York: The Shadow Cipher | 
Complex steampunk listed as middle-grade but pretty adultish to me. Only the main characters are kids I suppose makes it listed as middle-grade.
In an alt-NewYork, three kids and a few cronies try to solve a centuries old cipher in an effort to save the building they live in. It's impossible... Or is it. And, what will they win. Can they save their home?
I really enjoyed it.
pick4/5 ⭐️s
My favorite thing about this book was Ruby's writing style - very similar to what I'd like mine to be! Some of the characters from the past weren't super well-rounded, but she used them to create tension. I can't wait to read what happens in the next book.
pickAmazing! I love a book where people have to run around solving mysteries and such. Wonderful world building. Took me by surprise but a great distraction at the moment!
"Accepting things for what they are isn't giving up." #acceptance #quotes #lauraruby
pickMiddle school/YA science fiction mystery? Yes, please! Can't wait to read the second installment!
pickThis is book one and I already need book two in my life, but have wait until May! I loved it! Cool characters, futuristic robots and creatures, a mystery to solve and a cliffhanger ending .... ooh it was clever, engaging and well written! Also, yay, finished my first book of the year. Read more in 2018 then 2017, so clearly have to read more this year too!!!
And I‘m diving straight into this one. This has been on my waiting shelf for too long (the library probably thinks it‘s gone forever!!) so it‘s about time I got reading. Sounds like a good adventure story!
pickWhy????? Total cliffhanger ending! Loved following the clues along with the kids. Definitely more plot driven than character but Cricket sure was fun. Can‘t wait for book two.
This is Book One of The Shadow Cipher series. It‘s the first time I have heard of this book but man does it look good. It‘s a novel about how New York City was built in 1798 with a puzzle constructed and laid into it with a treasure beyond all imagining at the end. In present day still no one has solved it and it‘s a great mystery! With the risk of some of the buildings being destroyed Tess, Theo, and Jaime have to prove this mystery is true!
pickWhat a truly magical experience! A wondrous reimagining of New York City replete with mechanical inventions, ciphers and incredible action scenes. A very fun romp with a killer cliffhanger!!
Finally got my paperback copy of this beauty a week or so ago, and since the monthly challenge for May in one of my book groups (TBR and Beyond on Facebook, check us out!) is middle grade books, I am ALL OVER this one first! Loving it so far!
pickThis is a fun middle grade adventure novel with just a little bit of steampunk flavor. The alternate version of New York history was captivating - I‘m looking forward to the next title in the series.
pickLoved it. Good mystery, fun history blurbs, wonderful characters! I legitimately can‘t wait for the second book!
I am so totally into this book! Woke up to gloomier skies this morning, so the puppies and I are in the library bed this morning 😊
Mr JSW and I are traveling and did our Christmas shopping/giving to each other today. Merry Christmas to me. 😍😍😍 His gifts are from the game store we went to.
pickEntertaining and a nice setup for the series. Thoroughly enjoyable! And some parts about social issues are hugely resonant. Plus, I found my new favorite phrase: #NimbusOfOutrage!
pickIn short: The Westing Game set in a steampunkish New York City.
Three wonderfully odd kids in an alternative version of NY are trying to solve the Old York Cipher built into the fabric of the city by the long-disappeared genius inventor-architects, the Morningstarr twins. Lots of action and cool gadgets amidst the Cipher sleuthing and dodging of slimy villains.
Beware: this is book 1 in a series so it is cliffhangery! But surprising & satisfying.
pickThis was a wonderful fast paced adventure/quest book. It's very much for middle grade but it leans towards being almost YA.
There's an adorable adventurous trio trying to balance their thirst to get to the truth and solve an old mystery with the hope that they will be able to save their apartment building. They struggle with trying to prove themselves to their families, deal with betrayal and see what greed and corruption looks like.
Maybe I can finish a sixth book this weekend? It's got a pretty cover AND decaled edges so...I gotta try it
The dogs are groomed, I am packed, laundry is done, place is cleaned and organized and dinner is cooking.
My reading slump continues! Everything is in place for me to love this book, yet somehow I'm not being pulled in. Has anyone read it? Should I push through?
This book has been sitting on my list for far too long. I think it's time to dig in.
pickI don't think I fully appreciated this audiobook because I was extremely distracted by other things on my mind while I was listening to it. Even so, it seemed like a good book, with some humor when I was paying attention enough to catch it. I didn't fully absorb the plot, so I don't know if I didn't understand the ending or if it's a big cliff hanger. I'll have to listen to it again when the next book in the series comes out.
pickThis book was so good! The characters were just quirky enough and the plot was surprisingly intriguing. Gave me some serious National Treasure vibes. The ending, however, frustrated me. I hate cliffhangers. I need book two right now!
pickI liked this book enough to give it a pick, but I might change my feelings once the whole series is completed. The story doesn't end with this one. I liked the central conflict in this one and I liked the puzzle they were trying to solve. I liked the kid characters, in fact, I'd love a story about their neighbor Cricket. She was probably my favorite, even though she didn't play a huge part.
Can't sleep-- so it's books and tea for me tonight. [also this book is so much fun! I am loving everything about it.]
My treat to myself Friday night. The wonder pouch was on clearance at BN. They rarely even @outofprint so this was a great find on clearance. I find it annoying that most BN employees around here have no idea what Out of Print is, even when held in front of their face. #bookhaul
Another book I bought this week. The cover stood out because it's 😍😍😍 but it sounds interesting so I hope I like it. I have no idea when I'll get around to reading it though.
I love how intense the purple came out in this shot.
.
I hope everyone is having a lovely day. It is so hot out today and of course I'm spending the whole day at an outside event.
.
I did bring my kindle so hopefully sometime today I can find some shade and cool down and relax a bit.
.
Candle is by @Mugglelibrarycandles #booksandflowers #booksandcandles #booknerd #yalit #booklover #bookworm #bookaddict #ireadya #bookish #pnwreaders
On my goodness! So excited to find the new book by the author of Bone Gap! And it's the start of a fantasy series! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #LaurenRuby
pickLoved this book so much! Definitely a series I will be recommending to my higher readers next school year. Full of mystery and adventure!
A gorgeous day for some #hammockreading #middlegrademay
pickI love stories when the author takes something familiar and peels back a layer to reveal something surprising or unexpected or fantastical underneath. In York, Ruby imagines a magical NYC. Shaped by the eccentric dreams of a brother & sister and the cipher they left behind, the city is home to three intrepid kids who must solve a mystery to save their home and more. Adventure, creepy bad guys, a treasure hunt & more make this a great read.
This weekend's reading is an MG from Laura Ruby. A couple of chapters in and so far, Mr. Pincher and Mr. Stoop are totally channeling Mister Croup and Mister Vandemar (from Neverwhere) and I really hope this is a thing. Seriously, I want this to be a thing. Even if it isn't, I'm really enjoying the book.
