![]() ![]() It paints a picture of an alternative Victorian London, where Kings Cross station has an airship dock and humans live alongside both mechanicals and mechanimals, both of which run on clockwork. While I may be a little biased by my fondness for the steampunk aesthetic, I felt that it was a really well written book for younger readers. I'm looking forward to the next instalment - Moonrocket - and sincerely hoping that we'll find out what happened to Robert's mysterious mother. ![]() The growing trust between Lily and Robert is handled well, and the irresisitible fox, Malkin, is simply - irresistible.I liked the inclusion of the Dictionary of curious words, and the attractive chapter headings. Lily is as feisty a heroine as Bonnie, and the action trips along nicely with suitable period touches which are also very reminiscent of Aiken's not-quite historical England.Airships, hybrid villans and automata make this a definitely alternative Victorian setting, and they are nicely bedded in, feeling quite natural in the world of the novel. Aiken first came to mind with the character of Madame Verdigris the sinister housekeeper, who certainly owes a few traits to Miss Slighcarp. That is very high praise indeed, and I think that Cogheart deserves it. If Joan Aiken had written steampunk it would have been rather like this. ![]()
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