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Lady of Devices (Magnificent Devices, Bk 1)
Lady of Devices - Magnificent Devices, Bk 1
Author: Shelley Adina
London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin's son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world. At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire's talents lie not in the ballroom, b...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781463549992
ISBN-10: 1463549997
Publication Date: 5/31/2011
Pages: 188
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 20

3.7 stars, based on 20 ratings
Publisher: CreateSpace
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 6
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

ophelia99 avatar reviewed Lady of Devices (Magnificent Devices, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book in the Magnificent Devices series. Currently there are at least eight book planned for this series, with the eighth one releasing later in 2014. I really enjoyed this steampunk young adult read set in Victorian London.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very very well done. I highly recommend this on audiobook.

Claire Trevelyan is the daughter of a Viscount and her mother is trying her best to get her married off to a fine gentleman. However Claire would rather go to University and spend time talking to Wits about steam engines. Disaster strikes when Claires father goes bankrupt and dies. Claires mother and brother are forced to flee the city to escape angry investors, while Claire is left to deal with tying things up in the city. Claire sees this as an opportunity to take control of her own life.

There are a ton of interesting steampunk elements in this novel that I really enjoyed. This is a story that isnt all that original; a young woman prefers science/knowledge over marriage and decides to go her own way...but it is the type of story I never tire of reading.

Claire is a wonderful balance of a proper lady and a young woman who wants to make her own way. She is at times pretty and soft, but also extremely determined, smart and stubborn. Shes one of my favorite types of heroines to read about. I love how she makes a family for herself and finds a place to call home even in the worst of situations.

This book mainly follows Claire as she deals with the aftermath of her family disaster and loss of place in society and starts to find her own way in life. I loved the steampunk elements, found Claires story to be very engaging, and really enjoyed the story overall.

There is a somewhat complicated love interest here. A gentleman who was interested in Lady Claire ends up being the same man who is financing the research of Andrew Malvern, a young inventor who wants to hire Claire as his secretary. It makes for a bit of a love triangle of sorts, although I will say the story definitely isnt driven by romance there is some romance subtly woven in.

The story ties up nicely, but there are definitely more elements of the story that still need to be resolved.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and thought it was a very fun read. It is not a story that is all that creative, but it is fun and well done. If you enjoy steampunk novels I definitely recommend this book. The story is bit of a Pride and Prejudice meets steampunk kind of read. I definitely plan on listening to more audio books in the Magnificent Devices series!
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frogslady avatar reviewed Lady of Devices (Magnificent Devices, Bk 1) on + 86 more book reviews
Our heroine is a society girl who has an "unseemly" interest in machinery and science. When her father loses all his money and a mob destroys her house, she decides to use her knowledge to start a new life. This is book 1 and I think there are 9 in the series at this point, and I'm curious to see how she manages to keep her new lifestyle hidden from her former friends and acquaintances.
reviewed Lady of Devices (Magnificent Devices, Bk 1) on + 1438 more book reviews
This is a fun light-hearted read. A steampunk adventure, it's the first in a series, with a heroine involved in unbelievable escapades in an alternate Victorian world. A world with airships, steam trains, lightning guns and more.

Claire Trevelyan, 17, is bright, spunky and determined to make her own way despite a controlling mother. With ingenuity and determination, she manages to emerge from disasters that befall her. When her father commits suicide after gambling the family's fortune on the future of combustible engines, she finds herself penniless and on the streets. Her home has been burned by angry investors while her vehicle and belongings are stolen.

Everything seems almost too easy for a heroine whose encounter and gutsy reactions with criminals of the street only strengthen her character. Claire experimented in school chemistry class where curiosity resulted in occasional explosions. Using her mind and her experimental experience, she chooses to becomes a Lady of Devices in London's Underground, a name that disguises her societal background as a Viscountâs daughter. That is a story in itself as she earns the trust and respect of âfriendlyâ thieves who she educates as she leads them in their endeavors.
In short, this is a jolly good romp in an alternat world where imaginary machines reign.


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