is written in books. That is a powerful gift and someone has stolen the most powerful of these books – this book can rewrite the Earth. Can Elsa trust someone who betrayed her in order to find the book? What will she discover along the way?

Mist, Metal, and Ash is the second book in the Ink, Iron, and Glass series. This alternate history book is full of adventure and a variety of characters. Clare has taken the world she created and has extended the story with flair. Although Goodreads does not have a third book listed, the end will leave readers to believe that more stories will be on their way. Mist, Metal, and Ash was enjoyable but should only be read if readers have finished the first volume.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Quick Summary:
- Loved the unique concept of scribing worlds and all the pazzerellone inventions!
- Took a lot longer for me to become engaged in this book and I felt like the plot was a bit all over the place
- I really hope there is a third book because this book created more unanswered questions!

My Review:

Thank you so much to Imprint for providing me with a review copy of this book via NetGalley! All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When I read Ink, Iron and Glass last year I absolutely loved the idea of being able to scribe worlds into existence. It was such a unique concept that I really enjoyed the book. I knew at the end of the first book that I had to read the second book! I just couldn’t wrap my head around why Leo betrayed all his friends and Elsa for his family who abandoned him! While I definitely enjoyed the second book, I didn’t love it as much as the first.

This book picks up shortly after Leo pushed Elsa back through the portal and stole the Editbook. Leo is reunited with his father and brother and is headed to their secret location. Back at Casa everyone is dealing with Leo’s betrayal in their own way. Porzia is furious that Leo betrayed them while Faraz believes he was forced to turn against them and is now being held captive. Elsa has taken the middle ground and is just trying to keep the peace between the two while trying to find a way to track Leo and the editbook. The pazzerellones are quickly running out of ideas but with some outside help they just might have found a way back to Leo. But the true question remains whether or not Leo needs their help.

I love that the book picks up almost immediately after the first because I was in shock after that ending and needed more! The book does have a slower start and maintains that pace for the first half of the book. But it does pick up towards the end where all sorts of action occurs and I could not put it down! It was very similar in pacing to the first book with a lot of background and set up needed before the plot could really get going. I did feel like the plot was a bit divided. We had the main storyline that we have been following since the first book and then we get this new almost side story that involves Casa. It was interesting and I did find myself wondering a time or two in the first book if something like this would occur but I felt like it didn’t add much to the plot in this book.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the multiple point of views. It was really helpful to be able to switch from character to character to see what was happening with Leo and his family and then to be able to switch back to Casa and what was happening at home. I also loved the insight it provided to be able to see from different characters and to know what they were thinking about a particular situation. The author did a great job of making the transitions between POVs very smooth and it definitely added to the story! I also love all the characters! Being back with Elsa, Porzia, Faraz and even Leo and watching them work their crazy science genius-ness is so entertaining! It really makes me wish I was a pazzerellone and could invent the amazing things they do!

If this book is a duology, I really did not like the ending. While it did resolve some issues, there are just way too many things left unresolved that really bother me. I’m really hoping there will be a third book but I also don’t feel like there will be. Hopefully there will be a novella or something to help answer the questions that I still have. While I definitely enjoyed this book, I didn’t love it as much as the first book. It took a lot longer for me to become engaged in this book and I felt like the plot was a bit all over the place. If you’ve read the first book and enjoyed it I would definitely recommend reading the second book!

Publication date: February 19, 2019
Description:
Worlds collide in this thrilling sequel to the epic, imaginative, acclaimed fantasy Ink, Iron, and Glass.
In an alternate 19th-century Italy, Elsa has an incredible gift: she can craft new worlds with precise lines of script written in books. But political extremists have stolen the most dangerous book ever scribed—one that can rewrite the Earth itself.
Now Elsa must track down the friend who betrayed her and recover the book before its destructive power is unleashed. Can she handle the secrets she’ll uncover along the way—including the ones hiding in her own heart?
My Thoughts:
Dammit, sucked in again!!! Alternate world/fantasy authors love the sequel. YA authors love the trilogy with some novellas tucked in between. So a YA alternate world/fantasy author? I should know better, but this is really my personal genre of choice, so no, I am just left at the "Edgemist."

This is an action packed, stay up late book. There is always something around the corner and the end words are a great example in craft. No complaints. This book delivers.

But here is my complaint: I hate waiting. This is book number 112 this year. My 111th book was the first book in this series Ink, Iron and Glass posted two days ago. Here is my issue: Christopher Paolini, George R.R. Martin. Confused? These are notoriously slow series writers who leave their audiences in limbo for years, literally. Because I read so many YA books, the chance that I forget this series before the next one comes out is very likely.

But here is my hope: Gwendolyn Clare is a female writer and female writers are a little more disciplined, or finances necessitate their ability to write on deadline. Take the first three Harry Potter books - three in three years. Until the books hit mass mania appeal, Rowling had time to write. SO my hope is that February is a good month for Ms. Clare. Her last book before this series, Deep Magic came out in February 2017. Ink, Iron and Glass was out in February 2018. This next book comes out in February 2019. I am hoping that I remember this series and I am hoping that February 2020 is a good month.

Last Words
"So." Porzia game them all a glittering smile. "Would you care to make a deal?"

An advanced digital copy provided by Net Galley and the publisher for an honest review.

I loved this book! The full review will be posted soon at kaitgoodwin.com/books! Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to connect books to their readers!

Terrific sequel, exactly where I hoped the characters would wind up. Fascinating world building and loved the dynamics of the team.