Space Captain Smith

Space Captain Smith: A Penny Dreadful Review

            You know it is going to be a wonderful book when you start chuckling on the first page. I laughed all the way through Space Captain Smith by Toby Frost, and I bet you will, too.

            Isembard Smith is a desk-clerk from the British Empire, which spans several planets. He is given a run-down spaceship, a pilot who is a sexbot who faked her credentials, and a mission he was never supposed to complete. He must transport a magical hippie chick to a safe location, despite aliens and cultists who want to use her for their own nefarious purposes.

            Toby Frost is a comic genius. He has an excellent grasp of the absurd. Space Captain Smith is loaded with satirical jibes and pop culture references. There’s a cyberpunk planet, there’s a War of the Worlds Martian, and there’s a chapter entitled, “Ho-Down Of The Damned.” This is a silly, silly book. It reminds me a bit of Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy with a Steampunk twist.

            I give this silliness four and a half gears out of five. It is an excellent addition to any adult’s library. Space Captain Smith is the perfect book-shaped companion for when you need a good laugh and feel like reading something with aliens in.

Your Correspondent from the Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

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

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

Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron

Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron: A Penny Dreadful Review

I couldn't tell you why Cyrus Darian is such a compelling character. I should hate him. He's callous and depraved, selfish and cruel, bosom buddies with a prince of Hell, and a womanizer. Yet he has a "deadly charisma," an odd compassion for his team, and an insatiable curiosity that I love. Once Raven Dane's anti-hero hears about a mysterious tome called the Technomicron, he can't resist the chase. And I couldn't resist this book.

Arranged in short, action-packed nuggets, Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron is easy to "just one more chapter" all night. Full of twists and adventures, it is a sheer delight to read. The plot, much like the main character, does not always tread the expected dance. This can be a bit disorienting, but it's a hell of a ride.

Raven Dane creates brilliant characters. From the gambling inventor Hardwick to the tortured and beautiful Prince Belial, each is unforgettable and unique. Even minor players shine. Fancy Dan, a brute that appears in about three scenes, has a backstory, dreams, and life (well, until he dies).

The Victorian Steampunk Society voted this book the best novel of 2011. They certainly knew what they were talking about. This book contains horror, sex, and a very bad man - and that's just the hero! I give Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron four and a half gears out of five. The best part is that it is the beginning of a series!

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

The Kinsey House

The Kinsey House: A Penny Dreadful Review 

            Comics aren’t just for children. They can and often do deal with adult themes. The Kinsey House is one that is most definitely not safe for work. There is a version that is not quite as graphic, but still might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Indeed, it is not my usual flavor, but I enjoyed it quite a bit!

            Oren Peters needs to find work and fast if he wants to avoid being drafted into the military. He accepts the first suitable job offer, which was perhaps not the wisest thing to do. Oren’s new employer is the mysterious Mr. Kinsey, who lives in a mansion populated by very attractive servants. Mr. Kinsey services the town’s clockwork and seems to be haunted by a sinister shadow being. I suspect something sorcerous may be occurring. Mr. Kinsey has certain needs of the flesh, which his attractive staff is obligated to fulfill. This is why this comic is not safe for work.

            I like the art in this comic quite a bit. The character designs are all very different – it would be difficult to mistake anyone for anyone else. The colors are rich, the anatomy is, er, quite realistic and lovely, and the settings are lavish.

            I give The Kinsey House four point five gears out of five.  There is some nudity and adult themes, so it may not be for everyone, but if you are brave enough to read it, I feel sure you will enjoy it.

Your Correspondent From The Aethernet,

Penny J. Merriweather