Everything's Got Soul, a steampunk novella by Brian Thomas, takes place in a slightly altered London in the 1850s. Sir Benjamin Baines owns half of the East India Company and has slaves in the Canary Islands, but a Black teenage aristocrat, Dido, is making him nervous. The queen frowns upon slavery, and Dido informs her daughter that Baines is trading slaves. When confronted by the queen's consort, Baines denies it, but he is dismissed from the palace. Dido enlists the help of Jack, a numbers genius, Captain Mark Carter, Gerard Newell, a leading scientist, and his wife, Mary. They make a plan to rescue the people Baines has taken as slaves and, using their scientific minds, destroy his grand ship.

Brian Thomas's story is a lovely mix of intellect and beauty. The author references works like those by William Blake and gives his characters more life as they recite them. Even if the reader is unaware of some of his references, the author explains them clearly in the footnotes at the end of each chapter. Dido is a beautiful character, inside and out, and her words are eloquent, even though the ideas they convey may be seen as bold. With young teenagers at its center, the narrative has many emotions and surprising statements, but Thomas focuses more on their scientific abilities and the problems they face than he does on a blossoming romance. Readers who enjoy young adult stories with action, adventure, and strong intellectual characters will like Everything's Got Soul.

Everything’s Got Soul: A Philosophical Adventure by Brian Thomas is a sea adventure set in England in 1850. After being unceremoniously dismissed from Buckingham Palace by Prince Charles on accusations of his involvement in the slave trade, Sir Benjamin Baines knows his archenemy and swears to bring her down. Dido, the first African aristocrat, is busy gathering recruits to take down Baines’ ship and rescue the slaves locked within. She meets thirteen-year-old Jack, a genius who works at the pneumatic express, and together, they dodge Baines’ antics and join an army of sailors and scientists willing to free the souls trapped in Baines’ ship.

Everything’s Got Souls is a captivating adventure that skillfully intertwines action with technology and slavery in England at the time. This book is plot-driven, laced with a fast-paced narrative and action-packed scenes. This novella offers no dull moments and promises to sweep readers into a time machine that transports them to a thrilling experience set in another time. Although the brevity does not leave much room for character exploration, the protagonist, Dido, shines as a patriotic character, well-versed in poetry, strong-willed, and willing to stand up for justice. Dido’s portrayal reflects her beauty and boldness, mirroring the captivating cover art. Author Brian Thomas impressed me greatly with his research, evidenced by the comprehensive references he provided after each chapter, lending credibility to his claims. Overall, Everything’s Got Souls educates readers that you’re never too old to make a difference and is ideal for those who seek an immersive adventure they can devour in one sitting.