The Hunchback Assignments (2009)

A note for Brooke--don't read this, I'm sending the book to you.

While the world-building and character-building in this novel are good and the plot is interesting, I just couldn't get past the animal abuse in the first chapter and the large-scale child abuse in the main plot. ( )

I enjoyed it. I liked comparing it to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and seeing where the plot lined up and where it changed. ( )

School Library Journal
Gr 6–10—What do you get when you combine elements of Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen? You get this exciting steampunk adventure. And though Slade borrows from the classics, the story is original and a fun read. Modo, a young hunchback, is rescued from a traveling freak show by the mysterious Victorian Englishman, Mr. Socrates. He is raised in isolation and trained to master his extraordinary physical powers, which include the ability to alter his deformed features and take on any appearance. When he's 13, Mr. Socrates presses him into service on behalf of the Permanent Association, a secret group dedicated to protecting Great Britain, and the teen is plunged headfirst into a race to prevent the government's destruction. Modo, an innocent who is often shocked by the vulgarities of street life, is paired with fellow agent Octavia Milkweed, a rescued urchin whose street smarts complement his immense physical talents. She is at once a partner, a foil, and a possible love interest. The protagonists are likable, the villains are chilling, and the story is action packed. Forays into the raw effluence of London's sewer system provide just enough "ick" factor. And, Slade gets the Victorian setting just right ( )

I just read The Hunchback Assignments, the Governor general award winning book by Arthur Slade, targeted to the same audience. Also set in Victorian London, this book is not as historical as steampunk (there is an argument to be made about the historicity of steam punk though as the father of the genre would be Mr. Verne, in my humble opinion).

The Hunchback Assignments follow Modo, an ugly changeling taken in by the mysterious Mr. Socrates and trained in all things spy-related from a young age. That is until he turns 14 ( I think) and Mr. Socrates gives him his final test: pushing him out of the carriage, he tells him to fend for himself. But Modo's true face is so horrifying he cannot go into society without causing panic. So he must rely on his cunning, his training, and his ability to shift into any shape he wants to make a living. He does okay, setting himself up in business as a mysterious private investigator. Everything goes well, until a lovely young lady knock on his door with a job for him.

This is a fun book, full of steam-powered wonders, mad scientists, and secret associations. There is not much more to say really. There is nothing deep or meaningful about it. It is a darn good adventure story with two likeable protagonists, a morally ambiguous, politically powerful boss and some rip-roaring villains (one is a female pirate with a steam-powered hand).

I would give this to any kid who enjoyed Westerfeld's Leviathan or anything based in Victorian London. Oh! And the sewers also make an appearance in this book, as well as the Scientific societies, a bit of Prussian paranoia and a half built underground station. ( )

I handpicked this book from Random Buzzers after I was able to get around 10,000 buzz bucks. I have been sitting on this book for a while and just recently got around to reading it.

It is a really good read. It reminds me a lot of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Disney movie not the book but the book is on my "to read" list so maybe they might be similar too. If it was England, Quasimodo had the ability to change shape, and it was steam punk then they would be very similar. The main character is named Modo. That sort of sounds like his name I guess.

I really like the book because while it is directed toward a younger audience it somehow gives off the impression of being for adults.

Modo is a hunchback that can shape shift and he was sold to some gypsies who used him as a sideshow act. This part reminded me a bit of The Phantom of the Opera because Erik had been in the same position. The only difference is that Erik was broken out and Modo was sold to a man named Mr. Socrates.

I did not like Mr. Socrates and I don't know if that was Mister Slade's intention or not. He reminded me a lot of Frollo and that is not a good thing. I could understand why Modo thought that he owed Socrates but at the same time I liked him a whole lot better when he decided to think for himself more towards the end. The reason that he does start to think for himself more is because of Octavia.

I liked Octavia and I thought that Modo's crush on her was beyond cute. I hope that they get closer as friends in the next few books that I plan to read ASAP.

The whole book was an adventure which kept me interested when it was there. I will admit that before Modo was made to live on his own the book was not as active and things don't really happen in the beginning. However it quickly picks up after you are past the introduction and it was very worth it. While the book is not all bunnies and rainbows the darker content is mostly only alluded to. Yet if you have an imagination as good as mine that is all you will need. I liked this book and I think that even if you don't normally read steam punk that you should try it anyway. ( )