Les Inventeurs et l'Etoile de la Victoire

The Inventors

by A.M. Morgen

George, 3e Lord de Devonshire, est le garçon le plus malchanceux de Londres. Pourquoi ?
1. Sa mère est morte en lui donnant naissance.
2. Il a perdu absolument tous ses proches avant ses dix ans (sa gouvernante s'est étouffée avec un caramel, son père s'est tué dans un accident de patins à roulettes, et les rares domestiques qui restaient se sont enfuis sans demander leur reste).
3. Sa seule compagnie est un vieux valet muet, qui vient également de disparaître.
4. Il comptait vendre son unique possession de valeur : la carte au trésor de son grand-père, mais celle-ci s'est volatilisée (avec le valet ?)

Place à Ada Byron, sa jeune voisine, avec son franc-parler, son sens de l'aventure et ses inventions extraordinaires. Avec son fabuleux oiseau mécanique, elle emmène George sur les traces du voleur, et sans doute celle du trésor, la mystérieuse étoile de la victoire !

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Steampunk, Pirates

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

A.M. Morgen comes from a long line of engineers and researchers but chose to pursue literature over the laboratory. To her family's surprise, she has managed to make a decent living as an editor with her English degree. In her spare time, A.M. enjoys taking long walks in the forest, trying out new hobbies (then abandoning them), and complaining about her mean cat. Despite what you may think, A.M. is not a morning person.

Reviews

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

George thinks he's unlucky. He's lost everyone and because he's the third Lord of Devonshire, but still a child, he has no way to make money and has to sell everything he owns to make ends meet. The only possession he has left is an old map created by his grandfather. The map is supposed to lead to the Star of Victory, a gemstone with the power to make its owner victorious. However, George might have to sell his map, so he won't starve. When someone steals it he's beside himself. Because of his bad luck he hasn't left the house in years and now he has to open his front door and step into the wide world if he wants to save his family's legacy.

While chasing his map George ends up on Ada Byron's doorstep. She's an inventor and has seen a lot of the world already. She's looking for her father and combining their quests seems like a good plan. They will go after the Star of Victory using Ada's favorite flying machine. She's built it herself. While flying they discover they aren't alone, they have two stowaways on board, the son of a pirate and a monkey. Can they help with their mission? Will the overseas journey be a success and will George discover who's behind the theft? Is there a chance he can turn his luck or will he remain unlucky forever?

The Inventors at No. 8 is a fabulous entertaining adventure. George has lost everyone and everything he holds dear and is afraid and pessimistic because of it. He always acts in an abundance of caution, he sees almost everything as a risk and hopes doing nothing will keep him safe. Life doesn't work that way though and Ada shows George that bravery works. She's a fiery and smart girl. She always has a plan, she's got plenty of secrets and I loved the air of mystery around her. I couldn't wait to find out where their voyage in Ada's flying machine would lead and was captivated by the enchanting The Inventors at No. 8 straight away.

A.M. Morgen has a fantastic descriptive writing style. I absolutely loved her tone of voice, which contains the exact right amount of irony and perfectly suits the story. I like fierce and capable heroines and Ada definitely falls into that category. She shows George that the world isn't just scary, it's also beautiful and fun and interesting. I enjoyed how A.M. Morgen works with the concept of friendship, sometimes it's unlikely this unusual match will succeed, but there's always something that brings Ada and George together. If they unite, they can do anything and that's such a great theme for a story. I really enjoyed The Inventors at No. 8, it's original, creative and compelling.

[Meb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete and utter delight. Honestly, I love this book and I can't stop gushing about it. It's funny, heartfelt, and just the right amount of dark. Young Ada Lovelace is the type of weirdo I love to see on the page and George ("The Unluckiest Boy in London") is the middle grade misanthrope of my dreams. It reminded me of reading A Series of Unfortunate Events for the first time and I found myself actually laughing out loud. Highly recommend to any middle grade (or adult!) reader.

[Fiebre Lectora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los inventores de Dorset Square ha sido una historia entretenida y original que tengo que recomendar sobre todo a los lectores jóvenes en busca de novelas de aventuras.
Reseña: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...

[Sue (BeautyBookCorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a funny, cute, and fun middle grade book! 5 stars all the way! I loved the message of believing in yourself and allowing yourself to trust and love others even when you are scared.

One of my favorite characters is Oscar. He is just the polar opposite of George. George is full of fear and pessimism. Oscar is always full of hope and optimism. He has a gentle and sweet soul that made me just want to give him a big hug. In one part of the book, Oscar reassures George that everything will be alright. They'll find the Star of Victory and Froshbisher will also be safe at home. George asks him how he's constantly hopefully, and Oscar says one of the best lines:

"I don't know. Hope doesn't cost anything, so you might as well have lots of it, I guess."

In another scene, he draws a portrait of Froshbisher for George who is missing him a lot. George gets emotional seeing the realistic portrait to which Oscar says:

"I understand. Sometimes words aren't the best way to say something anyway."

This is full of adventure and humor mixed with steampunk and science. One of the main characters is Ada Byron aka Ada Lovelace who is credited as being the world’s first computer programmer. One of the best parts is also between George and Charles Darwin! George just got in a big fight with Ada and Oscar and said some really nasty things. He is scared that he is becoming a bad person and that his "curse" will be passed on to his children. Charles Darwin who studies traits being passed on from species to species says these words of wisdom:

"If we are speaking of a rat, I would say that his children had no choice but to inherit his traits - the advantageous and disadvantageous alike. But if we are speaking of a Homo sapiens, the wisest and most intuitive of all species, then I see no reason why his children could not forge their own path and decide for themselves what kind of life they want to lead - if they only tried."

Just beautiful! I think this is something a lot of children (and adults!) can be reminded of. That we aren't stuck with our own mistakes or the mistakes of our parents. We choose the life we want to live. At the start of this book, George pushes everyone away. He lives in fear and closes his heart to everyone. It's only at the end, through all the adventures with Ada and Oscar, that he realizes that he can change his course by changing his mindset. He starts to open himself up to others and his character development is a beautiful thing to watch.

This would be a fantastic read for those younger than middle grade, possibly 4th grade and up. I highly recommend!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, it's not really an ARC anymore, since I think? this book came out earlier this month, but I did actually read it earlier! I just... haven't had time to catch up on reviews/ratings. Time management is something I need to get better at.

ANYWAY:

This book was fantastic. It's sort of like... Series of Unfortunate Events meets Peter and the Starcatchers. Absolutely not a combination I would ever think would work, but it really, really does. Morgen blends a delightfully disastrous main character with a steampunk flying machine and a treasure hunt of epic proportions into a wonderful, wild ride. Also, Ada Lovelace is there. Which makes everything better.

(Technically, she's still Ada Byron at this point, but my point still stands.)

If you love globe-trotting adventures, swashbuckling treasure-hunts, and hilariously bad luck, you will love this book. There's a flying machine, pirates, a legendary treasure, ghost stories, an orangutan, Venice, precocious twelve-year-olds, chases, dramatic escapes, robotic fish, and just enough magic to make things...well, incredible. It's a beautiful story about friendship and adventure and the magic of stepping outside your front door. Which is very important for kids. And not-kids.

Seriously, this is fun for everyone. Please love it as I love it and there will be joy.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Quirky. That's the word that comes to mind when thinking about the story, the characters, the steampunk vibes, and A.M Morgen's literary voice. This novel has it all: espionage-like conspiracies, inventions galore, heart and heartache, adventures, foreign countries, fancy clothes, lovable old servants, young and spirited daredevils, and, why not, pirates.

We meet George, 12-year-old Lord of Devonshire. He is out of money. His trusty butler, and only friend, is steadily selling off everything they own, so they can survive. George has one prized possession though - a map to the Star of Victory - which promises bountiful success to the owner. We also meet Ada Byron, the future Countess of Lovelace (yes, that countess!), and more importantly, accomplished adventurer and inventor. Together with Ada and two other friends, one of them being an orangutan, George begins the search for the Star of Victory since The Organization has kidnapped his butler and demands the gem as ransom. Traveling across Europe, the team faces many riddles and overcomes many risky situations.

This story is fast and interesting and relatable and fantastical; just what anyone in middle grade (or really any other age) needs. I truly enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to get to know the characters better with every page I turned. I loved the journey they were on and kept crossing my fingers that they would find what they were looking for. Truly a magical book that takes you on an exciting quest to find a gem and to find yourself. Readers of all ages will want to be a part of this world.

I have to give the author a special shout-out for finding inspiration in Ada Lovelace and making her one heroine of this book. I greatly appreciate the recognition the real Ada Lovelace received with this story.


See my blog (spoilers possible!) here: https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/201....

[Pages & Cup · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. I haven't read a middle-grade book as entertaining as Harry Potter until now. I absolutely loved the blend of steampunk, mystery, adventure, history and humor.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which has not altered my opinion of the book.

This book was really quite adorable. It had unique and fun characters whose story I found myself very invested in. The characters were so much fun and Ruthie the orangutan was for sure my favorite. But each character was so relatable and have their own individual personalities that are not cookie cutter at all. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile and find myself delighted at each random seeming turn.

As George tries to get his life together (such an oblivious cinnamon roll), Ada sails in (literally) and flips his boring life into one of adventure and craziness that George never dreamed of. Bringing along her friends, Ruthie the orangutan and Oscar the aspiring artist and geologist. This story really talks about what makes a family and what makes a true friend.

I highly recommend this book and really think that it’s a great one for all ages. It’s a cute, quick, and fun read and I didn’t even mention that Darwin shows up! It’s crazy! Four out of five beans from me!

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incontournable Novembre 2021

J'en aurai mit du temps à le lire,amorcé en Novembre, repris en juin, mais le soucis quand on est libraire jeunesse est qu'on a des lectures à faire chaque mois, précisément pour être à jour. Ce qui peut donner des écarts de lecture de près de six mois! Mais je ne regrette pas d'avoir persisté pour ce roman-ci, fort sympathique et qui met en vedette un personnage historique: Ada Lovelace, sous son nom de jeune fille Ada Byron, considérée comme la première programmeuse informatique au monde.

1828, Royaume-Unis. La vie du 3e Lors de Devonshire n'est pas de tout repos. Convaincu d'être le garçon le plus malchanceux qui soit, en atteste le nombre questionnable de décès sordides parmi ses proches, Georges ne quitte pas sa résidence au 8 Dorset Square. Cependant, le 2e Lord feu son père était un joueur et a laissé son fils criblé de dettes. Obligé de les rembourser avec ce qui lui reste, la résidence se vide et tombe en ruines. Il ne lui reste comme héritage qu'une carte, laissée par son grand-père explorateur. Elle mènerait, semble-t-il, au plus gros joyau au monde, l'Étoile de la victoire. Quand un jeune homme roux tente de subtiliser le précieux objet, un allié insoupçonné en la personne de sa voisine se manifeste. Ada Byron, qui a le même âge, une douzaine d'année, est une inventrice de génie aussi audacieuse que savante. Quand Frobisher, le valet resté fidèle à George, se fait kidnapper par une mystérieuse Organisation, elle lui propose son aide. Avec le concours d'Oscar, un jeune artiste qui attend d'être retrouvé par son père pirate, et de la petite orang-outan Ruthie, le quatuor s'embarque pour une aventure en sol européen pour trouver la précieuse pierre. Et quand je dis "embarquer", c'est dans un avion mécanique en forme d'oiseau, celui-là même qui trône sur la couverture, et inventé par Ada, évidemment.

Roman d'aventure aux accents Steampunk, "Les inventeurs" a été un bon moment, malgré quelques petits éléments plus ou moins convenus. Déjà, je ne comprend pas pourquoi on qualifie les jeunes ados "d'inventeurs" quand seule Ada l'est vraiment. Il y a un certain nombre de petits détails improbables, comme les pas enfarinés de George qu'il a trainé sur plusieurs centaines de mètres de sol pavé ( Impossible, je pense bien) ou le "plan inventé" d'Ada, qui aurait élaboré de gros mensonges tout en ayant raison en même temps ( plutôt confus). C'est le genre d'histoire où "l'incroyable carrément improbable" arrive, avec certaines facilités de circonstances, mais qui reste globalement divertissant. Parfois, dans les univers non-magique, on y trouve un certain degré de magie.

J'ai eu un coup de coeur pour Ada, une rare représentante des génies féminines ayant réellement existée. Elle est du genre pragmatique, stoïque, pas très modeste ( avec raison) et un brin déconcertante, parfois. Si elle a indéniablement un cerveau hors du commun pour les chiffres et les sciences, le mat blesse sur ses rapports humains. Mais, bon, Georges est dans le même bateau...ou plutôt le même avion. Ce jeune aristocrate a un tempérament nerveux, méfiant, boudeur et un peu snob. Il a grandi sans parents, contraint de gérer des dettes et pense être porteur d'une poisse de calibre Olympique. Ce n'est pas le héro le plus attachant, mais sa réelle inquiétude pour le sort de son valet, Frobisher, était attendrissante. On voit rarement des nobles tenir à leurs domestiques, mais Georges aime Frobisher, ça se voit et ça se sent. Sans doute à la manière d'un oncle ou d'un tuteur, même. C'est d'ailleurs pour lui qu'il va sortir de son piteux cocon pour aller récupérer un trésor introuvable, avec une jeune fille qui a un caractère fort qui ne lui plait pas, a priori. Georges et Ada ont souffert des deux côté du manque de sociabilisation avec leurs pairs, ce qui peut expliquer leur maladresse sociale, surtout l'un envers l'autre. Cependant, c'est précisément un des enjeux de l'histoire: Faire confiance, aller au-delà des premières impressions. Oscar est le personnage gentil et rêveur du groupe, il tient la cohésion du groupe. Ruthie semble assez secondaire, mais quand elle est là, elle est l'élément rassurant de George. Et accessoirement, étant un singe, elle est assez futée. Sauf quand elle a mangé le pilon d'Oscar...

Aussi, il y a plusieurs éléments intriguants dans les objets, comme cet oiseau mécanique aéronautique, la clé enchâssée que vous verrez vers la fin ou même la maison d'Ada, truffée de pièges et d'expériences scientifiques. On va même rencontrer Darwin. Si, si, l'un des scientifiques associés à la théorie de l'évolution ( pauvre Alfred Wallace, qui reste encore dans son ombre, mais à qui ont doit la Théorie de la Sélection Naturelle, trop souvent associée à Darwin - Fin de parenthèse). Il m'a bien fait rire quand il a signifié que l'Homme est l'animal le plus "sage"!

J'apprécie la démarche de l'autrice, qui a voulu donner à la vraie Ada Lovelace une enfance à la juste mesure de son intelligence remarquable, loin de son état souffreteux et prenant place dans les airs, où elle aurait aimé aller un jour. Ada Lovelace a vécu de 1815 à 1852. À douze ans, elle rêvait de voler et aura consacré de réelles intentions à cet effet avec un traité de "volologie" et sur l'anatomie des oiseaux. Hélas, à treize ans, elle tombe gravement malade et sera alitée des années. À 19 ans, elle se maria et devient comtesse de Lovelace et sera connue sous ce nom. Elle avait pressenti que les ordinateurs seraient bien plus que des machines à calculer et est considérée comme la première programmeuse informatique ( oui, je me répète).

Ce fut une agréable balade en compagnie de ces atypiques personnages et leur quête déjantée. Un tome 2 est prévu et j'espère avoir du temps pour m'y consacrer. Il y a une baleine mécanique sur la couverture qui a l'air fort intéressante...

Catégorisation: Roman fiction, littérature jeunesse intermédiaire, troisième cycle primaire, 10-12 ans.
Note: 7/10

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book since I noticed several people gave it five stars, but the main character is so unlikeable, even when he tries to be likeable just put me off, hence the four stars.

Also, I don't get the title of this book. No. 8 is where George (the 3rd Lord of Devonshire, which we get reminded of ad nauseum throughout the story) lives. George is not an inventor. His neighbor, Ada, who lives at No. 5 is the inventor... so this book should technically be called the Inventor at No. 5.

The best character is Ruthie, the orangutan. I am also partial to Oscar, the aspiring artist and geologist. Ada is great. Add in a smattering of other characters and then farther down the list is George, the protagonist. I just could not bring myself to like him because he is so rude! He is mean to everyone, including Ada and Oscar, who despite this actually try to continue to help him on this adventure to find the Star of Victory so he can save his manservant, Frobisher, who seems to be the only person George genuinely cares about besides himself. Yes, George has some revelations about what a snot he has been but it takes him a very long time to stop being such a jerk and it really detracted from the story so much that I almost gave up on this book.

Despite my intense dislike of George, I actually did enjoy the story. The journey across Europe in a "mechanical bird" was intriguing and Ada is a great female role model character. I had no idea this was based on a real person. I strongly recommend reading the author's notes at the end of the book because she explains what kind of person Ada Byron really was and she sounds quite remarkable.

Overall, I would say this is a super fun adventure story with a lot of lessons about friendship and the struggles of growing up (even though this is Victorian England...save for the mention the characters wind up in Queen Victoria's menagerie, I never would have guessed that). While there are danger elements and a swashbuckling pirate battle, this is a good bedtime book to read with the kiddos, especially if they love orangutans!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inventors At No. 8
By
A.M. Morgen


What it's all about...

Oh my...George...the 3rd Lord Of Devonshire...has sold everything in his possession in order to maintain his house....but...his house is still sadly crumbling to pieces. He has nothing left to sell other than a map that was left to him by his grandfather. This map leads to the Star Of Victory...which is at the heart of this book. However...George is a very cowardly little boy...he feels overwhelmed and broken because of the very bad luck that seems to follow him everywhere. He meets Ada Byron...she lives down the street...together they decide to find the Star Of Victory. Through Ada he meets Oscar...a boy with amazing artistic talent...and Ruthie...a baby orangutang. Let the adventures begin!

Why I wanted to read it...

I have a very special fondness for middle grade books. This one had a bit of everything...fantasy, adventure, a very cute animal...Ruthie...bad guys nonfiction characters and science!

What made me truly enjoy this book...

This author’s writing and humor and imagination were all wonderful. I loved George and the way these new relationships with real friends helped him to grow brave and strong. Ada...well...Ada was self assured and inventive. The boys and Ruthie knew that she would keep them safe!

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love MG adventure books will truly love this one! I can’t wait for another adventure in this series. Plus...the mix of real characters with the fictional ones...was delightful. I feel as though I have actually met Charles Darwin.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This middle grade book is set in Victorian England with a hint of the mechanical inventions found in steampunk books. George Devonshire the 3rd believes he brings bad luck to everyone he knows. After his father and grandfather die, George is forced to sell off all his possessions, but he holds onto his grandfather’s map which supposedly has clues to the location of a gemstone called the Star of Victory. The story kicks off with a thief trying to steal the map. Instead it’s stolen by a mechanical bird that leads him across the street to the home of kid inventor Ada Byron. Adding to the chaos, Frobisher, his manservant, is kidnapped. With ransom note in hand, Ada convinces him to go on a journey to find the Star of Victory and Frobisher.

I love the main characters and their quirkiness. George is a homebody, reluctant to take risks and afraid of bringing bad luck to everyone. Ada is smart and resourceful while secretly pursuing her own agenda. My favorite “aha” moment in the book is when George realizes that there’s no such thing as bad luck and he can’t use that as an excuse to avoid people.

What I don’t love is the twisty plot. It’s clunky and all over the place. There’s character changes left and right to throw you off track. Finally, they end up back where they started with a handful of weird coincidences and outcomes, but nothing accomplished except an attic full of rare mushrooms.

There’s a historical component since Charles Darwin makes a cameo, explaining his theory of evolution. Ada Byron is loosely based on the Ada Byron who eventually became Ada Lovelace, the first female computer programmer. Interesting, but too far from reality to call historical fiction. This will unlikely be popular with American kids.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inventors at No. 8 is about the unluckiest boy in London. Twelve-year-old George, the Lord of Devonshire is broke. His trustworthy butler, and only friend, has steadily sold off everything not nailed down to survive. The only thing left is his one prized possession, a map to the Star of Victory - a gem which promises bountiful success to the owner. Stolen by a nefarious group of criminals, George thinks all is lost until Ada Byron, the future Countess of Lovelace, bursts into his life. A neighbor from across the street, and more importantly, an accomplished adventurer and inventor promises to help. George is uncertain about the airship until he learns his butler (and only friend) was kidnapped by The Organization. The gem is the ransom price. Off with Ada and 2 new friends, George and new friends fly across Europe chasing the clues leading to the Star of Victory.

Well plotted story with quirky characters who stay true to themselves and their new friends. We get to see the friendships develop between the reluctant adventurer, the intelligent inventor, the lost pirate and Ruthie, the best sidekick ever. Loved the steampunk aspect of the adventure. Relatable, yet fantastical and heartfelt with just the right balance of dark and light. Both boys and girls would feel right at home with George, Ada and Oscar.

Great for a middle grader or to be read aloud to younger children. It has a little of everything - riddles, puzzles, spies, daredevils and pirates! Truly a magical book where you join an exciting quest to find a gem and to find yourself.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Inventors at No. 8 by A. M. Morgen, 338 pages. Little Brown and Company 2018. $17.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

George Devonshire III has bad luck. Or so he thinks. The only person he has left in his life is Frobisher, his servant. Everyone else has died. When a thief attempts to steal his last valuable possession, a map with clues to a famous gemstone, he ends up at the home of Ada Byron and her flying machines. Then Frobisher is kidnapped and he can’t hide from the world any longer. Ada convinces him to go with her on a journey to Geneva and Venice to find the gemstone and rescue Frobisher.

Mechanical birds and a Victorian setting gives this book a steampunk vibe. Main characters George and Ada are highly entertaining. George is naïve and nervous, while Ada is smart and no-nonsense. The plot is somewhat clunky. It constantly changes direction with no satisfying resolution. In the end, you’ll wonder if the entire journey was a waste of time. Ada Byron is loosely based on the girl who becomes Ada Lovelace, first female computer programmer.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Laronda Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE INVENTORS AT NO. 88 is another YA book I poached from one of my children's library pile. It's a sweet book that includes a fictional (but inspired by her real life) Ada Lovelace as a fiercely independent and inventive young woman, fighting against a shadowy "Organization" that keeps stealing promising inventions and is now after the fabulous Star of Victory gemstone. Her neighbor, 12yo George, is the 3rd Lord of Devonshire and the unluckiest boy in all of England, and his sole remaining possession other than a moldy, collapsing mansion, is a treasure map leading to the Star of Victory. Together with their friend Oscar and his lovable orangutan Ruthie, the pair set out on an adventure to find the Star, defeat the Organization, try to reunite Oscar with his pirate captain father, and determine what happened to Ada's father Lord Byron. It's a fun and original read, full of fantastic adventures and an exploration of bravery, friendship, and finding one's destiny. Definitely worth a read.

[Teresa Osgood · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, an unlucky, impoverished young lord and a brilliant girl inventor follow an old map to find a treasure and save a friend. And Iacopo Bruno did the cover. What's not to like? This should be right up my alley. Well, this is really picky, but the only inventor lives at No. 5, not No. 8. The map apparently only leads to one spot. But mostly, George, the main character, is really annoying. He's whiny and cowardly and grudge-holding, and as soon as he starts to feel brave or forgiving, he turns around and whines some more. The most likeable characters are Oscar and his friend the orangutan. Enigmatic inventor Ada becomes more interesting in the Author's Note at the end. It's an okay adventure, with some definite surprises, but I don't think I'll be following George's future career with much interest.

[Heaven Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This was such a cute middle grade mystery book. The characters were lively and jumped off the page, the writing was quick and sharp and I enjoyed every page. The author did a good job of keeping the attention of the reader, and while the ending was finished up far too quickly for my liking, it had a satisfying arc. The main characters grew and developed through the novel and created a lovely little "found family" type of group, which is always a great plot idea in my book.

Would highly recommend this to any kid who likes adventure stories and/or A Series of Unfortunate Events, which was a book series that popped into my head a time or two as I read through this one. The main characters are certainly kids I would have wanted to be friends with when I was eleven or twelve!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor George, Lord Devonshire. Poor in the sense that he's reduced to selling his grandfather's clothing, and poor in the sense that he is, in fact, the unluckiest person in the world. Down to an unpaid manservant, Frobisher, and one thing he might be able to sell for money (a map), he's trying to figure out what to do to survive and then... someone tries to steal the map. And thus starts his trek to rescue Frobisher, find the Star of Victory and restore his fortunes. Alone? No, he's got inventress Ada Byron (daughter of the mad, bad, dangerous to know Baron), abandoned-by-his-pirate-father artist Oscar, and Oscar's friend, chimpanzee Ruthie on his side.

If you know Byron's life, you'll recognize several locations and set pieces. But beyond that, and more importantly for MG readers, there's a great sense of mystery and fun here.

ARC provided by publisher.

[Readwithsav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to Little Brown Book Company for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This focuses on a young boy, named George, who is known to have awful luck. George enlists a group of misfit kids and an orangoutang to help him find his family treasure to save his friend who has been kidnapped for ransom.

This book was so amazing. It was action packed and just flew by. It was so well written and contains strong, independent characters. Ada is my new favorite heroine. She is a kick butt, fearless chick. I hands down recommend this book to everyone middle grade and up! Trust me it's worth it!

[Jeff Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early copy of this and loved the heart, the wit, the adventure, and the imagination. It's full of larger-than-life characters, fantastic gadgets, thrilling conspiracies, twists, turns, puzzles, and adventure. Exactly the kind of thing I'd recommend to a kid looking for a fun read based on a real person. The author's note mentions that it was written in the spirit of Ada Lovelace's letters, to appeal to the girl the author thought she was, and I think it probably would have. Looks like there's likely a sequel in the works, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one starts off a little over the top. It lists all the ways in which George is "unlucky." This includes the deaths of his grandfather and father. They written in such a way that it is humorous and I think your kiddo will find the humor in it. Some considerations: Charles Darwin makes an appearance. He is a young man and is just figuring out his "theory." It isn't explained in any kind of detail and it isn't very long nor is he a long standing character.

This is a fun historical fiction title!

Found in L4M YT Volume 75.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steampunk novel that melds together history and a mystery packed adventure that will draw in younger listeners and readers. I enjoyed the narration and the story of George. Also, the elements of history, such as the historical figures like Lord Byron and Darwin, were a great addition. This, I believe would be a fun read for younger readers who enjoy a great adventure story.

*I was given a copy of the audiobook for an honest review*

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

With nothing to his name but the mysterious map his grandfather entrusted to him, the orphaned Lord George Devonshire sets out on a journey with the inventive Ada and artistic Oscar to find the treasure and bring some glory to his family name! Morgen will keep young readers entertained with this adventure led by quirky but lovable characters and lighthearted humour. Find the treasure and bring it home - how much more complicated can things possibly get?

[Scott Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love "The Inventors at No. 8." I wanted to enjoy this adventure the characters went on in their fun, quirky world. The book made it difficult at times, though. The main issue I had with this book was the pacing. At times, it just seemed to drag on and on, making me lose interest and making it difficult to finish the book. If you are a fan of exposition and enjoy extra depth in your stories, check this out. If you prefer a faster paced book, you might look somewhere else.

[Melanie Sumrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a such a fun story! I absolutely adored the characters and how their friendships developed. Children that gravitate to stories of reluctant adventurers will definitely LOVE the story of George and his friends! Ada is captivating with her intelligence and wit (and inventions!), and she, along with Oscar and Ruthie show George what it means to be a true friend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

George-the unluckiest boy in London, Ada-a mechanical genius, Oscar-son of an infamous pirate and Ruthie-a mischievous orangutan, four very unlikely heroes out to save a kidnapped butler, rescue a stolen map and search for a hidden treasure and find a missing Dad. Delightful middle grade adventure that I am hoping will be the start of a series.

[Glasstown Entertainment · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful, funny, well-written series that will charm parents and children alike. When George, the Unluckiest Boy in London, meets a young Ada Lovelace, he is swept up in a whirlwind of adventure that includes lost treasure, flying machines, secret societies, and more.

[nhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had kept me on the edge of my seat when I first opened the book. It has mystery, adventure, and friendship rolled into one. If you love a book that keeps you wondering what would happen next, I suggest you read The Inventors at No. 8.

[Lourdes (Chapters We Love) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was such a treat I'm so glad I finally made the time to read it. I loved the characters Ada & Oscar the most but they were all great. This is such an amazing middle grade book and I do recommend it!

[Samantha Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale about a girl inventor based on Ada Lovelace, a lesser noble, and a street urchin obsessed with rocks. Nothing is as it seems. Happy Ending. It was a bit rushed in places, but overall it was fun.