The Sapphire Solution

by M.H. Thaung

Apprentice chemist Iggy's uncle won't sign her off as competent, even though he trusts her with Project Sapphire: researching a formula to erase forensic evidence. When she finds an alternative route to sign-off, she applies her energy to that, neglecting her assigned duties to do so. In a stroke of luck, this decision leads her to a sponsorship deal, but her benefactor has secrets she's unaware of.

After his recent adventure abroad, Lord Richard Hayes is now home: and on probation to keep his seat on the Council of Lords. He has plentiful funds, detailed instructions and a boring plan for honest living, but despite his efforts to fit in, everything starts to go wrong. He loses his only household servant, he antagonises a young chemist the first time he meets her, and he gets blamed for a burglary he didn't even do. The only bright spot is that making new enemies keeps life from being completely dull.

Stiff-necked Lord Huntley Angus detests frivolous young nobles who dodge responsibility for their actions. But when he secretly pawns his wife's jewellery to pay an unexpected debt, he gets entangled in a spiralling set of misfortunes.

The Sapphire Solution is a fantasy of manners that takes place immediately after the events of The Diamond Device.

Genres: Science Fiction

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2023

About the author

M.H. Thaung was born in Scotland and has moved progressively southwards throughout her career in pathology, ending up in a biomedical research institute in London, England. (As a staff member, not a specimen!) She loves her job and academic writing (where she publishes as C. Thaung). She also enjoys wondering "What if...?" and seeing what might happen in alternate worlds. Her creative writing is split between novels and microfiction.

Reviews

[Anna Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sapphire Solution follows right after the events of The Diamond Device. Lord Richard Hayes is still riding out the aftereffects of his previous adventure - including a hearing about whether he will retain his seat. But whilst Hayes is important to the many misadventures in this story, Iggy Arragore is the main protagonist.

Like Rich, Iggy is an immigrant to Ironfort. She's working as an apprentice for her uncle, but starts taking matters into her own hands when he refuses to let her graduate. Luckily, there's a new programme that will allow her to do just that...

In a way, The Sapphire of Solution is a comedy of errors, and could also have been a somewhat amusing heist story, but where Thaung loses me is with the resolution. There is a lot of build up and convoluted plot happening (maybe too many?) and in the end they're all connected in a way. But at the risk of being spoilery, there's no real crime. Everything comes down to... multiple misunderstandings. On many sides. And correcting those misunderstandings leading to new misunderstandings, until... well, arrests happen and things get resolved.

Sally and Rich's parents are again used as some kind of deus ex machina, but not really. I'm not sure at this point why they're even mentioned, except to make sure that we know they're still around and deliberately not being helpful, while spying on things.

Despite all that, The Sapphire Solution is an enjoyable read - there's much to laugh about and shake your head over, especially since the blunders and mishaps are comedic both in timing and execution. There's a lot about social navigation, and the butting of heads between tradition vs modernity, social classes, race, and expectations (or maybe prejudices). Oh and for goodness sake, the importance of having proper Help.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED The Diamond Device so I was really excited when I heard about this one!
I was not disappointed. Like DD it was full of convoluted mysteries, several plot lines all lining up(eventually) and while it's not a quick flick M.H. Thaung is one of the few writers who gets me excited for slow, deliberate plots with lots of twists and turns.
I love the steampunk world it's set in, it was really fun to revisit a bunch of characters from DD but I really loved Iggy, she was a fun, different and smart protagonist.
I'm holding out hope for some more stories set in this world whether it's with old or new characters.
I think you can read this fine without having read the Diamond Device but that's such a fun book I don't see why you wouldn't read that one as well.

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convoluted, but in a good way.

I loved this story and look forward to the next one avidly. The plot is not so easily followed in this story, but that is because there are at least three to four story lines being woven together in a story tapestry. The characters are fun, intelligent, and very interesting. I most definitely recommend this book.