The Friday Society

Set in an alternate Victorian London, The Friday Society follows three young female assistants: Cora, a lab assistant; Nellie, a magician's assistant; and Michiko, a Japanese fight assistant. When they discover a murdered mystery man, the three team up to investigate the crime. Their unlikely alliance leads them through London's high society and criminal underworld as they work to solve not just one murder, but a series of connected crimes. Each brings unique skills and knowledge from their respective positions - scientific expertise, stage illusion know-how, and martial arts training. The protagonists navigate both the restrictions placed on women in their era and the dangers of their investigation, all while maintaining their day jobs as assistants to powerful men. Their partnership evolves as they learn to combine their talents and trust each other. This steampunk mystery explores themes of female friendship, independence, and the power dynamics of Victorian society. The story challenges period conventions about women's roles while delivering an adventure narrative that blends historical elements with fantasy.

Readers found this YA steampunk mystery entertaining but shallow. Multiple reviews note the witty dialogue and humor between the three main female characters. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced action scenes - Strong female friendships - Victorian London steampunk atmosphere - Diverse representation of women in STEM fields - Light, fun tone Common criticisms: - Underdeveloped characters - Plot holes and convenience - Modern language/slang breaking historical immersion - Romance subplots feel forced - Mystery elements lack complexity Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (40+ ratings) "The banter between characters made me laugh out loud" - Goodreads reviewer "Tried too hard to be quirky and ended up feeling artificial" - Amazon reviewer "Fun concept but needed more depth to the worldbuilding" - Barnes & Noble reviewer Several readers compared it to a "steampunk Charlie's Angels" - entertaining but not particularly substantial.

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The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason The niece of Sherlock Holmes and the sister of Bram Stoker team up to solve supernatural mysteries in steampunk Victorian London.

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🔍 Author Adrienne Kress refers to The Friday Society as "Charlie's Angels meets Steampunk," blending Victorian-era gadgets with girl-power themes. ⚡ The story takes place in an alternate version of Edwardian London in 1900, featuring both historical elements and fantastical steampunk technology. 👗 Each of the three main characters represents a different social class in London society: aristocracy, middle class, and working class. 🎭 Before becoming an author, Kress worked as a professional actress and theater director, which influenced her dynamic character interactions and dialogue. 🔬 The book explores real scientific advances of the late Victorian era while imagining creative steampunk innovations, including advanced robotics and experimental weapons.