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Title: The Earl of Brass: Book One of the Ingenious Mechanical Devices

Author: Kara Jorgensen

Narrator: Patrick Oniyelu

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-05-15

Publisher: Fox Collie Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When Eilian Sorrell, a promising archaeologist and the eldest son of the earl of Dorset, loses his arm in a dirigible crash, he fears he will face a bleak future among London's aristocracy. On a quest for normalcy, Lord Sorrell commissions a prosthetic arm but finds the craftsman is not what he seems.

After the death of her brother, Hadley Fenice takes over his prosthesis business but knows it will be an uphill battle, as women are discouraged from doing men's work. In return for building Lord Sorrell an automaton arm, he offers her a chance at freedom by following him to the Negev Desert under the guise of a man.

But what lies beneath the desert is more precious than potshards or bones. As they venture deeper, they discover a society where the path of life is not governed by gain but by passion. When imperialistic invaders come in search of a new colony to pillage, Eilian and Hadley are forced to defend their fleeting glimpse of paradise.

Members Reviews:

I'm on the fence about this one.

Hadley Fenice and her brother Adam just lost their genius brother, George, to a lengthy illness. He was the brains behind the family business. Now, Hadley, who also has some natural talent in making prosthesis and mechanized toys, wants to continue the business. Meanwhile, Lord Eilian Sorrell is recovering from a dirigible accident in which he lost his arm. He and Hadley join forces in creating a replacement arm, and then in an archaeological dig in the Negev Desert.

This steampunk adventure is set in England, perhaps the mid 1800s. Obviously, respectable women dont work, so Hadley has quite the uphill battle in convincing people that she can and does create these wonderful prosthesis and unique toys. She tries several things to get around this inconvenient social bias, such as claiming she in only the assistant or even dressing as a man. Eilian doesnt really care if she is female or male, as long as the prosthesis works.

Lord Eilian Sorrell, who has been an archaeologist for some time, isnt too stuffy. He knows what its like living rough. Meanwhile, his family is pretty uptight about many things, including how society sees them. In fact, they arent too sure what to do with him at dinner parties now that he is missing an arm. The first prosthesis (not made by Hadley) was hideous and greatly disturbed the other dinner guests.

I found these two main characters rather practical (in their own ways) and interesting. Hadley is fiercely independent. For instance, she doesnt force her other brother Adam into being the face of the family business while she does all the work. She wants to tackle it all herself and she wants the respect that goes along with a well made and well installed prosthesis. Eilian, who needs some assistance at the start of the story due to the loss of his arm, doesnt linger in a sick bed. He starts training his other hand for the basics, including writing and feeding himself. Hes not hesitant over undergoing a painful surgery to install a useful prosthesis. So, right off, these two characters pulled me into the story.

Once the arm is installed and working, Eilian wants to get back into the archaeological work. He invites Hadley along as his assistant. Of course, she has to cross dress for this and goes by the name Harold Fox. She does it smartly, practicing at home first with whats the best way to pin down her bosom.