Rise of the Steam Goddess

Rise Of The Steam Goddess: A Penny Dreadful Review

Unbeknownst to anyone save Ben Hamby, the author, the Vatican maintains a secret group comprised of individuals who are not altogether natural. This group contains a vampire struggling against his curse, a werewolf, the unfortunate maid of Dr. Jekyll who has inherited her master’s formula and his genius, a Russian water spirit, the illegitimate descendent of Victor Frankenstein, and a mysterious, terrifying woman named Jack. The Vatican sends this team out to investigate such things as living gargoyles, vampire nests in Venice, and a cult hijacking the Chicago World Fair. Does this sound like a promising premise? Yes. Yes it does.
Rise Of The Steam Goddess starts out well. The team investigates – and eliminates – the bulk of a nasty vampire nest. Then, several years later, a cult tied to these creatures surfaces… There is no shortage of adventure, well-crafted battle scenes, drama, and danger. The characters are well-defined, and their interplay is fascinating and often hilarious (particularly when the werewolf is involved).
However, this book isn’t flawless. Let me start with structure: the prologue is longer than most of the subsequent chapters and really ought to be Chapters 1 through 4. Let me move on to prose: the text could have used the stern hand of an editor to make the events truly leap off the page. Let me finish with plot: Victoria Frankenstein is the odd character out. She is not explained or fleshed out as well as the others and disappears for a good chunk of the book. I wish we’d gotten more scenes with her – I feel it would have heightened the stakes, clarified her motives, and added to the poignancy of the ending.
All in all, though, I would certainly recommend this book. The price of admission is well worth the adventure and discoveries contained within. The world it describes is an exciting one, the characters loveable, and the Steam Goddess frightening. In addition, fans of the band Abney Park will definitely want this book for a certain cameo appearance.
         I award Rise Of The Steam Goddess three gears out of five. It is well worth a read. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Steam-Goddess-Ben-Hamby/dp/0985589604



Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,
Penny J. Merriweather

Far West

Far West: A Penny Dreadful Review

It seems to me, as it seemed to Richard Moore, that the land of Faerie must have had a Wild West sort of era. Behold Far West, the adventures of a bounty-hunting duo in a crazy desert full of trolls and shapeshifters.
Meg is a tough spitfire of an elf who dislikes trousers. She plunges into adventures with much less planning than her partner Phil would like.  Phil is a talking and shooting bear. Together, they track down train-robbing, dragon-riding outlaws, duel with water demons in the bathtub (ok, Meg was on her own for that one), flirt with centaurs (also Meg), and cross dress (Phil, for a distraction). Far West is crammed with adventure and humor.
If you are offended by a little bit of cartoon elf bosom or by explicitly male dragons, stay away from this one. There’s a bit of nudity, but nothing X-rated occurs.  I would not recommend this one for children, due to a little adult language and innuendo, not to mention toplessness, but I would allow it into the hands of a young teen with no reservations.  In fact, I would enthusiastically recommend this for any fan of fantasy or Weird West.
I give Far West four and a half gears out of five.  I would say I had a blast reading this, but it would seem a bit gauche considering that the characters have a brush with TNT. Pick up a copy of Far West from Antarctic Press. You will not regret meeting Meg and Phil. Unless you are an outlaw.

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,
Penny J. Merriweather

Blameless

Blameless:  A Penny Dreadful Review

Blameless is the third volume of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series.  It is a delightful addition.  The end of the story made me jump for joy in an undignified manner.
This series improves with each new book.  I expect it is the combination of the author gaining experience and the characters’ gaining depth and development.  There’s so much to explore in this world.
Alexia Maccon nee Tarabotti is ruined.  Someone, almost certainly her sister Felicity, has leaked to the press the fact that she is in an indelicate condition.  Since her husband is a werewolf, society thinks that he cannot be the father of her imminent baby, even though it cannot be anyone else.  Her husband has thrown her out of his manor, her family has thrown her out of their home, and her dear vampire friend Lord Akeldama has vanished.  To make matters worse, someone is trying to kill her with mechanical ladybugs.  Alexia embarks on a journey to the continent in search of evidence that it is possible for a werewolf to father a child with a preternatural such as herself.
Everything I loved about the previous books is present.  The characters so real they call on one and invite one to tea, the enchanting turns of phrase, the inventive supernatural world of Ms. Carriger’s London (and in this case Florence), and Lord Akeldama.
        There is an interesting subplot wherein the reader learns more about Professor Lyall, Lord Maccon’s second in command over the werewolf pack. Lord Akeldama’s favorite drone Biffy gets upgraded from fun minor character to major plot point.  Also, pesto is revealed to be a secret weapon against vampires (the garlic) and werewolves (Ms. Carriger’s werewolves are allergic to basil).  A tasty, tasty weapon.
I give this book four and a half gears out of five.  If you will excuse me, I need to go badger a bookstore to obtain the next book, Heartless.

Your Correspondent from the Bookstore,
Penny J. Merriweather

Widdershins

Widdershins: A Penny Dreadful Review

            Here’s a delightful webcomic about magic – both stage magic and real magic. In this version of Victorian England, there are both, you see, and magic vies with mechanisms for dominance. In Widdershins, by Kate Ashwin, anything can happen!

            There’s Sidney Malik, a hapless, accident-prone wizard and street musician with an embarrassing curse and a talent for getting into trouble. There’s Harriet “Harry” Barber, a gruff, redheaded bounty hunter with a magic-sniffing dog. There’s Mal, an illiterate ruffian with the ability to see magical constructs, and Wolfe, a German violinist with unfailing optimism and a kind heart. You will love each and every one of them.

            You won’t be able to get enough of the marvelous, lively characters in this comic. They are all fascinating, memorable, and unique. You will wait on tenterhooks for their next appearance, for the next revelation about their past, for their next adventure. And they do have such adventures!

I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I shall check back on this comic regularly.

            I give this webcomic five gears out of five. It updates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and you can find it here: http://www.widdershinscomic.com/ I highly recommend taking a peek.

Your Correspondent From The Aethernet,

Penny J. Merriweather

The City Of Ember

The City of Ember Series: A Penny Dreadful Review

            The world ended in bombs and disease. Survivors struggled to rebuild society from scratch in a deadly game of trial and error. Meanwhile, a secret city thrives underground, a failsafe or a backup plan, if you will, built by scientists and engineers who feared looming disaster. Hundreds of years ago, the city was stocked with everything the population could need and sealed away from the world. This is the city of Ember.

            But Ember’s supplies can’t last forever. As their generator falters and the food vanishes, something must be done. Two brave children, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, embark on a quest to save their city.

            And that’s only the first book.

            The author, Jeanne DuPrau, is a master of human nature. She explores all the things fear can do, how wars start, and all the permutations of human kindness. The child heroes of this city do more than save their families: they save themselves and they save the future. I love the humanity of her characters – they dream and grow, make mistakes, learn, and seem even more human than most humans I know.

            There’s a graphic novel series of these books, opening up access to those who can’t yet read chapterbooks. The art is expressive and lovely, and the story is at bottom the same, but certain things get left out. And yes, someone’s made a movie. I have yet to see it, however, and I cannot tell you if it is a good adaptation.

The unmistakable Steampunk optimism runs throughout the City of Ember series. There’s the sense that yes, the world is broken, but if we put our minds to it, we can fix everything. Ingenuity answers our questions and solves our problems.

            Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember series might just restore your faith in humanity. It’s a wonderful series, appropriate for even those Steampunks that are just starting to read longer books. I give it a four and a half gears out of five. Pick this up for your young ones today. Tomorrow may be too late!

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

Captains Stupendous

Captains Stupendous: A Penny Dreadful Review

            This week, I encountered the most absurd work of literary brilliance I have ever read. It is a book from Telos Publishing (www.telos.co.uk) entitled Captains Stupendous and authored by Rhys Hughes.

            This exceedingly odd book chronicles the encounters of one Welsh journalist with a fungal infection with the larger-than-life Faraway brothers. Lloyd Griffiths, the journalist narrator, insists this collection of increasingly strange adventures is entirely truthful. This is, it is claimed, not a work of fiction at all, but a history. Truth is, after all, stranger than fiction.

            The narrative begins as a fairly standard novel in the Victorian style of first-person adventure interspersed with scenes of important information. The beginning reminds me rather of Moby Dick. It deals with fairly standard Steampunk adventures – airplanes and propulsion systems, bandits and inventions. Then, the narrative becomes muddled, the scenes and tenses blurring, time and place becoming unhooked and frenetic. The plot becomes steadily wilder, including dinosaurs, animated skeletons, locomotive men, and eventually time travel. The characters who aren’t narrating break the fourth wall and address the reader.

I feel that this tonal inconsistency works well and is masterfully executed. I feel that it suits the bizarre events it describes. This is a complicated and fascinating work that probably ought to be studied in universities. I am quite certain I’ve missed something. If books that make you think are not your cup of tea, I suggest that this flavor may not be to your liking. It is thought-provoking and very, very strange.

            I give this incredible adventure four gears out of five. I think I have to read it again to quite understand it. At any rate, I highly recommend it for the cultured Steampunk. It must be read to be believed.

Your Correspondent From The Bookstore,

Penny J. Merriweather

Beyond Victoriana

Beyond Victoriana: A Penny Dreadful Review

            Steampunk is about exploration. As such, it is not limited to the narrow confines of place, race, or era. The Victorian Age in our historical timeline happened all over the world. I believe Steampunk should reflect that. Beyond Victoriana, a blog written by a woman you may know as Ay-Leen the Peacemaker, believes that as well.

            Beyond Victoriana explores multicultural aspects of Steampunk, showcasing concepts, people, and projects that might not be showcased in other places. At times it is political, speaking of things such as what it truly means to be multicultural and what privilege means. At times, it is a hub of the arts, posting calls for anthology submissions or book reviews. Beyond Victoriana has won awards for “Best Political Steampunk” and “Best Multicultural Steampunk.” I feel that we could use more blogs like this one.

            I give this blog five gears out of five.  It is smart and will open your eyes and/or blow your mind. If you are new to Steampunk or are looking for depth in your Steampunk, I strongly recommend this blog. You can find this multicultural perspective at beyondvictoriana.com.

Your Correspondent From The Aethernet,

Penny J. Merriweather