What do you think?
Rate this book
A Riddle in Ruby #2
A Riddle in Ruby #2: The Changer's Key by Kent Davis
The Riddle in Ruby trilogy takes readers on a rip-roaring adventure through an alternate version of colonial America, where magic and science meet, and where one young thief carries a secret everyone wants. In this second volume, Ruby Teach has become the enemy’s prisoner. She bargained with her freedom to protect her friends—but her friends aren’t about to abandon her, either. That’s not what friends do.Ruby’s blood holds a secret, one that could turn the tides of the looming war for whomever unlocks it first. Ruby’s father, former pirate Captain Teach, and her friends—a motley crew made up of a young aristocrat, a servant, and an apprentice alchemist—must race against time to locate the hidden fortress where she’s being held. But the one person who could help them is Ruby’s mysterious and powerful mother, and no one has seen her since Ruby’s birth.Kent Davis sweeps our heroes through cities and the deepest wilderness with imagination, humor, and magic that fans of Jonathan Stroud and Terry Pratchett will devour.
Hardcover
First published September 27, 2016
4 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Kent Davis
3 books55 followersKent Davis has spent most of his life making stories. He is a fantasy writer, game designer, actor, playwright, teacher, improvisational comedian, and vocation collector. A Riddle in Ruby marks his fiction debut.
He and Chris Organ are the two geekomatics behind the Epic RPG tabletop gaming system. Kent's theatrical, film, and television credits as a short, bald man include an array of concerned friends, overbearing flunkies, and odd-yet-amusing next door neighbors.
He's a member of SFWA and SCBWI. He lives with his stunningly brilliant wife and a bold, yet wily dog-ninja in the wilds of Montana.
He appreciates good food, good drink, and good stories. Especially if the stories have dragons. Or wendigo. Or elusive, brain-devouring fauna.
He and Chris Organ are the two geekomatics behind the Epic RPG tabletop gaming system. Kent's theatrical, film, and television credits as a short, bald man include an array of concerned friends, overbearing flunkies, and odd-yet-amusing next door neighbors.
He's a member of SFWA and SCBWI. He lives with his stunningly brilliant wife and a bold, yet wily dog-ninja in the wilds of Montana.
He appreciates good food, good drink, and good stories. Especially if the stories have dragons. Or wendigo. Or elusive, brain-devouring fauna.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 5, 2018
“Is that all you ever do? Draw your sword? Does this strike you as a dangerous moment?”
“All moments are dangerous if you give them enough time,” she said.
He blinked. “What does that even mean?”
Cram, his lady, and the professor. Their banter is the best. Their growth in friendship is the best. Their growth as individuals is the best. They’re only missing... Ruby.
“And so we are bound, the four of us. We are bound together by fire and blood.”
And while the trusty three are galavanting through the wild, Ruby is stuck with some weirdos. By choice. She’s very much in limbo. It was a little frustrating/confusing. Her character development was almost... digression. Granted, she was never a perfectly honorable and kind person—but after the bonds of “fire and blood” that came through the last book, she lost herself. She went back to being the thief who lives to survive alone and locks her feelings in a box in her soul. And it showed, and she questioned it, but we didn’t get to see her resolve it.
Book three. Book three will have all of the answers. Haha. Let’s gooo!
“All moments are dangerous if you give them enough time,” she said.
He blinked. “What does that even mean?”
Cram, his lady, and the professor. Their banter is the best. Their growth in friendship is the best. Their growth as individuals is the best. They’re only missing... Ruby.
“And so we are bound, the four of us. We are bound together by fire and blood.”
And while the trusty three are galavanting through the wild, Ruby is stuck with some weirdos. By choice. She’s very much in limbo. It was a little frustrating/confusing. Her character development was almost... digression. Granted, she was never a perfectly honorable and kind person—but after the bonds of “fire and blood” that came through the last book, she lost herself. She went back to being the thief who lives to survive alone and locks her feelings in a box in her soul. And it showed, and she questioned it, but we didn’t get to see her resolve it.
Book three. Book three will have all of the answers. Haha. Let’s gooo!
August 15, 2016
After the events of A RIDDLE IN RUBY, Ruby Teach is now in the custody of the man she was running from. He’s placed her in a strange group with young men and women training to become soldiers. While Ruby struggles alone, her father, Athena, and friends are doing their best to find and rescue her, but they face hang-ups of their own. Along the way, both groups find clues to a mystery bigger than they ever expected.
What I Loved:
Once again, Kent Davis amazes with the incredible world building of an alternate colonial Philadelphia. Ruby discovers more about her special skills, and her father and friends are trying to unravel the secrets of a coded journal. This world is a guaranteed delight for young readers who love science and history.
Ruby’s characterization shines. Where she was easily bold and brave before, she now faces tougher challenges and is introduced to her own dark side in unexpected ways. She begins to confront her own definitions of good and bad actions, setting up beautiful potential for the next installment.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the first book was a continuous stream of fast paced action, THE CHANGER’S KEY takes a slower approach. While this allows for top notch character development for Ruby, the pacing ultimately suffers for it, and portions of the story tend to drag.
As is the case in many sequels, the main characters are separated for the majority of the story, and readers who enjoyed Ruby’s banter with Athena and the overall comradery with her friends won’t find a similar dynamic in this follow up. However, there are several interesting new characters, including one major figure that I hope to see more of in the final book.
Final Verdict:
While THE CHANGER’S KEY is a bit lackluster compared to the first book, the series continues to be complex, engaging, and adventurous. Fans of the series will want the conclusion to Ruby Teach’s story as soon as possible after the breathtaking final scene ends in THE CHANGER’S KEY.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
What I Loved:
Once again, Kent Davis amazes with the incredible world building of an alternate colonial Philadelphia. Ruby discovers more about her special skills, and her father and friends are trying to unravel the secrets of a coded journal. This world is a guaranteed delight for young readers who love science and history.
Ruby’s characterization shines. Where she was easily bold and brave before, she now faces tougher challenges and is introduced to her own dark side in unexpected ways. She begins to confront her own definitions of good and bad actions, setting up beautiful potential for the next installment.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the first book was a continuous stream of fast paced action, THE CHANGER’S KEY takes a slower approach. While this allows for top notch character development for Ruby, the pacing ultimately suffers for it, and portions of the story tend to drag.
As is the case in many sequels, the main characters are separated for the majority of the story, and readers who enjoyed Ruby’s banter with Athena and the overall comradery with her friends won’t find a similar dynamic in this follow up. However, there are several interesting new characters, including one major figure that I hope to see more of in the final book.
Final Verdict:
While THE CHANGER’S KEY is a bit lackluster compared to the first book, the series continues to be complex, engaging, and adventurous. Fans of the series will want the conclusion to Ruby Teach’s story as soon as possible after the breathtaking final scene ends in THE CHANGER’S KEY.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
March 23, 2021
This was Delightful. And though I had been taking this series one book at a time while I decided if I liked it or not...I may pick up the third book much more quickly than I picked this one up! (I mean...major cliffhangers help with that, lol.)
It did feel a bit like a classic Middle Book In A Trilogy, in which a lot of stuff gets set up and People Take Journeys To Go To Significant Places, but at the same time
a) The places were interesting--the worldbuilding drew me in a lot more this time around!
b) There was a LOT of character development
The characters. I must talk about the characters.
-The mountain woman with the child and the goat, whose name I can't remember: I. Loved. Her. It was probably the goat that did it. I had forgotten about goat packing (briefly. I can't ever forget about goat packing for long) and it was delightful both to be reminded AND to have it in a book.
-Henry is My Kind Of Nerd, and I love him a lot. The amount of growth he goes through is not insignificant, especially as it relates to Athena.
-Cram's homegrown wisdom from his Mam is fantastic, and I related SO HARD to the part where he's talking to Athena and trying to find just the right moment to say what he wanted to say, because he knows there's a right time, but he's not exactly sure when it is.
-Athena. I found the feminism thread to be a lot more unobtrusive in this one, but it was still there. HOWEVER I do think she had a lot of growth, which almost led her...away from that feminist thread? I don't want to say a lot more, because #spoilers, but I liked her growth as well.
-There were several minor characters who were were introduced to (the Catalonians, Evram, Sleipnir (Slepinir! Was! Amazing!), Merise) who I really liked, but can't talk about because, again, spoilers. (I don't feel like putting in spoiler cuts today. Sue me. I have a quilt to work on and those take too long. XD)
-And finally...Ruby! Ruby also grew a great amount and I loved watching it. But at the same time...it was very sad, in ways. Because a lot of her growth involved letting go. Which was important. But also hard. (Also: coming off having just read The Runaway King I appreciated that Ruby COULDN'T do anything she put her mind to. That's just my two cents, though.)
I thought that overall this one was easier to follow than the first book (although I do have some minor quibbles with the beginning), plot-wise.
I think I'll give this one four stars!
It did feel a bit like a classic Middle Book In A Trilogy, in which a lot of stuff gets set up and People Take Journeys To Go To Significant Places, but at the same time
a) The places were interesting--the worldbuilding drew me in a lot more this time around!
b) There was a LOT of character development
The characters. I must talk about the characters.
-The mountain woman with the child and the goat, whose name I can't remember: I. Loved. Her. It was probably the goat that did it. I had forgotten about goat packing (briefly. I can't ever forget about goat packing for long) and it was delightful both to be reminded AND to have it in a book.
-Henry is My Kind Of Nerd, and I love him a lot. The amount of growth he goes through is not insignificant, especially as it relates to Athena.
-Cram's homegrown wisdom from his Mam is fantastic, and I related SO HARD to the part where he's talking to Athena and trying to find just the right moment to say what he wanted to say, because he knows there's a right time, but he's not exactly sure when it is.
-Athena. I found the feminism thread to be a lot more unobtrusive in this one, but it was still there. HOWEVER I do think she had a lot of growth, which almost led her...away from that feminist thread? I don't want to say a lot more, because #spoilers, but I liked her growth as well.
-There were several minor characters who were were introduced to (the Catalonians, Evram, Sleipnir (Slepinir! Was! Amazing!), Merise) who I really liked, but can't talk about because, again, spoilers. (I don't feel like putting in spoiler cuts today. Sue me. I have a quilt to work on and those take too long. XD)
-And finally...Ruby! Ruby also grew a great amount and I loved watching it. But at the same time...it was very sad, in ways. Because a lot of her growth involved letting go. Which was important. But also hard. (Also: coming off having just read The Runaway King I appreciated that Ruby COULDN'T do anything she put her mind to. That's just my two cents, though.)
I thought that overall this one was easier to follow than the first book (although I do have some minor quibbles with the beginning), plot-wise.
I think I'll give this one four stars!
January 31, 2021
This book is brimming with details that I want to see brought to life! Sometimes when I think about this book it seems very much like the middle book in a trilogy, where nothing much happens, but at other times it seems to me to have quite a story of its own! I like the separate stories as we focus more on the individual characters. Mostly I want to reread it!
Read my full review here:
http://moviesmeetmatch.blogspot.com/2...
Read my full review here:
http://moviesmeetmatch.blogspot.com/2...
September 19, 2017
I remember really liking the first book, but I just did connect with this at all. The Ruby plot, I liked but I didn't really care about it, and the other plot didn't interest me at all. But I still like Athena a whole lot, and kinda wish the book was all from her POV. By the end of this, I was just reading so I could finish it, and I'm not sure why because I really loved the first book.
September 5, 2018
Lives up to the promise of the first book
This book picks up where the first one left off, grabbing readers by the neck and not letting them go until the last page. Mr. Davis has honed his craft, tightening the pace and deepening the characterizations to make his second book even more enjoyable than the first. I can't wait to dive to the finale.
This book picks up where the first one left off, grabbing readers by the neck and not letting them go until the last page. Mr. Davis has honed his craft, tightening the pace and deepening the characterizations to make his second book even more enjoyable than the first. I can't wait to dive to the finale.
September 20, 2018
Another exciting installment of Kent Davis's steampunk alternate history set in 18th c. England and America, a world ruled by "chemystry," featuring the rollicking, rebellious, indomitable Ruby Teach who carries a secret in her very being.
October 30, 2016
This is a fun book. It is fast paced without feeling forced. The characters feel nuanced and realistic. I enjoyed it.
September 28, 2017
A tremendous sequel in what is proving to be an outstanding series. Can't wait for book #3.
Bravo, Kent Davis!
Bravo, Kent Davis!
March 15, 2022
Steampunk, with some strange stuff…
May 24, 2023
3.5/5
did-not-finish
August 4, 2023its a good book, im just not fully invested
March 9, 2017
I must admit, that I forgot what happened in Book 1 and Book 2 did little remind me.
April 22, 2021
Ruby's willingly under Rool's control now, and she discovers the Reeve means to use her secret -- whatever it is -- against the crown's mounting enemies any way he can.
He takes her back to the Reeve training grounds, where orphans are taught the "works" of a Reeve and how to be the best, merciless, loyal fighters possible.
Rool also hands her over to Dr. Swedenborg, who is supposedly trying to find the key to unlock her secret for the crown. The doctor slowly discovers the secret in Ruby -- literally, in her blood. It's an equation, imbued in her by her chemystry mother, but what it describes or the device it unlocks takes the rest of the book to develop. Dr. Swedenborg has no intention of handing it over to the crown, however.
Ruby's friends, Lord Athena, her servant Cram, the chemystry apprentice Henry, and her father and his crew all set out after her. They get split up, and one half journeys into the mountains, where Henry sets the forest afire with chemystry and they barely survive in a giant beaver's underwater lodge.
They finally find Ruby's mother, and discover the horrific secret she's hidden in Ruby's blood -- a device for draining a person's life spark. They rush off to rescue Ruby, but not before they pick up a group of mercenaries, led by Alla Ferra, who are more than a match for the Reeves. Still, they may arrive too late to help Ruby.
At the Reeve training ground, alliances shift as Ruby's secret gets out and Lord Captain Rool and other Reeves reveal where their true allegiances lie. Ruby's sole friend -- the doctor's apprentice, Evram, -- pays the ultimate price when his horse-like automaton, Sleipnir, fights for Ruby's life.
I won't ruin the ending, just know, they're all barreling toward the next book by the end of this one. Ruby's "riddle" has been thoroughly solved, exposed and set loose to do its damage on the world.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
He takes her back to the Reeve training grounds, where orphans are taught the "works" of a Reeve and how to be the best, merciless, loyal fighters possible.
Rool also hands her over to Dr. Swedenborg, who is supposedly trying to find the key to unlock her secret for the crown. The doctor slowly discovers the secret in Ruby -- literally, in her blood. It's an equation, imbued in her by her chemystry mother, but what it describes or the device it unlocks takes the rest of the book to develop. Dr. Swedenborg has no intention of handing it over to the crown, however.
Ruby's friends, Lord Athena, her servant Cram, the chemystry apprentice Henry, and her father and his crew all set out after her. They get split up, and one half journeys into the mountains, where Henry sets the forest afire with chemystry and they barely survive in a giant beaver's underwater lodge.
They finally find Ruby's mother, and discover the horrific secret she's hidden in Ruby's blood -- a device for draining a person's life spark. They rush off to rescue Ruby, but not before they pick up a group of mercenaries, led by Alla Ferra, who are more than a match for the Reeves. Still, they may arrive too late to help Ruby.
At the Reeve training ground, alliances shift as Ruby's secret gets out and Lord Captain Rool and other Reeves reveal where their true allegiances lie. Ruby's sole friend -- the doctor's apprentice, Evram, -- pays the ultimate price when his horse-like automaton, Sleipnir, fights for Ruby's life.
I won't ruin the ending, just know, they're all barreling toward the next book by the end of this one. Ruby's "riddle" has been thoroughly solved, exposed and set loose to do its damage on the world.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
December 3, 2016
Picks up where the first book left off. Still good, but parts were a bit flat and dragged out. The world built in the first book is maintained (thank goodness), though perhaps with somewhat less emphasis. More focus on the story with less “length” would have served better.
Hopefully the third book will regain some of the core substance and balance. The author has what it takes and has demonstrated it. In a world filled with carbon-copy attempts of what everyone else is writing about, it is that much more difficult to come up with something that is truly fresh and has edge. This writing can be in league with Stephen Hunt and D.M. Cornish. Let’s see.
Quotes:
“Negotiation is the marriage of a fierce purpose to a useful lever. My favorite type of lever is a cannon. —Precious Nel, scourge of the Seven Seas”
“Prison is not a place for formality.”
“. . . she was alone with her thoughts. And the failing candle of her hope. She nursed it until it burned her fingers.”
“We are the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.
—Wayland Teach”
Hopefully the third book will regain some of the core substance and balance. The author has what it takes and has demonstrated it. In a world filled with carbon-copy attempts of what everyone else is writing about, it is that much more difficult to come up with something that is truly fresh and has edge. This writing can be in league with Stephen Hunt and D.M. Cornish. Let’s see.
Quotes:
“Negotiation is the marriage of a fierce purpose to a useful lever. My favorite type of lever is a cannon. —Precious Nel, scourge of the Seven Seas”
“Prison is not a place for formality.”
“. . . she was alone with her thoughts. And the failing candle of her hope. She nursed it until it burned her fingers.”
“We are the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.
—Wayland Teach”
July 14, 2016
Unlike the usual downward spiral of trilogies, this book is even better than the first in the Riddle in Ruby series. We get to learn more about Ruby Teach, her family history, and her band of misfit buddies. I love how Kent Davis creates characters that are fully three dimensional, with genuine feelings, flaws and motivations - and then puts those characters through the wringer to bring out the best (and worst) in them. He deftly incorporates strong, smart and interesting women, people of color, and others who are rarely represented (especially in a non-stereotypical way) in the fantasy genre, without it feeling like a prim, politically correct diversity checklist. I love that this is a middle grade book with a strong female lead that is interesting for both boys and girls - another thing that is hard to find in fantasy novels. What more can I say - I'm a fan! Can't wait for the final book in the series.
September 29, 2016
Even better than the first installment in the series, picking right back up with the same driving pace we reached and the always higher than high stakes, I was immediately absorbed once again! We get a deeper understanding of the characters we already know and love (or fear) and are introduced to a new host of very real people. Even the smaller characters who speak hardly at all are full of depth, leaving me rooting for everyone. I smiled a lot, I cried just a little, I found myself trying to match facial expressions described in the book, I did the classic "It's 1am, just one more chapter," and NOW I have to wait impatiently for book three! Do yourself and the smart kids you know a favor; read and share this book!
(I especially loved Catherine and Farnsworth)
(I especially loved Catherine and Farnsworth)
November 8, 2016
★ - Most books with this rating I never finish and so don't make this list. This one I probably started speed-reading to get it over with.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
★★★ - Decent. A few good ideas, well-written passages, interesting characters, or the like.
★★★★ - Good. This one had parts that inspired me, impressed me, made me laugh out loud, made me think - it got positive reactions and most of the rest of it was pretty decent too.
★★★★★ - Amazing. This is the best I've read of its genre, the ones I hold on to so I can re-read them and/or loan them out to people looking for a great book. The best of these change the way I look at the world and operate within it.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
★★★ - Decent. A few good ideas, well-written passages, interesting characters, or the like.
★★★★ - Good. This one had parts that inspired me, impressed me, made me laugh out loud, made me think - it got positive reactions and most of the rest of it was pretty decent too.
★★★★★ - Amazing. This is the best I've read of its genre, the ones I hold on to so I can re-read them and/or loan them out to people looking for a great book. The best of these change the way I look at the world and operate within it.
December 6, 2016
Oh my goodness! :D The changer's key was soooo good! Waaaay more easy to understand/follow than the first one, enough action, and last but not least TONS of character development in Ruby! :D :D :D Great job Kent!
December 27, 2016
Brave Ruby's adventure, and that of her hurt but persistent friends, continues in really surprising ways. These are complex characters, and weird situations, and it is all so well written. I guess I'll have to wait longer for the next episode. Sigh.
November 1, 2016
This book is a good book, but it's a little scarier than the first. It has more adventure, though, and really engaging.
April 15, 2017
I'm very into steampunk and so this series excited me with the ideas that were knocking about in it. Yet it just isn't doing much for me. I prefer the side character, Athena, who spends much of the time posing as a young male aristocrat. Yet somehow the book is just falling flat of my expectations. It is both too slowly paced and so full of uber things that the plot just kind of disappears. Where is Davis going with this? Whatever it is will center around Ruby and while she's a pretty cool person I'm just not excited about her. I wish I could better understand why this series isn't working for me. Part of me really wants to continue on because Davis has a lot of cool things going on, but the rest of me would rather read other books instead.
January 6, 2018
Just as great, if not better than the first book. I love how the characters are continuing to develop, and can't wait to read the next book!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews