I tried to win this in a GR giveaway. When I didn't, I kept it on my TBR list and was finally able to get it from my library.Please note that I normally do NOT like steampunk, but the description sounded great.Violet and Ashton Adams are twins who are identical in almost every way save for their gender. Their father is a renowned scientist who is going to America to try to persuade others to change where the meridian is – essentially to change time. He says that the meeting will take place in 1884, so I’m assuming the current year is 1883. Violet takes after her father and devises a plan with Ashton to get into Illyria, a school known for its brilliant scientists, which only accepts men. She’ll be under the guise of her brother; the stakes and consequences are high.The school is run by Duke Illyria’s son, Ernest, who struggles to keep face as he inherited the school and didn’t earn his position. Illyria and its professors have secrets that Violet is initially blissfully unaware of.This is a 5/5 star book for a few reasons:1. The writing is superb. It flowed well, was understandable, and had a YA feel that was geared towards adults.2. The relationships between the characters were realistic. Feelings and emotions weren’t ignored and were appropriate for the given situations. 3. The love stories involved, even those that were central to the plot, weren’t the COMPLETE focus. In life, there is more than romance and courting someone; other things happen.4. It was a historical fiction story that was obviously steampunk but didn’t feel like a hit in the face with steampunk. It was just…development within the world and inventions. I don’t usually like steampunk but with other sciences thrown in and not just mechanics, I felt this was a more well-balanced story than others I’ve read.(This is a compilation of my thoughts and reactions as I read, as well as favourite quotes)**Spoilers are included**“Nature can be very mechanical, and all the more beautiful for it.” – page 46 (Ernest)- I feel bad for Violet. The servants in her house are afraid of her because of her experiments. - I don’t like how Violet believes that ‘math isn’t horticulture.’ Her surprise at seeing math in nature made me chuckle though.“We are all more than what society calls us, but if society is to call us something—and it will-we may as well choose what.” – page 64 (Ashton)- Professor Prism is an interesting character with fun glasses. I don’t understand what he means when he says he teaches reckoning - even after we see the class.- I like that a person’s sexuality isn’t frowned upon, to a certain point. It seems that acting a “dandy” is sometimes permissible, unless you’re a scientist. Cooking can be dandy-like but isn’t discouraged among men. - (Later) okay, “to a certain point” for sure. It’s one of those ‘this is okay with us but keep it hush-hush,’ especially if the person has some pull in society. It’s one thing to be known as a molly; it’s another to publically display it.- I don’t like that having sex with whomever is accepted. I know that it’s becoming the norm in our own culture, and I don’t like that either. That’s just a personal thing of mine. And Ashton calling his having sex with Antony as “making love” throws me off because they don’t love each other.- Miriam Isaacs is the governess to Cecily, Ernest’s cousin and ward. They and Countess Ava are three of the very, very few women to ever be allowed into Illyria’s walls. Miriam is a dark-skinned, educated widow who becomes forced into an unfortunate situation. She is strong and does what she wants with her freedom. She’s quite spectacular.“Really, I don’t know what it is about your gender, that they must divide science and beauty into separate fields. As if the stars and planets themselves are lovely, but to map the way they turn takes that away from them. In my opinion, the way a planet spins only adds to its beauty.” – page 197 (Violet)- I was surprised at Ernest kissing Violet-as-Ashton…but only because of how early it occurred. I expected something a bit later.- I feel bad for Cecily wanting Violet/Ashton. She’s a very smart girl and it’s unfortunate she doesn’t know the truth.- I do not, do not, do NOT like Violo. I hate him more than Blacknell, I think.- Oh my goodness. Page 291. Jack’s rabbit Oscar. Jack’s CUSSING rabbit Oscar. That made burst into near-uncontrollable laughter. - At first I wasn’t sure whether to trust Curio or not. Now I know not to trust him, though it’s really not his fault.- Mrs. Wilks tinkering and feeling more free with a hobby just makes me smile.- As Violet says, there’s too much blackmail going on. And when you stop to think about it, there really is a lot of blackmail in the world.“Being in love can make anyone feel unsure of themselves.” – page 380 (Fiona)- Ernest’s father was a brilliant man but a horrid person. What had happened when Ernest was gone was eerie. I’m glad Violo’s scheme didn’t work.- At the fair, when Violet showed off Pallas, I was blown away. That is so amazing. I kept thinking of an Iron Man-type thing but it was so much more than that. And then Terminator came in. THAT was scary!! Phew, I’m so glad Violo didn’t die because then his raving lunacy is known to all and everyone was able to find out what he had done and was planning. “After all, lady geniuses such as yourself and Cecily ought to be friends, so as to make the rest of us quake in our boots with fear aroused by your combined potential.” – page 453 (Ashton)- The ending was a bit fast, but I think it needed to be. Culminations are sometimes quick. One of the best things was that the characters didn’t ignore their anger or play off their hurt feelings. They acknowledged them, admitted them, and confessed to the desire to forgive and move on. I really enjoyed this book! A steam punk Victorian story inspired by Twelfth Night and The Importance of Being Ernest--what's not to love? It also had a great cast of characters, all distinct and fun, from many different walks of life. Even the nasty ones had interesting back stories. Some of the science was a bit flaky--for whatever reason I can accept a steam punk London but not Lamarckism--but it was also fun. Watch out for Ernest the bunny. Overall, a fun and funny book.
Do You like book Sociedade Dos Meninos Gênios (2014)?
Got to page 150 and decided there was no good reason to finish it.
—Jay
Great Read! Check out my review at the YA Fantasy Guide!
—Sue
