Review: Such a rollicking ride. The Magnificent Devices Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 25, 2014
I have been reading the Magnificent Devices series. This is a Steampunk series, set in the late 1800's London. These is a sweet series suitable for teens, and is such great entertainment. The premise is- a young daughter of a Viscount graduates from school and dreams of being accepted to the Royal School of Engineering. Claire has a scientific and mechanical aptitude. Soon her father is in ruin, dies, and she is left to sell the London townhouse while her mother retreats to the country with her 18 month old brother who is now the Viscount, pretty much in name only. The family lawyer tells Claire that she should get a job because there is no money. She applies to her dream job as an assistant to a young progressive scientist who is poor, but underwritten by a rich young Duke who is an acquaintance and peer of her family. Her home is attacked and she flees and finds herself in a bad part of town. She is knocked out and all of her possessions including her landau, (a steam powered car), are missing, taken by a young street gang. She retaliates and becomes a part of this group. She takes over and soon they are a thriving family of sorts. She schools them and teaches them the things necessary to move in society. This is an adventure series with lots of gadgets and well written characters. I am surprised that I wanted to read all of the books currently available, but this series captured my interest and imagination. All of the characters do the best that they can with the information they are given. There are no TSTL moments, and no lack of action. I like the play on words and the inventive names and locations.In this installment, Maggie, (one of the Mopsies), of unknown parentage, goes with Lizzie, her sister, to meet Lizzie's maternal Grandparents.  Once there, Maggie is treated no better than her sisters' companion at best, and part of the hired help at worst. She desperately wants to know about her real mother and father and attempts to learn the truth. Meanwhile, there is a sinister plot involving the Seaworths, (the Grandparents), and she uses her ingenuity to attempt to save a member of her family and thwart an invasion. This novel is filled with mechanical wonders and once again the heroine uses deduction to overcome her fears to save those she loves. These are such emotional,  honorable characters, true to themselves, and a joy to read. I can't wait for the next quest.