The Lock-Eater by Zack Loran Clark

The Lock-Eater Reviews

• 
  Betsy

  Imagine, if you will, what would have happened in
  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz if Dorothy had ditched the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion and traipsed off with the Tin Man to defeat the corrupt Wizard and witches of the world. That’s not a perfect description of what you get with The Lock-Eater by Zack Loran Clark, but I also don’t think it’s the worst way to explain what’s going on here. It’s funny, but though the last Harry Potter book was released in 2007, the influence of that series pervades so much of contemporary middle grade fantasy novels. Look on any bookstore or library shelf of new titles and you’ll see "[First Name / Last Name] and the [Something] of the [Something]" as a standard title. So many of them involve a kid finding out their true powers just in time to defeat some dark evil. The Lock-Eater is no exception, but unlike those other books it skews the standard formula. It doesn’t follow the same beats as those other books, its storytelling is just a touch wilder, and the ultimate message says a lot about the changes infusing children's literature today. That’s probably why I rather like it as much as I do. In those awkward little cavities, in its vibrant descriptions and skillfully wrought characters, this strange little book manages to become incredibly memorable. I’ll tell you this: Hand this work of fantasy over to the child that’s beginning to get bored with the Harry Potter knock-offs of the world. It’ll give them something to think about.
  
  To be clear, being able to open any lock you encounter is NOT a normal trait at the Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls. Yet for whatever reason, foundling Melanie Gate has always had the gift. Labeled “lock-eater” by one of the other girls, the talent has never led to much of anything. That is, until the night she accidentally destroys all the windows and doors of the orphanage while trying to let out a particularly obnoxious cat. Not long thereafter a gearling comes to the home, seeking a girl with special abilities. It’s only when Melanie leaves with the automaton that she discovers that not only is it sentient but it's lost its memory and is desperately in need of her help. Now girl and robot are on the run from the authorities who seek them both, but for very different reasons. It seems that these two are more than they first appear.
  
  World building is not for the faint of heart, but when it comes to immersive fantasies like The Lock-Eater it is also wildly important. Read enough fantasies and you begin to find yourself critiquing how effectively an author embeds you in a world entirely of their own conjuring. Some authors try to do too much and make up for it with hundreds and hundreds of pages. Others zip so quickly through the storyline that you never get a sense of the space. A good author strikes a kind of balance. They have to give you the impression that there are more things to be discovered in their world if you just scratch below the surface of the storyline, but they keep everything moving as well. You need confidence that the author would know the answer to any question you lobbed at them about their creation, no matter how oblique. In this, I admire Clark’s panache. He carefully keeps everything pretty simple at the start. You’ve got a bunch of girls in an orphanage with just one magical element: Melanie’s lock eating. From that sturdy base and wellspring of emotional security (this may well be the most mentally grounded crew of orphans you’ve ever encountered on a page) Clark is able to start pulling out details about the world in which they live, the politics, the magics, and even the automations. He keeps the pace steady, never lingering too long or dwelling too deep, but also never sacrificing the smells, emotions, colors, and other pesky details that help make a story come to life. There’s logic to the decisions here, and also light, life, and beauty.
  
  But let’s get back to that notion of how contemporary children’s fantasies still labor in the shadow of Harry Potter. The Potter books themselves took a wide array of already well-worn tropes in hopes of producing something original. Thus it’s a bit unfair to consider orphans, magical destinies, secret births, magic schools, and an autocratic magical regime intolerant of divergent opinions to be old hat. After all, when it comes to fantasy, it isn’t about whether or not you’ve seen a griffin before, but if the author you’re reading has brought their own particular panache and style to the griffin motif. In Mr. Clark’s case, he’s got a couple advantages on his side. For example, these days you can insert GLBTQIA+ themes in your children’s novels and still get published (something not quite as certain even a decade ago). As such, Melanie’s crush on a pretty young seamstress who returns her affections gives the book a special flavor. There’s also a lot here about finding your chosen family, which rings true. Clark also has a lot to say about the political advantages of keeping a nation at war for the warmongers as well as some deeper ponderings about the nature of self.
  
  I am a 43-year-old woman reading books penned for twelve-year-olds. And while I might like to flatter myself that I can read like a child, that’s not really possible. Particularly when you take in account just how many books of this sort I’ve read over the course of my career. So when I can see where a book is going, like who a particular villain might be, it may be cute that I get a thrill figuring stuff out, but it actually makes it a bit difficult to determine whether or not a child reader will find the breadcrumbs laid out by the author too. In the case of The Lock-Eater I found myself positively delighted when Mr. Clark put out those breadcrumbs and then, just as I was certain I knew the big reveal, threw a curveball (for the record, this is one of my finer mixed metaphors and I’m keeping it here). I thought I had figured out Traveler’s deal. The twist, however, is not only more fun but makes a lot of sense when it’s revealed (much to my relief). There was another surprise when it came to Melanie’s origins that I also really didn’t see coming. In that particular case, Mr. Clark not only had to dot the book with clues but also foreground some deep philosophical ponderings on Melanie’s part on the nature of what does or does not constitute a life. Downright slick, it is.
  
  I’d be amiss in not tipping my hat to the language on display here. The plotting is strong. The characters lovable or loathsome as required. But so much of what separates a truly great fantasy novel from the hundreds of simply okay ones depends on an author’s ability to twist language around his or her little finger. Mr. Clark, I am pleased to report, has that skill. Clearly honed in his previous fantasy novels for kids, he supplements his world building with delicious dives into depth and color. My favorite passages, in fact, were often the strangest and most evocative. A sumptuous dream involving an elaborate dinner plate and forbidden food, or a trip to the outer planets that literally takes you to the stars. Every time I encountered such writing I had to step back to admire it a little. A kid wouldn't have this problem.
  
  Time and again I hear that the current trend in children’s literature (and film, for that matter) is marked by a shift from duty to others to duty to the self. Harry Potter and others fight to save the world. Melanie fights for herself and her chosen family above all. When we reach the story’s close she has made a choice but you also get the sense that she could change her mind if she truly wanted to. Her journey is as much a search for self as it is a beatdown of the baddies. And while we’re not yet seeing how the pandemic has influenced our children’s literature, I can’t help but think that stories about young people desperate for getting out into the world, seeking adventure, may have a slightly different flavor today than they did a couple years ago. The Lock-Eater is a marvelous example of how you may render old ideas new, if only you’ve the ability to combine smart, timely writing with the current zeitgeist. Our kids are lucky they get to tap into books like this. Let’s hope for more of the same.
• 
  Janelle

  Probably one of the best books I've ever read. Maybe even better than Harry Potter (Alicia will hate me for that).
• 
  Christina

  Delightful characters take shape in a wonderfully imagined world where magical philosophies are at war with each other.
  Melanie finds herself while adventuring with Traveler, a sentient automaton who turns out to be more than meets the eye.
  I would recommend this book to all interested readers and especially to those middle grade readers who enjoy having their vocabulary challenged.
• 
  Barb Middleton

  A terrific book as a girl learns how to recognize boundaries that can make a person feel trapped, what it means to have family and be loved unconditionally, and embrace yourself.
• 
  James O'Brien

  The Lock-Eater is a gripping high-fantasy novel with an atmospheric magic system reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle! Oh, and most importantly, it's adorably queer!
• 
  Caleb Huett

  I LOVE THE LOCK-EATER! Clark's deep love for and mastery of fantasy storytelling comes through constantly. At each turn this story takes a situation you've seen before--a young orphan with an innate magical talent gets invited by a witch to learn magic, for example--and turns it into something different, deeper, and entirely unpredictable.
  
  Fans of The Adventurers Guild know Clark is a master of tension and stakes, and this book is no different. Melanie is on her journey of self-discovery, but it's impossible to separate her destiny from the fate of an entire world. Add in discussions about the difficulty of pacifism, the allure of empire, and the dangers of ranking life's value...and you get something that will keep readers of this age range thinking hard on the edge of their seats.
  
  This book is truly a marvel, and I want to spend more time in this world. Sequel please!
• 
  lyraand

  This book could be a good choice for kids who read above grade level but need kid-appropriate content. The content feels appropriate for elementary schoolers, but the vocabulary includes words like "isotopic," "leonine," "pugnacious," and "solipsism."
  
  Rep: Main character and love interest are both girls (no labels are chosen, rejected, or discussed). Main character is implied to be masculine of center. People who use they/them pronouns, and otherwise nonbinary people, are acknowledged in passing (not with any label), though there are no major nonbinary characters. Major character is a man in love with a man (but he's not in a relationship and it's only discussed briefly). No homophobia per se, although the main character catches some flak (from a villain) for "cross-dressing." Some side characters of color, but most major characters are coded as white.
• 
  Snail

  Wow. After reading a review (by Betsy) of this title on Goodreads and liking what I heard about queer LGBTQ+ themes and excellent writing, I checked out The Lock-Eater out from my local library as an eBook—and I absolutely loved it.
  
  It was a real page-turner and some of the twists surprised me! When a story written for young adults manages to surprise adult readers, that’s definitely something that makes my ears perk up. Reminded me a bit of Diana Wynn Jones’ writing in that sense; enjoyable for a wide range of readers.
  
  I really got into the characters and actually felt myself tearing up at a few of the scenes.
  
  I really hope more people can read and enjoy this title! Both younger readers and adults. I’ll be on the lookout for more by this author, and to seeing how his work continues to grow in the future!
• 
  Dragons*☆4Ever

  🔒🗝️🌕Tԋҽ Lσƈƙ-Eαƚҽɾ🌕🗝️🔒
       Melanie Gate lives a happy life at Merrytails Orphanage, where she spends her days with a delightful group of girls. Her heart will never stop yearning for adventure beyond the orphanage, as she stays hidden away in this orphanage with her dangerous and powerful magic, known to few. Until a gearling comes bearing a message: he needs one of the girls who shows signs of magic to accompany him on a journey. Melanie grabs the opportunity, disguising herself as Lady Porta the Periwinkle, a magic prodigy. As they run into wizards with hidden agendas, witches with secret identities, elementals with wavering loyalties, a seamstress who crafts beautiful clothes, and a mysterious cat, the adventures of Melanie and Traveler get tangled within a history of war between the thaumacracy and Hexe of the South.
  
       Zack Loran Clark has crafted a world with such an evocative atmosphere that I was utterly captivated while reading. The story was whimsical, the settings were all unique, and the characters were complex and memorable. I appreciated how the orphanage was portrayed as a safe and happy place for Melanie. In books, the orphanage is often described as a terrible place filled with horrible people. It was interesting to see Merrytails Orphanage shown in a better light. The people in the orphanage cared deeply for Melanie, and Mrs. Harbargain was a caring mother figure. I thought it was an interesting part of Melanie's character that she didn't yearn for parents or wonder who her parents were. It was sweet because the people in the orphanage were her found-family, and that was enough for Melanie's heart.
  
        The sentient gearling, Traveler, was such a great character. He was the perfect companion for Melanie, acting as her friend and a mentor figure in her life. His character was a lot more complex than I expected it to be, and I was utterly blown away by the powerful story that the author wrote. Zack Loran Clark included significant scenes, such as the Traveler questioning whether he had to be male or female, Melanie being chastised for wearing a boy's coat and how she dealt with those comments when wearing the coat felt like her, and the lengths that some will go to obtain immortality.
  
      The good vs. evil trope was turned on its head, introducing a more complex story where both were a mixture of good and evil. In a sense, both sides were morally grey, and it was interesting to see Melanie explore the difficult situation between the opposite sides of war. The lore and world-building were top-notch! The sight of unicorns and horses made of cloaks, elementals made of electricity, Kassopi, Grouille, and The Zwarte Woud was breathtaking.The story manages to span over certain parts of the world, allowing the reader to get a better sense of the constructs of the world as well as the places.
  
      When finishing this book, I found myself wanting more from the story, cast, and characters. However, this was a really powerful (standalone?) novel, and the ending was wrapped up nicely! The plot twists were shocking and some of the best ones I've read in a while. The relationship between Riquem and Zerend was as heartbreaking as it was realistic. It shows how friendships can crumble under the search for power. I loved following Melanie on her journey to forge new friendships and rediscover herself! I will definitely pick up more by this author.
  ☑️PLOT
  ☑️PLOT TWISTS
  ☑️CHARACTERS
• 
  Steve Tetreault

  What it’s about: Melanie is a foundling living in an orphanage with other foundlings. One night, when a witch's mechanical servant appears requesting a foundling become her apprentice, everyone looks to Melanie, as she's always had a strange "knack" - she can open any lock, a fact that has earned her the nickname "lock-eater". Melanie doesn't love the name, but she's been hoping for an adventure, and working for a witch seems like a good start.
  
  But as soon as Melanie and the mechanical man leave the orphanage, Melanie starts to realize that her escort is not what he seems to be.
  
  Before she knows it, Melanie is in the middle of more adventure than even she has ever wanted - impersonating a magical prodigy, tricking powerful wizards, meeting princesses, and coming face-to-face with gryphons.
  
  Little does Melanie realize that she is part of an ancient feud between the science-minded wizards of the empire and the nature-minded witches of the Ley. It will take all of Melanie's cunning - and her special ability with locks - to survive as hidden forces come into contention, all with the goal of ending Melanie!
  
  What I thought: This book was absolutely delightful! I had trouble putting it down.
  
  Melanie's main companion is Traveler, a magically-powered automaton who seems to be a lot more capable than most of his kind. Traveler hopes Melanie can provide him the cover he needs to move about, as the automatons are the property of wizards and are not free to move about on their own. In exchange, Traveler is willing to teach Melanie magic - something Melanie is thrilled to learn.
  
  But their subterfuge quickly hits an obstacle as Melanie accidentally ends up staying at the same inn as a major wizard of the Empire. He doubts Melanie's story, and comes up with a plan to force her to join him for a tour of the subjugated frog people. He further forces Melanie to assist him with a plot to steal a valuable magical artifact from the frog people.
  
  In trying to escape this situation, Melanie finds herself dealing with the enemy of the wizards, one of the Ley-powered witches. And just when Melanie thinks she's found a safe place, she learns a terrible secret about herself that connects her to both the witch and to Traveler.
  
  Along the way, Melanie finds herself falling for a tailor-girl in a small village. What's interesting is that the hide-bound, rigid wizards of the Empire are repeatedly annoyed by Melanie wearing a boy's coat and pants instead of a dress; but most of the free-thinking (and likable) characters have no problem with Melanie dressing however she likes, and liking whoever she likes.
  
  Why I chose those shelves: bullying: Melanie is bullied by several different parties; con man: Traveler is not what he seems to be; dark, death-dying: There are some deaths throughout the story - nothing gory, but the end of characters; diverse: The orphans, who play a larger part in the story than one might suppose, are of various ethnicities; fantasy: This story takes place in a world where there are at least 2 different types of magic; female, third person, multiple perspectives: The story is told almost entirely from over Melanie's shoulder, but it does have a few switch-offs to other characters; friendship-found family: Melanie and the other orphans may not have blood relatives, but they are a family, and Melanie finds more friends along the way who become like family to her; humor: There are some funny moments throughout the story; illness: A character is ill, which leads to some magical experiments that don't go as planned; lgbt, romance: Melanie has her first crush on another girl; political: There are threads of the story that deal with the machinations of war and political wrangling; thriller, weird: I haven't read too many stories like this, and it's thrillingly put together - plus, there are lots of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat moments throughout the book
  
  Why I rated it like I did: This book is just great!
  
• 
  Kate Wooddell

  We all know strange things happen at crossroads. In elegant prose Zack Loran Clark shows us the troubled world of Crossport--and the larger magical empire (the thaumacracy) in which it is contained-- through the eyes of young Melanie Gate, a foundling at Merrytrails Orphanage for Girls. And like Melanie, with a special ability to open things that others prefer to keep hidden, we will be off on our own merry trails once we walk through the gate and cross into the larger world where magic is no longer supervised strictly by the bureaucrats.
  
  The book opens by telling us "Abraxas was not a good cat." I laughed out loud at the introduction of this Gnostic duality setting the book’s theme in the first paragraph. (Never mind that my own son is named Abraxas.) I found that first chapter to be perfectly rendered. The compelling and playful language, often deep and philosophical ideas, and lively material Mr. Clark has loaded into his first solo book inform readers that they have entered an intricately and thoughtfully crafted world.
  
  Pacing is modulated as the journey unfolds. Sentient beings of all types, organic as well as inorganic, populate this book: a girl who is more and maybe less than she imagines, a “gearling” who does not understand his own genesis, a being of complete energy, humanoid cats and frogs, flying cloaks, weaponized gryphons, and many many moments where things are truly not as they seem. But then, this is a world of magic, of two magics, in fact, at war with each other. Nevertheless, the subtext is always about identity and community. In moments of rest these fully developed characters contemplate their own existence and place in their changing world.
  
  My favorite passage is spoken by the clockwork automaton (Mr. Clark’s wonderful take on the Tin Man trope) discussing what use can or should be made of them. “Being a tool isn’t such a bad thing. The farmer levers the earth to feed the masses. The poet is a wedge, cracking into language to hunt for deeper meaning. There’s pride in being a tool, as long as one has a choice.”
  
  Every middle school student I have ever taught would resonate with these questions and love the brilliantly-delivered action scenes as well. I could not put book the book once I hit that final third and the party of adventurers walks into their penultimate crisis. I cannot wait to read this book again, aloud to my 9-year-old grandson, as I have Mr. Clark’s other works. There are truly laugh-out-loud moments, silly jokes, poignant scenes, and explosions. Lots of magical moments!
  
  I have been a fan of Mr. Clark since reading his first co-authored fantasy series, The Adventurers Guild, and honestly, long before that. I am delighted now to unequivocally recommend his first solo MG fantasy, The Lock Eater.
• 
  Beth

  This very middle grade fantasy stars young Melanie, who was brought up in a loving and safe orphanage for girls. Because she has the mysterious ability to open locked things (doors, windows, boxes) just by wishing it so, she is picked to leave with a clockwork being who comes to the orphanage looking for a possible apprentice to his mistress, who is a witch.
  
  Almost from the moment Melanie steps out into the street to begin her new life, she learns that it's Traveler (the "gearling") himself who needs her help. And so begins Melanie's dangerous, action-packed adventure. Along the way she learns the importance of kindness, friendship, and loyalty, and a few secrets about our heroes are revealed. The book questions gender expectations and has some LBGTQ+ elements.
  
  Narrator Ann Marie Lee performs the audiobook with appropriate enthusiasm and drama, perfect for young listeners and within the bounds of adult enjoyment.
  
  Thanks to the publishers for the digital, print, and/or audiobook review copies.
• 
  Julia

  An adorable and high-energy magical adventure with a tense, engaging plot!!
  
  I LOVE the creative descriptions, the way we 'feel' all the spells being used. The worldbuilding is clear -- we learn about different magical elements in ways that feel naturally-built-up to.
  
  A few more things really pleasantly surprised me: without spoiling too much I really appreciate that the other girls from the orphanage contribute to the plot too. Even characters that are minor aren't outright throw-away. All of the characters are distinct and memorable -- my favorite is the froglike princess who wears bug jewelry, the descriptions of her and her castle are hilarious and just truly fantastic. The little romance is sweet too.
  
  The existential questions are wise, and I like that the pacing knows when to slow down sometimes and let the characters process some big realizations and big life lessons -- this asks some pretty difficult, hard-hitting questions.
  
  Definitely recommend for any middle-grade-age reader, but also, readers of any age!
• 
  Annette

  In this story, Melanie is an orphan living in an orphanage who wants to go have adventures and has a special skill and talent where she can open locks, any locks and then one night a visitor comes to the orphan home and offers Melanie a chance to become an apprentice to a magical person.
  So, Melanie becomes an apprentice for a local witch and starts having adventures, and soon learns things are not as they seem or as she thought they were. Things are in a bit of a mess in their world and there's the underlying message of finding and being true to yourself. I can see this appealing to fans of Nevermoor and it's an enjoyable read.
  If you're a fan of Middle Grade, Nevermoor, or similar MG series then I'd recommend checking this one out. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group/Dial Books for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
• 
  Jessica Harrison

  The Lock-Eater is a philosophical fantasy that balances entertainment with questions of existence, war and morality.
  
  At the center of the story is Melanie. An embroidered handkerchief is the only clue Melanie has about her origins. She wants to know her past and that guides her decisions. Little does she know where that searching will take her. She’s a bright protagonist who readers will immediately be drawn to.
  
  While the story centers on Melanie, it is author Zack Loran Clark’s world-building that steals the show. He fully immerses readers in a magical world unlike any other. He provides details big and small, and yet leaves room for readers’ imaginations to fill in the blanks.
  
  The Lock-Eater is an imaginative read that should appeal to a broad cross-section of readers.
• 
  Jan Raspen

  I very much enjoyed the world-building in this book, and the characters are great, too. While the book was mostly about Melanie and Traveler, the other orphans stayed with the story, too, even after Melanie left them.
  I'm still thinking about Melanie's crush on the tailor and how that all factored into the story. I was all in until Melanie's confessional big secret at the end, and then it just felt kind of forced. I was left feeling like this bit of romance didn't really fit with the fantasy and adventure of the rest of the book.
  Regardless, it's a minor point.
  The vocabulary of actual words is high, and the made up words were intriguing.
  
• 
  Stacy Mozer

  Imagine that you can open any lock with just a thought. Melanie Gate has had this power as long as she can remember, and it sets her apart from the other boys and girls in the orphanage where she has grown up. When a Traveler (a gearling automatron) shows up at the orphanage looking for help, it makes sense for Melanie to be the one to join him. But the Traveler is not what he seems, and it turns out, neither is Melanie. An exciting adventure with magic, adventure, and a mysterious cat. Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon will enjoy this one.
  
• 
  Kathy

  Melanie Gate, orphan, has always yearned for adventure. So when a robot comes to their door on a stormy night, she goes for it. Issues of identity, what makes a person, the choices you make, the power of the natural world, and the value of (found) family. Who are the good guys, who are the bad guys, and how can you tell? If all you want is peace, what are you willing to pay to get it? A rollicking adventure with some serious issues.
• 
  Rob

  A rollicking magic-filled fantasy adventure featuring an endearing cast of orphans, constructs, elementals, witches and wizards that follows eager young troublemaker Melanie Gate, born with a supernatural ability to open that which is closed. It explores concepts of gender identity, expression, personal validity and growth while never dropping a beat of the warm-hearted story steeped in magical conflict. For middle-grade readers who sometimes feel like the witch in a world of wizards.
• 
  Veronica Schleihauf

  What an absolutely charming story!
  
  The characters, though young, wrestle with themes that are relatable for adults and kids alike.
  
  The plot kept me guessing! About halfway through I was convinced I knew what was going to happen and ended up being wrong about almost everything. There’s a lot of action.
  
  The audiobook narrator was excellent.
• 
  Tamsyn

  4.5 stars. Definitely a fresh spin in this story of an orphan with a special ability who goes off on an adventure with a gearling (a type of automaton). She is pursued (unknowingly) by the new head mage who gathers up the rest of the orphans and assorted others Melanie meets along the way as he follows her trail. Fun and enjoyable.
• 
  Julia

  I got 44% in and had to quit. Interesting premise and summary, awesome title, but too many times in the first half of the story had me questioning why it was written this way, or even to the point of table flipping over the frog people, so I'm done. I enjoy JUV novels and making recommendations to our young readers (I'm a public librarian), but this is a definite pass.
• 
  Kim Clifton

  Cute stuff. Surprisingly grand for a standalone book. There were so many worlds and secrets to keep track of that I think it could have stretched into multiple books. But this is perfect for kids who want that high-energy pace without the commitment of a series.
• 
  Rebecca Lowe

  Middle school appropriate. An interesting premise with several twists I didn’t see coming. Characters are lovable. Even side characters are given great depth. For those familiar with dungeons and dragons, there are a couple fun easter eggs.
• 
  Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens

  Melanie thinks she’s being escorted from the orphanage in order to become a witch's apprentice. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of a pending wizard's war with a gearling named Traveler, armed only with her lifelong uncanny ability to overcome any and every lock.
• 
  Lisa

  At first I thought this was going to be very much like Nevermoor, but it quickly became it's own story. This story has it all: anexciting adventure, intriguing mysteries, endearing characters, queer rep, and a satisfying ending.
• 
  Becca Rutkowski

  I LOVE this book! Cats, Magic, Adventure, many plot twists and so much more!