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Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space
by Philip Reeve

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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/287892.Larklight_A_Rousing_Tale_of_Dauntless_Pluck_in_the_Farthest_Reaches_of_Space?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173431736m/287892.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/287892.Larklight_A_Rousing_Tale_of_Dauntless_Pluck_in_the_Farthest_Reaches_of_Space?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27379.Philip_Reeve">Philip Reeve</a><br/><br/>
  <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4065879?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
  rating: 4 of 5 stars<br/>I am not, I keep telling myself, a science fiction fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this "rousing tale of dauntless pluck", because it has the arch sensibility of a Victorian novel with a little "Futurama" thrown in.  Art and Myrtle Mumby are proper Victorian children who love their Queen and revere the Empire, who live with their father in Larklight, a rambling house that is located, not on the "sceptered isle" but in space somewhere beyond the Moon.  Yes, the British Empire stretches far beyond the confines of Earth out into the universe--almost as far as Saturn's rings.  Currently, that universe is being threatened by nasty white spiders who invade Larklight, bundle up dear old dad, and set Myrtle and Art on an adventure that includes a pirate named Jack (not Sparrow!), hoverpigs and assorted life forms, a plot to sabotage the opening of the Crystal Palace, and the discovery of a family member thought long gone. Throw in: a little romance, a lot of narrow escapes, rousing battle scenes, some lady-like fainting, Victorian technology, and an explanation on the origin of the universe. I say! A cracking good tale, what?! 
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<br/>I'd pair it with "Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos" for narrative tone. 
  <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/44132?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Susan's review
rating:
bookshelves: booktalkers
recommended for: 4th-5th graders who love fantasy and science fiction

I am not, I keep telling myself, a science fiction fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this "rousing tale of dauntless pluck", because it has the arch sensibility of a Victorian novel with a little "Futurama" thrown in. Art and Myrtle Mumby are proper Victorian children who love their Queen and revere the Empire, who live with their father in Larklight, a rambling house that is located, not on the "sceptered isle" but in space somewhere beyond the Moon. Yes, the British Empire stretches far beyond the confines of Earth out into the universe--almost as far as Saturn's rings. Currently, that universe is being threatened by nasty white spiders who invade Larklight, bundle up dear old dad, and set Myrtle and Art on an adventure that includes a pirate named Jack (not Sparrow!), hoverpigs and assorted life forms, a plot to sabotage the opening of the Crystal Palace, and the discovery of a family member thought long gone. Throw in: a little romance, a lot of narrow ...more

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