The Wingsnatchers: Carmer and Grit: Book One by Sarah Jean Horwitz

Carmer is a magician's apprentice and he enjoys his job and the people he works with.  When he attends a demonstration of a magical new power that can light lamps, he's fascinated.  When his magician is outshined by a performance by an unknown magician, he's amazed.  He's also curious.  Especially since he's noticed mechanical cats wandering around the streets of the city.  Where did they come from?

Algonquin Young Readers and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published April 25th.

Carmer wants them to win the magician's contest because they are out of money and can't continue without an infusion of cash.  It's not looking good, though.  Then he meets a fairy that has only one wing.  Grit doesn't want to have anything to do with him but she needs human help to figure out where all the fairies are going.

With magic, fairy unrest, and despicable characters the story is entertaining and a bit different from most.  A touch of steampunk, an unusual friendship and a fairy queen who isn't easy to get along with all add to the storyline.

Both Carmer and Grit are in danger and almost die along the way.  The ending is a bit upbeat and a bit sad, but when the queen tells Grit she should get some more worldly experience you can see another book coming.  I wonder what adventures they will share next?