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Magnificent Devices #3
Magnificent Devices
An air voyage to remember turns into a disaster no one may survive.
With her orphaned charges, Lady Claire Trevelyan joins the Earl of Dunsmuir’s family on an airship voyage to the Americas. If she can stay out of Lord James Selwyn’s way until her eighteenth birthday, she will be of age and cannot be forced into marriage. What she doesn’t know is that Lord James is in the Americas, too, with Andrew Malvern closing in on him—and the wonderful device he stole. But when a storm cripples the airship and air pirates swoop in like carrion birds, Claire and the children must live by their wits to make their way across a harsh landscape. Will Andrew ever see her again and right the wrong he believes he has done? Will Lord James succeed in his monumental thievery? And how exactly does Rosie the chicken evade the soup pot?
Tighten your goggles, pull on your gloves, and prepare yourself for stratagems and strangeness in the third book in the series, Magnificent Devices!
With her orphaned charges, Lady Claire Trevelyan joins the Earl of Dunsmuir’s family on an airship voyage to the Americas. If she can stay out of Lord James Selwyn’s way until her eighteenth birthday, she will be of age and cannot be forced into marriage. What she doesn’t know is that Lord James is in the Americas, too, with Andrew Malvern closing in on him—and the wonderful device he stole. But when a storm cripples the airship and air pirates swoop in like carrion birds, Claire and the children must live by their wits to make their way across a harsh landscape. Will Andrew ever see her again and right the wrong he believes he has done? Will Lord James succeed in his monumental thievery? And how exactly does Rosie the chicken evade the soup pot?
Tighten your goggles, pull on your gloves, and prepare yourself for stratagems and strangeness in the third book in the series, Magnificent Devices!
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2012
About the author
Shelley Adina
62 books627 followersShelley Adina is the author of 24 novels published by Harlequin, Warner, and Hachette, and a dozen more published by Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press. She writes steampunk and contemporary romance as Shelley Adina, and as Adina Senft, writes Amish women’s fiction. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She won RWA’s RITA Award® in 2005, and was a finalist in 2006. When she’s not writing, Shelley is usually quilting, sewing historical costumes, or hanging out in the garden with her flock of rescued chickens.
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January 2, 2016
Finally finished. Second book of the year.
4 stars for now
I'll say the book is short, shorted than what i usually use. The occurrences are quite unrealistic, fantastically so, but it's part of the charm.
Shelley creates a world with advanced technology for the Victorian era, with a bunch of flying contraptions i would love to fly myself. Being ladylike and gentlemanly is good, being poor and uneducated is a no-no, yet women can't go to University and be considered ladylike. A lot of this sexism is bringing my fiercest feminist out. I want to punch their nuts, possible kick them, hammer their toenails off, and twist their teeth out. Sorry for being graphic
Claire is starting to get on my nerves, because she kinda lets the men step over her, even though she then kicks their ass off. But she is honourable, and resourceful.
And now: the quotes.
That was all, ladies and gentlemen.
4 stars for now
I'll say the book is short, shorted than what i usually use. The occurrences are quite unrealistic, fantastically so, but it's part of the charm.
Shelley creates a world with advanced technology for the Victorian era, with a bunch of flying contraptions i would love to fly myself. Being ladylike and gentlemanly is good, being poor and uneducated is a no-no, yet women can't go to University and be considered ladylike. A lot of this sexism is bringing my fiercest feminist out. I want to punch their nuts, possible kick them, hammer their toenails off, and twist their teeth out. Sorry for being graphic
Claire is starting to get on my nerves, because she kinda lets the men step over her, even though she then kicks their ass off. But she is honourable, and resourceful.
And now: the quotes.
She hoped they would become gentlemen, in any event.
Some day.
Even Jake.
Claire suspected there was much more to the story than Lady Dunsmuir had told her, but there was no arguing that both men had an air of command that was most attractive. Most attractive indeed.
Claire put the smelling salts firmly on the table. She was quite recovered. Embarrassed, yes. Determined not to lace her corset quite so tightly in future, yes. But quite recovered physically, thank you very much. Mentally, she was having nearly as difficult a time as Lady Dunsmuir.
She tore off her skirt and wrapped the lamp in it, then took off at a dead run for the foot of Spider Woman. This was no time for modesty. Besides, it was dark.
That was all, ladies and gentlemen.
March 10, 2017
Another great adventure, this time with a lot of airship time and a change of scenery to an alternate Old West. A supposedly simple trip to Canada went wrong in every possible way. What a ride!
The only thing is, I'm not sure what I think of the Texican Territories as the setting in this one. I think I ended up liking it OK, but I did miss London. And then the ending seemed a little too easy - dramatic, yes, but
The only thing is, I'm not sure what I think of the Texican Territories as the setting in this one. I think I ended up liking it OK, but I did miss London. And then the ending seemed a little too easy - dramatic, yes, but
June 26, 2018
A change of scenery but just as good
September 2, 2014
I punched through a wall in anger over this book and came fairly close to destroying my laptop out of share frustrations with how idiotic and out of sync with the original character from the first book this is.
I that said, I came fairly close to almost finishing the book, until I had to stop in order not to go into shock or something more horrifying. I was delighted to learn that I could trade this in for store credit and I have as such enjoyed a much better book than this for the money.
So why was it such a terrible read? Well first of the book leaves just about everything from the first book behind. No more gangs, no more growth for the character and it only keeps the most annoying aspects of book 2. Add to that an truly unhealthy focus on a chicken (A horrible attempt at comedic relief I presume?), a plot that doesn't really make a sense and have nothing in common with the rest. But hey, she added pirates and the "villain" from the second book comes back, because hey, god forbid we'd lose that part of the story.
The author commits the sin of believing her audience does not recall the first book, nor the second for that matter. Heck she even blunders things she wrote in this book, later having events take place that would be impossible given the knowledge we have from earlier in the book. There is still a few brief scenes we she acts somewhat similar to book one, but otherwise the famed "Lady of Devices" is gone and we are left with a sour taste of what could have been.
Ironically I can once again only recommend this to newcomers who have not read any of the first books, though if you have read book 2 and enjoyed it, you might also like this one. Everyone else, stay clear of this and the rest.
I had high hopes for this, but thanks to reading this and the second, I will not be looking into any other books in the series.
I that said, I came fairly close to almost finishing the book, until I had to stop in order not to go into shock or something more horrifying. I was delighted to learn that I could trade this in for store credit and I have as such enjoyed a much better book than this for the money.
So why was it such a terrible read? Well first of the book leaves just about everything from the first book behind. No more gangs, no more growth for the character and it only keeps the most annoying aspects of book 2. Add to that an truly unhealthy focus on a chicken (A horrible attempt at comedic relief I presume?), a plot that doesn't really make a sense and have nothing in common with the rest. But hey, she added pirates and the "villain" from the second book comes back, because hey, god forbid we'd lose that part of the story.
The author commits the sin of believing her audience does not recall the first book, nor the second for that matter. Heck she even blunders things she wrote in this book, later having events take place that would be impossible given the knowledge we have from earlier in the book. There is still a few brief scenes we she acts somewhat similar to book one, but otherwise the famed "Lady of Devices" is gone and we are left with a sour taste of what could have been.
Ironically I can once again only recommend this to newcomers who have not read any of the first books, though if you have read book 2 and enjoyed it, you might also like this one. Everyone else, stay clear of this and the rest.
I had high hopes for this, but thanks to reading this and the second, I will not be looking into any other books in the series.
May 13, 2014
Wanting to avoid a forced marriage to Lord James Selwyn, Lady Claire needs to make herself scarce until she turns 18. Joining the Earl of Dunsmuir and his wife on an airship to America she seems to be in the clear, but when sky pirates take over their ship things take a turn for the worse. Before long Lady Claire finds herself battling pirates, evil railway men, Texas rangers and Lord Selwyn who is also in America. Luckily she has her band of orphaned street urchins with her to lend a hand.
This book, this whole series, isn't particularly taxing but for what it is it's completely addictive. It's light and fluffy entertainment that is entertaining from start to finish. I love these characters, I love this series.
This book, this whole series, isn't particularly taxing but for what it is it's completely addictive. It's light and fluffy entertainment that is entertaining from start to finish. I love these characters, I love this series.
July 27, 2013
In book 3 of the Devices series, things get a little slow again. Also a little shaggy dog for me. I found I got a little bored waiting for the characters to develop further.
What I liked:
* Steampunk creativity and world building remains strong
What I didn't like:
* Felt like the story started to wander a bit
* Felt like the relationships started to stagnate
* Found the antagonist's continued desire for matrimony less believable as the story went on
* Finally getting a bit tired of the chicken
* Abrupt endings continue
Would I recommend? Probably not, as I felt like the overall plot started to go off the rails in this one.
What I liked:
* Steampunk creativity and world building remains strong
What I didn't like:
* Felt like the story started to wander a bit
* Felt like the relationships started to stagnate
* Found the antagonist's continued desire for matrimony less believable as the story went on
* Finally getting a bit tired of the chicken
* Abrupt endings continue
Would I recommend? Probably not, as I felt like the overall plot started to go off the rails in this one.
April 6, 2020
Oh, I do love a good steampunk novel! They‘re hard to find, which makes them even more enjoyable when I do.
Lady Claire and her “flock” find themselves on a flight to Canada as they flee Lord James and his plans for Claire. Even though she is separated from Andrew, the man she loves, she is with her friends and that makes all the difference when they have to battle hurricanes, air pirates, and greedy railroad barons.
The steampunk and historical elements keep me returning to this series for more. Adina’s descriptions of the airships, concussion guns, Texican Territory, automatons, and the other fantastic or historical aspects are intriguing. Never too much to divert from the action but enough to paint a vivid picture for the reader. I love the speculative, alternative fiction of her world. Interesting to see what she thinks would happen if the world had been graced with more technology at an earlier time period. So much fun!
Of course, the characters are wonderful as well. Claire is only 17 but her life has forced her to grow up quickly. Her ingenuity and intelligence give her strength and courage, which she needs to keep her band of kids safe from harm. Lizzie and Maggie, her 10-year-old “wards”, shine in this novel. We occasionally see the story through their eyes and get more characterization of them and the other kids this way. We see more about Jake, who was always a bit removed from the group in earlier novels. It’s nice to see more from these characters since earlier books focused more on Claire, James, Andrew, Tiggs, and Willie. Adina’s world is definitely opening up and I can see how she’s preparing for more novels in this one (it looks like there’s about 20 in the series so far).
There is a lot more action in this novel than in the previous ones. It’s exciting and the jumps in character perspective leave the reader with little cliffhangers throughout. So much time is spent on escaping the air pirates and captivity that there is a rushing at the end when Claire finds herself in James’ clutches yet again. That’s the only reason for the deduction of 1/2 a star. I wouldn’t have minded if the ending had taken a bit more time to draw out the final action. It was too rushed to feel fully resolved. Other than that, I fully enjoyed seeing the steampunk America as Claire and her flock battle their way to independence. Definitely a fun read and a great next installment in the series.
Lady Claire and her “flock” find themselves on a flight to Canada as they flee Lord James and his plans for Claire. Even though she is separated from Andrew, the man she loves, she is with her friends and that makes all the difference when they have to battle hurricanes, air pirates, and greedy railroad barons.
The steampunk and historical elements keep me returning to this series for more. Adina’s descriptions of the airships, concussion guns, Texican Territory, automatons, and the other fantastic or historical aspects are intriguing. Never too much to divert from the action but enough to paint a vivid picture for the reader. I love the speculative, alternative fiction of her world. Interesting to see what she thinks would happen if the world had been graced with more technology at an earlier time period. So much fun!
Of course, the characters are wonderful as well. Claire is only 17 but her life has forced her to grow up quickly. Her ingenuity and intelligence give her strength and courage, which she needs to keep her band of kids safe from harm. Lizzie and Maggie, her 10-year-old “wards”, shine in this novel. We occasionally see the story through their eyes and get more characterization of them and the other kids this way. We see more about Jake, who was always a bit removed from the group in earlier novels. It’s nice to see more from these characters since earlier books focused more on Claire, James, Andrew, Tiggs, and Willie. Adina’s world is definitely opening up and I can see how she’s preparing for more novels in this one (it looks like there’s about 20 in the series so far).
There is a lot more action in this novel than in the previous ones. It’s exciting and the jumps in character perspective leave the reader with little cliffhangers throughout. So much time is spent on escaping the air pirates and captivity that there is a rushing at the end when Claire finds herself in James’ clutches yet again. That’s the only reason for the deduction of 1/2 a star. I wouldn’t have minded if the ending had taken a bit more time to draw out the final action. It was too rushed to feel fully resolved. Other than that, I fully enjoyed seeing the steampunk America as Claire and her flock battle their way to independence. Definitely a fun read and a great next installment in the series.
February 15, 2020
I'm really enjoying this steampunk series,and the whole cast of characters involved.
October 27, 2012
Magnificent Devices picks up right after book two, where we left brave Lady Claire and her wards about to embark on a journey to the Americas. Claire feels safe now that she’s far away from Lord James’s grasp. But then things go wrong, and their airship is boarded by sky pirates! And the ransom request is answered by none other than James who’s in the Americas too! Claire knows it’s time for the Lady of Devices to reappear and cause some trouble of her own to save her flock.
Shelley Adina writes another magnificent adventure in Magnificent Devices, where our favorite bunch of ladies—Claire, Maggie, Lizzie, and their new acquaintance Alice—will show just how resourceful ladies can be!
With her sharp mind and daring attitude, Claire Trevelyan has become one of my favorite heroines in YA. She’s still fighting against the conventions set in her world for women. It doesn’t matter how many people tell her no, that she can’t do this or that because she’s a woman, Claire simply doesn’t give up. In this third installment of the mopsies Maggie and Lizzie get much more bigger parts. Marooned in the desert, these girls are pushed to the limits of their endurance. We also meet another resourceful lady called Alice. She’s a builder of automatons and all-time fan of Andrew Malvern.
Speaking of our magnificent engineer, he’s as dashing as ever. Sadly, we don’t get much of him in this third book. Claire (and I) almost swooned when he appeared all dressed as a Wild West cowboy. I do wish he was a bit more forward when it came to expressing his feelings. As it is, Claire doesn’t even hesitate in surrendering if it means keeping him safe.
Things go from bad to worse when James enters the scene. He is positively the most hateful male character I’ve ever come across. The way he goes on and on about how Claire must change and fit herself to his idea of her really makes my blood boil. And I hated that Claire, found herself in the odd position of saving his life. Did she? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
The Magnificent Devices series continues to wow me book after book. This time around with pirates, automatons, trains and explosions and the wild wild west! And OMG the ending. I couldn’t believe the novel ended like that. Once again, I can’t wait to see what’s up next for the Lady of Devices and her friends.
*Arc copy provided by the publisher*
Shelley Adina writes another magnificent adventure in Magnificent Devices, where our favorite bunch of ladies—Claire, Maggie, Lizzie, and their new acquaintance Alice—will show just how resourceful ladies can be!
With her sharp mind and daring attitude, Claire Trevelyan has become one of my favorite heroines in YA. She’s still fighting against the conventions set in her world for women. It doesn’t matter how many people tell her no, that she can’t do this or that because she’s a woman, Claire simply doesn’t give up. In this third installment of the mopsies Maggie and Lizzie get much more bigger parts. Marooned in the desert, these girls are pushed to the limits of their endurance. We also meet another resourceful lady called Alice. She’s a builder of automatons and all-time fan of Andrew Malvern.
Speaking of our magnificent engineer, he’s as dashing as ever. Sadly, we don’t get much of him in this third book. Claire (and I) almost swooned when he appeared all dressed as a Wild West cowboy. I do wish he was a bit more forward when it came to expressing his feelings. As it is, Claire doesn’t even hesitate in surrendering if it means keeping him safe.
Things go from bad to worse when James enters the scene. He is positively the most hateful male character I’ve ever come across. The way he goes on and on about how Claire must change and fit herself to his idea of her really makes my blood boil. And I hated that Claire, found herself in the odd position of saving his life. Did she? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
The Magnificent Devices series continues to wow me book after book. This time around with pirates, automatons, trains and explosions and the wild wild west! And OMG the ending. I couldn’t believe the novel ended like that. Once again, I can’t wait to see what’s up next for the Lady of Devices and her friends.
*Arc copy provided by the publisher*
October 9, 2012
First a minor spoiler - I thought this was to be the end of the triology and it is not. In fact, it resolves nothing and leaves us waiting for a sequel. I was greatly disappointed by this. The blurb supplies the plot, so I needn't summarize it here - instead of resolving things with James and Andrew, Claire and her charges are kidnapped by air-pirates and spend about 60% of the book escaping.
Claire seems less spirited and clever in this book; in fact, for the first time portions of the book are told in someone else's point-of-view - mainly Maggie's. Young Maggie comes to her own through her scenes, but it causes Claire to assume a more damsel-in-distress role than she had in the prior two stories. Another thing I found fault with was the addition of Alice, another young woman with great engineering acumen - in fact she seems to outshine Claire a great deal. So poor Claire really doesn't seem her normal self here.
Also Jake's actions and Claire's acceptance of them seemed glossed over. I would have expected greated resentment and more explanation needed.
Complaints aside it is still a rollicking good read and I breezed through it in less than a day. I will undoubtedly read the next book in the series, but if things continue to remain unresolved I may loose interest after that. Let's see Claire resolve things once and all with James and Andrew and then have her face further adventures once she turns eighteen. Because of it's shortcomings, I was tempted to give it only three stars, but only because Miss Adina's previous books have been so much better in comparision. Her writiung style is excellent and I do love these characters.
Claire seems less spirited and clever in this book; in fact, for the first time portions of the book are told in someone else's point-of-view - mainly Maggie's. Young Maggie comes to her own through her scenes, but it causes Claire to assume a more damsel-in-distress role than she had in the prior two stories. Another thing I found fault with was the addition of Alice, another young woman with great engineering acumen - in fact she seems to outshine Claire a great deal. So poor Claire really doesn't seem her normal self here.
Also Jake's actions and Claire's acceptance of them seemed glossed over. I would have expected greated resentment and more explanation needed.
Complaints aside it is still a rollicking good read and I breezed through it in less than a day. I will undoubtedly read the next book in the series, but if things continue to remain unresolved I may loose interest after that. Let's see Claire resolve things once and all with James and Andrew and then have her face further adventures once she turns eighteen. Because of it's shortcomings, I was tempted to give it only three stars, but only because Miss Adina's previous books have been so much better in comparision. Her writiung style is excellent and I do love these characters.
October 23, 2013
Pluses:
If you like Steampunk, but don't want to have to sift through all of the Steampunk Smut novels out there, this series is for you. Light, fun with a twist of adventure and a gratuitous dash of propriety and practicality.
Steampunk set in London a little too stuffy for you? Magnificent Devices incorporates the Wild West! Flash floods, Railroad tycoons, big explosions and pirating, this book has it all. An excellent blend of Victorian London and the Wild West without losing the series' core spirit.
Minuses:
It wasn't long enough for me. Seriously though, this is the longest of the three installments in the Devices series but it reads so much faster than the other two. I'm unsure if it's the action and high adventure, but I was done with the book long before I expected it to end. And of course, now I'm chomping at the bit for the fourth novel! Shelley Adina really left off at the perfect time and left it open for not just one book, but many. So I'll be waiting with bated breath for Brilliant Devices when it arrives in ebook format this February!
Overall:
I loved it.
Another great Steampunk novel that isn't filled with trashy smut like most are today. I honestly think of Shelley Adina as a gateway Steampunk novelist. Her books are fun, smart, interesting and have plenty of action and adventure. They are also relatively short and I read them like I eat candy, far too fast for my own good. If you want to get into Steampunk but aren't sure what would be a good starting point, this is it, my friend. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked.
If you like Steampunk, but don't want to have to sift through all of the Steampunk Smut novels out there, this series is for you. Light, fun with a twist of adventure and a gratuitous dash of propriety and practicality.
Steampunk set in London a little too stuffy for you? Magnificent Devices incorporates the Wild West! Flash floods, Railroad tycoons, big explosions and pirating, this book has it all. An excellent blend of Victorian London and the Wild West without losing the series' core spirit.
Minuses:
It wasn't long enough for me. Seriously though, this is the longest of the three installments in the Devices series but it reads so much faster than the other two. I'm unsure if it's the action and high adventure, but I was done with the book long before I expected it to end. And of course, now I'm chomping at the bit for the fourth novel! Shelley Adina really left off at the perfect time and left it open for not just one book, but many. So I'll be waiting with bated breath for Brilliant Devices when it arrives in ebook format this February!
Overall:
I loved it.
Another great Steampunk novel that isn't filled with trashy smut like most are today. I honestly think of Shelley Adina as a gateway Steampunk novelist. Her books are fun, smart, interesting and have plenty of action and adventure. They are also relatively short and I read them like I eat candy, far too fast for my own good. If you want to get into Steampunk but aren't sure what would be a good starting point, this is it, my friend. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked.
October 14, 2012
Lady Claire Trevelyan, her orphaned charges and a smuggled along Rosie (the hen) have joined the Earl of Dunsmuir and his family on a dirigible voyage to the Americas. Lady Clare did not realize that both Lord James Selwyn and Andrew Malvern have both also traveled to the Americas.
James has stolen the credit and design for Andrew and Claire’s coal transformation device and has made plans to sell its uses to the Spaniards.
The trip takes a drastic turn when the dirigible is attacked by a pirate run airship, taking Lady Claire and the Dunsmuir’s hostage.
Claire must rely on new found friendships to save all she holds dear, even when she is betrayed by someone close to her heart.
I love Shelley Adina’s Magnificent Devices Trilogy (but this is definitely not a “trilogy”). It is very obvious that there is much more to come. Magnificent Devices is a quick and enjoyable story. I did however miss the higher level of machinations and Claire’s ingenuity found in the previous books in this series. But all in all, the story entertained, kept my interest and was filled with the characters that I’ve come to love. Magnificent Devices receives 4 stars from Tome Tender.
James has stolen the credit and design for Andrew and Claire’s coal transformation device and has made plans to sell its uses to the Spaniards.
The trip takes a drastic turn when the dirigible is attacked by a pirate run airship, taking Lady Claire and the Dunsmuir’s hostage.
Claire must rely on new found friendships to save all she holds dear, even when she is betrayed by someone close to her heart.
I love Shelley Adina’s Magnificent Devices Trilogy (but this is definitely not a “trilogy”). It is very obvious that there is much more to come. Magnificent Devices is a quick and enjoyable story. I did however miss the higher level of machinations and Claire’s ingenuity found in the previous books in this series. But all in all, the story entertained, kept my interest and was filled with the characters that I’ve come to love. Magnificent Devices receives 4 stars from Tome Tender.
November 15, 2012
I loved this novel. I have loved them all thus far but this was my favorite. Exciting and unpredictable, it was enjoyable ride. I love that young women and girls are portrayed as capable, resourceful, and strong individuals. I also love that though romance is part of the novels driving plot, it does not overshadow the story to the point of nausea. I can't wait for the next next year. No seriously, I can't wait.
February 26, 2014
I have a feeling that I’m going to eventually shell out and pay for physical copies of this series because it’s OMG SO GOOD. As in, I’ve told multiple friends, “No, you HAVE to read this” and it’s a lot easier for me to shove something into their hands instead of sending a download link and hoping they’ll buy the other books. (For as much as I’m loving this series—and I am!—you have to read books 1 & 2 together to really get into it.)
And the big reason that I’m really loving this series is how unexpected a lot of things are about it. This whole series could have been a very straightforward steampunk romance with Lady Claire torn between Lord James Selwyn and Andrew Malvern, with the orphans being a mere subplot. That’s what I was pretty much expecting from Book 2 onward. And even here, I was expecting that the plot of Magnificent Devices was going to be “Claire makes it to Canada, but she has to maneuver Lord James’s machinations and cover for Dr. Craig until the appropriate time.”
I wasn’t expecting to get Wild West steampunk with outlaw sky pirates oh my God. And even then, I was thinking that the Ned Mose plotline was going to be just there for an opening action sequence, and then it turned out to be the entire plot of the book. And it works. While the first two books certainly had very epic action sequences, a lot of the plot moved around Claire and Andrew developing technology, and Claire combating Lord James’s marriage intentions and not so much on Claire’s fearsome reputation as the Lady of Devices. I like what’s done here, by derailing the plot to spend some time building up this world’s version of the American West. And it’s kind of a breather plotline without feeling like massive filler to put some distance between Claire and England. There’s a lot more room to for the characters to develop, especially since so many of them are out of their elements.
Not to mention, it’s Wild West steampunk, which in my reading I haven’t really encountered. I know it exists, and I know there’s a lot out there, but especially in YA, the focus tends to fall into the more fashionable city aspect (because, as I said for the first book, GOWNS AND CORSETS WITH NONFUNCTIONING GEARS OMG). But it’s something that I really want to see a lot more of, and not in bad Will Smith movies. And the thing that I really like on display here is the cultural and technological attitudes. It’s not just “Oh, those Texicans are crude and crass,” but there’s specific attitudes that really play a lot more to Western sensibilities. There’s a much heavier emphasis on the railroads—making Claire and Andrew’s invention even more profitable than its application on the British railways—and a much more openness for automatons and mechanized prosthetics. It’s not to say that these concepts haven’t been in the previous books, but they’re very briefly mentioned and never really show up in the plot. And Claire’s both fascinated and unnerved a little by all of this technology and its possibilities. It really says just a lot about the period, and the cultural differences really add a lot to this book. (And can I just say, with the characters finally getting to Canada in the next book, I want steampunk logging industries.)
So. Alice Chalmers. One of my slight issues with these books so far is that Adina will introduce a character and really build them up, but they don’t really stick around for more than a few chapters—see Dr. Craig or the Churchills. And it’s not that they’re unimportant to the plot, but they leave a big impression that you feel the lack of their presence as the book goes on. So, I really wasn’t expecting Alice to stick around after she initially helps out Claire. But I’m happy that not only does she play a pivotal role in the plot, but that she sticks around and joins the cast. I love how Alice and Claire immediately bond over their shared love of mechanics, and that Alice doesn’t really hold with her stepfather’s actions and outlawing around the town of Resolution. And that it’s this attack on a fairly defenseless airship that makes Alice turn her back on helping Ned Mose and focus on getting out of Resolution. I really enjoyed Alice’s character, she makes a great foil for Claire. (I do have to say—and this is more in the next book, but it pops up here too—can we not with a love triangle with Alice, Claire and Andrew? Can we please not? It makes Alice less awesome.)
I really like that the “flock” is getting so much more development as the series goes on. Tigg got the bulk of the character development in the last book, but this is really a showcase for the Mopsies and Jake. I had never really gotten a good handle on Jake, he seemed a little indistinguishable from Tigg and Snouts, but I liked that this started with Jake betraying those onboard the Dunsmuirs’ airship in order to save his own hide. And that we don’t really know what his full motivations are (aside from saving himself) until the end. I do want to see the fallout from this, because I really don’t think either Tigg or the Mopsies are going to let Jake slide without some punishment in the future.
But the Mopsies really shine here. They were interchangeable in the first book, and in the second, you got to see more of their separate personalities. Here, you can really see how Lizzie and Maggie are growing up, and that means that they’re not always going to be of the exact same mind. I really like Lizzie, and that she’s more headstrong of the two. I like that she comes up with most plans, and even though she’s more pragmatic, Lizzie is willing to go along with whatever Maggie wants to do to keep her sister happy. It’s not to say that Maggie’s a bad character—I really love that Maggie has a family now, and she’s not going to let anyone destroy their “flock,” and God help those who try. (I was looking up the other Shelley Adina books and there’s going to be a second quartet in the Lady of Devices series AND AND AND SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MOPSIES ARE THE LEADS. YES .)
And the supporting cast is fantastic. I really like the Dunsmuirs, and how remarkably chill they are about Claire’s hidden talents and the situation they’re in. I mean, sure, they’re upset and angry by being taken by sky pirates and Davinia faints a lot, but that’s not to say that they don’t have a plan on how to get their ship back at all, or that they’re sitting around and wringing their hands the whole time while Claire’s off rescuing everything. (The plan fails, but points for trying.) Heck, Lady Davinia gets a few good awesome moments throughout the book, despite her acting like a typical Victorian noblewoman. (And apparently, she’s a Inuit princess which isn’t brought up until the next book? Again, this is a slight qualm I have about the book, there’s very little character description until someone randomly brings it up. It feels like “Surprise! They’ve been a POC character the whole time!” I’m not complaining about POC in steampunk, it’s just I would have liked to known that upfront instead of going “Wait, what? It’s awesome and all, but what?”)
There’s so much to this book that I haven’t touched on—for one thing, I really wanted more done with the Navipo village because omg Native American steampunk yesss. (Pacific Northwest Native steampunk in the next book, oh please oh please oh please.) There was a lot with Alaia and her family that I wanted to see more with, and they felt somewhat underdeveloped. I wanted to see more with the Texican rangers and the Spanish settlers, particularly given how things have turned out in this universe’s American history. I would have liked to have seen San Francisco, but given the end of the book, that’s not happening.
I just have such a fun time reading this series. It’s not as dense as Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate universe is, but it’s just as fun and imaginative as hers and I think Adina explores a lot more possibilities than Carriger has to this point. (That sound you heard is my best friend’s brain imploding because I’ve just said that.) And Adina manages to pull a few surprises in what could have been a very by-the-numbers cash-in series, and really develops Claire into a heroine that I not only enjoy, but care about and I want to see her eventually succeed. I’m having an absolute blast with this series, and here’s to the next book!
And the big reason that I’m really loving this series is how unexpected a lot of things are about it. This whole series could have been a very straightforward steampunk romance with Lady Claire torn between Lord James Selwyn and Andrew Malvern, with the orphans being a mere subplot. That’s what I was pretty much expecting from Book 2 onward. And even here, I was expecting that the plot of Magnificent Devices was going to be “Claire makes it to Canada, but she has to maneuver Lord James’s machinations and cover for Dr. Craig until the appropriate time.”
I wasn’t expecting to get Wild West steampunk with outlaw sky pirates oh my God. And even then, I was thinking that the Ned Mose plotline was going to be just there for an opening action sequence, and then it turned out to be the entire plot of the book. And it works. While the first two books certainly had very epic action sequences, a lot of the plot moved around Claire and Andrew developing technology, and Claire combating Lord James’s marriage intentions and not so much on Claire’s fearsome reputation as the Lady of Devices. I like what’s done here, by derailing the plot to spend some time building up this world’s version of the American West. And it’s kind of a breather plotline without feeling like massive filler to put some distance between Claire and England. There’s a lot more room to for the characters to develop, especially since so many of them are out of their elements.
Not to mention, it’s Wild West steampunk, which in my reading I haven’t really encountered. I know it exists, and I know there’s a lot out there, but especially in YA, the focus tends to fall into the more fashionable city aspect (because, as I said for the first book, GOWNS AND CORSETS WITH NONFUNCTIONING GEARS OMG). But it’s something that I really want to see a lot more of, and not in bad Will Smith movies. And the thing that I really like on display here is the cultural and technological attitudes. It’s not just “Oh, those Texicans are crude and crass,” but there’s specific attitudes that really play a lot more to Western sensibilities. There’s a much heavier emphasis on the railroads—making Claire and Andrew’s invention even more profitable than its application on the British railways—and a much more openness for automatons and mechanized prosthetics. It’s not to say that these concepts haven’t been in the previous books, but they’re very briefly mentioned and never really show up in the plot. And Claire’s both fascinated and unnerved a little by all of this technology and its possibilities. It really says just a lot about the period, and the cultural differences really add a lot to this book. (And can I just say, with the characters finally getting to Canada in the next book, I want steampunk logging industries.)
So. Alice Chalmers. One of my slight issues with these books so far is that Adina will introduce a character and really build them up, but they don’t really stick around for more than a few chapters—see Dr. Craig or the Churchills. And it’s not that they’re unimportant to the plot, but they leave a big impression that you feel the lack of their presence as the book goes on. So, I really wasn’t expecting Alice to stick around after she initially helps out Claire. But I’m happy that not only does she play a pivotal role in the plot, but that she sticks around and joins the cast. I love how Alice and Claire immediately bond over their shared love of mechanics, and that Alice doesn’t really hold with her stepfather’s actions and outlawing around the town of Resolution. And that it’s this attack on a fairly defenseless airship that makes Alice turn her back on helping Ned Mose and focus on getting out of Resolution. I really enjoyed Alice’s character, she makes a great foil for Claire. (I do have to say—and this is more in the next book, but it pops up here too—can we not with a love triangle with Alice, Claire and Andrew? Can we please not? It makes Alice less awesome.)
I really like that the “flock” is getting so much more development as the series goes on. Tigg got the bulk of the character development in the last book, but this is really a showcase for the Mopsies and Jake. I had never really gotten a good handle on Jake, he seemed a little indistinguishable from Tigg and Snouts, but I liked that this started with Jake betraying those onboard the Dunsmuirs’ airship in order to save his own hide. And that we don’t really know what his full motivations are (aside from saving himself) until the end. I do want to see the fallout from this, because I really don’t think either Tigg or the Mopsies are going to let Jake slide without some punishment in the future.
But the Mopsies really shine here. They were interchangeable in the first book, and in the second, you got to see more of their separate personalities. Here, you can really see how Lizzie and Maggie are growing up, and that means that they’re not always going to be of the exact same mind. I really like Lizzie, and that she’s more headstrong of the two. I like that she comes up with most plans, and even though she’s more pragmatic, Lizzie is willing to go along with whatever Maggie wants to do to keep her sister happy. It’s not to say that Maggie’s a bad character—I really love that Maggie has a family now, and she’s not going to let anyone destroy their “flock,” and God help those who try. (I was looking up the other Shelley Adina books and there’s going to be a second quartet in the Lady of Devices series AND AND AND SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MOPSIES ARE THE LEADS. YES .)
And the supporting cast is fantastic. I really like the Dunsmuirs, and how remarkably chill they are about Claire’s hidden talents and the situation they’re in. I mean, sure, they’re upset and angry by being taken by sky pirates and Davinia faints a lot, but that’s not to say that they don’t have a plan on how to get their ship back at all, or that they’re sitting around and wringing their hands the whole time while Claire’s off rescuing everything. (The plan fails, but points for trying.) Heck, Lady Davinia gets a few good awesome moments throughout the book, despite her acting like a typical Victorian noblewoman. (And apparently, she’s a Inuit princess which isn’t brought up until the next book? Again, this is a slight qualm I have about the book, there’s very little character description until someone randomly brings it up. It feels like “Surprise! They’ve been a POC character the whole time!” I’m not complaining about POC in steampunk, it’s just I would have liked to known that upfront instead of going “Wait, what? It’s awesome and all, but what?”)
There’s so much to this book that I haven’t touched on—for one thing, I really wanted more done with the Navipo village because omg Native American steampunk yesss. (Pacific Northwest Native steampunk in the next book, oh please oh please oh please.) There was a lot with Alaia and her family that I wanted to see more with, and they felt somewhat underdeveloped. I wanted to see more with the Texican rangers and the Spanish settlers, particularly given how things have turned out in this universe’s American history. I would have liked to have seen San Francisco, but given the end of the book, that’s not happening.
I just have such a fun time reading this series. It’s not as dense as Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate universe is, but it’s just as fun and imaginative as hers and I think Adina explores a lot more possibilities than Carriger has to this point. (That sound you heard is my best friend’s brain imploding because I’ve just said that.) And Adina manages to pull a few surprises in what could have been a very by-the-numbers cash-in series, and really develops Claire into a heroine that I not only enjoy, but care about and I want to see her eventually succeed. I’m having an absolute blast with this series, and here’s to the next book!
July 23, 2021
Series Info/Source: This is the third book in the Magnificent Devices series. I borrowed this audiobook through Audible Plus.
Audiobook Quality (5/5): This whole series has been beautifully narrated so far and this book continues in that trend. Hardingham’s voice is beautiful and she does an amazing job with narration. She conveys character emotion well and does a great job with character voices.
Thoughts: This time Claire and crew are in the Americas on the way to Canada when their airship crashes. Claire has been trying to avoid Lord James until she is 18 and cannot be forced to marry him. This was a fun steampunk adventure with a lot of delightful devices, some heartstopping action and an entertaining adventure across an alternate historical American landscape.
I continue to absolutely adore Claire and her orphaned charges. The group of them make such a quirky, lovable, and fun family together. This is one of those heartwarming books where no one is too evil (although there are some decently evil characters in here) and nothing is too surprising. It is just an all in all pleasant steampunk adventure.
The story is fairly predictable and this book is just another leg in Claire’s journey to escape her arranged marriage and find a place for her charges and herself to call home. I enjoy the alternate historical America we see here and enjoy a lot of the adventures that Claire ends up on...she does get put through quite a bit in this book. There is also a fun plotline around inventorship and patents that has woven between books of this series.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a very entertaining and pleasant steampunk read. The story is a good blend of action, adventure, devices, invention, and also has a bit of romance in it. I would recommend to those who enjoy lighter, more heartwarming, steampunk reads about finding family and staying true to one's own path in life. I enjoyed this and plan on continuing the series. This is aimed at a young adult reading audience.
Audiobook Quality (5/5): This whole series has been beautifully narrated so far and this book continues in that trend. Hardingham’s voice is beautiful and she does an amazing job with narration. She conveys character emotion well and does a great job with character voices.
Thoughts: This time Claire and crew are in the Americas on the way to Canada when their airship crashes. Claire has been trying to avoid Lord James until she is 18 and cannot be forced to marry him. This was a fun steampunk adventure with a lot of delightful devices, some heartstopping action and an entertaining adventure across an alternate historical American landscape.
I continue to absolutely adore Claire and her orphaned charges. The group of them make such a quirky, lovable, and fun family together. This is one of those heartwarming books where no one is too evil (although there are some decently evil characters in here) and nothing is too surprising. It is just an all in all pleasant steampunk adventure.
The story is fairly predictable and this book is just another leg in Claire’s journey to escape her arranged marriage and find a place for her charges and herself to call home. I enjoy the alternate historical America we see here and enjoy a lot of the adventures that Claire ends up on...she does get put through quite a bit in this book. There is also a fun plotline around inventorship and patents that has woven between books of this series.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a very entertaining and pleasant steampunk read. The story is a good blend of action, adventure, devices, invention, and also has a bit of romance in it. I would recommend to those who enjoy lighter, more heartwarming, steampunk reads about finding family and staying true to one's own path in life. I enjoyed this and plan on continuing the series. This is aimed at a young adult reading audience.
February 5, 2013
Lady Claire Trevelyan is making her way across the Atlantic to the Americans with her flock of adopted wards and Lord and Lady Dunsmuir; thereby escaping forced marriage to Lord Selwyn and his dastardly plotting.
Unfortunately, they run into air pirates over the Americas and quickly find themselves at their mercy – and Claire’s little flock is separated. Ransoms are demanded and Claire and her charges must try to escape and reunite in a harsh, lawless, unforgiving land.
And then Lord Selwyn rears his ugly head again. After his theft of the device he’s seeking to make his own nefarious deals in the Americas – but he hasn’t given up on Claire either and will use any scheme he can imagine to force her to marry him.
Yet more excellent fun with Lady Claire! I love these characters, love this protagonist and love this world. Much of what I’ve said about the previous 2 books in the series applies here as well. These books are immense fun. They have a glorious Steampunk feel and aesthetic – including a perfect use of language and etiquette to get that ideal Victorian feel, and the immense humour potential that comes with it. There’s something so amazingly fun and funny about these so-very proper people being swashbuckling heroes.
The setting is really vivid, it’s extremely well described without being a clumsily long winded and it’s very different from both London and the world we expected. Replacing the civilised, proper settings of the city for this rural, frontier near-wilderness was a big change but the book pulled it off magnificently.
I think this book has a slightly darker, more serious cast than the previous ones. Because the flock is split up, Claire is frequently worried for the lives of her charges – which is a stark contrast to her usual worries and concerns in previous books. Their manoeuvring and adventures take on a much starker and more serious cast when you have missing children you care for, or when you are trying to face down a pirate who has frequently threatened to kill you. I think it’s good that the tone did become more serious because of that – the relationship between Claire and Jake, Tigg and the Mopsies is far too powerful and meaningful for menaces against them to be seen as light and funny.
The writing maintained its perfect pacing though – the action kept moving forwards, the characters were still incredibly awesome and the fun was still there in immense quantities. The darker, more painful emotions fit into the story seamlessly, there was no jarring change of style nor did the author flounder with the different tone and the extremely different setting. Was it less fluffy? Yes, I think it was – but it was still immensely fun.
And it’s still one of those books where you really feel for the characters – I can think of no greater testament to the realness of them than that. Reading this I was enraged on Claire’s behalf at her treatment by James Selwyn. It’s one of those books that is so well written that you feel for the characters – and share their outrage and their anger.
Read More
Unfortunately, they run into air pirates over the Americas and quickly find themselves at their mercy – and Claire’s little flock is separated. Ransoms are demanded and Claire and her charges must try to escape and reunite in a harsh, lawless, unforgiving land.
And then Lord Selwyn rears his ugly head again. After his theft of the device he’s seeking to make his own nefarious deals in the Americas – but he hasn’t given up on Claire either and will use any scheme he can imagine to force her to marry him.
Yet more excellent fun with Lady Claire! I love these characters, love this protagonist and love this world. Much of what I’ve said about the previous 2 books in the series applies here as well. These books are immense fun. They have a glorious Steampunk feel and aesthetic – including a perfect use of language and etiquette to get that ideal Victorian feel, and the immense humour potential that comes with it. There’s something so amazingly fun and funny about these so-very proper people being swashbuckling heroes.
The setting is really vivid, it’s extremely well described without being a clumsily long winded and it’s very different from both London and the world we expected. Replacing the civilised, proper settings of the city for this rural, frontier near-wilderness was a big change but the book pulled it off magnificently.
I think this book has a slightly darker, more serious cast than the previous ones. Because the flock is split up, Claire is frequently worried for the lives of her charges – which is a stark contrast to her usual worries and concerns in previous books. Their manoeuvring and adventures take on a much starker and more serious cast when you have missing children you care for, or when you are trying to face down a pirate who has frequently threatened to kill you. I think it’s good that the tone did become more serious because of that – the relationship between Claire and Jake, Tigg and the Mopsies is far too powerful and meaningful for menaces against them to be seen as light and funny.
The writing maintained its perfect pacing though – the action kept moving forwards, the characters were still incredibly awesome and the fun was still there in immense quantities. The darker, more painful emotions fit into the story seamlessly, there was no jarring change of style nor did the author flounder with the different tone and the extremely different setting. Was it less fluffy? Yes, I think it was – but it was still immensely fun.
And it’s still one of those books where you really feel for the characters – I can think of no greater testament to the realness of them than that. Reading this I was enraged on Claire’s behalf at her treatment by James Selwyn. It’s one of those books that is so well written that you feel for the characters – and share their outrage and their anger.
Read More
October 24, 2012
I read and reviewed book #1 in this trilogy, Lady of Devices, when I did Steampunk week last year (it was only last year? I swear that was longer...). I had bought that book for myself and was very pleased with how it was written. Unfortunately I wasn't able to read the second book (you book bloggers know why that happens...) but was contacted to read the third in the series. I was hesitant to pick it up since I haven't read the second (I do plan on correcting that) but was assured that I could dive into this one without worry. So, those of you who know me... I took the plunge.
It did help that I read the first. As I was reintroduced to many of the characters, I was reminded of the quirky kids Lady Claire became introduced in the first book. And although I did feel like I was missing pieces of the puzzle, they weren't key pieces as I was able to really be fully engaged within the book. It is also a short book, but by no means without adventure. You are on an adventure from almost the start.
What I loved about this book and the book before were the characters. Even a chicken becomes part of the story and has a personality of her own. I think it was a fun addition to the characters although at times it might have gotten in the way. Not too much, but I would have missed it if it was left out. I just adored Rosie the chicken. The kids are also so ornery you can't help but love them. Definitely having a mind of their own, they take over the story and really bring life to the tale. Anyone who hates these kids becomes an instant enemy and anyone who loves them an instant friend. You had no doubt when that happened.
My biggest complaint was a small scene with what I assumed was a mountain lion. It was a personal niggle that wouldn't have happened in the way described. It really was the only part I didn't like. My second criticism is about the ending. It was too open. Not a cliffie, per se... but was open for another book in the series. The title reads trilogy, but NO! I have to know what happens! What is next. Not everything felt complete and I hope it goes on... perhaps planned in another way so the trilogy can be kept but a side series is born. One can hope.
I give this book 4 stars. It was a fun short book that I hope continues with the tale. I'll be getting that second book shortly and fill in the things that I became curious about.
It did help that I read the first. As I was reintroduced to many of the characters, I was reminded of the quirky kids Lady Claire became introduced in the first book. And although I did feel like I was missing pieces of the puzzle, they weren't key pieces as I was able to really be fully engaged within the book. It is also a short book, but by no means without adventure. You are on an adventure from almost the start.
What I loved about this book and the book before were the characters. Even a chicken becomes part of the story and has a personality of her own. I think it was a fun addition to the characters although at times it might have gotten in the way. Not too much, but I would have missed it if it was left out. I just adored Rosie the chicken. The kids are also so ornery you can't help but love them. Definitely having a mind of their own, they take over the story and really bring life to the tale. Anyone who hates these kids becomes an instant enemy and anyone who loves them an instant friend. You had no doubt when that happened.
My biggest complaint was a small scene with what I assumed was a mountain lion. It was a personal niggle that wouldn't have happened in the way described. It really was the only part I didn't like. My second criticism is about the ending. It was too open. Not a cliffie, per se... but was open for another book in the series. The title reads trilogy, but NO! I have to know what happens! What is next. Not everything felt complete and I hope it goes on... perhaps planned in another way so the trilogy can be kept but a side series is born. One can hope.
I give this book 4 stars. It was a fun short book that I hope continues with the tale. I'll be getting that second book shortly and fill in the things that I became curious about.
June 9, 2015
After the cliffhanger ending in the last book, we now move on to Claire's continuing adventures in the air. She's now travelling with the Dunsmuirs in an effort to run away from Lord James and hide while she awaits her 18th birthday (so that she has come to age where she is an adult and therefore can refuse a marriage offer independently). Lord James has run away with the carbonator equipment (the sneaky villain), Andrew is also flying over to America to regain the equipment and Claire is also flying there to join the Dunsmuir on their trip to their diamond mines in the Canadas. But her ship was skyjacked by pirates and they were captured. In a twist of fate, help comes in the form of Alice, the pirate's step daughter. And a new ally and adventure begins.
Yeay:
1) more adventures with the children and our heroine Claire. The story has further developed into something more than just a plight of a young lady trying to achieve her dreams while taking care of orphaned children.
2) automatons! What's a steampunk story without them? Here they are at last.
3) plot-twist! Betrayal. Or it is really betrayal?
4) more examples of how women and girls can be just as smart, brave and resourceful as anyone, as shown by our heroine Claire, Alice, the Mopsies and even the Lady Dunsmuir. In fact, this series is a great example of how anyone (be it male or female) can achieve success, face dangers and survive by using the power of quick and practical thinking.
5) If there is a man determined to have a smart woman as his wife, it would be Lord James. The villain we love to hate is even more determined to have her.
Meh:
1) the ending. Woah....i didnt see that coming.
Just cannot stop reading the book. I just wanted to know what happens next and i went "what? Why did you do that?", fist pumping when the heroes are victorious and even as far as feeling shaking in ipad in frustration (because Andrew.....just tell her will you?).
On to the next book.....
Yeay:
1) more adventures with the children and our heroine Claire. The story has further developed into something more than just a plight of a young lady trying to achieve her dreams while taking care of orphaned children.
2) automatons! What's a steampunk story without them? Here they are at last.
3) plot-twist! Betrayal. Or it is really betrayal?
4) more examples of how women and girls can be just as smart, brave and resourceful as anyone, as shown by our heroine Claire, Alice, the Mopsies and even the Lady Dunsmuir. In fact, this series is a great example of how anyone (be it male or female) can achieve success, face dangers and survive by using the power of quick and practical thinking.
5) If there is a man determined to have a smart woman as his wife, it would be Lord James. The villain we love to hate is even more determined to have her.
Meh:
1) the ending. Woah....i didnt see that coming.
Just cannot stop reading the book. I just wanted to know what happens next and i went "what? Why did you do that?", fist pumping when the heroes are victorious and even as far as feeling shaking in ipad in frustration (because Andrew.....just tell her will you?).
On to the next book.....
February 15, 2013
After her fiance and employer reveals himself as a blackguard and flees to America with the device she helped invent, Claire Trevelyn takes off for America herself. She is overjoyed to explore her friends' airship, but then sky pirates attack and her friends are taken hostage. But Claire's not called the Lady of Devices for no reason. After escaping from the pirates, Claire ends up in the alien landscape of America's southwest and must struggle to survive the elements. Along the way she meets another young inventor, the brave Alice*, and they join forces.
This book was even more fast-paced than the first two in the series. Claire and her friends hardly have time to take a breath before some other calamity befalls them. Adina leaves space for character development, though--Alice's personality shines through, and the Mopsies are given chapters of their own. (They're as hilarious and delightful as I knew they'd be, feisty and adorable and streetwise.) The only criticism I could level at this series is that Claire seems a little too wise and emotionally balanced to be 17, but I think her youth just feeds into why this series is such a satisfying fantasy.
*note: After all the hand-holding and comforting and heart-to-hearts that Claire and Alice have, I secretly ship them, even though I'm sure Claire/Andrew is the endgame ship. Also, I think Alice has a crush on Andrew...so maybe they could be an adorable thrupple instead of a couple?
This book was even more fast-paced than the first two in the series. Claire and her friends hardly have time to take a breath before some other calamity befalls them. Adina leaves space for character development, though--Alice's personality shines through, and the Mopsies are given chapters of their own. (They're as hilarious and delightful as I knew they'd be, feisty and adorable and streetwise.) The only criticism I could level at this series is that Claire seems a little too wise and emotionally balanced to be 17, but I think her youth just feeds into why this series is such a satisfying fantasy.
*note: After all the hand-holding and comforting and heart-to-hearts that Claire and Alice have, I secretly ship them, even though I'm sure Claire/Andrew is the endgame ship. Also, I think Alice has a crush on Andrew...so maybe they could be an adorable thrupple instead of a couple?
April 3, 2013
Just a quick note that the four stars only applies if you read all four (so far) books in the series. These four books form the story of Claire Trevelyan, the unexpected Lady of Devices, who transforms from schoolroom young lady to dashing steampunk heroine over the course of these books. Much in the style of Gail Carriger, this is an alternative Victorian world, filled with steam-powered gadgets, overly polite society figures, and a young woman determined to do much more than her mother's expectations of a good marriage. Although I truly feel the four books should be only two given length and dangling plot lines, I enjoyed them immensely. This isn't heavy reading, but it is wonderfully entertaining, and always thrilled to read another series where a woman's brains and courage are more important than her beauty.
March 17, 2017
Though more episodic and rambling than its predecessors, book three is not short on action. The flock tumbles in and out of scrapes faster than lightning. The author's vision of North America is refreshingly wild and unique, the perfect canvas for misadventures. Adina's penchant for inventing interesting characters continues, though sooner or later the excessive cast is going to cause writerly troubles. Keeping track of all those bodies and having something for them to do will be a challenge, but fans will be hard pressed to part with any of them at this point. This series is extremely codependent. It reads like one long novel, not a trait I generally prefer, but in this case I can't get enough. I still can't figure out who this novel is aimed at, but I think it is appropriate for YA or NA, though the protagonist is barely eighteen.
October 21, 2012
Shelley Adina is truly a master (mistress?) of series writing. Her books always sort of have a conclusion, but leave enough of a cliff-hanger to leave you dying to know what's next.
Sky pirates, stolen devices, scheming fiances... and a stow-away chicken. Lady Claire has her hands full with more than just her ingenious wards in this third installment in the magnificent devices series. Claire and the children quickly find a quiet escape to the Canadas turning into a whirlwind adventure in the wild west.
Well-written, fast-paced, and action packed as always. I cannot wait for the next book in Spring!!
Sky pirates, stolen devices, scheming fiances... and a stow-away chicken. Lady Claire has her hands full with more than just her ingenious wards in this third installment in the magnificent devices series. Claire and the children quickly find a quiet escape to the Canadas turning into a whirlwind adventure in the wild west.
Well-written, fast-paced, and action packed as always. I cannot wait for the next book in Spring!!
November 4, 2012
Escaping to the "New World" for an unscheduled vacation, while waiting for the heat to die down from the events in "Her Own Devices" Claire, and a few of her friends, discover that not everything is as it seems. And it may take all of their combined wits to survive.
Fast-paced, fun, and intriguing. The third installment of the Magnificent Devices Series does not disappoint!! And I eagerly await the next!
Fast-paced, fun, and intriguing. The third installment of the Magnificent Devices Series does not disappoint!! And I eagerly await the next!
March 1, 2016
This Series Just Gets Better and Better!
Airships and pirates and diamonds and kidnapping...this, the fourth book in Shelley Adina's wonderful Magnificent Devices series, is the most exciting yet! Chock full of unexpected twists and turns, Claire and her "flock" must use all the resources and imagination they can muster when sky pirates take over the Airship that they are on, travelling to Edmonton with the Earl of Dunsmuir and his family. The action doesn't stop! I love this series!!!
Airships and pirates and diamonds and kidnapping...this, the fourth book in Shelley Adina's wonderful Magnificent Devices series, is the most exciting yet! Chock full of unexpected twists and turns, Claire and her "flock" must use all the resources and imagination they can muster when sky pirates take over the Airship that they are on, travelling to Edmonton with the Earl of Dunsmuir and his family. The action doesn't stop! I love this series!!!
October 7, 2012
I love these characters, they are never helpless even when things are clearly not going their way. Couldn't sleep until I'd finished this story , I already can hardly wait for the next instalment ! I only gave it 4 stars because it was a little short. Really loved it though.
August 18, 2015
LOVED this. Finished it in less than a day because I couldn't put it down. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
June 26, 2014
This is a fun adventure that continues in the same vein as the rest of the Magnificent Devices series.
The Mopsies play a more major role in this book which made me pretty happy.
The Mopsies play a more major role in this book which made me pretty happy.
July 5, 2017
The third book in author Shelley Adina's wonderful Steampunk series about Lady Claire Trevelyan, "Magnificent Devices" sends the erstwhile young woman on an airship voyage to the American Colonies along with a few members of her London street gang.
Hang on.
You're saying that a titled young Victorian woman is the leader of a street gang of pickpockets and thieves?
Well, yes, as a matter of fact I am. But, to be fair, she is trying to teach them how to read, write, and do their sums while also trying to reform them.
Those that have already read the first two books in the series (and you really should) know that Lady Claire grew up rich only to fall on hard times when her father loses the family fortune. Smart - especially when it comes to science - and determined to make her own way in the world, she winds up taking over a gang of orphaned street children who - by their lights - have been doing quite well for themselves.
They haven't, of course, been doing well at all but that changes when Claire steps in. All is not sunshine and light, however, for Claire's domineering mother wants to marry her off to a rich nobleman so that the family can once again be financially solvent. Claire, at age 17, rebels and, as a result, flees to the Americas to avoid being forced into marriage. Her goal is to stay single until she turns 18, at which point she is no longer under her mother's control and can marry whomever she chooses if she chooses anyone.
Nothing in Claire's life comes easy, however, and she finds herself captured by air pirates, swimming for her life in a flash flood, and making the acquaintance of an equally strong young woman in the middle of the Texican desert. Meanwhile, the man who wants to force her into marriage - a despicable cad - is also in the Americas, though Claire does not know that until...
Well, the point is, if you're a fan of high-flying Steampunk adventures featuring strong female characters this series is one that you'll enjoy. It is chock full of action and memorable characters. Written in a clear narrative voice, "Magnificent Devices" works on several levels. It is a fun adventure novel; it features female characters that serve as good role models for girls and young women; and it has an intriguing (and interesting) storyline.
An excellent addition to a really wonderful series.
Hang on.
You're saying that a titled young Victorian woman is the leader of a street gang of pickpockets and thieves?
Well, yes, as a matter of fact I am. But, to be fair, she is trying to teach them how to read, write, and do their sums while also trying to reform them.
Those that have already read the first two books in the series (and you really should) know that Lady Claire grew up rich only to fall on hard times when her father loses the family fortune. Smart - especially when it comes to science - and determined to make her own way in the world, she winds up taking over a gang of orphaned street children who - by their lights - have been doing quite well for themselves.
They haven't, of course, been doing well at all but that changes when Claire steps in. All is not sunshine and light, however, for Claire's domineering mother wants to marry her off to a rich nobleman so that the family can once again be financially solvent. Claire, at age 17, rebels and, as a result, flees to the Americas to avoid being forced into marriage. Her goal is to stay single until she turns 18, at which point she is no longer under her mother's control and can marry whomever she chooses if she chooses anyone.
Nothing in Claire's life comes easy, however, and she finds herself captured by air pirates, swimming for her life in a flash flood, and making the acquaintance of an equally strong young woman in the middle of the Texican desert. Meanwhile, the man who wants to force her into marriage - a despicable cad - is also in the Americas, though Claire does not know that until...
Well, the point is, if you're a fan of high-flying Steampunk adventures featuring strong female characters this series is one that you'll enjoy. It is chock full of action and memorable characters. Written in a clear narrative voice, "Magnificent Devices" works on several levels. It is a fun adventure novel; it features female characters that serve as good role models for girls and young women; and it has an intriguing (and interesting) storyline.
An excellent addition to a really wonderful series.
February 11, 2019
Magnificent Devices (Magnificent Devices #3) - Shelley Andina | 323 pgs, Kindle, 2012, lido de 22 a 24 de Janeiro, 2019
SINOPSE
Uma viagem aérea para fugir do terrível Lorde James se transforma em um desastre que ninguém pode sobreviver. Com seus filhos órfãos, Lady Claire Trevelyan se junta à família de Earl of Dunsmuir em uma viagem de aeronave para as Américas. Se ela puder ficar de fora do caminho de lorde James Selwyn até o aniversário de dezoito anos, ela terá idade e não poderá ser forçada a se casar. O que ela não sabe é que Lorde James está nas Américas também, com Andrew Malvern se aproximando dele - e o maravilhoso dispositivo que ele roubou.
Mas quando uma tempestade enfraquece a aeronave e os piratas do ar se aproximam como aves carniceiras, Claire e as crianças devem viver sua inteligência para atravessar uma paisagem agreste.
Andrew vai vê-la novamente e acertar o errado que ele acredita ter feito? Lorde James terá sucesso em seu monumental roubo? E como exatamente Rosie, a galinha, consegue escapar de ser devorada? Aperte os óculos, calce as luvas e prepare-se para estratagemas e estranhezas no terceiro livro da série, Magnificent Devices.
RESENHA
A história dá uma guinada para a aventura, com Claire e sua turma indo para as Américas e aprontando as maiores confusões! A narrativa da série se torna cada vez mais pulp, agora com a presença de Piratas do Ar, e senti que a autora já está mais confortável com os personagens.
Adorei as cenas de Claire e as crianças tentando sobreviver em um ambiente selvagem, principalmente os momentos engraçados com a galinha Rose, o animal de estimação da turma!
SINOPSE
Uma viagem aérea para fugir do terrível Lorde James se transforma em um desastre que ninguém pode sobreviver. Com seus filhos órfãos, Lady Claire Trevelyan se junta à família de Earl of Dunsmuir em uma viagem de aeronave para as Américas. Se ela puder ficar de fora do caminho de lorde James Selwyn até o aniversário de dezoito anos, ela terá idade e não poderá ser forçada a se casar. O que ela não sabe é que Lorde James está nas Américas também, com Andrew Malvern se aproximando dele - e o maravilhoso dispositivo que ele roubou.
Mas quando uma tempestade enfraquece a aeronave e os piratas do ar se aproximam como aves carniceiras, Claire e as crianças devem viver sua inteligência para atravessar uma paisagem agreste.
Andrew vai vê-la novamente e acertar o errado que ele acredita ter feito? Lorde James terá sucesso em seu monumental roubo? E como exatamente Rosie, a galinha, consegue escapar de ser devorada? Aperte os óculos, calce as luvas e prepare-se para estratagemas e estranhezas no terceiro livro da série, Magnificent Devices.
RESENHA
A história dá uma guinada para a aventura, com Claire e sua turma indo para as Américas e aprontando as maiores confusões! A narrativa da série se torna cada vez mais pulp, agora com a presença de Piratas do Ar, e senti que a autora já está mais confortável com os personagens.
Adorei as cenas de Claire e as crianças tentando sobreviver em um ambiente selvagem, principalmente os momentos engraçados com a galinha Rose, o animal de estimação da turma!
July 18, 2022
Magnificent Devices is a steampunk series centered around seventeen year old, Claire Trevelyan who is about to graduate from school and make her societal debut. The series has inventions and villains and lots of strong women who are resourceful and resilient and content to make their own way in life.
Claire Trevelyan is one of the best heroines I've seen and definitely one of the most realistic. She doesn't start out perfect - she lacks confidence, she makes mistakes and she is unwilling to stand up for what she believes in for fear of her mother and the society she doesn't actually believe in. But over the course of the series, she grows. She learns, she adapts and she molds herself a spine, becoming a fierce, kind spirited and intelligent woman who works hard and fights for what she believes in. I really love this series. It's funny, quirky and has a lot of heart.
The third book, Magnificent Devices, sees Claire on the run. Her engagement to James Selwyn is broken as far as she's concerned but her mother and fiancee disagree. Until she turns 18 she needs to keep out of sight. She plans to head to the Americas - unfortunately for her, it seems everyone else has the same idea! James has stolen the lightning device and has made a deal with a consortium of Texans. Andrew is following to bring James to account. And the Dunsmuir's are planning to tour their family holdings and enterprises. Luckily they have a private airship and can take Claire and all the children with them. Now if only she could manage not to run into anyone else...
But travelling by air has its own dangers; air pirates! Lol, I loved the idea of air pirates. Led by Ned Moses and his crew, the Lady Lucy is boarded and Claire and the Dunsmuirs are taken for ransom. This book is a bit of a comedy of errors. It seems like everyone goes from one disaster to another. I loved that the Mopsies remain
I loved meeting Alice though. She was awesome. I love that every woman in this series is capable and resourceful. And that they have such a respect and admiration for each other. There's none of this tearing other women down, just propping each other up and working together and cheering one another on. Or taking umbrage to the bad treatment of their fellow women.
Poor Andrew, always needing to be rescued. Although I did think they did it in style.
The ending with James and the lightning device was explosive.
This was fast paced and action packed and hilarious. I loved every minute. 5 stars.
Claire Trevelyan is one of the best heroines I've seen and definitely one of the most realistic. She doesn't start out perfect - she lacks confidence, she makes mistakes and she is unwilling to stand up for what she believes in for fear of her mother and the society she doesn't actually believe in. But over the course of the series, she grows. She learns, she adapts and she molds herself a spine, becoming a fierce, kind spirited and intelligent woman who works hard and fights for what she believes in. I really love this series. It's funny, quirky and has a lot of heart.
The third book, Magnificent Devices, sees Claire on the run. Her engagement to James Selwyn is broken as far as she's concerned but her mother and fiancee disagree. Until she turns 18 she needs to keep out of sight. She plans to head to the Americas - unfortunately for her, it seems everyone else has the same idea! James has stolen the lightning device and has made a deal with a consortium of Texans. Andrew is following to bring James to account. And the Dunsmuir's are planning to tour their family holdings and enterprises. Luckily they have a private airship and can take Claire and all the children with them. Now if only she could manage not to run into anyone else...
But travelling by air has its own dangers; air pirates! Lol, I loved the idea of air pirates. Led by Ned Moses and his crew, the Lady Lucy is boarded and Claire and the Dunsmuirs are taken for ransom. This book is a bit of a comedy of errors. It seems like everyone goes from one disaster to another. I loved that the Mopsies remain
I loved meeting Alice though. She was awesome. I love that every woman in this series is capable and resourceful. And that they have such a respect and admiration for each other. There's none of this tearing other women down, just propping each other up and working together and cheering one another on. Or taking umbrage to the bad treatment of their fellow women.
Poor Andrew, always needing to be rescued. Although I did think they did it in style.
The ending with James and the lightning device was explosive.
This was fast paced and action packed and hilarious. I loved every minute. 5 stars.
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