Book Review: Tesla by Mark Lingane

This is the first time I read a steampunk/cyberpunk book and I think it went well considering my expectations. I understand that this type of books are supposed to be full of action and kick-ass moments and Tesla sure delivers on this part. From beginning to end, there’s always something going on that forces the characters to fight or run for their lives. 

I liked the concept of this book. There’s so much wrong in this world that I can sadly see it coming in a (hopefully very distant) future. It talks about how humanity loses itself when it depends too much on technology. When the thirst for the most advanced scientific breakthroughs can go horribly wrong. This world is dying. There’s not enough water or people, and with killing machines running around attacking what’s left, the odds of survival aren’t very good. 

The people that are still fighting the cyborgs are giving it all they have by training the Teslas, who can detect and manipulate magnetism. Sebastian, the main character, turns out to be a powerful Tesla since he is one of the few who can actually detect magnetism and with some training, control it. Unfortunately, since he is special, they don’t let him get much involved, making him take matters into his own hands with the help of his friends. 

Despite the never-ending action, I did have trouble getting into the book. The main problem was that I couldn’t connect with the main characters, something that is a must for me to fully enjoy a book. Sebastian is an okay character. He is smart, he is talented at controlling magnetism, but he’s a bit immature. I know he’s still a child (he’s twelve) but given the circumstances, you would have thought he would start acting more responsible. I liked him better at the start of the book than at the end, something I was not expecting. Melanie is another character I liked better at the beginning.  She was fearless and determined to get better once she found out she had more days to live (she’s sick), but when she meets Gavin (a tesla), she goes all goo-goo eyes for him and so I lost faith in her kick-butt persona.

And yet, I did like a few other characters from this book, like Isaac and Nikola. They are mostly secondary characters, but their personalities were interesting and I liked having them around. Isaac was funny and a good friend, while Nikola was a strong commander ready to save his people and do what he thought was best. So glad they survived everything that went through.

Tesla may not have been the most exciting read for me but I can’t deny that it may be one for the younger audience. It’s a good book with a good plot. I’ll recommend this one to teens 12 & up.