Cyrus Darian And The Ghastly Horde

Cyrus Darian And The Ghastly Horde: A Penny Dreadful Review

            It is certainly a bother to return from a holiday to find problems waiting on one’s doorstep. The necromancer and alchemist Cyrus Darian arrives home after a well-deserved vacation to discover an army of ghosts awaiting him. And he can’t make them leave.

            Cyrus Darian and the Ghastly Horde is the sequel to Raven Dane’s gripping masterpiece Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron. The plot is just as fascinating and twisted as the plot in the previous book. The reader is treated to lots of familiar faces (well, as much as the face of a shapeshifter can be called familiar), and a lot of new people appear as well. There are occult mechanisms, international travel, government conspiracies, revenge, sex, love, airships, and plenty of the callous, selfish Cyrus Darian himself. There’s also a breathtaking submarine in this book, as well as strong ladies who know their minds.

            Raven Dane creates excellent characters. No one is simple, and no one acts without several reasons. Her prose is vivid, putting the reader smack dab in the middle of the action, whether it’s an airship battle or a seduction.

            Unfortunately, parts of this book seem as if they’ve been written in a rush. Words are not as carefully chosen. This is a bit disappointing from an author I’ve come to adore.

            I give Cyrus Darian and the Ghastly Horde three and a half gears out of five. I highly recommend plunging into the adventures of this fascinating anti-hero. I am left with only one question. Where’s the next book?

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

Madame Butterscotch

Madam Butterscotch: A Penny Dreadful Review

            As I perused the Aethernet one fine evening, I stumbled across a webcomic containing such intrigue that I was afraid it might in fact be confidential. Fortunately, no one has come to kill me for daring to read it, so I thought I’d give it a review. I present to you Madam Butterscotch, written and drawn by the talented Lisa Cummins.

            The subject of this tale of intrigue. Espionage, and assassination is an assassin who favors a genteel mode of dress and behavior. A Steampunk ninja, if you will. She is the titular Madam Butterscotch.

            Several years ago, Madam Butterscotch left the illicit employer Collaboration Of Organized Killing, or C.O.O.K. This deadly organization is populated by operatives with fanciful and delicious names like Madame Crumble and Master Cranachan. Now, they have found their lost lamb Madame Butterscotch, and they need her back. Madame Butterscotch, meanwhile, is trying to live a normal life as Tilda Llwellyn, the owner of a vintage tea room. Her daughter has no idea about her mother’s violent past.

My favorite part of this comic is the way Madam Butterscotch names her guns after tea. She has a shotgun called Earl Grey. I love this woman. I look forward to seeing this character develop.

This is a relatively new comic, and it roundly deserves your support. I award it three gears out of five. Do give Madam Butterscotch a try! It can be found at http://madambutterscotch.smackjeeves.com/

Your Correspondent From The Aethernet,

Penny J. Merriweather

Kisses By Clockwork

Kisses By Clockwork: Stories Of Steampunk And Romance, A Penny Dreadful Review

            When I opened the book Kisses By Clockwork, I expected a collection of stories set in Australia. This is not what I found. Editor Liz Grzyb instead brought me an anthology of the world. This excellent stories take the reader from Italy to London to snowy villages in the Alps to kingdoms that have never existed in alternate Africas. And yes, at last, I got to read Steampunk stories set in Australia. What’s more, these were brilliant!

            Several stories deserve special mention, such as “Siri and the Chaos Maker” by Carol Ryles, a beautiful melody of a fable, and “Love In The Time Of Clockwork Horses” by Rebecca Harwell, which featured lesbians, clockwork horses, and first love. Some stories stretched the definition of romance a bit far for me, and I felt that one story was a bit of a muddled mess. I won’t tell you which one I disliked, because it could turn out to be your favorite! Love is different for everyone.

            I could not end this review without telling you of “A Clockwork Heart” by Amanda Pillar, a story of magical abilities and a pairing of necessity transforming into true love. It also features the most adorable conclusion!

            My second favorite tale was “South, To Glory!” by D. C. White. It’s the hilarious tale of the All-England Monocle-Polishing Champion, Preston Featherstone, and his fiancé, who turns out to be a spy. And who could forget his man Bunny, a stolid, indispensible person who can steer a rocket-powered zeppelin bike. It’s goofy, implausible, and thoroughly enjoyable.

            My absolute favorite tale in this tome would certainly have to be “Lady Presto Magnifico and the Disappearing Glass Ceiling” by Katrina Nicholson. It is a sweet story of espionage, inventions, and just desserts. There’s a lady magician, an automaton, and strides toward gender equality. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert even make an appearance!

            I give this anthology three and a half gears out of five. The stories inside are varied and brilliant. I utterly enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend Kisses By Clockwork!

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

Alice In Zombieland

Alice in Zombieland: A Penny Dreadful Review
 
          It was inevitable. With the popularity of zombies and the allure of Alice in Wonderland, someone was bound to combine these things. That someone is Nickolas Cook. The mashup he has created is Alice in Zombieland, and I must say it has turned out all right.
          Alice is much as you will remember her, but Wonderland is quite altered. There is no Mock Turtle, only a Corpse Turtle. The White Rabbit is transformed into a Black Rat. The Red Queen commands an undead horde. Mr. Cook has kept some of the original words and tone, yet made the story his own. I have seen better mashups, but I have seen many worse.
          I give Alice in Zombieland three and a half gears out of five. If you enjoy twisted classics, you will not want to miss this one.

Your Correspondent from the Bookstore,
Penny J. Merriweather