  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 In a mystical era where magic and technology mash up for unpredictable (and sometimes explosive) results, Ruby Teach is surviving by the skin of her teeth. An adventurer learning unladylike trades from her master, Gwath, she picks locks, thieves from noblemen, and is on the run from His Majesty’s Royal Navy. When she gets caught up with Lord Athen and his assistant, Cram, her life becomes much more complicated, swinging her into a colonial-era war fought as much with iron-clawed mechanical beasts as with the wits of secret societies. Smugglers and swashbucklers are the order of the day here, with fun and danger around every corner. First in a planned trilogy, Davis’ debut novel promises adventure, magic, mystery, and alchemy, all of which it gleefully provides. Ruby is a scrapper, the sort of thief you can’t help but root for, even as she steals and swindles her way through her adventures. Middle-grade readers will love the magic of the Chemystral Age and will surely be on the hook for the next two books. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 06/01/2015 Gr 4–6—In this alternative history adventure, the year is 1718, and colonial Philadelphia is governed by Chemystry: a blend of magic, science, and mysticism. Boston is part of the Bradfordum Colony and "Philadephi" is part of Pennswood. Slightly steampunk elements, like "gearbeasties" and automatons that look like mice, are sneakily included in a narrative that races pell-mell through adventures that would be thrilling in any world. Aruba, better known as Ruby, is the daughter of Wayland Teach, the captain of a ship full of sailors who pretend to be a pirates for the entertainment of passengers—though they may be actual pirates after all. What is real and what is pretense is a theme that runs throughout this book. Ruby's gradual understanding of why everyone is chasing her and who her real allies are is topped only by the intriguing revelations that continually astonish, such as the configuration of Philadelphi: it has a lid on its "under town" that extends across the city and the "upper town" is built above the lid, which darkens and keeps out light below. Spunky and savvy, Ruby follows her mentor Gwath's maxims, which inevitably lead her from peril to temporary respite, only to be followed by even worse peril. VERDICT The world-building is fascinating, the characters entertaining, and a sequel is assured by a cliff-hanger. Good fun!—Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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