In London, 1900 three young women are assistants to three powerful men.
Cora is lab assistant to Lord White who invents in secret. Not only does she help him with his work and explore inventing on her own, but she manages the social and political life of her mentor. Lord White is in government and may one day be Prime Minister and Cora Bell was a clever urchin he rescued off the street and gave purpose.
Nellie is a magician's assistant to the Great Raheem. She was discovered in a burlesque house where the modest young woman was known as a tease. When the Great Raheem offered her a position she took the chance and Nellie Harrison has become a star in her own right.
Michiko is assistant to a fighting instructor. Michiko Takeda became a samurai's assistant in her homeland, Japan, and when she realized she would never be granted her sword left Japan with Sir Callum Feilding-Shaw and became his assistant showing off her combat skill.
The three young women meet when a prominent scientist is murdered and they individually stumble across his beheaded body in the middle of the street. The scientist isn't the only body piling up and the young women are concerned: the murders of flower-selling girls and high-ranking men appear to be linked, but what is the connection?
The three young women explore and investigate the strange goings-on and discover not everything is as it seems in the elevated halls of government and science. The girls become friends, using their talents to stand up for themselves and solve the mystery they've uncovered. They face unwanted male attention, opposition from potential love interests, and the loss of people close to them.
Readers who enjoyed Y.S. Lee's Agency novels will find a new, more mature take on turn-of-the-century London. Kress's debut novel brings sass and steampunk to teen readers.
No comments:
Post a Comment