What do you think?
Rate this book
Victoria Eternal #1
Star Compass
Steampunk meets Space Opera in this captivating tale of adventure and romance from USA Today bestseller Anthea Sharp.
Diana Smythe was a child of the nobility… once. Now the streetrat known as Diver, she spends her days picking pockets, and her nights gazing at the galaxy overhead, dreaming of the day she’ll escape Earth for a brighter future among the stars.
Derek Byrne polices the grimy streets around the Southampton Spaceport, trying to keep the gangs in line and the gutters clear of riffraff. When his path crosses Diana’s, he sees beyond her masculine disguise and catches a glimpse of the remarkable young lady hiding beneath the rags and bravado.
But Derek has his own dark secrets, and when Diana averts a near-disaster at the Spaceport, fate flings them along a trajectory that will lead them to adventure, romance – and peril beyond their wildest imaginings.
Diana Smythe was a child of the nobility… once. Now the streetrat known as Diver, she spends her days picking pockets, and her nights gazing at the galaxy overhead, dreaming of the day she’ll escape Earth for a brighter future among the stars.
Derek Byrne polices the grimy streets around the Southampton Spaceport, trying to keep the gangs in line and the gutters clear of riffraff. When his path crosses Diana’s, he sees beyond her masculine disguise and catches a glimpse of the remarkable young lady hiding beneath the rags and bravado.
But Derek has his own dark secrets, and when Diana averts a near-disaster at the Spaceport, fate flings them along a trajectory that will lead them to adventure, romance – and peril beyond their wildest imaginings.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
27 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Anthea Sharp
125 books1,292 followersGrowing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, hangs out in virtual worlds, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 24, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I thought that this story was very well done. I haven't read a lot of steampunk but I decided to give this book a try since I am always looking for something new. I found the story to be very entertaining and I am happy that I decided to give it a try. I haven't read Charles Dickens but it was pretty easy to figure out that this was a retelling of Oliver Twist but in this book, the focus is on Diana. A whole lot of wonderful elements came together to tell this nice little story.
Diana was born into a wealthy family but is growing up on the streets after an accident killed her family. She dresses as a boy and watched out for her friend, Tipper. She does attract the attention of an officer and they develop a special relationship pretty quickly. I almost forgot that the book was labeled steampunk for a bit but then the spaceships enter the story and things get interesting very quickly. Diana has a gift and it was fun to see her put it to use.
I did like the characters and enjoyed the relationships between them. Diana is very protective of Tipper and I liked how his character developed over the course of the story. I did enjoy the romance between Diana and the officer. I really thought that they made a great pair and I loved the fact that their feelings for each other develop slowly over the course of the story.
Danielle Cohen did a fantastic job with the narration of this story. I really liked the variety of voices that she used for all of the different characters and I thought that she did a great job of adding emotion into her reading. She has a great reading voice and I think that her narration increased my enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a rather unique story featuring wonderful characters. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from Anthea Sharp!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the narrator.
Initial Thoughts
I thought that this was very well done. The story kept me engaged and I really liked all of the key characters. I thought that the steampunk aspects of the story added a rather unique twist on everything. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic and added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I thought that this story was very well done. I haven't read a lot of steampunk but I decided to give this book a try since I am always looking for something new. I found the story to be very entertaining and I am happy that I decided to give it a try. I haven't read Charles Dickens but it was pretty easy to figure out that this was a retelling of Oliver Twist but in this book, the focus is on Diana. A whole lot of wonderful elements came together to tell this nice little story.
Diana was born into a wealthy family but is growing up on the streets after an accident killed her family. She dresses as a boy and watched out for her friend, Tipper. She does attract the attention of an officer and they develop a special relationship pretty quickly. I almost forgot that the book was labeled steampunk for a bit but then the spaceships enter the story and things get interesting very quickly. Diana has a gift and it was fun to see her put it to use.
I did like the characters and enjoyed the relationships between them. Diana is very protective of Tipper and I liked how his character developed over the course of the story. I did enjoy the romance between Diana and the officer. I really thought that they made a great pair and I loved the fact that their feelings for each other develop slowly over the course of the story.
Danielle Cohen did a fantastic job with the narration of this story. I really liked the variety of voices that she used for all of the different characters and I thought that she did a great job of adding emotion into her reading. She has a great reading voice and I think that her narration increased my enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a rather unique story featuring wonderful characters. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from Anthea Sharp!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the narrator.
Initial Thoughts
I thought that this was very well done. The story kept me engaged and I really liked all of the key characters. I thought that the steampunk aspects of the story added a rather unique twist on everything. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic and added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
December 16, 2019
A steampunk novel about an orphan destined for the stars. Diana Smythe was born into the nobility but an accident took her family and her inheritance and she became a pickpocket living in the gutter. She was a gutter rat known as diver, the highly talented, quick fingered pickpocket down at the docks of Southampton who hoped to one day be able to book passage on a spaceship to start life anew on one of the stars in the galaxy. Dreams where cheap and they were all that street rats like Diana and her friend Tipper had in life however none of them dreamt that the path which would take them to the stars would be the one which they were forced to take. Anthea Sharp gives us the first book in a brand new series, different to her other writing but just as good and exciting. I must admit that I love books about rogues and kick ass heroines and Diana is such a heroine. Tormented by the gang runner Breggy who wanted to force her and Tip to become part of his gang, she refused to relent and fought to keep her independence at all costs and with a bit of help from the new policeman in town, the young kind-hearted Derek Byrne. Romance is in the air too for both these young people and yes one can forge one's own future no matter their past!! Brilliant, I am reallylooking forward to the next book in the series which really captivated me.
December 18, 2019
I got to read this book at the courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m pleased to say it was entertaining! My only complaint is that it lacked some complexity, I wanted MORE, which, really, isn’t that a good thing?
I really like steampunk meets cyber universe, it’s a fun twist in fiction. I enjoyed the characters and the light romance that ensued. AND, I’m a sucker for a street rat to high class story.
Over all, this is a very easy read, engaging, and a fun story. Definitely worth your time!
I really like steampunk meets cyber universe, it’s a fun twist in fiction. I enjoyed the characters and the light romance that ensued. AND, I’m a sucker for a street rat to high class story.
Over all, this is a very easy read, engaging, and a fun story. Definitely worth your time!
December 5, 2021
This is the first book in this series, although there are a couple of short stories that are prequels to this novel, and do a lot of the world-building. I haven't read them (yet), but Sharp does enough filling in of the backstory so that I had no trouble following the story.
This is a YA steampunk adventure which features plenty of action, a strong female protagonist, some suitably evil villains, a good support cast for our heroine, and a bit of romance. No dates are mentioned, but some of the exposition reveals that aliens came to Earth about a century ago, gave humans (or perhaps just the British) a star drive, and made Queen Victoria immortal. These are details that I assume are covered in the prequel short stories. This would set the story in the latter half of the 20th Century, although the time period is not relevant, as it is essentially Victorian era with space ships and ray guns.
The pace moves pretty rapidly and there are no real plot twists - at least none that came as much of a surprise. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.
This is a YA steampunk adventure which features plenty of action, a strong female protagonist, some suitably evil villains, a good support cast for our heroine, and a bit of romance. No dates are mentioned, but some of the exposition reveals that aliens came to Earth about a century ago, gave humans (or perhaps just the British) a star drive, and made Queen Victoria immortal. These are details that I assume are covered in the prequel short stories. This would set the story in the latter half of the 20th Century, although the time period is not relevant, as it is essentially Victorian era with space ships and ray guns.
The pace moves pretty rapidly and there are no real plot twists - at least none that came as much of a surprise. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.
November 29, 2019
*I received a review copy of this book from the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own*
I liked this book! It’s definitely a fast read, but despite that I thought the characters were all developed well enough for me to invest in their stories. It did take me a few pages to realize that the setting is a future version of Earth, rather than some random planet, which is an important point to understand the significance of one of the major plot points. But all things considered, I think this book could be an excellent jumping off point for a series exploring new worlds and human interaction with alien life. The scifi aspect could definitely be expanded, since that’s not a main focus of the plot, which instead focuses on two people finding their paths in life and finding each other (romance ahoy!), but there is plenty of potential for heavier exploration of the genre in future stories in this universe (pun intended). If you’d like a quick, light read with space themes and some romance, give Star Compass a look!
I liked this book! It’s definitely a fast read, but despite that I thought the characters were all developed well enough for me to invest in their stories. It did take me a few pages to realize that the setting is a future version of Earth, rather than some random planet, which is an important point to understand the significance of one of the major plot points. But all things considered, I think this book could be an excellent jumping off point for a series exploring new worlds and human interaction with alien life. The scifi aspect could definitely be expanded, since that’s not a main focus of the plot, which instead focuses on two people finding their paths in life and finding each other (romance ahoy!), but there is plenty of potential for heavier exploration of the genre in future stories in this universe (pun intended). If you’d like a quick, light read with space themes and some romance, give Star Compass a look!
January 15, 2021
Steampunk, space opera, and a little romance. Suitable for pre-teens/teens/young adults/adults. I would give this a 3.5 but I'm rounding up since I'm quite a bit older than the intended audience. I'm sure I would have loved it as a young pre-teen.
Orphan girl becomes street rat, sneaks into the spaceport and has an adventure. I listened to the audiobook and rather liked it. The narrator, Danielle Cohen, does a great job (to my American ear) of creating a believable voice for each character. Very light on science but the characters are likeable and it's a fun book.
This is the novel from which the short, "Passage Out," is taken. If you liked that, you should like the full book; if you're reading the full book, "Passage Out" doesn't seem to contain anything more. I found that as a free Kindle book on Amazon.
Orphan girl becomes street rat, sneaks into the spaceport and has an adventure. I listened to the audiobook and rather liked it. The narrator, Danielle Cohen, does a great job (to my American ear) of creating a believable voice for each character. Very light on science but the characters are likeable and it's a fun book.
This is the novel from which the short, "Passage Out," is taken. If you liked that, you should like the full book; if you're reading the full book, "Passage Out" doesn't seem to contain anything more. I found that as a free Kindle book on Amazon.
August 14, 2020
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I enjoyed this book but not so much that I would gush over it.
It's one of those books that could easily be turned into a movie without much being left out.
There really wasn't that much chemistry but I'll give it a pass because there are other things that just made up for it.
The h was incredibly smart and I really admired her strength.
The H had a clear moral compass and I loved how, in the end, he did the right thing.
I'm kinda upset at the fact that we never really see the H's past in depth or how the h's and the H's pasts were never confronted by them.
For obvious reasons, the things you've been through (or you're past) are the events that lead up to who you are today and not having anyone address it in the novel is just disappointing.
Like I said, I liked the book well enough but not enough for me to start gushing over it.
Review:
I enjoyed this book but not so much that I would gush over it.
It's one of those books that could easily be turned into a movie without much being left out.
There really wasn't that much chemistry but I'll give it a pass because there are other things that just made up for it.
The h was incredibly smart and I really admired her strength.
The H had a clear moral compass and I loved how, in the end, he did the right thing.
I'm kinda upset at the fact that we never really see the H's past in depth or how the h's and the H's pasts were never confronted by them.
For obvious reasons, the things you've been through (or you're past) are the events that lead up to who you are today and not having anyone address it in the novel is just disappointing.
Like I said, I liked the book well enough but not enough for me to start gushing over it.
May 9, 2022
Overall, this was an enjoyable story. I liked the main characters, and I loved the fact that Diana, one of the main protagonists, was a mathematical genius. I also really loved Tipper. He made me smile. The story itself was interesting, and there was enough suspense to keep me turning pages. I did find the combination of sci-fi and Victorian England to be a bit jarring at times. It felt odd to have people riding in carriages, while at the same time also having a spaceport where people were flying off to different planets. It definitely made for interesting world-building. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
March 27, 2020
Yes, I've been reading through the steampunk books I bought a bunch of a while back.
This one was pretty good - it had a female orphan math savant, so right in the sweet spot for my nerdy 80's self. This went along pretty well, with an actual plot and adventures! And (spoiler) a climactic scene where she had to solve a physics equation to save the day! Which I enjoyed thoroughly!
Unfortunately, this book ends like I write endings, which has all the gentle grace of driving off a cliff. So, I very much did not like the way everything wrapped up, but up until that point I liked it quite a bit.
This one was pretty good - it had a female orphan math savant, so right in the sweet spot for my nerdy 80's self. This went along pretty well, with an actual plot and adventures! And (spoiler) a climactic scene where she had to solve a physics equation to save the day! Which I enjoyed thoroughly!
Unfortunately, this book ends like I write endings, which has all the gentle grace of driving off a cliff. So, I very much did not like the way everything wrapped up, but up until that point I liked it quite a bit.
November 19, 2020
I reviewed this book as a judge in the 6th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off.
3.5 stars
Diana Smythe was born into the nobility, but after a tragic accident she ends up living as a streetrat named Diver. Her exceptional ability to calculate mathematical trajectories gives her an advantage as a pickpocket, but it will never be enough for her to achieve her dreams of escaping Earth. Or so she thinks, until things take an unlikely turn when she helps to avert a terrible disaster at the Spaceport.
Star Compass is a YA steampunk novel set in a Victorian, patriarchal world with spaceships and nano-lifted skirts. Whether in the Southampton slums, the upper-class ballrooms, or a sleek spaceship headed for a new colony, the setting was well executed, and all of these different perspectives combined to provide a world that felt complete.
The novel follows two primary characters: Diana, a noble-turned-pickpocket, and Derek, a revolutionary-turned-policeman. For me, Diana’s perspective was the more engaging of the two, but my absolute favorite character has to be Tipper, a young and hopelessly optimistic streetrat who’s akin to Diana’s younger brother. All of the characters, both those I adored or despised, came across as real people, each with their own meaningful motivations. For example, though Diana did have a bit of a “not like other girls” perspective, it was at least somewhat nuanced. She could love math and science and appreciate the usefulness of trousers without entirely eschewing femininity and the enjoyment of wearing a beautiful ballgown.
Time for a few nitpicky complaints. Despite my appreciation for most of the characters, the romance wasn’t particularly compelling for me. The initial difference in power between the two love interests was unsettling, but thankfully it was somewhat of a slow burn and didn’t get in the way of the individuals’ character developments. I also would have really liked to see more of Diana’s mathematical ability in action. We were often told how it helps her to navigate crowds and predict spaceship trajectories, but there were only a couple of times when we actually got to see her actively make use of it.
I found Star Compass to be quite an entertaining read, and it inspired me to look out for more books by the author and in the steampunk genre. However, at least from my perspective, this book is much more science fiction than it is fantasy. So although I recommend that you consider giving it a try, I can’t say that it belongs in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off.
Find more reviews and other bookish content on my blog!
3.5 stars
Diana Smythe was born into the nobility, but after a tragic accident she ends up living as a streetrat named Diver. Her exceptional ability to calculate mathematical trajectories gives her an advantage as a pickpocket, but it will never be enough for her to achieve her dreams of escaping Earth. Or so she thinks, until things take an unlikely turn when she helps to avert a terrible disaster at the Spaceport.
Star Compass is a YA steampunk novel set in a Victorian, patriarchal world with spaceships and nano-lifted skirts. Whether in the Southampton slums, the upper-class ballrooms, or a sleek spaceship headed for a new colony, the setting was well executed, and all of these different perspectives combined to provide a world that felt complete.
The novel follows two primary characters: Diana, a noble-turned-pickpocket, and Derek, a revolutionary-turned-policeman. For me, Diana’s perspective was the more engaging of the two, but my absolute favorite character has to be Tipper, a young and hopelessly optimistic streetrat who’s akin to Diana’s younger brother. All of the characters, both those I adored or despised, came across as real people, each with their own meaningful motivations. For example, though Diana did have a bit of a “not like other girls” perspective, it was at least somewhat nuanced. She could love math and science and appreciate the usefulness of trousers without entirely eschewing femininity and the enjoyment of wearing a beautiful ballgown.
Time for a few nitpicky complaints. Despite my appreciation for most of the characters, the romance wasn’t particularly compelling for me. The initial difference in power between the two love interests was unsettling, but thankfully it was somewhat of a slow burn and didn’t get in the way of the individuals’ character developments. I also would have really liked to see more of Diana’s mathematical ability in action. We were often told how it helps her to navigate crowds and predict spaceship trajectories, but there were only a couple of times when we actually got to see her actively make use of it.
I found Star Compass to be quite an entertaining read, and it inspired me to look out for more books by the author and in the steampunk genre. However, at least from my perspective, this book is much more science fiction than it is fantasy. So although I recommend that you consider giving it a try, I can’t say that it belongs in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off.
Find more reviews and other bookish content on my blog!
December 24, 2019
I love it when an author “fave” comes out with a new book and series. So no shocker that I was delighted to see that Anthea Sharp had done so. The book here is Star Compass, first in her new Victoria Eternal series and it is, quite frankly, totally superb. I actually first came across (a slightly version of) this story in the Dominion Rising collection (separately reviewed), which I think is unfortunately no longer available for sale. I loved the story then and, if anything, it’s been improved on. I’m a huge fan of the Firefly series (and the movie Serenity), and of Lois McMaster Bujold’s books. I agree with the publisher’s blurb that if you like them you’ll love this book. Diana Smythe is a wonderfully complex and superb leading lady here, and Derek Byrne is just about as superb. Added to a crazy-cool sci-fi steampunk universe created for the series, and a superb supporting cast, and I know that the series here is going to be superb. It’s first book certainly was and I highly recommend it.
May 1, 2021
I love steampunk stories, and this one did not disappoint. The characters were fun and it was easy to get drawn into their lives and the environment. It was a great retelling of Oliver Twist with a strong female lead and set in the future under the base of a starship station. The kids in this story beg and steal to survive while dreaming of one day stowing away on one of the starships and making a new, less dreary or dangerous life. I certainly hope there will be more novels in this series! Well written, and left me wanting lots more. I’ll try to find the several short stories in this series.
December 31, 2020
Diana, Derek, Tipper
Diana Smythe is a street rat, and a pickpocket, although she remembers fragments of her young previous life in the nobility. She befriends a constable, Derek, who is Irish and has links to the Irish underground. She is a math whiz, is able to predict navigation paths, and ends up earning a position with the spaceport.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
Diana Smythe is a street rat, and a pickpocket, although she remembers fragments of her young previous life in the nobility. She befriends a constable, Derek, who is Irish and has links to the Irish underground. She is a math whiz, is able to predict navigation paths, and ends up earning a position with the spaceport.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
February 26, 2018
This story is part of the Dominion Rising HUGE package. I really didn't like it even though I did actually finish it. I like SF, but this isn't it. There should have been a lot more science in this. Only in cartoons do you get to and from Jupiter in one day. This is more of a romance story, which I don't like at all.
December 9, 2020
Really excellent
This was an excellent story. Interesting characters, who wouldn’t love a heroine with a mathematical superpower and the guts to pursue it. A handsome police officer, a noble villain, a kindly and perceptive Director and the engagingly mischievous sidekick.
A fun read!
This was an excellent story. Interesting characters, who wouldn’t love a heroine with a mathematical superpower and the guts to pursue it. A handsome police officer, a noble villain, a kindly and perceptive Director and the engagingly mischievous sidekick.
A fun read!
April 24, 2025
A lovely book.
I wish kindle didn’t need more words to leave your positive review, but they do. The characters are real and believable, the amount of danger to be overcome is just right, and you are rooting for the main characters to have a good ending. I can’t tell you if they do or don’t, you will have to read that for yourself.
I wish kindle didn’t need more words to leave your positive review, but they do. The characters are real and believable, the amount of danger to be overcome is just right, and you are rooting for the main characters to have a good ending. I can’t tell you if they do or don’t, you will have to read that for yourself.
September 30, 2017
I found this was a waist of time to read. I have read other books from this author and just found them lacking. I lose interest quickly and I don't find anything worth reading in them. If you choose to read good luck.
December 26, 2019
Way to roll sci-fi, steampunk, and romance into one gloriously satisfying story. This was a well-developed world with memorable characters and relationships I bought into at every step of the way. I’m a fan.
January 26, 2021
Steampunk with horse drawn carriages and space ships. This didn't always jibe. I liked the story and the characters were fun, a street rat named Diver and Tipper her charge and a constable who looked out for them. The story was quite unbelievable but still fun. A quick read.
June 6, 2021
Powerfully crafted story by a very talented writer
Clever mix of layers of cultures interacting to live together and improve their ability to deal with space age travel. All while fighting greed and other human frailties.
Clever mix of layers of cultures interacting to live together and improve their ability to deal with space age travel. All while fighting greed and other human frailties.
August 25, 2023
Very enjoyable steampunk riches to rags to riches story. Mild romantic exploits which honestly would have made the book better without being added. But a fun romp through a space traveling Victorian England.
dnf
December 9, 2019Sadly I don't think this is for me
December 19, 2019
Very enjoyable read. Didn't want to put it down, finished it in almost a day!
November 3, 2020
Great
Loved it. Could not get enough of it. Wish there was lots more! Loved Di and her devotion to Tipper. A great story.
Loved it. Could not get enough of it. Wish there was lots more! Loved Di and her devotion to Tipper. A great story.
November 11, 2020
Entertaining enough but rather short.
December 26, 2020
3.5 stars
September 25, 2021
A delightful adventure
Engaging characters, fun story with an “Annie” feel- rags to riches to real life in the best way. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Engaging characters, fun story with an “Annie” feel- rags to riches to real life in the best way. Can’t wait to read the next book.
October 23, 2023
This is a really excellent read. Great world and fun characters, with just the right amount of romance.
July 3, 2022
Hidden Figures meets Anastasia in Victorian England but make it steampunk.
If you like historical romance but also sci-fi, this is the standalone novel for you!
Alternate history is one of my favourite genres, but when it is done right: here it was!
I like books set in the Victorian setting, but the downside is the absence of modernity (which I like too): by creating this world, the author fixes it.
The story is interesting and the characters (especially the two narrators) are very well-crafted.
Even if the ending is perfect and satisfying, I wish I could read more about these characters (or even about new characters, just to stay in this world a bit longer).
To fill the void, I’ll read some other books from the author: I liked her writing style and, hence, her other series will have to do!
If you like historical romance but also sci-fi, this is the standalone novel for you!
Alternate history is one of my favourite genres, but when it is done right: here it was!
I like books set in the Victorian setting, but the downside is the absence of modernity (which I like too): by creating this world, the author fixes it.
The story is interesting and the characters (especially the two narrators) are very well-crafted.
Even if the ending is perfect and satisfying, I wish I could read more about these characters (or even about new characters, just to stay in this world a bit longer).
To fill the void, I’ll read some other books from the author: I liked her writing style and, hence, her other series will have to do!
June 8, 2022
3.5 stars.
The concept was interesting, but some parts felt a bit slow. I found the characters hard to relate to as well, but the plot was intriguing.
The concept was interesting, but some parts felt a bit slow. I found the characters hard to relate to as well, but the plot was intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews