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What Members Thought

This is an absolute masterpiece. It's sophisticated middle grade and it's complex, suspenseful, creepy and impossible to put down. Natalie is a fantastic heroine. She's smart, she's brave, and she's interested in automatons and machines. There are numerous points to discuss in this book, and it touches on the idea of telling the truth to children, and not trying to keep reality from them. I'm still left with a number of questions about the book, and think I will have to ponder it some more and d
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Another book that has been on the tbr forever. When I found out it was narrated by a narrator I enjoy, I found my way in through the audiobook. What wonderful worldbuilding and memorable characters! Also, the suspense nearly gave me a heart attack!

Wow. This story of Natalie and how she saves her little midwestern town from Dr Limberleg (of the Nostrum Fair and Technological Medicine Show, who by the way made a deal with the devil a while back) is amazing. Kate Milford's evocative language puts the reader squarely in the early twentieth century and she blends history and fantasy effortlessly. No horrific ghosts or monsters here, but I have to say I haven't been this chilled reading a story in a long time. I think it's the little guy in the
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So far not liking this as much as the rest of you guys (Betsy Bird, Jenny Schwartzberg)...It seems to combine Marie Rutkowski's Cabinet of Wonders with Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. I give up. So many books, so little time.
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Apr 28, 2010
Mary Ann
marked it as to-read

Jun 16, 2010
Jennifer
is currently reading it

Jul 09, 2010
Shanshad Whelan
marked it as to-read

Jul 15, 2010
Natasha (Vasilly)
marked it as to-read

Jul 17, 2010
Kristen Little
marked it as to-read

Aug 02, 2010
Ellie
marked it as to-read

Aug 02, 2010
Lindsey
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
supernatural,
fantasy,
historical-fiction,
steampunk,
demons,
missouri,
bicycles,
medicine-shows

Sep 17, 2010
Teresa Garrett
marked it as to-read

Sep 18, 2010
Lara Ivey
marked it as to-read

Oct 09, 2010
Jennifer
marked it as to-read

Nov 11, 2010
Melissa
marked it as to-read



Mar 17, 2012
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
marked it as to-read

Sep 06, 2013
Kimberley Little
marked it as to-read

Apr 24, 2014
Books_the_Magical_Fruit
marked it as to-read

Dec 31, 2014
Liz
marked it as to-read-kid-lit