The Inventor’s Secret

Cremer, Andrea. The Inventor’s Secret. Book 1 of the Inventor’s Secret series. 2014. 336p. ISBN 978-0-3991-5962-6. Available at FIC CRE on the library shelves.

The American Revolution was crushed by the might of the British navy and army when both France and Spain refused to support the revolutionaries. The revolutionaries were imprisoned in Boston or executed. Now, years later, the steam-powered British Empire remains firmly in control of the colonies. Colonists now must serve the Empire for 20 years of hard labor, but in practice most do not survive this punishing sentence in the colonial foundries and workshops.

Despite of, or maybe because of this oppression, groups of rebels are still seeking to overthrow the Empire and fight it at every turn. Charlotte has long lived in the catacombs on the edge of New York, the heart of the colonies alongside her brothers. Children of rebels are sent here for their safety and to be educated. When they come of age, they can join the rebellion. Her brother Ashley has led their small group, along with Jack and Charlotte.

When Charlotte comes upon Grave, a boy who doesn’t remember anything, she decides to save him from the Imperial Labor Gatherers, large steam-powered robots that hunt escapees through the colony’s forests. Without knowing it, however, she sets events in motions that will make her question everything she knows. Is her relationship with Jack simply that of sparring partners, or is there more to the chemistry that takes place between the two? What does her brother know that he’s not sharing with her? Who, or rather, what is Grave? Is he the answer to the rebellion’s prayers or the best way to quash it?

If you enjoyed this book, you will like Worldshaker, the largest floating ship of all times, and the fight for the Filthies' freedom! You will also like Etiquette & Espionage,  The Mark of the Dragonfly and Leviathan.