Long-suffering apprentice, Iggy, is desperate to get her trade qualifications certified, but her teacher, Uncle Vernon, is reluctant to support her applications. Following a disaster in the workshop, Iggy finds sponsorship for the "Sapphire Solution" project with a member of the aristocracy. She finds herself caught up in a criminal conspiracy involving the Crown and members of the nobility, including the reformed criminal Lord Richard, who becomes an unlikely ally. The Sapphire Solution is a fun, fast-paced young-adult, steampunk adventure. It is the second book in the series (the first novel being The Diamond Solution) and follows on from where the first ends, but can be read independently without issue. An entertaining read. ( )

The Sapphire Solution is the sequel to The Diamond Solution by M. H.Thaung. It’s a Steampunk novel which seems to mean very advanced inventions being developed in Victorian times, leading to all kinds of intrigue. The Sapphire Solution begins immediately after the end of The Diamond Solution, with new characters, but also with all the old characters. I received this book from LibraryThing to review and was surprised to receive The Diamond Solution as well. It turned out to be important because The Sapphire Solution would be incomprehensible if you hadn’t read The Diamond Solution first.

Lord Richard Hayes is the main character in both books. The plot is so convoluted, with so many characters and story lines that it is very hard to follow. It takes place in a fictional country called Lower Grenia. There are ongoing political problems between Lower Grenia and Calesia, another fictional country. Lord Hayes is in almost constant trouble with everyone in his life, from the Council of Lords to the police to his servants to his parents who are in Calesia. A possible romance between Lord Hayes and Iggy, a young woman chemist working on the Sapphire Solution, never really advances. The story wandered around and then stopped. The writing is very readable but the overall story needs major editing. ( )

Thumbs up for the clever premise of applying old world alchemy to modern day issues in this second novel of the series. Its atmosphere has the bewitching ambience of Harry Potter’s world, but stands on its own as original. Following the story requires energy and attention, as multiple storylines must be knitted together to bring it to conclusion. Aesthetically, more white space on the page could help readers digest the story and rest the eye enough to keep them turning pages. One more edit would put more luster on the jewel this series could be.