Her Own Devices

About This Audiobook

Shelley Adina’s *Her Own Devices* is a bold mashup of steampunk ingenuity, gothic suspense, and feminist defiance that refuses to play by genre rules. Set in a reimagined Victorian era where mechanical arms and rogue automatons roam alongside vengeful aristocrats and missing children, the novel follows Lady Claire, a brilliant inventor running from both her past and her sanity. What could devolve into genre pastiche instead builds a cohesive, high-stakes world where emotional vulnerability and brass gears are equally vital. The plot thrives on relentless momentum—chases through fog-drenched alleys, tense escapes, and the quiet ache of personal betrayal—making it feel less like historical fiction with gadgets and more like a pulse-pounding rescue mission with philosophical weight. Fiona Hardingham’s narration elevates the story with a performance that’s as technically precise as Claire’s inventions. Her vocal control shifts effortlessly between clipped aristocratic tones, breathless urgency, and moments of hushed introspection. Hardingham doesn’t just voice the characters—she embodies their inner tensions, particularly in Claire’s quiet unraveling. The audiobook’s production is clean and immersive, with subtle sound layering that hints at machinery without overwhelming the dialogue. For listeners who crave intelligence beneath adventure, this is a rare blend: a story where love isn’t just romance, but the radical act of choosing oneself.