Slade's steampunk adventure weaves shapeshifting, anarchist politics, and the social and scientific realities of Victorian England into a cohesive and compelling whole. Modo, a foundling hunchback, has been trained carefully from infancy to take his place in the ranks of the secret pro-Royalist Permanent Association. Modo is a sympathetic protagonist who proves himself, even at the tender age of 13, to be a good match for the evil Clockwork Guild, who imprison orphans and royalty alike as literal cogs in their machinery of destruction. Modo's cohorts include retrained juvenile pickpocket Octavia, Cockney Oppie, and the shadowy Tharpa, who trains Modo in martial arts. Readers may find some scenes reminiscent of Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart books or Eleanor Updale's Montmorency mysteries, though the addition of a fantasy element sets this apart from those purely historical tales. Like them, though, a solid story line and well-crafted writing make for a pleasing and evocative adventure.

Modo, a boy with a shape-shifting face, is raised in seclusion in alternate-Victorian London to be an agent for calculating Mr. Socrates. Thrust into a treacherous situation about which he knows nothing, Modo finds himself and agent Octavia Milkweed responsible for the lives of helpless children. Felicitous turns of phrase and lots of heart amidst cold-blooded exploits make this a page-turner.

Steampunk is hot, and here the tropes are further enlivened by literary shout-outs. Hunchbacked Modo (abandoned near Notre Dame as an infant) possesses the astounding ability to transform his appearance for a limited time. His mysterious benefactor serves England, but it is Modo and lovely fellow "agent" Octavia whose adventures save the day from mad Dr. Hyde's inventions and the plotting of the Clockwork Guild. Modo's palpable loneliness—his true face causes intense revulsion—evokes sympathy and makes his success that much more meaningful. Fast action carries the story through awkward dialogue; fortunately, doing and thinking rather than talking takes center stage. Regular glimpses from the villain's perspectives allows readers to fully appreciate Slade's inventive imagination—their technology involves robots, potions and imprisoned orphans. The escape of most of the baddies is almost welcome as it means they can all lock horns again, and the question of whether Modo will show Octavia his true self remains unanswered. An excellent start to a promising new series. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

Calling to mind elements of <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Hunchback of Notre Dame, <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Frankenstein, Slade (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Jolted: Newton Starker's Rules for Survival) presents a thrilling tale of an unusual and talented young man caught between two idealistic, ruthless organizations. Fourteen-year-old hunchback Modo has been raised from infancy by Mr. Socrates to use his shape-shifting abilities in service to the Permanent Association, secretive defenders of the status quo in Slade's steampunk Victorian England. Opposing the Permanent Association is the Clockwork Guild, whose hubristic ambitions are untempered by mercy or decency. Together with fellow agent Octavia Milkweed, Modo must discover why the guild is kidnapping and brainwashing—or worse—children and the scions of the upper class. Although Modo is too innocent to truly understand his situation, Slade makes it clear that Mr. Socrates' exploitation of the teenage agents undermines their effectiveness and mirrors the willingness of the guild to treat people as tools. With its self-loathing hero and exploration of themes of identity and self, the novel is more than the straightforward adventure it may appear. Ages 12–up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Sept.)

Gr 6-10 What do you get when you combine elements of Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame , and Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ? You get this exciting steampunk adventure. And though Slade borrows from the classics, the story is original and a fun read. Modo, a young hunchback, is rescued from a traveling freak show by the mysterious Victorian Englishman, Mr. Socrates. He is raised in isolation and trained to master his extraordinary physical powers, which include the ability to alter his deformed features and take on any appearance. When he's 13, Mr. Socrates presses him into service on behalf of the Permanent Association, a secret group dedicated to protecting Great Britain, and the teen is plunged headfirst into a race to prevent the government's destruction. Modo, an innocent who is often shocked by the vulgarities of street life, is paired with fellow agent Octavia Milkweed, a rescued urchin whose street smarts complement his immense physical talents. She is at once a partner, a foil, and a possible love interest. The protagonists are likable, the villains are chilling, and the story is action packed. Forays into the raw effluence of London's sewer system provide just enough "ick" factor. And, Slade gets the Victorian setting just right. Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

Fans of the new Sherlock Holmes movie will find much to like in SladeÆs newest novel. Modo, a "monstrous, malformed boy" who also happens to be a shape-shifter, is rescued from a freak show and raised by the mysterious Mr. Socrates and the kind Mrs. Finchley. At fourteen, he is turned loose in Victorian London to fend for himself, and uses his unique skills to set up as a kind of private detectiveùa finder of lost things. Teaming up with another resourceful orphan, Octavia Milkweed, Modo must stop a pair of evil scientists who are plotting to destroy the British government by creating a powerful mechanized monster, using hundreds of kidnapped children and Queen VictoriaÆs grandson, Prince Albert. Modo and Octavia are a delightful pair of protagonists, and their journeys through London, including its sewer system, are exciting and fast-paced. This title is an excellent addition to the steam-punk genre for younger readers.ùSarah Flowers.