This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 I adore Steampunk - this tiny little sub genre has won my heart. If you've experienced it before you probably know what I'm talking about - a little bit science fiction, a little bit fantasy, a little bit alternate history, held together by action and romance. If you haven't tried out the genre yet what are you waiting for? 
 The Inventor's Secret has all the elements of a fantastic steampunk adventure. Particularly the aesthetic. Andrea Cremer has created some very cool technology - from air ships, to magnetic exploding mice and even a floating city. I personally love the clothes. If I ever tackle a steampunk novel you can bet part of my motivation will come from designing all the outfits. Even though everything in this novel is completely bizarre and most of it doesn't exist in real life it comes vividly to life in your head. It's such a fun and beautiful world to dive into and get lost exploring. 
 At the centre of The Inventor's Secret there is a rag tag group of refugees, hiding out and striking back against the British Empire. They're all fabulous and Cremer could have chose any of them as the main character. They were all so much fun - Ash, Linnet, Pip, Birch, Scoff...I loved them all and would read a book about any of them, no question. But Cremer picked Charlotte which worked out pretty well too. I would definitely say I'm a fan of Charlotte. She was outspoken, stubborn and tough. She's the kind of girl that isn't afraid to get her hands dirty but still has a kind heart. With one hand she's firing her favourite gun - Pocky - and with the other she's rescuing a lost boy who has no memory of who he is and where he came from. She's a character who is easy to root for. Her values and her cause are admirable but she recognizes shades of grey when she see's them which leads to some pretty interesting character development - especially when she's challenged to think beyond what she's been taught. 
 One of the people who is constantly challenging her is Jack. They've known each other for a long time, and they've always been at each other's throats. But now that they're older things are changing between them. The romance wasn't a huge factor in the central plot but it was a nice reprieve from the action from time to time. Jack reminded me a bit of Hans Solo mixed with Will from Pirates of the Caribbean. Handsome, charming, smug, and ready for battle. 
 I did find from time to time the world building was a little shaky. I'm not sure I understood how America got the way it did exactly and the villain of this story - the British - just seemed bad and heartless for the sake of being bad. I'm hoping we get a better look at that side in subsequent books. I also thought there were a few subplots that could have been dropped. Particularly Coe (Jack's brother). The Inventor's Secret didn't need a love triangle to add more tension. There was plenty of tension already with them fighting for their lives! 
 But don't let my nit picky concerns stop you from picking up this book. If you want a fun, action-packed read and love steampunk and fiesty characters the hypnotic pull of The Inventor's Secret is sure to suck you in.