Lady Mechanika Vol. 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci ~ a Review

 by MK French

Lady Mechanika still doesn't know her past, but she is putting that investigation on hold. Her friend Mr. Lewis seems to be falling for a young widow who seems to be connected to the deaths of several creative geniuses.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

May 2019; Benitez Productions; 978-1949328011
print (104 pages); graphic novel, fantasy

We're back in Mechanika City in this steampunk series, and we open with a prelude of Lady Mechanika breaking into Blackpool Armaments due to a rumor of an odd mechanical arm that looks similar to hers. Another augmented woman is there as well, and knows who Mechanika is. She gets away, and it leads to the clues that Mechanika wants to follow. Mr. Lewis is wholly occupied with Leanna Shi, to the point that he forgets to meet Mechanika when he promised to and doesn't act like himself. It's worse when he doesn't look after his niece Winifred the way he promised to, and would prefer to stay with Leanna.

Without spoiling the ending of the volume, it does bring up the interesting conundrum of inspiration and art, and the question of free will. Is the bond actually coerced or is it voluntary? Is Lewis choosing to be with Leanna instead of Winifred and Mechanika something they should respect? This trumps the search for the augmented woman that had known Mechanika in the past, and will no doubt have ramifications for future volumes as well.

Buy Lady Mechanika vol. 5 at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever. 

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