Cameron, Sharon. A Spark Unseen.

Cameron, Sharon.  A Spark Unseen.  Scholastic Press  2013     335p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-32813-5      hs  Steampunk  VG

Katherine moves to Paris with two purposes: to protect her inventor uncle and to find her love, Lane.  Both purposes put her in danger from elements she does not suspect.  This is the sequel to The Dark Unwinding, which was not read by this reviewer.  Coming in in the middle of the story left many things not fully understood.  It appears that the emphasis in this second novel is on the historical and political aspects of the time rather than the typical Steampunk inventions; plot and action take second place.  That fact alone makes this a good read, rather than an excellent read.

Katherine awakens to spoil a kidnapping attempt on Uncle Tully.  She realizes that it is no longer safe on the farm.  Faking his death, she quickly escapes to a home owned by her grandmother in Paris.  Her ulterior motive is to search for her love, Lane.  Every person and every event is tied to the history of the time.  There is very little emphasis on the inventions of Uncle Tully.  Spies and intrigue take center front with the governments of both France and Britain eager to exploit Uncle Tully’s inventions.  Being on her own, Katherine is not sure who she can trust.          

Summary: In this sequel to The Dark Unwinding, Katherine moves to Paris with two purposes: to protect her inventor uncle and to find her love, Lane.  Both purposes put her in danger from elements she does not suspect. 

Historical fiction, Invention-Fiction                             --Joan Theal