The Explosionist

October 1, 2008
Gr 9 Up-It's 1938, and in the world that 15-year-old Sophie inhabits, England fell to Napoleon at Waterloo, scientists work together with spiritualists, and hydrogen-powered cars move people around Scotland's streets. An unsettling session with a medium sets Sophie on edge, but her Great-Aunt Tabitha's vehement opposition to IRYLNSY, a program for women that her aunt founded, confuses the teen more than the cryptic message about a pending journey that she received. The medium's sudden death prompts Sophie and her friend Mikael to investigate, and they are soon plunged into a turbulent political battleground, one that threatens the future of Scotland and the rest of the world. Without stretching credulity too far, readers should be able to accept the odd blend of modern and primitive technology in the text; it seems odd that fuel-cell technology exists, but dynamite remains the most powerful explosive known. Sophie and Great-aunt Tabitha's antagonism toward one another regarding the morality of IRYLNSY lacks the depth necessary to draw readers into the debate; Davidson herself seems almost convinced that turning promising young women into emotional Dumpsters for men is entirely appropriate. With an uncertain resolution that all but demands a sequel, the book will appeal to fans of alternative historical fiction, who will be waiting for the next installment. Blending physics, politics, and possibilities, Davidson's novel also holds some appeal to fringe historical and mystical readers."Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library"

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