Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy Fiction
Setting: New York in the 1880s.
In this steampunk novel, the City of New York has been protected for years by a group of superheroes called the Paragons. The Paragons use the power of mechanics and steam to enhance their physical abilities. Professor Dennis Darby is the genius behind their incredible steam powered machines. The members of the Paragons include the Industrialist, the Sleuth, the Iron Clad, the Submersible, and the Turbine. Working with the Paragons is Professor Darby's most incredible invention: the mechanical man called the Automaton. The Paragons have two major problems: they are getting on in age and at least two of them are traitors.
While inspecting the the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, Professor Darby is assassinated. With him is Sarah Stanton, the daughter of the leader of the Paragons, and the Automaton. Sarah soon discovers that Professor Darby has been killed by members of an evil group called the Children of Eschaton. Members of this group include Bomb Lance, Rapid Fire, Doc Dynamite, and the enigmatic Lord Eschaton.
Sara wants to take an active role in investigating the crimes of the Children of Eschaton. However she is hindered by the common beliefs about how women are supposed to behave in the 1880s. Sara befriends the Automaton and together they begin to uncover the mystery of Lord Eschaton.
This is the first novel of a planned series of novels. The author introduces us to the characters and the setting. The plot lines are begun, but there are no resolutions. If this novel were a movie, it would end with "To Be Continued."
I enjoyed this book. I might even look for the second installment of the series to see what happens next. If you are into steampunk, this American version of the genre might be of interest.
The Society of Steam, Book One
The Falling Machine
The Society of Steam, Book Two
Hearts of Smoke and Steam
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Wildcats of Exeter by Edward Marston
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Eleventh century England
The king's commissioners, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, have been sent to Exeter to settle some land disputes. Just before their arrival, the owner of several disputed properties, Nickolas Picard, is savagely murdered. Now there are five different claimants to Picard's property: his wife, his mistress, an elderly Saxon, a lady of the town, and the abbot of Tavistock.
It soon becomes apparent to Delchard and Bret that the murder is somehow connected to their investigations. As they gather evidence, one of the king's commissioners is murdered in a similar manner to the first murder. Delchard and Brent will not stop until the identity of the the killer is discovered. They believe that if they find the murderer they will also find the true owner of the disputed lands.
Added to the importance of solving the murder is another pressing issue. Gervase is due to be married at Winchester soon. Will they solve the mystery and get Gervase to the church on time?
This novel is the eighth volume of Marston's Domesday Book series. As usual, he has written a pleasant mystery with a great plot. And, of course, some of the best dialog I have ever read!
The Wildcats of Exeter
Setting: Eleventh century England
The king's commissioners, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, have been sent to Exeter to settle some land disputes. Just before their arrival, the owner of several disputed properties, Nickolas Picard, is savagely murdered. Now there are five different claimants to Picard's property: his wife, his mistress, an elderly Saxon, a lady of the town, and the abbot of Tavistock.
It soon becomes apparent to Delchard and Bret that the murder is somehow connected to their investigations. As they gather evidence, one of the king's commissioners is murdered in a similar manner to the first murder. Delchard and Brent will not stop until the identity of the the killer is discovered. They believe that if they find the murderer they will also find the true owner of the disputed lands.
Added to the importance of solving the murder is another pressing issue. Gervase is due to be married at Winchester soon. Will they solve the mystery and get Gervase to the church on time?
This novel is the eighth volume of Marston's Domesday Book series. As usual, he has written a pleasant mystery with a great plot. And, of course, some of the best dialog I have ever read!
The Wildcats of Exeter
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sleep of Death by Philip Gooden
Genre: Historical Mystery
In this novel we have a play within a play within a mystery within a novel.
The play is Hamlet by William Shakespeare. In this play Hamlet returns home to find that his father is dead and his uncle has married his mother. Hamlet soon discovers that his father has been murdered. To uncover the murderer, he stages a play which reenacts the murder. He finds that his uncle has killed his father.
In this novel, the main character, Nick Revill, is an actor with the Chamberlain's Men. This is the group for which Shakespeare writes plays. They have staged Hamlet several times. Revill meets William Eliot. Eliot has an interesting story. It seems that his father has died in circumstances similar to Hamlet's father. And Eliot's uncle has married his mother. Struck by the similarities between the play and his real life, Eliot asks Revill to help him investigate his father's death. As Revill investigates, the clues seem to point to Shakespeare as the possible murderer.
The author has organized the novel into a play-like structure. Like Shakespeare's plays there is a prologue, five acts, and an epilogue. The story itself is a pleasant read through Elizabethan London, the theater, the pubs, and the houses of ill repute. The author moves the story along and provides the clues needed to solve the mystery before the final act. Like Hamlet, a play is used to reveal the villain. Unlike Hamlet, everybody doesn't die in the final scene.
I enjoyed this novel. It was a nice read. And I always feel victorious when I solve the mystery before the author reveals the solution.
Sleep of Death
In this novel we have a play within a play within a mystery within a novel.
The play is Hamlet by William Shakespeare. In this play Hamlet returns home to find that his father is dead and his uncle has married his mother. Hamlet soon discovers that his father has been murdered. To uncover the murderer, he stages a play which reenacts the murder. He finds that his uncle has killed his father.
In this novel, the main character, Nick Revill, is an actor with the Chamberlain's Men. This is the group for which Shakespeare writes plays. They have staged Hamlet several times. Revill meets William Eliot. Eliot has an interesting story. It seems that his father has died in circumstances similar to Hamlet's father. And Eliot's uncle has married his mother. Struck by the similarities between the play and his real life, Eliot asks Revill to help him investigate his father's death. As Revill investigates, the clues seem to point to Shakespeare as the possible murderer.
The author has organized the novel into a play-like structure. Like Shakespeare's plays there is a prologue, five acts, and an epilogue. The story itself is a pleasant read through Elizabethan London, the theater, the pubs, and the houses of ill repute. The author moves the story along and provides the clues needed to solve the mystery before the final act. Like Hamlet, a play is used to reveal the villain. Unlike Hamlet, everybody doesn't die in the final scene.
I enjoyed this novel. It was a nice read. And I always feel victorious when I solve the mystery before the author reveals the solution.
Sleep of Death
Friday, September 9, 2011
Dead Iron by Devon Monk
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy
Setting: Oregon Territory in the age of steam.
Steampunk is one of the most exciting sub genres of fantasy fiction. Generally, these novels are set in Victorian England in the late 1800's. Steampunk novels envision a time when when steam engines powered by burning wood and coal are the dominant energy source. In these novels there are steam powered trains, airships, mechanical computers, and automatons. Often there are elements of the occult, alchemy, dark magic, and supernatural powers and beings.
Monk transports the steampunk genre into the American West. In her novel she combines the elements of steampunk and the Western. In the main character Cedar Hunt, we have the outsider with a tortured past. He has been burdened by an awful curse. And he is a hired gun. He is looked down upon by the people of the town. Yet they go to him when they need someone or something to die. His innate sense of honor forces him to undertake a dangerous mission that probably will cost him his life, without pay.
The railroad is soon to arrive in town. It comes with strange machines, strange goings on, and strange beings. The rail tycoon, Shard Lafel, has his own curse to deal with. Within days he must orchestrate the deaths of a witch, a wolf, and a child. If he is successful, he will control incredible evil power.
In the town there are other outcasts: the odd orphan girl who can hear nature and devise machines, the three brothers who work in a mine and suddenly appear at the most opportune times, the witch who vowed her soul to the town's only a black worker, and her husband who was killed three times yet wouldn't stay dead. Can all these outcasts with different powers find a way to defeat the evil that has invaded the town?
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first in a series of novels which will explore the Old West through a steampunk lens. I liked Monk's writing style. She skips back and forth between her characters and moves the plot forward. The novel was a real page turner and I finished it too fast. I am going to watch for the next books in the series.
Dead Iron
Setting: Oregon Territory in the age of steam.
Steampunk is one of the most exciting sub genres of fantasy fiction. Generally, these novels are set in Victorian England in the late 1800's. Steampunk novels envision a time when when steam engines powered by burning wood and coal are the dominant energy source. In these novels there are steam powered trains, airships, mechanical computers, and automatons. Often there are elements of the occult, alchemy, dark magic, and supernatural powers and beings.
Monk transports the steampunk genre into the American West. In her novel she combines the elements of steampunk and the Western. In the main character Cedar Hunt, we have the outsider with a tortured past. He has been burdened by an awful curse. And he is a hired gun. He is looked down upon by the people of the town. Yet they go to him when they need someone or something to die. His innate sense of honor forces him to undertake a dangerous mission that probably will cost him his life, without pay.
The railroad is soon to arrive in town. It comes with strange machines, strange goings on, and strange beings. The rail tycoon, Shard Lafel, has his own curse to deal with. Within days he must orchestrate the deaths of a witch, a wolf, and a child. If he is successful, he will control incredible evil power.
In the town there are other outcasts: the odd orphan girl who can hear nature and devise machines, the three brothers who work in a mine and suddenly appear at the most opportune times, the witch who vowed her soul to the town's only a black worker, and her husband who was killed three times yet wouldn't stay dead. Can all these outcasts with different powers find a way to defeat the evil that has invaded the town?
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first in a series of novels which will explore the Old West through a steampunk lens. I liked Monk's writing style. She skips back and forth between her characters and moves the plot forward. The novel was a real page turner and I finished it too fast. I am going to watch for the next books in the series.
Dead Iron
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
See Delphi and Die by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ancient Rome, 76AD
This novel is one of Davis's Marcus Didius Falco Mystery series. The main character is Falco. He is an informer. He gets paid to find information, and sometimes solve murder mysteries. He usually works for clients, but occasionally he does jobs for the Emperor. He has worked his way up from the mean streets. In this novel, he has attained equestrian rank, and has married his long time girl friend, Helena Justina, who is the daughter of a Senator.
Falco has a very interesting family life. Between his wife, daughters, mother, sisters, Pa, and in-laws, Falco has plenty to deal with. Often they somehow become involved in his investigations. This novel is an example.
Falco's wife is not a typical Roman woman. She is educated and independent. And she has been a part of his investigations for several years. As a favor to her, Falco has let her brothers help him with his investigations. Now one of her brothers has gone off to Greece to get an education. While there, he has become involved in a murder mystery involving a second rate travel company.
Falco and Helena, and a group of family members, go off to Greece to find the wayward brother, and to solve the mystery. The plot then takes us on a grand tour of ancient Greek tourist stops: Olympia, Delphi, and Athens.
I always enjoy the Falco novels. Falco doesn't sound like your Shakespearean Roman, but like someone who has paid his dues. This novel is no exception. It is a fantastic read. And the real kicker is that it has one of the best endings that I've ever read!
See Delhi and Die
Setting: Ancient Rome, 76AD
This novel is one of Davis's Marcus Didius Falco Mystery series. The main character is Falco. He is an informer. He gets paid to find information, and sometimes solve murder mysteries. He usually works for clients, but occasionally he does jobs for the Emperor. He has worked his way up from the mean streets. In this novel, he has attained equestrian rank, and has married his long time girl friend, Helena Justina, who is the daughter of a Senator.
Falco has a very interesting family life. Between his wife, daughters, mother, sisters, Pa, and in-laws, Falco has plenty to deal with. Often they somehow become involved in his investigations. This novel is an example.
Falco's wife is not a typical Roman woman. She is educated and independent. And she has been a part of his investigations for several years. As a favor to her, Falco has let her brothers help him with his investigations. Now one of her brothers has gone off to Greece to get an education. While there, he has become involved in a murder mystery involving a second rate travel company.
Falco and Helena, and a group of family members, go off to Greece to find the wayward brother, and to solve the mystery. The plot then takes us on a grand tour of ancient Greek tourist stops: Olympia, Delphi, and Athens.
I always enjoy the Falco novels. Falco doesn't sound like your Shakespearean Roman, but like someone who has paid his dues. This novel is no exception. It is a fantastic read. And the real kicker is that it has one of the best endings that I've ever read!
See Delhi and Die
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