Title: The Unnaturalists
Author: Tiffany Trent
First published August 14, 2012
308 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781442422063 (ISBN10: 1442422068)
Rating: 3.47
Overview
In a world where magical creatures are kept in a museum, two young adults find themselves embroiled in a dangerous game of secrets and lies. For Vespa Nyx, working in her father’s museum, cataloging Unnatural creatures, is all she ever wanted.
But with her looming requirement to enter high society and find a husband, Vespa feels trapped. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always revered the Unnaturals from afar, until they are taken as refinery slaves.
Suddenly, Vespa and Syrus find their fates intertwined with that of the Unnaturals. As danger looms over New London, they must navigate the web of deception and intrigue to save their world from destruction.
About the Author
Meet Tiffany Trent, a talented author who has enchanted readers with her young adult dark fantasy series, HALLOWMERE, and THE UNNATURALISTS and THE TINKER KING. She also co-edited the Locus Finalist for Best Anthology, THE UNDERWATER BALLROOM SOCIETY, alongside Stephanie Burgis.
Tiffany’s short stories have been published in various literary works such as MAGIC AND THE MIRRORSTONE, CORSETS AND CLOCKWORK, SUBTERRANEAN, and WILFUL IMPROPRIETY. Tiffany’s passion for writing and reading is evident, but when she’s not doing either, she can be found playing with bees.
Tiffany is no stranger to recognition, having received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Green Earth Book Award Honor in 2013, the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant in 2008, and the New York Public Library Book of the Teen Age in 2008, among others. Additionally, Tiffany’s work has been featured as an honorable mention in the Year’s Best Horror list in 2008, and her book was selected as a BookSense (IndieBound) Children’s Pick in 2007.
Editoral Review
Tiffany Trent’s The Unnaturalists is a thrilling and imaginative addition to the world of steampunk fantasy. First published on August 14, 2012, Trent’s writing style provides an elegant blend of history, romance, and adventure that promises to captivate readers of all ages.
Set in a world where magic and science are pitted against each other, the novel takes place in a bustling city known as New London. Society is divided between naturalists, who revere nature, and practitioners, who value technology and magic.
The protagonist, a young woman named Vespa Nyx, is a rebellious naturalist who struggles to fit in with her society’s oppressive norms. Alongside her mentor, Syrus Reed, a practitioner, she sets out to uncover the truth behind a dangerous magical artifact that threatens to destroy their world as they know it.
Trent’s worldbuilding is masterful, weaving together unique creatures, magical artifacts, and steampunk technology to form a cohesive and believable world. Trent’s characters are also well-developed and engaging.
Vespa, the lead character, is feisty and headstrong, determined to assert herself in a world that seeks to suppress her passions. Syrus, on the other hand, is stoic and determined, standing out due to his unwavering loyalty and protective tendencies.
The chemistry between Vespa and Syrus is one of the novel’s highlights, with their banter providing moments of levity amidst the darkness of their perilous journey. The novel also tackles themes of societal expectations, censorship, and environmentalism, giving the novel modern-day relevance despite its historical setting.
Trent’s exploration of the intersection between magic and technology is fascinating, as her characters grapple with the fallout of their world’s reliance on machinery. While The Unnaturalists is not without its flaws, such as occasionally sluggish pacing and minimal character backstory, these issues do little to detract from the novel’s overall enjoyability.
Fans of Cassandra Clare’s The Infernal Devices and Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series will find The Unnaturalists to be a riveting addition to their bookshelves. In conclusion, Tiffany Trent’s The Unnaturalists is a charming and enthralling read, offering a unique take on the steampunk genre that is sure to appeal to fans of fantasy and science-fiction alike.
I highly recommend the novel to any reader looking for a daring adventure in a world unlike any other, with a charming cast of characters to boot. Based on my overall impression of the book, I would give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
