《A Riddle in Ruby》是同名少年奇幻冒險小說三部曲的首部曲，在十八世紀的一個平行世界裡，融混魔法力量的鍊金術與化學技術使當時仍屬英國殖民地的美國向工業化大躍進，進入「鍊化時代」（Chemystral Age）。小說圍繞著出身成謎的少女竊賊露比，交織出節奏快速，帶蒸氣叛客風格的奇幻篇章！

十三歲少女露比是走私船長的女兒，訓練中的未來盜賊，打從有記憶以來就在學習各式偷拐搶騙與開鎖技巧。察言觀色、保守秘密有如本能，但是她不曉得，自己身上竟藏著她也渾然不覺的天大秘密！

父親船上的廚師關斯是指導露比行竊與開鎖的師父，每當走私船靠港停泊，他們便上岸偷拐搶騙，進行「訓練」。露比對關斯的過去一無所知，但兩人關係亦師亦友，感情甚篤。一次在波士頓搶劫馬車的行動中，露比遭到一位神秘年輕男士阻撓，她的竊盜生涯才剛起步便墜入始料未及的混亂中……

行搶失敗黯然回船的露比，驚訝發現男子與隨從竟是船上的新乘客。從父親口中得知，這位英國貴族亞森包爾急著從波士頓前往費城，重金租下父親的一個船艙。露比刻意保持低調，卻還是與亞森撞個正著，奇怪的是亞森不但未拆穿她的行徑，還頻頻釋出善意，讓露比起了疑心。

亞森其實正被英國軍方追緝，走私船在航行途中遭到英國海軍包圍，擄走露比的父親。露比為情勢所逼只能與亞森合作，設法救出父親，在這段驚險旅程中，她一面被軍方追捕，一面被迫捲入充滿化學符號、合成機械人、秘密地下組織的煉金術世界。

隨著故事推展，露比漸漸發現原來自己才是各方人馬的目標！她只能依靠自己的智慧和勇氣，成功救出父親，並且一步步揭開自己的神祕身世之謎。《A Riddle in Ruby》鮮活的人物，機智的對話，與細緻的時空描繪，讓讀者隨著高潮迭起的冒險歷程，在結合十八世紀工業化初期城市風貌與鍊金術奇想的街巷與工廠中穿梭，欲罷不能！

 

Kent Davis is an actor, a game designer, and a teacher. He lives in Bozeman, Montana, with his wife and a wily dog ninja named Bobo. Kent Davis teaches in the Honors College at Montana State University, a fact by which he is constantly surprised. This is his first book.

 

“This tale of revolutionary intent, self-discovery, and double-crossing cross-dressing is worth the trip. Sailors seeking espionage and a cast of characters who can’t sit still should embark on this series’ maiden voyage.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“The world-building is fascinating, the characters entertaining, and a sequel is assured by a cliffhanger. Good fun!” (School Library Journal)

“Davis’ debut novel promises adventure, magic, mystery, and alchemy, all of which it gleefully provides. …Middle–grade readers will love the magic of the Chemystral Age and will surely be on the hook for the next two books.” (ALA Booklist)

“It’s worth suspending disbelief to enjoy following this intrepid heroine and her companions, who are full of surprises themselves, on their swashbuckling journey.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A staggeringly inventive thrill-ride of a book, filled with clever characters, delightful humor and ingenious plot twists.” (Stuart Gibbs, author of the New York Times-bestselling Spy School saga)