The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

The Hunchback Assignments is old school steampunk. Orphans and mad scientists, secret societies and evil experiments, it all harkens back to Blaylock’s and Jeter’s foundation, although with a young adult twist. Here, instead of scientists as detectives, we have orphans as secret agents, starting with a hunchback that can change the way he looks. Definitely designed to appeal to younger readers, but well received by older as well.

Official description:

The mysterious Mr. Socrates rescues Modo, a child in a traveling freak show. Modo is a hunchback with an amazing ability to transform his appearance, and Mr. Socrates raises him in isolation as an agent for the Permanent Association, a spy agency behind Brittania’s efforts to rule the empire. At 14, Modo is left on the streets of London to fend for himself. When he encounters Octavia Milkweed, another Association agent, the two uncover a plot by the Clockword Guild behind the murders of important men. Furthermore, a mad scientist is turning orphan children into automatons to further the goals of the Guild. Modo and Octavia journey deep into the tunnels under London and discover a terrifying plot against the British government. It’s up to them to save their country.

Excerpt

You can read the first chapter at the Hunchback Assignments web site.

Reviews

A few reviews to start things going:

• Review from Buried Under Books
• Review from Curl Up With A Good Kid’s Book
• The Sacramento Book Review
• Review from the Written World

Comments and review links are always welcome. Tell us what you think.