Cogheart
by Peter Bunzl, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 10+
Published by Usborne, 2016
About this book
Peter Bunzl's ambitious debut is set in Victorian England, 1896. But it's an alternative history, almost steampunk, with clockwork servants, silver airships and mechanical animals...
Lily has been in trouble for some time. Her mum is dead and she’s been sent to the horrible Miss Octavia Scrimshaw’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies. Now it looks like her father has died too, and silver eyed men are stalking her in league with the Madame Verdigris the housekeeper, who has stepped in as her guardian.
They are after a mysterious something that they think Lily has - and are prepared to kill her for it.
Expect thrills, mayhem and mystery - but in the end this is a heart-warming, enjoyable and unique tale with some deep philosophical messages about what it is to live and be happy.
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