This was the first steampunk novel that I have ever read. I enjoyed this story once I got through the first few chapters. I had a little trouble remembering who was in France and who was in England. I ended up really enjoying the characters and am looking forward to seeing what happens to each of them in the second book. It is interesting to see how they add items that run by steam in this historical period. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Combining Regency romance with steampunk?! I’m here for it! This delightful YA first in series book by Shelley Adina and R.E. Scott rewrites history with Napoleon searching for a way to invade Britain with air machines. Two delightful young women who would rather wield a wrench than go to tea parties work together to try to create their own airship to win England’s Tinkering Prince’s prize offered to counter Napoleon’s strategy.

Celeste Blanchard is the imaginative, intelligent daughter of French aeronauts. She’s determined to carry on her father’s legacy and redeem her Air Minister mother’s failed attempts to build an airship for Napoleon. When her mother tries to arrange a marriage for her to an old disgusting aristocrat, she hurriedly pushes forward the testing of the air machine she’s helped design to prove it can travel to England. When her ship is destroyed, she washes up on enemy shores and is taken in by a kind family with a brilliant daughter who also likes to tinker.

Loveday Penhale has a quick mind and an engineering soul. Her family would rather her find a husband than sneak away to the steam manufactory in Truro to work on a high-pressure steam engine. When a young woman washes up on the coast, she finds a fast friend and the two begin to work together to build an air machine. But, when Celeste’s true identity is discovered, can she be trusted and can their friendship survive?

I enjoyed this fun start to a new series. For those who love engineering and steampunk inventiveness, you will love this book! The majority of the book is spent laying the foundation for the series and focusing on the inventive process as these young women deal with men doubtful of their abilities and saboteurs trying to thwart their designs. They do manage to find friendship and a budding romance with two men who grow to admire their abilities.

The characters were enjoyable and really drew me in. I especially loved the mechanical sideboard with it’s own personality. Captain Arthur Trevelyan and Emory Thorndyke are at first skeptical of these women’s talents, but as they get to know them better and see what they’re capable of, their skepticism turns to respect. The slow build romance is just beginning and I look forward to seeing how each couple’s relationship progresses in the series.

Highly looking forward to the next book in the series! It’s an imaginative, well written Regency steampunk or “prinny punk” as its been described that I would definitely recommend to upper middlegrade, YA readers, and up! The dialogue is witty and fun and the hint of romance adds a nice touch to the story. I received a complimentary copy from the author and Prism Book tours. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. ( )