G. D. Falksen

An excellent story featuring a girl on the autism spectrum whose unique weaknesses and strengths are both skillfully woven into a fast moving plot. From the moment Kitty senses something off about the twitchy man who smells like cigarettes sitting on the bus beside her, until the final slam bang caper, readers are in for a treat. I'm particularly impresses with how the author gives you a front row seat to the running inner dialogue that has run so much of her life and how at life and death show more moments, Kitty finds a hidden strength to save the day. show less

This book had a slow start but I’m glad I stuck with it. Kitty Granger is a great protagonist, a sharp and observant girl with autism who finds herself mixed up with a spy organization, and ends up making friends and broadening her world, oh and also saving the day of course! I definitely recommend this one.

This did not feel particularly steampunk - despite the airships and the mention of aether - possibly because my previous dabblings in this "genre" have been novels such as Scott Westerfields "Leviathon" or Philip Reeve's "Mortal Engines" quartet. It felt more like historic fiction, maybe cica World War I. Still, I did feel it built up a solid background to the world - and one in which I would be keen to learn more. It did have a dramatic fighting climax, but did not complete the plot - show more merely to hint at what else is to come. Oh, there are so many loose ends, that one cannot help but want to read the next instalment just to find out how they tie in. What was the deal with the ghosts and the zombies, for example? What information did the card contain?

In terms of structure = very well written - good grammar, no editting hiccups, smooth to read and only a couple of stray typos. The story flowed well, and was reasonably paced with decent character development - although perhaps could have been fleshed out a wee bit more. Whilst it did not quite have the "awesomeness" factor, it was an enjoyable read and certainly a strong footing into the series.

This is the story about Steele, a feisty female pilot and her charming "sidekick" Ray, a spy/catographer. After chancing upon a mystyerious - and much wanted item, they accidentally uncover a plot that could threaten their Commonwealth. They are then forced to form an unlikely alliance in order to protect the greater good. show less

This book has some nice action, but they way that the heroine is constantly adjusting her non-romantic partner's clothing is really distracting!

I felt it could have done with a more iron-fisted editor, as well. But I enjoyed it enough to finish it (and I'm a quitter).