The Hunchback Assignments

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: The Hunchback Assignments
Author: Arthyr Slade
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Pub Date: 9-22-10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Found in a freak show and rescued by a mysterious man, Modo is no ordinary boy. His special talents allow him to change his shape but leave him hideous and he is raised in the service of England. Soon he finds himself on the streets of London, searching for missing children and steam-powered men but the clock is ticking and the stakes get ever higher…
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It’s a science fiction about a boy working for a secret society investigating a strange turn of events in London.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I enjoyed Modo as a character. He seemed realistic, his abilities well explained and not too far-fetched, and I thought his upbringing original. The events in the story, especially Dr. Hyde's parts were good. I also liked how as the book went on Mr. Socrates went from a good guy to more of a grey. I also liked how Modo failed a few missions. No one should be perfect.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I thought the book was too short. They find the sewer system, then find the robot. A few dead ends and maybe a run-in with some assassins would add some more time for character development. We could maybe begin to see the darker side of the Permanent Association. I also thought the system for powering the robot unrealistic. There was no reason powering the robot with kids. The kids should have been the army (lead by the prince; this would allow Oppie to fight Modo, in which Modo holds back is nearly killed) with the robot just the main attraction. The robot would be much better to be powered with steam, like Fuhr.
Comments: Names: Several names need to be changed. Dr. Hyde is overused for mad scientists, let’s be more imaginative. Fuhr is evil but let us learn that from his character, not the implications from his name. A cute name would be better, giving him something to live down.
Sequels: I hope there is a plan for a sequel and that would be good to include on the book cover. The clockwork guild is not finished, Modos doubts about Mr. Socrates goodness and Modos and Octavia's romance are all unexplored.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover was very good, it even matched the book well. The city was obviously London, Modo looked like he should, he is on a roof like he was often and the symbols were either relevant or actually the Clockwork's guild symbol. The only change that I would make would be to have Modo wearing a mask, like he did in the book.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal