Fun kid's fantasy, sorta steampunky, sorta swashbuckling. So many things left unanswered at the end -- yes, I get that it's a series, but meh. ( )

This review also published at The Children's Book and Media Review

Ruby Teach is a trained thief, a good liar, and the daughter of a fake pirate. When she meets the young lord Athen, her life changes forever. Her father’s boat is attacked by mysterious people, and Ruby learns that she has been on the run from both the Royal Navy and secret societies, both of which are now chasing her. Ruby has to learn who to trust and who not to trust as she tries to stay safe, find out who has kidnapped her father, and the secret behind why everyone seems to be after Ruby and her family.

Set in the unique fantasy setting of an alternate colonial Philadelphia, Ruby’s world is a fun mixture of chemystry, magic and science blended together to create an entirely different sort of industrial revolution. The action of the book is almost nonstop, always having Ruby and her traveling companions in some kind of danger. For some, this will make the plot advance quickly, while for others it will make the book feel dragged out. Some of the plot twists seem somewhat random, and there are some unexplained factors that hopefully will be further developed and resolved in the rest of the series. The unique setting and unusual situation might cause some confusion for the reader, but many readers will still be interested enough to eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

( )

A riddle in Ruby was an entertaining but ultimately shallow read. The characters were well developed and carried the story, but the plot never rises above a simple adventure/escape.
The world building was creative but never gave me a complete picture, nor did I really get a feeling that the book was set in an alternative 18th century, other than some obvious references (place names, sailing ships).
Also, a moderate spoiler, the book ends on a cliffhanger and by the end I did not get the sense I had finished a story.
Still, it is a charming read if you are looking for something light and quick. ( )