A worthy sequel to the first book, a really fun and exciting read, with many tough decisions and challenges to face for Claire - including an entirely new one such as love. The only complaint I have is that the first book, especially at the beginning, had a more intimate quality to it that made Claire much "closer" and interesting to the reader, showing exactly all of her weak spots and opportunities for growth. Now that she's settled as the Lady of Devices, she feels more distant, as if she were suddenly playing a "firm governess" part, and while she and the challenges she faces are still interesting, the narration is much less emotionally involving. Also, I'm starting to find it a little weird that the series is advertised as her being the "leader of an underground gang", while between the previous book and this one, she's basically the governess of a bunch of orphans whom she educates and protects from other gangs with her devices: aside from the incident of Lightning Luke's death, the prodigious finding of his treasure, and the rather scorching warning to the rival who threatened them, all of their activities are quite legal and honest, if socially unconvenient. I find such a setup makes one expect a more edgy, underground-focused story, while it's overall pretty tame, one of the core concepts being that she's "teaching" the kids there are alternatives to crime. In any case, it's been a great read and I look forward to the next in the series.[EDIT: I have actually started volume 3 of the series but it hasn't managed to hold my attention for more than a few pages, so I dropped it. Maybe I'll pick it up again, maybe not.] The very exciting follow up to Lady of Devices. It’s actually been quite a long time since I read such an entertaining series and this instalment is even better than the first one. The world building continues and I love the way Adina introduces new characters and develops some of the secondary characters from Lady Devices. We even have one of the characters slowly but surely turning into a real villain, how fun! Lady Claire as a gang leader, even better!This is not heavy steampunk so some readers might be disappointed but I think the characters and dialogues are really the strength of the series. It’s so refreshing to finally read a YA novel with great characterization and actual writing skills! The last few ones I read had me swear off the genre altogether but this series is so much fun I am starting to think there is hope yet!A very entertaining read, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next instalment!
What do You think about Her Own Devices (2000)?
gets better and better, something's iffy about the lord though, not sure what...
—Book
Another fun steampunk -- Victorian age with automatons -- science and romance.
—Jorge
