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The Conjurer's Riddle
(The Inventor's Secret #2)
by
Charlotte may have left the Floating City, but she’s not out of danger yet. On the run from the British Empire’s clutches, she leads her group of exiles west and south, plunging into a wild world of shady merchants and surly rivermen on the way to New Orleans.
But the more Charlotte learns about the revolution she has championed, the more questions she has. As she and her f ...more
But the more Charlotte learns about the revolution she has championed, the more questions she has. As she and her f ...more
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Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
November 3rd 2015
by Philomel Books
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michelle.
Yup, there will be a third novel. Its out now.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Conjurer's Riddle (The Inventor's Secret, #2)

Apr 12, 2017
Colleen Houck
added it
I love that I can hit so many tags with this series. There's so much going on! The entire description of this version of New Orleans was amazing! Loved the swamp guru who fights with a stick. Also the spider girls and the pirate...yummy. Very much look forward to reading more about him.
...more

Aug 29, 2017
Rebecca
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
tough-heroines,
series-complete,
girl-crush,
historical,
2017-reads,
men-i-love,
ya-series,
sci-fi-fantasy
3.5 STARS
Like most trilogies, the beginning of this second installment was painstaking slow and uneventful. Even Charlotte and Linnet couldn't make up for the lackluster storyline up to the 40% mark. The remaining 60% was engaging and packed full of action. It was everything I've come to enjoy in this world. The ending has me optimistic that the final book was will as entertaining as the first. ...more
Like most trilogies, the beginning of this second installment was painstaking slow and uneventful. Even Charlotte and Linnet couldn't make up for the lackluster storyline up to the 40% mark. The remaining 60% was engaging and packed full of action. It was everything I've come to enjoy in this world. The ending has me optimistic that the final book was will as entertaining as the first. ...more

Short version: There's a rebellion, I don't know why. Lots of things happen besides rebellion.
Long version: As usual, I came into this having no idea what I was getting into. Since I picked this up randomly, I didn't have any clue what the original story was, and I knew I would spend some time in the beginning trying to figure out what's happening. But I don't know much more now after finishing the book than I did in the beginning. I can narrow it all down into about four sentences, which I star ...more
Long version: As usual, I came into this having no idea what I was getting into. Since I picked this up randomly, I didn't have any clue what the original story was, and I knew I would spend some time in the beginning trying to figure out what's happening. But I don't know much more now after finishing the book than I did in the beginning. I can narrow it all down into about four sentences, which I star ...more

This is the second book in a trilogy and sees Charlotte, with her friends, fleeing the destruction of their hideout and heading across the country to New Orleans to join with the Resistance. Along with her other friends is Grave who is an unusual character who was made from the body of a mad inventor's dead son. Grave now has powers and skills that make him very valuable to whatever side in the revolution manages to take control of him. He has also excited various religious orders who seem to fe
...more

I had such a difficult time getting into this book. The beginning did not do a good job of reintroducing the characters and the plot of the first book, so I just spent the first few chapters confused and bored and thhhhiiiss close to putting the book down. Fortunately, it picked up in the middle and started to become more engaging with the character's traveling to New Orleans where the Resistance head quarters was located and the city had a cool element to it where a law required the inhabitants
...more

Once again, Cremer dazzles with her lush settings of this alternative history that is still somewhat american. The division of territories is quite different though. It is set in the future yet most things seem to be dated such as clothings and social hierarchies and such. I rivaled in the introduction to the rich yet gritty New Orleans culture. The steampunk elements are of course outstanding and this time there is even some magic and possible necromancy involved. It was a nice change from The
...more

"Reagan, you weren't thrilled with the first book? HOW COULD YOU BRING YOURSELF TO READ THE SECOND ONE?" Well, dear reader, I don't know how I brought myself to read the second one, but I'm gonna read the third one, too. Mostly because I have it in my little hands, but partly because with an ending like that, I guess I can read through the end of the series. *heaves sigh* I guess. If I insist. I can think of worse books to pass time with at any rate.
This book was slow at the beginning, so cue m ...more
This book was slow at the beginning, so cue m ...more

Loved it. But ahhh every book I've been reading lately ends with a cliff hanger. Now I have to wait like two years for the next. Kinda sucks. Oh well, life goes on
...more

Sep 18, 2018
John
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who read YA and Steampunk
Young Adult Steampunk. Moves along at a fast clip has some pretty interesting alternative history going on that I enjoyed in the first book. Basically, what if steam technology was so advanced by the 18th century that the American Revolution failed. This book sees our troop of children evacuating their home in New York and making their way to New Orleans. Also an interesting version of a city still controlled by the French, and home to the "American Resistance"
I found a few flaws in the layout ...more
I found a few flaws in the layout ...more

Feb 26, 2015
Lindsay
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
arc,
secrets,
reviewed,
friendship,
family,
romance,
young-adult,
danger,
historical,
fantasy
Charlotte leads her group of exiles west, plunging into a wild world of shady merchants and surly rivermen on the way to New Orleans. But as Charlotte learns more about the revolution she has championed, she wonders if she's on the right side after all. Charlotte and her friends get to know the mystical New Orleans bayou and deep into the shadowy tunnels below the city–the den of criminals, assassins and pirates–Charlotte must decide if the revolution's goals justify their means, or if some thin
...more

Originally posted on BlueAnteater
The short: The steampunk-esque AU world remains of interest, but the characters remain stiff and the story overwhelming in detail.
The long:
I admit that I skimmed quite a bit of this one. When I picked it up to read, I was more than a little hesitant because I couldn't remember much of the first book nor that I particularly liked it (in fact, rereading my review of The Inventor's Secret, I see that I did not). My main interest was finding out what happened to Grav ...more
The short: The steampunk-esque AU world remains of interest, but the characters remain stiff and the story overwhelming in detail.
The long:
I admit that I skimmed quite a bit of this one. When I picked it up to read, I was more than a little hesitant because I couldn't remember much of the first book nor that I particularly liked it (in fact, rereading my review of The Inventor's Secret, I see that I did not). My main interest was finding out what happened to Grav ...more

This review is also posted at http://readingnookandcranny.blogspot....
I had high hopes for this book, thinking that Cremer could dive more into the steampunk world she created in The Inventor's Secret and worry less about the romantic squabbles that we had to deal with in the first novel. Instead, The Conjurer's Riddle (I'm still not entirely sure I even get the title of the novel) seems to focus on all the aspects that I didn't particularly enjoy from the first novel and almost completely ignor ...more
I had high hopes for this book, thinking that Cremer could dive more into the steampunk world she created in The Inventor's Secret and worry less about the romantic squabbles that we had to deal with in the first novel. Instead, The Conjurer's Riddle (I'm still not entirely sure I even get the title of the novel) seems to focus on all the aspects that I didn't particularly enjoy from the first novel and almost completely ignor ...more

I continue to love this alternate US history with a steampunk spin and found this to be a worthy successor to The Inventor's Secret. I could have used infinitely more Jack and Coe, and less Pip (I find her tedious) but the world Ms. Cremer has built is so vivid and enchanting that I can't say I seriously disliked anything. It does suffer a bit from what I call "second book syndrome" where not as much happens of interest as in the first installment and it feels largely like set up for the third b
...more

I admit, I was a little bit disappointed with this book. But with that said, it was a decent read from start to finish. However I must also note that I found that the first book of this series was far more engaging and it still remains to be my favourite thus far.
...more


More like 3.5 stars.
I have a great time with this book, everything is fluid and there is no boring part. Charlotte is still a very kind a human main character and I like her.
But, the plot is missing some continuity. I still don't know if this serie is about the rebellion or Grave. Even, if I like what I read I cannot forget the lack of a strong plot. ...more
I have a great time with this book, everything is fluid and there is no boring part. Charlotte is still a very kind a human main character and I like her.
But, the plot is missing some continuity. I still don't know if this serie is about the rebellion or Grave. Even, if I like what I read I cannot forget the lack of a strong plot. ...more

"This is the patent age of new inventions
For killing bodies and for saving souls.
All propagated with the best intentions.
-Canto I of Don Juan, Lord Byron"
Once again, clunky writing and poor storytelling. I won't lie, though, I am interested in these characters and the story, but I just keep yearning for a writing style that isn't there. Some parts of the story are delightfully visual, while still others are excessive in their descriptions. Names are repeated too often, when "he" or "she" would ...more
For killing bodies and for saving souls.
All propagated with the best intentions.
-Canto I of Don Juan, Lord Byron"
Once again, clunky writing and poor storytelling. I won't lie, though, I am interested in these characters and the story, but I just keep yearning for a writing style that isn't there. Some parts of the story are delightfully visual, while still others are excessive in their descriptions. Names are repeated too often, when "he" or "she" would ...more

Title: The Conjurer's Riddle
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction.
Age: 12 - 13
Rating: 5.5/10
Notes: 2nd Book in a Trilogy.
Review
Unfortunately, like most second books in a trilogy, the beginning was very slow, and overall not as good as the first book or the last. In fact, I could even go to say that the first 40% of the book sucked. It honestly did. The first 100 or so pages were a total bore fest.
The first 40% doesn't really hook you in like a good book sh ...more
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction.
Age: 12 - 13
Rating: 5.5/10
Notes: 2nd Book in a Trilogy.
Review
Unfortunately, like most second books in a trilogy, the beginning was very slow, and overall not as good as the first book or the last. In fact, I could even go to say that the first 40% of the book sucked. It honestly did. The first 100 or so pages were a total bore fest.
The first 40% doesn't really hook you in like a good book sh ...more

I read The Inventor's Secret, and I HAD to know what happened next.
This second installment picks up right where the last left off, and didn't let up on the action. With Ash and Jack in New Orleans, Charlotte takes up the leadership roll to bring her friends safety to the haven of the Resistance. But, as she meets the Resistance she has so blindly followed her entire life, she begins to question its roll.
And Charlotte's friend, Grave, is proving to be more mysterious by the day.
This book serie ...more
This second installment picks up right where the last left off, and didn't let up on the action. With Ash and Jack in New Orleans, Charlotte takes up the leadership roll to bring her friends safety to the haven of the Resistance. But, as she meets the Resistance she has so blindly followed her entire life, she begins to question its roll.
And Charlotte's friend, Grave, is proving to be more mysterious by the day.
This book serie ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Another dollar store find. #2 in the series. A steam punk YA romance. This one grew on me. Without the hindsight of reading the 1st book, the beginnning of "The Conjurer's Riddle" was a bit dense. The author takes her time fillng in uninitiated readers. The steam punk, early in the book, is scant. Indeed, the steam punk attributes are subtlely mixed in. Not until our intrepid crew gets to new Orleans doe we start seeing the steampunk elements of this time & place. The alternate history aspect is
...more

The second book in the Inventor's Secret trilogy.
Before Charlotte can get back home the Catacomb is destroyed. With no home and children in her charge Charlotte makes the decision to find the resistance. With help from Dread the strange boy she takes the children to safety before heading to New Orleans.
Once there Charlotte is yet again plunged into a world of deception, lies, half truths. A city where everyone must wear a mask Charlotte is in danger when she is poisoned. For Charlotte protectin ...more
Before Charlotte can get back home the Catacomb is destroyed. With no home and children in her charge Charlotte makes the decision to find the resistance. With help from Dread the strange boy she takes the children to safety before heading to New Orleans.
Once there Charlotte is yet again plunged into a world of deception, lies, half truths. A city where everyone must wear a mask Charlotte is in danger when she is poisoned. For Charlotte protectin ...more

meh. The pull into the steampunk was more this time, but not much. Description of New Orleans and Daedalus, and the market.. but it was barely touched upon. Most of this book is just Charlotte moving. To the randevu, to the Mississippi, to New Orleans, around the city, to the swamp, back to the city, into the Gulf.. and end. Not a whole lot of character development.
Again the character knows very little about her new leadership role in the group and what that entails for the larger Resistance. Sh ...more
Again the character knows very little about her new leadership role in the group and what that entails for the larger Resistance. Sh ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Really enjoyed this installment even more than the first one actually. It continues where the first book left off and concentrates on charlotte and co's journey which i really liked and although the love triangle was there it was definitely not central to the story which was a relief actually the boys take a step back in this book which improved it because we got to read more about the other characters and the journey and a bit more about Grave and how he came to be which for me personally was w
...more

Good things:
GRAVE!
Linnet!
Charlotte's stupid love triangle relegated to the background for the most part.
Bad things:
The love triangle existing in the first place. Jack sucks. Coe sucks. End of story.
Could (view spoiler)
What the actual fuck was the ending. I get it's a 2nd book but it was just SUCH a cliffhanger, read like a chapter ending, not a book ending.
The third book better start with the sentence "Jack was dead." becaus ...more
GRAVE!
Linnet!
Charlotte's stupid love triangle relegated to the background for the most part.
Bad things:
The love triangle existing in the first place. Jack sucks. Coe sucks. End of story.
Could (view spoiler)
What the actual fuck was the ending. I get it's a 2nd book but it was just SUCH a cliffhanger, read like a chapter ending, not a book ending.
The third book better start with the sentence "Jack was dead." becaus ...more

Usually second books are not as good as the first one but in this case I found this one much better than the first. Way less of the crappily-written almost-sex scenes, and way less of the badly written scenes between her and the two brothers who supposedly are fighting over her. It seems that these scenes are put in to fulfil some kind of formula where the writer is told there needs to be the obligatory romance scenes. Uurrkk

Ending on a cliffhanger, this second part of the trilogy takes a much darker tone (as the genre requires) and does so very well. Who should Charlotte trust? Politically and personally, all her beliefs are being tested, yet she is thoughtful and determined to use her own internal moral compass as her guide.
She is a young yet inspiring heroine, and I immediately downloaded the sequel.
She is a young yet inspiring heroine, and I immediately downloaded the sequel.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 1 | Jun 02, 2015 06:02PM |
Andrea Cremer also known as Andrea Robertson, is the author of the internationally bestselling Nightshade series. She spent her childhood daydreaming and roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin.
Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but she only recently plunged into the deep end of the pool that is professional writing. Before she wrote her first novel, A ...more
Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but she only recently plunged into the deep end of the pool that is professional writing. Before she wrote her first novel, A ...more
Other books in the series
The Inventor's Secret
(3 books)
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