Fever Crumb

Fever Crumb
by Philip Reeve

Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice.

Soon though, she must say goodbye to Dr. Crumb – nearly the only person she's ever known – to assist archeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project.

As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are.

Fever has also been singled out by city dwellers, who declare that she is part Scriven. The Scriven, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are to be eliminated. All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan.

Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? (description from author website)

So, a while ago I had picked up the first book in the Mortal Engines quartet, but just wasn't in the mood to tackle it then.  So, when I was looking for something to listen to in the car and saw that we had Fever Crumb available I was excited, but got even more stoked when I realized it was actually the first in a prequel series to the infamous Mortal Engines.  

The futuristic steampunk setting to this series is really intriguing.  The idea of variations of human species made things really interesting and played up the socio-economic dynamics that built tensions in London.  Trying to guess Fever's origins as she herself is trying to reason things out made the story feel more intimate and she's a great, strong character that I'm definitely interested to read more about.  

This book sort of embodies a lot of the things I really like about the steampunk genre: the mix of old and new technologies and societal expectations and mores, the imaginative possibilities of how things might have developed differently, and the discoveries characters have to make within these interesting setting frameworks.  

I listened to this as an audio book and found it well done.  I hope that I can sneak the second book in some time between review titles. 

Full disclosure: Audio book borrowed from my Library

The Peculiars



The Peculiars
by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears. (description from Amazon.com)

I have mixed feelings about this book and I'm not sure exactly how to describe how I felt upon finishing it.  There were things I really loved, but somehow I still found this book to be lacking...something.  I am somewhat frustrated because I can't seem to identify exactly what it seems to need! Grr...

I liked the steampunk aspects of this book.  There were some cool inventions and I especially liked the description of the unique doors that guarded Mr. Beasley's fantastic library. The horseless carriages were cool, too. 

I liked that this book delved into the realm of the fantastic. People with wings, half-goblins, and other strange mutations.  It was an interesting exploration of what it meant to be "human." But... a lot of this aspect of the book wasn't even really address until the last third of the book and it's really left not fully explained to fulfill the need for a sequel. 

Lena was an interesting character, but she wasn't great.  I was actually more interested in Mr. Beasley, the well intentioned and handsome young librarian Jimson Quiggley, and even the beastly marshal that ends up trying to hunt everyone down.  While I was fairly solidly invested in the world of the book, I did not find myself that much behind the main character. :/

Were it not for the action sequence at the end and the idea that the Scree will be more fully explored in the next book, I would find this one almost forgettable. It was by no means awful, but I wanted SO much more. 

Full disclosure: Borrowed through interlibrary loan

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Signed ARC Giveaway

The Girl in the Steel Corset
by Kady Cross
The Steampunk Chronicles, book one

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her. When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

As I posted earlier this week, I attended the Connecticut Library Association annual conference on Monday and Tuesday. As one of the Young Adult section co-chairs, I organized a program called the "Teen Romance Panel," that featured authors Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Cara Lynn Shultz and Kady Cross (Kathryn Smith), as well as Simon Pulse representative, Jennifer Klonsky. I was honored to be able to meet them all and to participate in the program, kind of by accident. I'm hoping to post some pictures soon!

Anyway, as I mentioned Kady Cross, author of The Girl in the Steel Corset, was there and discussed her new series and how romance is part of it. After the panel, we were lucky enough to have arranged with Harlequin Teen to have signed ARCs for all the attendees. Since I loved this book so much, I got an extra signed ARC to giveaway on my blog (I won't part with mine!!).

Here's what I thought - This is steampunk to crow about! Huzzah! I loved it...breezed right throught it, in that fashion when you start a book and just can't put it down. Finley Jayne is a great character. The supporting cast all have dimension and balance one another, as well. A personal favorite of mine was a shady character named "Jack Dandy."

The storyline was totally intriguing and felt very plausible, surprisingly enough! I love a good automaton adventure. I cannot wait to see what happens in book two when the intrepid group heads across the pond to New York City. Should be a whirlwind of fun.

Full of cool inventions, nefarious plots, heros and heroines that are plucky, intelligent and unswervingly loyal, this is the start of a great new series. And, as Kady said...this one's all about the girl!

If you want to enter for a chance to win the signed ARC, leave a comment telling me what you favorite steampunk invention, story or character might be...If you've never tried steampunk before, tell me why you want to try it. Don't forget to leave me an email address where I can contact you if you are the winner!! I will randomly pick a winner on Friday, May 13th and they will have until the following Wed to get in touch with me to claim their prize. Good luck!!

Full disclosure: ARC received from publisher then signed by author at CLA event

Wildwing

Wildwing
by Emily Whitman

When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn't be happier to leave her miser-able life behind. Now she's mistaken for Lady Matilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she'll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she's always longed for—the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer's son with sky blue eyes, who unsettles all her plans.

From shipwrecks to castle dungeons, from betrothals to hidden conspiracies, Addy finds herself in a world where she's not the only one with a dangerous secret. When she discovers the truth, Addy must take matters into her own hands. The stakes? Her chance at true love . . . and the life she's meant to live. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was a great historical fiction read. I really loved how the original setting is 1913, but when Addy time travels she goes back to the Medieval period (which I LOVE). It was sooo interesting to compare the customs, fashion, and morals of each time.

Though Addy and Will's secret relationship is the surface focal point of the book and I really enjoyed their romance, I was much more interested in what I consider to be the true theme of the book...Addy learning to be okay with herself and having the strength to make her life what she chooses.

Born a bastard, Addy's life choices in 1913 are minimal. She wants so desperately to rebel, to escape, and when she gets the chance she takes it. Soon, though, she finds that even a Medieval Lady, with wealth, prestige, and beauty, is trapped within the social structures of her society. She has very few real choices.

The subplot when Addy begins training in falconry was fascinating, not just because I really love birds of prey, but also because of the symbolism that ran rampant. Addy was longing for the freedom to leave her jesses behind...and yet, for the right man, she could be whistled happily home.

This is another well-written and compelling book from Emily Whitman, who is fast becoming one of my new favorite authors. I loved her debut, Radiant Darkness, a retelling of the Persephone myth.

Meanwhile

Meanwhile: Pick any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities
by Jason Shiga

Chocolate or Vanilla? This simple choice is all it takes to get started with Meanwhile, the wildly inventive creation of comics mastermind Jason Shiga, of whom Scott McCloud said “Crazy + Genius = Shiga.” Jimmy, whose every move is under your control, finds himself in a mad scientist’s lab, where he’s given a choice between three amazing objects: a mind-reading device, a time-travel machine, or the Killitron 3000 (which is as ominous as it sounds). Down each of these paths there are puzzles, mysterious clues, and shocking revelations. It’s up to the reader to lead Jimmy to success or disaster.

Meanwhile is a wholly original story of invention, discovery, and saving the world, told through a system of tabs that take you forward, backward, upside down, and right side up again. Each read creates a new adventure!
(description taken from Amazon.com)

Choose your own adventure meets the graphic novel...awesome!
This is a book that I would hand to any reluctant to read middle school boy. It is a choose your own adventure book, in graphic format, full of inventions, clues, disaster, random events, and a mystery. Very cool.

What did I love the most? Trying to follow the lines to see where the story goes next...turning the pages by the cool tabs...and realizing that the pages are laminated to prevent quick wear and TEAR! (The Librarian in me loved this!! I could just imagine having to replace the book about 8 times if the pages were normal...)

Fun. Interesting. I'd love to see another one.
So, what do you want? Chocolate or Vanilla...