Scan barcode
billd's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Maddie Hatter and the Gilded Gauge is the second book in the steampunk trilogy by Canadian author, Jayne Barnard. Maddie Hatter is the daughter of a rich English Steam Lord but has left home to strike out on her own. She doesn't want her father to arrange a marriage for her. So as described in the 1st book, she now works as a reporter for a London newspaper, under the pseudonym of Maddie Hatter, writing about fashion and the lives of the rich and famous.
She also spies for Madame Taxus - Hemlock. Madame provided Maddie with TD a mechanical sparrow who helps Maddie with her cases, recording information, taking photos, communicating with Madame through her hawks and other mechanics.
So, Maddie is now in New York and meets one Emmeline Gatsby-Gauge at a ladies' umbrella academy, a sporting institution where they also learn to duel with parasols. Yup.. you read it correctly. Emmeline decides to hire Maddie as a bodyguard of sorts. There have been attempts to kidnap Emmeline and she hopes Maddie can help her find out who. Oh yes, Emmeline also has a bit of an alter ego, Emmy Gat, where she disguises herself and helps orphans.
Emmy's father has invented a gauge that he hopes to sell. Various Steam Lords, including Maddie's father (Yipes!) are coming to New York to meet with Emmy's father to try and buy into his gauge program. Someone is trying to steal the gauge or the plans for building it and a Russian Lady is suspected.
OK, well, that's sort of the gist of the story. It's a bit convoluted but always interesting and entertaining. The people are interesting. The orphans who help Emmy Gat are like the Dead End kids, rambunctious, adventurous and always willing to help Emmy and Maddie resolve the mystery of who is trying to kidnap Emmy and help protect the gauge from being stolen. As well, Maddie's two friends, Hiram and Obie, both introduced in the first book, also are always available.
The chase moves around New York with a climactic ending at the Statue of Liberty. All good fun and adventure. One more book to read. (3.0 stars)
She also spies for Madame Taxus - Hemlock. Madame provided Maddie with TD a mechanical sparrow who helps Maddie with her cases, recording information, taking photos, communicating with Madame through her hawks and other mechanics.
So, Maddie is now in New York and meets one Emmeline Gatsby-Gauge at a ladies' umbrella academy, a sporting institution where they also learn to duel with parasols. Yup.. you read it correctly. Emmeline decides to hire Maddie as a bodyguard of sorts. There have been attempts to kidnap Emmeline and she hopes Maddie can help her find out who. Oh yes, Emmeline also has a bit of an alter ego, Emmy Gat, where she disguises herself and helps orphans.
Emmy's father has invented a gauge that he hopes to sell. Various Steam Lords, including Maddie's father (Yipes!) are coming to New York to meet with Emmy's father to try and buy into his gauge program. Someone is trying to steal the gauge or the plans for building it and a Russian Lady is suspected.
OK, well, that's sort of the gist of the story. It's a bit convoluted but always interesting and entertaining. The people are interesting. The orphans who help Emmy Gat are like the Dead End kids, rambunctious, adventurous and always willing to help Emmy and Maddie resolve the mystery of who is trying to kidnap Emmy and help protect the gauge from being stolen. As well, Maddie's two friends, Hiram and Obie, both introduced in the first book, also are always available.
The chase moves around New York with a climactic ending at the Statue of Liberty. All good fun and adventure. One more book to read. (3.0 stars)
More...