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    The Inventor's Secret
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    The Inventor's Secret
    Unavailable
    The Inventor's Secret
    Audiobook7 hours

    The Inventor's Secret

    Written by Andrea Cremer

    Narrated by Leslie Bellair

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    New from Andrea Cremer, the New York Times bestselling author of the Nightshade novels, comes an action-packed alternate-history steampunk adventure.

    In this world, sixteen-year-old Charlotte and her fellow refugees have scraped out an existence on the edge of Britain's industrial empire. Though they live by the skin of their teeth, they have their health (at least when they can find enough food and avoid the Imperial Labor Gatherers) and each other. When a new exile with no memory of his escape  or even his own name seeks shelter in their camp he brings new dangers with him and secrets about the terrible future that awaits all those who have struggled has to live free of the bonds of the empire's Machineworks.

    The Inventor's Secret is the first book of a YA steampunk series set in an alternate nineteenth-century North America where the Revolutionary War never took place and the British Empire has expanded into a global juggernaut propelled by marvelous and horrible machinery. Perfect for fans of Libba Bray's The Diviners, Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and Phillip Reeve's Mortal Engines.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 22, 2014
    ISBN9780698146785
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Inventor's Secret

    3.5/5

    47 ratings8 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Coherent review be damned, I'm going to ramble about this book. I was looking for something fun to pull me out of my slump, and The Inventor's Secret worked its magic perfectly! It's a fun, steampunk romp by an author that I already admire. Best of all, the audio book has an amazing narrator who brings these characters to life. Would I have adored this as much if I'd read it rather than listened to it? I can't say. I can say that this audio book took me on a wonderful journey. I'm looking forward to more!

      Cremer brings to life a world where the British won the Revolutionary War. They control the empire, and everyone deemed unworthy is used for indentured servitude. Living in the catacombs, Charlotte and her misfit group of friends aren't hiding from the outside world. Far from it. These brave kids are doing their part to fight back, to mount a resistance, no matter what it takes. Can I please pause here to make a random point? Andrea Cremer actually explains where Charlotte's family is! Why does this amuse me? Normally we end up with characters are inexplicably on their own. So yes, I was happy to find out that Charlotte and her friends weren't just random orphans. Also, yes, I'm crazy.

      Steampunk elements anyone? From floating cities, to clockwork robots, to mechanical carriages, every piece of machinery in this book is a delight. One of the things I love about steampunk is the mix between old and new. Seeing a steamboat right along side a pneumatic tube system made me smile. The setting for this book is vibrant, and rich with the type of descriptive writing that makes you feel like you're in the middle of it all. I couldn't fault Charlotte for feeling so overwhelmed with her new surroundings. I was feeling the very same thing.

      The one piece of this book I couldn't quite get on board with was the romance. Yes, yes I know we all love our little romances. Plus Charlotte is 16, which is well of age to be smitten with boys. This little bookworm only wishes she hadn't been put in the middle of a love triangle. I adored Charlotte as a character, and didn't want to see her feisty personality overshadowed by love troubles. Still, if I had to choose a side? Coe all the way. You'll see what I mean when you delve into this.

      Which, by the way, you should! Delve into it I mean. I found it a great introduction into a new world, and I'm extremely excited that this is going to be a series! I now eagerly await the next installment.
    • 4/5
      Very interesting concept for the setting and theme of the first book in this series. I loved the alternate historical aspect that gives the reader an idea of what COULD have happened; although I doubt it would have included the fanciful aspects of the book.

      It is very well written and will be finding its way onto my high school library shelves soon. Not sure how I missed this one.
    • 4/5
      This is definitely an interesting alternate history/steam punk type world. The American Revolution failed and the Brits doubled down on ways to make things worse for the colonies as punishment. An underground resistance exists, which continues to fight the "Empire." But the children of the resistance are separate from the adults. I quite enjoyed the fact that the main character was Charlotte, though I'm sure some will say it's out of character for the time period.The mystery wasn't a bad set up, though you had to have an idea if you paid attention. The mechanical mouse being drawn to his chest should have been a huge clue. I detested when the author started to drop hints that a love triangle started to form, only to breathe a sigh of relief when it dissipated a chapter or two later. It's a strong opening gambit for a decently thought out trilogy. Can't wait to see what direction the author goes with it in book 2.
    • 4/5
      An interesting concept set in a steampunk world.If "Americans" lost the Revolutionary War, what would happen to those who were left?The characters were likeable, although not as "real" to me as I would have liked. I would also have liked it a little more if the basic set-up of the world was presented a little earlier in the storyline.Overall, a fun read for those looking for a little different twist to their steampunk.
    • 2/5
      This is the first in a series of an alternate universe dystopia in which Great Britain suppressed the revolution in the American colonies and have created a deeply-stratified industrial tyranny. I actually thought it was supposed to be set sometime in the far future, but since it's in the steampunk genre, it's supposed to be in the 19th century despite the advanced technology. The protagonist is Charlotte, a 16-year-old member of the resistance living with other children in camp hidden away from the empire. When a mysterious newcomer arrives, it moves forward a plot for Charlotte, her brother and other companions to infiltrate the imperial society in New York. It's an interesting concept, but the story didn't engage me . I could see it's appeal for younger readers interested in a mix of fantasy, alternate history, and romance
    • 4/5
      Andrea Cremer combines alternate history and steampunk in this exciting beginning to a new series. Sixteen-year-old Charlotte lives in the Catacombs with other children of rebels waiting to grow up and join their parents in the revolution. Because in this story, the American revolutionaries lost the fight and the Americas are under control of a repressive British Empire. Charlotte gets a chance to visiting the glowing floating city of New York with her brother Ash, her friends Jack and Meg, and a strange boy named Grave that she rescued from one of the Empire's steampunk devices. In the city, Charlotte learns lots of secrets about Meg and Jack and Grave. Charlotte also meets new friends in Lord Ott, Linnet, and Jack's older brother Coe. Relationships grow and change as the characters split up to further the revolution as best each can. There is even the beginning of a love triangle of a sort. Charlotte is torn between Jack and Coe.I loved the steampunk details that filled this story - the floating city itself, the exploding mice, the spies in the form of crows and rabbits. I thought it was great that Charlotte has a pet gun named Pocky. I can't wait for more books to find out what happens next for these characters.
    • 5/5
      I knew when I saw the cover of this book, that I would love it. I was right, it's action, adventure, mystery and romance all rolled into one. If you're looking for a good read, I suggest picking this up. I listen to the audiobook and the narrator was awesome, she really did a good job. There is just something about a steampunk adventure that I really enjoy. I could of used some more romance in there but I'm hoping with the next book we will get to see that. It reminded me a lot of the The Dark Unwinding Series, which I enjoyed very much.I love how strong and brave Charlotte(Lotte) is, even though she is tough, she is also soft and feminine as well. We get to see the more softer side when Jack and Charlotte start having these special moments together. I always love it when it's not an obvious attraction, that it takes time for both woman and man to realize their feelings for each other. Maybe I just like the build-up to something wonderful...I don't know?!?Jack does get me frustrated at times, you know he loves Charlotte but something is stopping him. You eventually find out why and it makes everything complicated between the two. When I finished the book, I didn't realize that it was part of a series; however, I'm very glad that it is, I was left with not enough answers. I can't wait till the next book and see what happens.”
    • 3/5
      I didn't LOVE that, but I didn't hate it either. I enjoy alternate-history plots, and this one — resistance in a world where the British won the revolutionary war — promised a lot of adventure. It delivered, but was greatly dampened by the ridiculous romance subplot. Yes, there is a love triangle and yes, it seems to come out of nowhere