I can’t remember if I’ve ever done a Friday Finds post before, but I’ve been aware of the meme (hosted by Should Be Reading) for awhile…and I thought I’d take part this week as I found a book that I really wanted to share with everyone!
I currently work at one of my local libraries and while putting books away on Tuesday night, I came across a book that really jumped out to me; the title and cover were both interesting enough for me to open the book and read the inside summary really quick. After doing so, I knew I wanted to remember this one, so I wrote the title and author down on a piece of paper and went back to work!
-Lauren
All Men of Genius by Lev AC Rosen
Inspired by two of the most beloved works by literary masters, “All Men of
Genius “takes place in an alternate Steampunk Victorian London, where science
makes the impossible possible. Violet Adams wants to attend Illyria College, a
widely renowned school for the most brilliant up-and-coming scientific minds,
founded by the late Duke Illyria, the greatest scientist of the Victorian Age.
The school is run by his son, Ernest, who continues his father’s policy that the
small, exclusive college remain male-only. Violet sees her opportunity when her
father departs for America. She disguises herself as her twin brother, Ashton,
and gains entry. But keeping the secret of her sex won’t be easy, not with her
friend Jack’s constant habit of pulling pranks, and especially not when the
duke’s young ward, Cecily, starts to develop feelings for Violet’s alter ego,
“Ashton.” Not to mention blackmail, mysterious killer automata, and the way
Violet’s pulse quickens whenever the young duke, Ernest, speaks to her. She soon
realizes that it’s not just keeping her secret until the end of the year faire
she has to worry about: it’s surviving that long.
My Thoughts: Though this summary doesn’t say, the book in my library did, so I thought I’d share–this book is inspired by Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. If you’ve read either of these (I’ve personally read both) then that might have been obvious from the summary, or may be now, but I thought it would be cool to share what “beloved books” this novel was inspired by!
Apart from that, I just think it sounds like an amazing story. I love Shakespeare and Wilde, so that has me excited already. I think the concept is a bit different and sounds like a lot of fun. I really hope to get to this one soon (and it helps that my library has it).
Goodreads seems to have some fairly positive reviews as well if you want to add it to your own wish list!
You can also buy it for $15.46 at The Book Depository (free shipping!)
Ooh, that looks like a good one. My son loves Shakespeare so I'm going to tell him about this book.
This looks awesome. I love both those books and I'm always a fan of crossdressing in stories.
Oh this sounds perfect for my cousins. I may have to read it too! I love that it was inspired by some really good classic books!
Sounds like ANOTHER book I need to add to Goodreads. Goodness!
Oh wow! This sounds fantastic. Exactly like the sort of thing I'd like. Though really, I was convinced after I read the words 'alternate steampunk Victorian London'. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing!
I LOVE inspired-by stories – this one sounds fantastic! 🙂
This does sound good, I can understand why it jumped out at you. Happy reading.
I love Wilde and Shakespeare. I like the sound of this novel and will add it to my wish list.
This is the first time I've heard of this book, but I love steampunk, and inspired by Shakespeare? I've got to try it! Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Oh that's cool I've seen this before but I didn't know where it was inspired from. It sounds like a neat book!