A Riddle in Ruby

Gr 4–6—In this alternative history adventure, the year is 1718, and colonial Philadelphia is governed by Chemystry: a blend of magic, science, and mysticism. Boston is part of the Bradfordum Colony and "Philadephi" is part of Pennswood. Slightly steampunk elements, like "gearbeasties" and automatons that look like mice, are sneakily included in a narrative that races pell-mell through adventures that would be thrilling in any world. Aruba, better known as Ruby, is the daughter of Wayland Teach, the captain of a ship full of sailors who pretend to be a pirates for the entertainment of passengers—though they may be actual pirates after all. What is real and what is pretense is a theme that runs throughout this book. Ruby's gradual understanding of why everyone is chasing her and who her real allies are is topped only by the intriguing revelations that continually astonish, such as the configuration of Philadelphi: it has a lid on its "under town" that extends across the city and the "upper town" is built above the lid, which darkens and keeps out light below. Spunky and savvy, Ruby follows her mentor Gwath's maxims, which inevitably lead her from peril to temporary respite, only to be followed by even worse peril.