How is it that a novelization of a graphic novel I'd already devoured still managed to pull me through 461 pages at lightning speed? The romance between Agatha and Lars in *Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess* is so genuinely sweet and believable. He's the perfect first love. *Sigh*. This book reveals things that the graphic novels don't. In the first book, we learned that Dupree's family was murdered under mysterious circumstances. In *Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess*, we can finally piec...

Reread December 2022In a steampunk fantasy world, people with the Spark can break (or at least seriously bend) the laws of physics with their inventions. Agatha Heterodyne is strong with the Spark, but unlike many, it hasn't driven her insane. 'Mad' and 'genius' are almost synonymous here. Sparky and sane is a rare combination, which makes Agatha sought after by other Sparks who have power. They either want to use her or kill her. The most powerful is Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, the ostensible ruler...

Agatha has escaped the clutches of Baron Wulfenbach, although staying free might prove to be a bit more troublesome. Thanks to a circus that performs Heterodyne plays, though, she's found a good place to hide. Circus life suits her more than she expected, but her ultimate goal remains Mechanicsburg, former home of the Heterodyne family. She isn't sure what waits for her there, but plenty of forces are eager to stop her from finding out . . . Really, the Mad Science is the best reason to read th...

3.5 Okay, let's talk about Phil Foglio's "Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess." It's a fun romp, a lighthearted steampunk adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously. Think Girl Genius meets... well, more Girl Genius. If you're already a fan of the series, you'll likely enjoy this installment. It delivers more of what you love: madcap inventions, daring escapes, and Agatha's ever-evolving journey of self-discovery. However, and this is a mild 'however,' it doesn't quite reach the heights...

This book, "Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess", and its prequel are pretty unique in my experience. I honestly can’t recall ever reading a novelization of a comic before. It's definitely a first for me. What's even more unusual is that I'm actually listening to the audiobook version of "Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess" before diving into the physical copy. That being said, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The novel actually illuminates aspects that aren't explicitly stated in the comic, pro...

"It is here, with great reluctance, and a full awareness of how a chronicler should report a story without being the story itself, that one of your professors enters the narrative. Surely the tedious whys and wherefores of how he came to find himself in this particular prison at this particular time have no significant relevance to the greater story and shall thus be ignored."- Professor Philip Foglio So, to get the basics out of the way, Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess is the second noveli...

Wow. I have such mixed feelings about this book. Let me explain. On one hand, "Girl Genius" is one of my all-time favorite webcomics, and Phil Foglio is one of my favorite artists. I own multiple editions of the comic collections, both paperback and hardcover. And this novel, *Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess* (covering volumes 4-6 of the comic), adapts the story extremely well. It's packed with added backstory, tons of footnotes, and inner monologues galore (along with the maniacal outer o...

This novel adapts volumes 4-6 of the *Girl Genius* webcomic series. Agatha, now revealed as the long-lost heir to the infamous Heterodyne family, is on the run from Baron Wulfenbach and finds refuge with a traveling circus. While *Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess* is a bit slower-paced and less tightly focused than the first novel, *Agatha H and the Airship City*, it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable read, brimming with the delightful wit and magic you expect from Phil Foglio. The authors lever...

Story: B-Narration: A-Quick Review:This audiobook is a lot of fun, although the climax builds surprisingly slowly, and Agatha shares page time with an overly large cast of characters. This made "Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess" by Phil Foglio, while still entertaining and worth the listen, a bit of a letdown compared to the first audiobook in the series. The narration continues to shine, conveying the colorful and inventive world and strong, often amusing, characterizations with assurance a...

Intrigue! Subterfuge! Circus Folk!

Review to come :)