This four-book set contains the “Claire Quartet” — , , , and , an edition of over 250,000 words.
London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world.
At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, … St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head…
A South Bank gang — Snouts, Tigg, Jake, 10-year-old twin girls called the Mopsies, Weepin’ Willie, and Rosie the chicken—soon becomes Claire’s flock. But concealing her secret life becomes increasingly difficult, particularly when a powerful lord proposes and she and her friends are forced to flee on an airship to the American Territories. Will she achieve her goal of a university degree? Will her loyalty to her friends be her undoing when it jeopardizes the plans of powerful men who desire money more than honor? And just how many funerals will her unfortunate mother be forced to arrange?
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A wonderful steampunk series with terrific world building and characters.
One of the most entertaining, well written, steam punk series around
I never thought that Steampunk would be a genre that I would be interested in, but this series changed that. Great characters and interesting escapades… Wonderful for tweens to adults.
The characters of the stories are wonderfully full and rich. They are people you understand and feel like you know. It is very well written and fun to read, making it very hard to put down; easy to get lost in. I truly like the alternate timeline setting of steampunk. It is very believable and fascinating to explore. An all-around good time.
what a great series. i was sorry to see it end
I loved this series. Enjoyed each and every book. It is well written, easy and fun to read. ️
I have read through to her tenth book in this series, and it is my all-time favorite! The characters are very well fleshed out, and she makes you feel they’re your friends and acquaintances, as well. I enjoyed the storylines in each book, and always look forward to her next book.
There are not enough words to describe this awesome series. Claire, the main heroine, is enthralling. Her intelligence and independence are both inspiring and a welcome change from normal Victorian age stories. Her supporting cast are no less interesting! From beginning to end these four books will keep you entertained and ready for more. …
In the tradition of Gail Carriger, Shelley Adina brings us a very different look at Victorian England through the eyes of a 17 year old girl who experiences the trials and tribulations of suddenly losing place and position. No longer in society, she must use her wits to overcome adversity. There is some of the whimsy of Barrie’s PETER PAN to be …
In the genre called steampunk, the world is at least one hundred in the past, but technology is futuristic. Imagine requirements for propriety for young women in Victorian England with a genius’ skill in engineering. That is fundamentally Lady Claire’s character. Yet he mother only sees the future marriage market for Claire. The girls in Claire’s …
These four titles are just the beginning of the journey. Don’t miss out on the other books in this series.
I enjoyed the characters and plot twists through the first 2 books in the series but was disappointed when plot points originally resolved in the first books were reopened in the third book to maintain plot tension. I was looking forward to new challenges for our heroine and the unusual ways she would solve them.
Perhaps the next series won’t …
Bought the next in series..it’s that good.
I really enjoyed these books and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Could not put these books down!!!!
I loved these books. I like the steam punk theme and these were excellent.
Will continue to read this series.
All four books of this series were enjoyable to read. Great characters and great story.
I enjoyed Shelly Adina’s Magnificent Devices(books 1-4). It has the ambience of a Regency novel by Georgette Heyer, mixed with the fantasy of a steampunk novel. Her world is entertaining and her characters well written. Definitely will look for more books by this author!
I LOVE this series. So much fun and adventure. I devoured this series and the next three in the space of three days! Quick reads, fascinating world, and endearing characters.