Early Review – The Clockwork Ghost (York, Book 2) by Laura Ruby (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Release Date: May 14, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-0062306968
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the York series
Source: eGalley from Edelweiss.com
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

“It was only a few weeks ago that the Biedermann twins, Tess and Theo, along with their friend Jaime Cruz, followed the secrets of the Morningstarrs’ cipher further than anyone had in its century-and a-half history—and destroyed their beloved home in the process.

But the Old York Cipher still isn’t solved. The demolition of 354 W. 73rd Street only revealed the next clue in the greatest mystery of the modern world, and if Tess, Theo, and Jaime want to discover what lies at the end of the puzzle laid into the buildings of New York by its brilliant, enigmatic architects, they will need to press on.

But doing so could prove even more dangerous than they know. It is clear that the Morningstarr twins marshaled all the strange technology they had spent their lives creating in the construction of the Cipher, and that technology has its own plans for those who pursue it.

It’s also clear that Tess, Theo, and Jaime are not the only ones on the trail of the treasure. As enemies both known and unknown close in on them from all sides and the very foundations of the city seem to crumble around them, they will have to ask themselves how far they will go to change the unchangeable—and whether the price of knowing the secrets of the Morningstarrs is one they are willing to pay.”

I really enjoyed this second installment in the York series a lot. This volume presents a number of new mysteries which are very intriguing but doesn’t really provide any answers yet.

Tess, Theo, and Jaime continue to follow the secrets of the Morningstarrs’ cipher. This leads them to new and interesting discoveries. Along the way they encounter resistance from strange women in red dresses. Eventually things get so dangerous that their very lives may be at stake.

I continue to really enjoy the world-building, characters, and mystery in this series. All the strange adventures Tess, Theo and Jaimie have are fun and I love the weird contraptions they run in to. I love this world and really enjoy how this mystery is unraveling.

My main complaint about this book is that the story doesn’t seem to make a ton of progress. More and more twists and turns are added but nothing is really resolved and the story ends up a huge cliffhanger.

I really enjoy Ruby’s writing style. The story is fast-paced and Ruby does a great job with imagery and really bring the world alive. I also really enjoy learning about all of the different types of ciphers.

Overall this is a very well done continuation of this series. I continue to love the world, the characters, and the mystery and enjoy the writing style as well. My only complaint is that this novel just presented us with more questions and nothing was resolved. I would recommend to those who enjoy mysteries, puzzles, and intriguing sci-fi/steampunk worlds. I definitely plan on continuing the series.