Morgana Mage in the Robotic Age by Amy Bond

 

Morgana loves robots and longs to attend robotics school in the city.

But she’s a witch, living in a magical woodland community: the closest she comes to technology is petting her ancient mechanical familiar, Kitty. She simply doesn’t belong. But when she finally finds a way to the City, she learns of a troubling secret hiding beneath its gleaming surface: a secret that threatens the balance of civilization.

Caught between two worlds, only Morgana has the power to find a solution …

---

It's a mini theme; this is the second book I've read recently about tech putting people at risk, although they're handled very differently. This one skews a little older, too.

Morgana's a great character; she knows what she wants and she goes after it, not letting anyone get in her way. I love how she steadily gathers allies and friends as she goes, just by being herself. (I wanted more of Kitty, but she does get a couple of moments to shine, so I'll be happy with that.) I loved all the different kinds of robot and the ways they're used in this; it was really clever.

There's a couple of great messages in here too - technology is great, but it's not everything; don't be suspicious of other kinds of people, they're more likely to be helpful than not - but it's all handled very lightly, without any preaching or heavy handedness. Children will know what's meant by it.

I'd love to see more in this series, but if this is what we get, it's good enough for me.

Morgana Mage in the Robotic Age publishes on the 7th January, 2021.