Larklight

The Larklight Trilogy[1] is a steam-punkish sci-fi/fantasy work set in the Victorian Era of an alternative reality where Sir Isaac Newton discovered alchemical secrets which enabled space travel. Space is filled with ether, the space ships are winged versions of sailing ships – many of which can fly faster than light – and most of the planets in our solar system have fascinating societies, inhabitants, and histories.

I really can’t do justice to the creativity of the series, without spoiling things. (I’d highly recommend not reading the Wikipedia entry or other spoilers.) The voice acting on the audio CD’s is first-rate and I’d highly recommend listening to it if you can. The story has a stunning range of imagination, and a well-thought-out arc across the trilogy.

Bartimaeus

The Bartimaeus Sequence[2] is a fantasy work that is, by coincidence, also set in the Victorian Era of an alternative reality where magicians rule the world, though magic does not work in the way you might imagine.

As with Larklight, I really can’t do justice to the series without spoiling it for you. And the voice acting on the audio CD is also first-rate. (I’d recommend starting with the first book, The Amulet of Samarkand, and save reading the prequel, The Ring of Solomon for last.)

If you like good sci-fi/fantasy and you’ve missed these children’s books, you simply must get these on audio CD and sit back and enjoy their wonderful worlds!