From the Publisher
Praise for The Turncoat's Gambit:
"As in the previous two volumes, there is plenty of fighting and chicanery, but one of the best things about this series is that the characters are never sacrificed on the altar of action. . . . Series readers will especially relish the last several chapters. Yes, there is fighting and death, but restoration and romance win the day."—Booklist
Praise for The Conjurer's Riddle:
"This is classic steampunk [with] exotic and picturesque locales, lots of interesting machinery, and the adrenaline rush of following the adventures of an honest and fearless heroine. A suitably swashbuckling sequel."—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Inventor's Secret:
* "Cremer...creates an inventive blend of steampunk and alternative history in this new series. She gives readers a fantastical world with mechanical wonders and an opulent vintage setting. The characters are interesting and well developed. Readers will be drawn to future installments."—VOYA,starred review
"[A]n entertaining romp in a richly imaginative setting."—Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Review
Aug. 30, 2016
The sequel to The Conjuror’s Riddle (2015) and the final novel in the Inventor’s Secret trilogy brings to a conclusion the story of the attempts of the Resistance to overcome the evil Empire that controlled the American continent following a war loosely modeled on the U.S. Revolutionary War. Large political issues and forces are hinted at, but as in the other novels in the trilogy, this story focuses tightly on the adventures, emotions, and family dynamics of the rebels: plucky Resistance heroine Charlotte; Coe, the titular turncoat, who turns traitor to serve his father, an admiral in the Imperial Navy; Coe’s handsome brother, Jack; stud pirate Lachance; and a small, quirky posse of “tinkers” led by the brilliant inventor Aunt Io, whose technological skills are key to Resistance victory. The robot boy Grave becomes a pawn in the struggle, adding an intriguing supernatural element to the plot. Fascinating, quasi-cinematic scenarios abound, from the Floating City of New York to the sadistic Crucible in which prisoners are confined to individual steel boxes that continually revolve, allowing no rest. Although this is light on technology and the science behind the inventions is hinted at rather than explained, there is a strong emphasis on female bravery and technical ability. The cast is a largely white one. A fast read and a satisfying conclusion to an authentic steampunk trilogy. (Steampunk. 12 & up)
