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Noblesse Oblige #1
The Hidden Institute
Rising above your station can be deadly. Cliffy is a child born on the streets of a Neo-Victorian world. Witnesses to a murder, he blackmails a nobleman, receiving a unique bribe. In exchange for his silence, the nobleman introduces him to the Malcolm Rutherford Holden Institute of Regentrification. There, Cliffy learns to walk, talk, and act like a nobleman, so that he may infiltrate high society. But that type of fraud is punishable by death, and when Cliffy uncovers a plot to assassinate a head of state, he's hunted by more than just the aristocracy. Royal intrigue, daring escapes, sub-dermal machines, and bear polo. A grand adventure in a not-so-distant world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Brand Gamblin
10 books41 followersBrand Gamblin was born in San Antonio in 1973. He spent most of his youth in Texas, earning a bachelors degree in Computer Science from Texas Tech University.
Following college, he achieved his boyhood dream of working as a video game programmer. For the next decade, he published games for such companies as Microprose, Acclaim, and Firaxis.
In his spare time, Brand created the YouTube video cult classic, "Calls For Cthulhu", which has thousands of followers worldwide, and has been nominated for several film awards.
Brand's books are generally sci-fi, with some fantasy elements. They range from the near future of asteroid mining to the distant Neo-Victorian era.
In addition to the books he has published, Brand has a steampunk retelling of George Orwell's 1984 which is still waiting on permission from the Orwell estate before it can be published.
Odd Facts:
* For his minor acting roles, Brand Gamblin has a Kevin Bacon score of 6.
* In week one of the 2685 Galactic Football League season, Bran-Gam-Blin was named Defensive Player of the Week.
* Brand's oldest recorded writing was some bad Fraggle Rock Fanfic written when he was a child.
Following college, he achieved his boyhood dream of working as a video game programmer. For the next decade, he published games for such companies as Microprose, Acclaim, and Firaxis.
In his spare time, Brand created the YouTube video cult classic, "Calls For Cthulhu", which has thousands of followers worldwide, and has been nominated for several film awards.
Brand's books are generally sci-fi, with some fantasy elements. They range from the near future of asteroid mining to the distant Neo-Victorian era.
In addition to the books he has published, Brand has a steampunk retelling of George Orwell's 1984 which is still waiting on permission from the Orwell estate before it can be published.
Odd Facts:
* For his minor acting roles, Brand Gamblin has a Kevin Bacon score of 6.
* In week one of the 2685 Galactic Football League season, Bran-Gam-Blin was named Defensive Player of the Week.
* Brand's oldest recorded writing was some bad Fraggle Rock Fanfic written when he was a child.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 27, 2011
Brand Gamblin has another winner on his hands, and it may be even more fun than Tumbler, because this one has bear polo. Yes, exactly what it sounds like -- polo played on the backs of bears. The players are young gentlemen cheating their way to nobility in an extremely socially stratified future America in which even the servants of the aristocracy must be nobly born. That's hardly fair, is it? Enter THE HIDDEN INSTITUTE, a school where the children of the well-off bourgeois (and a few guttersnipes like our hero, Cliffy) can learn to pass as noble and, if they're willing to dare being executed if exposed, try to make their way in the upper classes.
As Cliffy learns to ape a gentleman, he runs afoul of two conspiracies, the Legion and what fans of the podcast novel version of THE HIDDEN INSTITUTE have nicknamed the "Silk Goon Squad," young ladies who've made a bear-polo caliber sport of exposing parvenus.
There is danger, charm, acutely observed sociology, and a lesson in the real value of an education, all in a few hundred pages. It's a great little read.
I would really give this five stars but for the typos in the dead tree edition (went into more detail on that in my full review at Kate of Mind. Wish GoodReads let me give a half a star, or three quarters, because taking a whole star off seems harsh but there it is.
As Cliffy learns to ape a gentleman, he runs afoul of two conspiracies, the Legion and what fans of the podcast novel version of THE HIDDEN INSTITUTE have nicknamed the "Silk Goon Squad," young ladies who've made a bear-polo caliber sport of exposing parvenus.
There is danger, charm, acutely observed sociology, and a lesson in the real value of an education, all in a few hundred pages. It's a great little read.
I would really give this five stars but for the typos in the dead tree edition (went into more detail on that in my full review at Kate of Mind. Wish GoodReads let me give a half a star, or three quarters, because taking a whole star off seems harsh but there it is.
March 23, 2015
This review is based on the podiobook version. When I get my hands on the hardcover I reserve the right to change my mind.
Brand writes an excellent story, and the podiobook consumes like a Nathan Lowell story. The setting has a very Steampunk feel, although elements of the story show that this is a cultural affectation and the story is clearly set in the future... making it Sci Fi. Or to put it another way, if Steampunk is Cyberpunk rolled back 200 years, The Hidden Institute is Steampunk rolled forward 200 years. I love the setting.
But... This book needs to be picked up by a publisher and made to go through a few editing cycles. The reason I say this is the pacing seems off to me. Some things are beaten into the character's head repeatedly, then he suddenly seems to get it and speeds to the head of the class. There just seem to be too many fast forwards in the story. I'd like to see some of those sections fleshed out more.
As it is, The Hidden Institute is still worth a read, or a listen. I just have the feeling that it could be even better.
Doc
Brand writes an excellent story, and the podiobook consumes like a Nathan Lowell story. The setting has a very Steampunk feel, although elements of the story show that this is a cultural affectation and the story is clearly set in the future... making it Sci Fi. Or to put it another way, if Steampunk is Cyberpunk rolled back 200 years, The Hidden Institute is Steampunk rolled forward 200 years. I love the setting.
But... This book needs to be picked up by a publisher and made to go through a few editing cycles. The reason I say this is the pacing seems off to me. Some things are beaten into the character's head repeatedly, then he suddenly seems to get it and speeds to the head of the class. There just seem to be too many fast forwards in the story. I'd like to see some of those sections fleshed out more.
As it is, The Hidden Institute is still worth a read, or a listen. I just have the feeling that it could be even better.
Doc
August 16, 2015
I really love the creation of the servant education here. The Hidden Institute has a magical draw for me with the well created world and history here. Even the solid personality of Dizzy is wonderful. He's bold and knows they ways yet he's not fully conceded in demanding for his own needs. He has a respect for the help and what they do.
Cliffy is a street urchin through and through. He doesn't take well from the command of others. He is independent and use to having a bit of control over what he does. The story seems that he loses that, yet he has to have great control over himself. Cliffy is an inquisitive boy. He's not afraid to back down from anything, or anyone, and it finds him in mischievous situations. I really like Cliffy. He has a way about him. He's not a bad kid from the streets. He's independent yet has a heart and cares.
***FULL REVIEW****
Cliffy sees a man die, the man with him offers Cliffy a chance of a lifetime. Cliffy takes it but, being at The Hidden Institute, he's made some enemies of power. He's set to go to a ball in which being barely a freshman he would not be sent on this test. At that ball Cliffy learns the dangerous Silks are present. The Silks make it their life to find and expose those that graduate from The Hidden Institute and lie about who they are. Cliffy can't pass on the chance to learn who the Crone, and leader of the Silks, is. Slowly Cliffy uncovers secret groups in the Institute, one in particular that is hired to kill once they graduate.
The Malcolm Rutherford Holden Institute skates on the outskirts of the law as it's hidden from others. And they are criminals of a sense with falsifying information and histories of their students. The school has a huge mysterious feel of it's own as we enter. In a way it reminds me of a Hogwarts when we first enter, but for fake nobles. It's really fascinating and has it's own history, enemy, rules, and much more to it.
I really love the creation of the servant education here. The Hidden Institute has a magical draw for me with the well created world and history here. Even the solid personality of Dizzy is wonderful. He's bold and knows the ways yet he's not fully conceded in demanding for his own needs. He has a respect for the help and what they do. Yet he wants to be more than the low Nobel position the Institute teaches them to be.
There is a mechanical essence present to the story. It's not really steampunk or overly mechanical. The term Brand has attached to the genre is spot on, Neo-Victorian. There's a Victorian era feel to the story yet a bit more. There's an automation to take care of the needs of Dizzy and Cliffy at the Institute and in their rooms. lol. The automation helps in speech, posture, and to needs of chair opening and such. There are a few additional mechanicals in the story as well. I really like the idea of how they 'know' information.
Cliffy is a street urchin through and through. He doesn't take well from the command of others. He is independent and use to having a bit of control over what he does. The story seems that he loses that, yet he has to learn to have greater control over himself. Cliffy is an inquisitive boy. He's not afraid to back down from anything, or anyone, and it finds him in mischievous situations. I really like Cliffy. He has a way about him. He's not a bad kid from the streets. He's independent yet has a heart and cares.
We get to attend classes with Cliffy when he starts. I found I really enjoyed what each teacher brings to the students. The intent of what the students are to learn, the deep down reason and moral they need to know. The way the teachers teach these major points is very interesting. They use different ways than we would think so the students learn by doing. It sticks with Cliffy and the reader greatly, along with keeping the action and events interesting and important for later. And how the other students interact with Cliffy, all makes it intriguing.
Brand does an amazing job of drawing a world and details of why things are as they are crafted to the way of living of the Royals and all around. I love this full circle creation and connection.
Cliffy is a street urchin through and through. He doesn't take well from the command of others. He is independent and use to having a bit of control over what he does. The story seems that he loses that, yet he has to have great control over himself. Cliffy is an inquisitive boy. He's not afraid to back down from anything, or anyone, and it finds him in mischievous situations. I really like Cliffy. He has a way about him. He's not a bad kid from the streets. He's independent yet has a heart and cares.
***FULL REVIEW****
Cliffy sees a man die, the man with him offers Cliffy a chance of a lifetime. Cliffy takes it but, being at The Hidden Institute, he's made some enemies of power. He's set to go to a ball in which being barely a freshman he would not be sent on this test. At that ball Cliffy learns the dangerous Silks are present. The Silks make it their life to find and expose those that graduate from The Hidden Institute and lie about who they are. Cliffy can't pass on the chance to learn who the Crone, and leader of the Silks, is. Slowly Cliffy uncovers secret groups in the Institute, one in particular that is hired to kill once they graduate.
The Malcolm Rutherford Holden Institute skates on the outskirts of the law as it's hidden from others. And they are criminals of a sense with falsifying information and histories of their students. The school has a huge mysterious feel of it's own as we enter. In a way it reminds me of a Hogwarts when we first enter, but for fake nobles. It's really fascinating and has it's own history, enemy, rules, and much more to it.
I really love the creation of the servant education here. The Hidden Institute has a magical draw for me with the well created world and history here. Even the solid personality of Dizzy is wonderful. He's bold and knows the ways yet he's not fully conceded in demanding for his own needs. He has a respect for the help and what they do. Yet he wants to be more than the low Nobel position the Institute teaches them to be.
There is a mechanical essence present to the story. It's not really steampunk or overly mechanical. The term Brand has attached to the genre is spot on, Neo-Victorian. There's a Victorian era feel to the story yet a bit more. There's an automation to take care of the needs of Dizzy and Cliffy at the Institute and in their rooms. lol. The automation helps in speech, posture, and to needs of chair opening and such. There are a few additional mechanicals in the story as well. I really like the idea of how they 'know' information.
Cliffy is a street urchin through and through. He doesn't take well from the command of others. He is independent and use to having a bit of control over what he does. The story seems that he loses that, yet he has to learn to have greater control over himself. Cliffy is an inquisitive boy. He's not afraid to back down from anything, or anyone, and it finds him in mischievous situations. I really like Cliffy. He has a way about him. He's not a bad kid from the streets. He's independent yet has a heart and cares.
We get to attend classes with Cliffy when he starts. I found I really enjoyed what each teacher brings to the students. The intent of what the students are to learn, the deep down reason and moral they need to know. The way the teachers teach these major points is very interesting. They use different ways than we would think so the students learn by doing. It sticks with Cliffy and the reader greatly, along with keeping the action and events interesting and important for later. And how the other students interact with Cliffy, all makes it intriguing.
Brand does an amazing job of drawing a world and details of why things are as they are crafted to the way of living of the Royals and all around. I love this full circle creation and connection.
March 30, 2011
In his first book, Tumbler, author Brand Gamblin took us on a journey into the far reaches of our solar system. Now, in The Hidden Institute, he shows us a future much closer to home. In it we follow a young street-smart boy as he is whisked off to the Holden Institute for Regentrification. A shadowy school that attempts to teach our young hero, Cliffy, to become this world’s most dangerous sort of criminal: a lower class interloper in the ranks of the nobility.
Brand paints for us a fascinating portrait of a society where the class systems of nineteenth century Europe have reemerged with a vengeance and technology has progressed on a micro, rather than a macro, scale. The plot flows smoothly as young Cliffy is swept along through the process of becoming an aristocrat. Even as his own defiant nature rails against the authority figures that represent the very thing he is to become.
The narrative is smooth and the dialog is filled with wonderfully colorful dialect that is not hard to read. The characters are fresh and boldly portrayed. I found myself rooting for the hero and wondering just who the bad guys really were. The Hidden Institute is a true page-turner and not to be missed.
Brand paints for us a fascinating portrait of a society where the class systems of nineteenth century Europe have reemerged with a vengeance and technology has progressed on a micro, rather than a macro, scale. The plot flows smoothly as young Cliffy is swept along through the process of becoming an aristocrat. Even as his own defiant nature rails against the authority figures that represent the very thing he is to become.
The narrative is smooth and the dialog is filled with wonderfully colorful dialect that is not hard to read. The characters are fresh and boldly portrayed. I found myself rooting for the hero and wondering just who the bad guys really were. The Hidden Institute is a true page-turner and not to be missed.
April 2, 2011
For fans of steampunk or possibly Dickens, this is a great SF read. I was completely drawn in to the beginning and instantly intrigued by the Neo-Victorian world created here. However, the pacing and ultimate lack of fleshing out that world stopped this from being a four or five star book.
As a coming of age tale in a interesting world of intrigue and extreme class division, the story was great. The major flaw, for me, was that there wasn't enough of it. I wanted to know more -- a lot more -- about the world our hero Cliffy lives in. What is daily life like for the "commoners." Do they work? At what? And what's the deal with the nobility? How did they take power, and what are they doing with it? How did such an obvious gulf open between the social classes? And what exactly are these wars about that get mentioned but never explained?
I also found the pacing a bit off. The first half is very detailed, giving us a great view into Cliffy's day to day life. But it seems that in the second half, where things are getting really interesting, entire years disappear in the breaks between chapters.
If this were a draft of a novel, it would have me super excited to read the final version. As is, it's a good story that I wish had gone more places.
As a coming of age tale in a interesting world of intrigue and extreme class division, the story was great. The major flaw, for me, was that there wasn't enough of it. I wanted to know more -- a lot more -- about the world our hero Cliffy lives in. What is daily life like for the "commoners." Do they work? At what? And what's the deal with the nobility? How did they take power, and what are they doing with it? How did such an obvious gulf open between the social classes? And what exactly are these wars about that get mentioned but never explained?
I also found the pacing a bit off. The first half is very detailed, giving us a great view into Cliffy's day to day life. But it seems that in the second half, where things are getting really interesting, entire years disappear in the breaks between chapters.
If this were a draft of a novel, it would have me super excited to read the final version. As is, it's a good story that I wish had gone more places.
June 25, 2012
Imagine you are on the low end of the totem-pole. Now imagine that someone offered you a chance to skyrocket to the top. This is what happened to Cliffy and it changed his life forever.
Brand Gamblin weaves a great tale of mystery and intrigue as he follows Cliffy into the very dangerous world of noble impersonation. This well written story has a gritty feel almost steam punk feel to it but projected toward a future that hopefully will never exist.
If I had one complaint about the book it would be that it ended too quickly. It felt like things were starting to wrap up, and suddenly it was over. I really look forward to reading more in this universe.
Brand Gamblin weaves a great tale of mystery and intrigue as he follows Cliffy into the very dangerous world of noble impersonation. This well written story has a gritty feel almost steam punk feel to it but projected toward a future that hopefully will never exist.
If I had one complaint about the book it would be that it ended too quickly. It felt like things were starting to wrap up, and suddenly it was over. I really look forward to reading more in this universe.
April 14, 2011
I'm likely biased on this one but I loved it.
The world building is top notch. The characters are quirky and interesting. The plot is definitely twisted. Half steampunk, half distopian future, not quite alternate history. This is a great mash up of ideas and commentary on the modern body politic.
I'm biased because I know Brand and watched the book develop from the first days. I'm very pleased to see how it's evolved.
The world building is top notch. The characters are quirky and interesting. The plot is definitely twisted. Half steampunk, half distopian future, not quite alternate history. This is a great mash up of ideas and commentary on the modern body politic.
I'm biased because I know Brand and watched the book develop from the first days. I'm very pleased to see how it's evolved.
January 23, 2013
I enjoyed it a lot until Chapter 13 - it seems the pace changed after he left school. It was just such a great build-up, it should have been much longer. The end was just too rushed it made me feel as if I face-planted in it. Somewhere there was massive potential for a series and I'm a bit disappointed that it was over so harshly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2011
This book was a real treat. The concept and setting are compelling and the characters are fun to watch. I laughed a lot while listening to it and found many quotes to pull out. The print copy is just as good, but do try the podcast for the author's engaging voice.
April 20, 2013
This was an adventure tail like no other. It can remind us of the politics of relationships and taking advantage of opportunities that come our way, regardless of our background. I recommend it for everyone.
April 20, 2011
Another good one from Gamblin. I have a feeling that, like Tumbler, I will like it even more after it's settled into me for a while.
July 15, 2011
Enjoyed the characters and the world, highly recommend. Free version on podiobooks is very entertaining.
November 1, 2018
After reading the description of this book I was interested in it but not completely thrilled by it then I read three sentences and I was hooked. A masterpiece with a beginning that is so intense that what follows is just a footnote. I definitely put this book in the top ten books of 2018 that I have read. Brand Gamblin has made a cast of characters for this book that are nothing but the best to see, so to speak haha. I loved it!!!!!!
July 21, 2018
One of the best books I ever read It's a page turner.
it does a great job of putting the reader in a fantasy world yet not forgetting the details .
it does a great job of putting the reader in a fantasy world yet not forgetting the details .
March 6, 2012
There are some absurdities in the Hidden Institute's setting, but I'm sure they're deliberate and for comic effect. I mean, a (literally) underground school which trains lower-class fraudsters to pass as upper-class in a Neo-Victorian future society, staffed in part by very proper copper automatons? With bear polo? Is he having a laugh? Well, yes. Yes, he is. And so was I.
Cliffy the rebellious street urchin changes, I thought convincingly, from resisting his lessons to being an enthusiastic student as he comes to understand what's at stake and the opportunity he has. He also has an affecting visit to his father, and takes courageous action, not only to preserve himself and his friends, but to foil an assassination. Even though the assassination would have been, in a way, in the service of his own egalitarian ideals, he can't allow a fellow human being to be killed when it comes right down to it. That's the kind of idealism I like in a hero, even if it's a little difficult on reflection to figure out where exactly he came by it.
The least satisfactory part of this book was the ending, which I felt was rushed and sudden. That probably lost it a star, in fact.
Otherwise, a tale well told.
Cliffy the rebellious street urchin changes, I thought convincingly, from resisting his lessons to being an enthusiastic student as he comes to understand what's at stake and the opportunity he has. He also has an affecting visit to his father, and takes courageous action, not only to preserve himself and his friends, but to foil an assassination. Even though the assassination would have been, in a way, in the service of his own egalitarian ideals, he can't allow a fellow human being to be killed when it comes right down to it. That's the kind of idealism I like in a hero, even if it's a little difficult on reflection to figure out where exactly he came by it.
The least satisfactory part of this book was the ending, which I felt was rushed and sudden. That probably lost it a star, in fact.
Otherwise, a tale well told.
September 3, 2016
I heard about this first through a promo on another podcast, and it grabbed my attention so that I had to read/listen to it. And I am so glad I did! I immediately fell into the world, the culture, and became engrossed in the characters. They’re all clearly defined and their actions are really constant to their own personalities and natures. Dizzy does things because there’s no way he could do anything else. He simply is himself, take it or leave it. From start to finish, Cliffy is himself, but his transformation is still more than just surface. The Institute does make someone different out of him, sure, but the badly-spoken boy from the beginning is still underneath that exterior. This book is a great draw and is well worth the time (not much) to read or listen to it. Seriously… I listened to it in a single work day. And I enjoyed every minute.
November 30, 2013
This review is based in the Podiobooks version. This was a fun, engaging story with interesting characters. I loved the futuristic/Victorian mashed-up setting. I also liked the idea of a school like the Institute. However, I was disappointed with the abrupt ending and convenient relationship between Cliffy and The Crone. I didn't really understand how they figured out she was the Crone, for that matter. That was one of the plot holes that made it hard to follow the story.
I'd love to see the author explore this world and The Institute in future stories, perhaps writing a story around Disraeli's story.
I'd love to see the author explore this world and The Institute in future stories, perhaps writing a story around Disraeli's story.
April 23, 2015
The Hidden Institute is a fun book featuring Dickensian street urchins; a dystopian, steampunk, quasi-Victorian world; bear polo; witty, Jeeves-like robot butlers; tattooed assassins; balls; intrigue; and an illegal, underground school for the upwardly socially mobile. Unfortunately this book needs polishing, tightening. The pacing needs work, as do the character and plot arcs. The storytelling is intriguing enough that I’ll give Brand Gamblin a chance with the next book he writes
July 17, 2013
Thee story had a promising opening and many good, fun scenes, however I got the feeling the author becae bored with the premise and simply wrappedup the elements of the story and characters as quickly as possible.
November 11, 2015
Enjoyable and entertaining.
The story does start slowly. Keep going until Cliffy gets to the school, that is the true beginning, and events begin to move. I kept listening to find out what would happen next, I could never tell in advance.
The story does start slowly. Keep going until Cliffy gets to the school, that is the true beginning, and events begin to move. I kept listening to find out what would happen next, I could never tell in advance.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews