“For those who have been crying out for more \u2018boy\u2019 books in Middle Grade, here\u2019s one for you. Peregrine Harker is very much a boy\u2019s adventure novel. It\u2019s a fast paced read, focusing on the adventures of the title character as he uses his intrepid journalistic skills to uncover a plot bound up in tea and smuggling. There are chases, rescues, twists, and a pretty satisfying resolution that gives readers the idea that more may be coming from Harker and company.<\/p>\n
The book is written in the Victorian\/Edwardian style of adventure books. If you\u2019re a fan of steampunk, this should appeal to you as well\u2014there\u2019s some gadgetry going on, not to mention an amazing car (with a sort of driver\/butler\/bodyguard), and a few steampunkish tropes that pop up to give the book an “out of time” feel. There\u2019s a bit of the penny dreadful in the novel as well, what with a damsel (not usually in distress as she rescues the hero quite often) who is to be married off against her will to some ne\u2019er-do-well who is the sworn enemy of the hero.<\/p>\n
Reading it I was reminded of Mark Twain\u2019s Adventures of Tom Sawyer and of Alan Moore\u2019s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. A strange mashup, I know, but that\u2019s what hit me when I would put the book down. It makes it hard to categorize. I was also reminded of Kim Newman\u2019s Anno Dracula, but I think that had to do with the Victorian references…<\/p>\n
The story is well told and blasts along at a good pace, with some truly fun action scenes. At base, it is a detective story and the mystery is engaging and fun with the right amount of menace. I enjoyed the secondary characters more than Peregrine himself, as sometimes he seemed more like a piece that got us into the action with the really interesting people. Oh the whole, I\u2019d recommend this to anyone who enjoys steampunk and historical fiction with a detective bent.” \u2012 Reviewer, U\u0405A<\/p>\n