INFERNAL DEVICES and MORLOCK NIGHT by K. W. Jeter (Book Reviews)

This was my first real foray into Steampunk Fantasy set in Victorian times. The description of historic background and characters provided an enticing read.

Mr. Dower, Jr., inherits his father’s trade, that of purveyor, construction and repairman of timepieces, clockwork and scientific devices.

Unfortunately, the son has no knack for the more complicated designs his father invented, nor the maintenance of them. His father’s old assistant, Creff, continues on in his former place as manservant as well as aiding in repairs.

When Mr. Dower is commissioned to repair one of his later father’s designs, a regulator, by a man described as the “Ethiope”, he has explained he is not capable of the repairs requested. Yet the foreigner persuades Mr. Dower to try, and thus, provides a gold crown with the likeness of Saint Monkfish rather than that of Queen Victoria. Once Dower realizes he is in possession of this odd coin, he decides to search for the person who made it. The search leads from revelation to the next while providing an entertaining mystery.

An assortment of supporting characters add colour to the tapestry of the unfolding mystery:

A terrier named Abel steals part of the story;

Graeme Scape, procurer of clockwork pieces, a natty dresser who wears blue spectacles which he never removes, exhibits artifacts on the road;

Miss McThane, Scape’s companion, a woman of less than virtuous habits;

Lord Bendray, scientist in his spare time, requires the regulator for one of his experiments and will go to any length to obtain it;

Sir Charles Wroth, member of the Royal Anti-Society organization, collecting new clockwork gadgets including automated mannequins.

The novel picks up speed once the Paganinicon makes his appearance, adding suspense and adventure that escalates to the end. All in all, a rather satisfying read that provided a few chuckles and many exciting moments of just what the author had up his sleeve. This was a book that was hard to put down.


Morlock Night is the second novel in the combindation package put out by Angry Robot Books with Infernal Devices. This review will follow below.
The review copy was provided by Lee Harris.

Book format: mass market paperback, 416 pages

Publisher: Angry Robot Books, imprint of Osprey Publishing 

Author website: K. W. Jeter 

Available: UK – ISBN 978-0-85766-096-1 384 pp in B format paperback US/Can – ISBN 978-0-85766-097-8 416 pp in mass market paperback

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca


MORLOCK NIGHT by K.W. JETER (Book Review)

This novel is also of the Fantasy Steampunk genre.

It is 1892 in Victorian England. Edwin Hocket has been to an unusual meeting in London where time travel to the distant future was discussed. Hocker finds it to be rather entertaining to learn mankind has evolved into two races: those who live underground and those living above ground, known as “Morlocks” in perpetual war.

Enroute home, Hocker discovers a man accompanying him down the street. They discuss the evenings’ discourse with Hocker no more convinced that a Time Machine, Time Travel and Morlocks actually exist. After smoking his companions’ exotic pipe tobacco, Hocker, discovers himself in the midst of sniper fire, rescued by a woman dressed as a man carrying a rifle and pistol, both of unknown manufacture.

The story moves on in a manner that reminded me of the movie “Matrix”, with each new revelation more fanciful than the last. Historical figures from the past make their appearance which I found to be far-fetched. Up to this point the story was rather good and then it didn’t appeal to me at this section of the story. Perhaps other readers might find this different.

The advanced review copy was provided by Lee Harris.

Book format: mass-market paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: Angry Robot Books, imprint of Osprey Publishing
Author website: K. W. Jeter

Available: UK ISBN 978-0-85766-099-2 - 314 pp - B format paperback US/CAN – ISBN 978-0-85766-100-5 - 352 pp mass market paperback

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca

This lovely photo was taken from the terrace behind the Banff Springs Hotel and overlooks the Bow River.. I know Fairmont owns the hotel now but it is a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, and I will continue to refer to the original name out of loving tradition. Many years ago, my Mother and I spent a wonderful long weekend there one May. That was when it was slightly more affordable.

My eyes are improving with medical care, new glass lens, and wonderful holistic healing of Reiki. I still have to maintain an easier schedule of working on the computer and not spend too much time, whether on the internet or making edits to my manuscripts.

My vacation plans are going ahead for late summer into the wide open spaces of the western prairies, away from concrete and pavement, large population to a place of quiet solitude and rest.

Currently, I'm reading one of the Angry Robot Army books for a review, Infernal Devices/Morlock Night by K.W. Jeter, a fascinating steampunk story.



 Photo Credit: ElCapitan CC=nc-sa-flickr.com Click to ENLARGE

Rocket Boy and the Geek Girls Anthology Book Review

This anthology was edited by Phyllis Irene Bradford. It is filled with a variety of science fiction: stories of space, technology, aliens and humanity. Most of the stories are thought provoking, action filled, humourous and have something for every reader. This anthology was a nice return into the science fiction genre. The majority of the stories within have been previously published in magazines and anthologies such as The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Speculative Inflights Magazine, Women at War, Analog Science Fiction & Fact, The Future We Wish We Had, Dinosaur Fantastic, American Journal of Australian Literature,  and Helix Magazine. Each of the stories is accompanied by a brief description about the author and their writing.

The genres covered are space opera, sci fi, fantasy, and futuristic.

18 stories

Of the eighteen stories I managed to read tje first two sections finding most of them quite interesting. Unfortunately I found the PDF format produced eye strain after reading one or two stories which resulted in a slower reading schedule.

Space stories

      Emancipation by Pati Nagle, 1996, The Williamson Effect

An old ritual on an asteroid that separates day from night is changed so that day is to be forever. Manuel, keeper of the Night, finds a way to restore the darkness through a compromise.

Rocket Boy on Call by Pati Nagle

Rocket Boy is a futuristic skip tracer who has romantic ideas about his case assigner.

Blindsided by Venus in the House of Mars by Nancy Jane Moore

Lia Bukanan arrives at the Galatea Station, with biodome regulated climate, after working as temp crew on a ship needing a vacation. After a bar fight, Lia hooks up with a “captain” with his own starship. Who turns out to be a bounty hunter.

Sitting Shiva by Judith Tarr

A peacekeeping machine that didn’t grab my interest. Perhaps it will for another reader.

Kinds of Strangers by Sarah Zettel

A starship, the Forty-Niner, returning to Earth from a successful tour of the asteroid belt is losing its crew while their expert intelligence computer is malfunctioning. Or is it? A great line was, “A little red sphere drifted out toward her face.” Ms Zettel reveals insight into space travel and its inherent perils.

Technology stories

Alien Voices by P. R. Frost

A ballet artist takes a chance with a risky surgery, and learns during therapy that the implanted nanobots replicate themselves and heal any new injuries. The nanobots develop an appreciation for ballet.

Aberlard’s Kiss by Madeleine E Robins

A woman has a bioengineering firm make her a man who she introduces to a friend.

Perfect Stranger by Amy Stirling Casel

A young boy has gene therapy to heal a defective heart.

        

 Revenants by Judith Tarr

A creepy yet intriguing story about a woman taking her child to the revenants zoo setting with dinosaurs.

Alien stories

Its Own Reward by Katherine Kerr

 Your First by C L Anderson

 Gray to Black by Brenda W Clough

Slick by Brenda Kelso

Ask Arlen by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff

Humanity stories

 Steelcollar Worker by Vonda N McIntyre

A Mighty Fortress by Brenda W Clough

Who Killed Science Fiction by Jennifer Stevenson

         

 Rocket Boy and the Geek Girls by Irene Radford

The review copy was provided by Sue Lange.

Book Format: ebook PDF 406 pages 

Publisher:  Book View Press http://www.bookviewpress.com/

http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Science-Fiction/

amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Boy-Geek-Girls-ebook/dp/B002T44HPE

This photo is of the Niagara Escarpment of the Bruce Peninsula.




The weather in Toronto has been scorching and humid with little respite except for thunder and hail storms to the west. I'll be happy when the weather returns to cooler temperatures.  The above photo makes me yearn to stick bare feet into the cold water which laps against the rocky shoreline, an activity that would be certain to cool my poor overheated body.

My eyes are seeimg to get a little better with sparse use of the computer, TV and cell phone. I'm to get new lenses shortly which may alleviate the condition a little. I'm finding that drinking more fluid and using saline eye drops are producing an improvement. And I'm planning a vacation for later this summer to get away while looking for a new apartment as the one I've been in for the last couple of years has increased its pest population to an unbearable level.

This leads me to wonder if this is a underlying problem with my eyesight as I'm very drug sensative and any of the toxic chemicals used so far in battling the pests has proven to make me nauseated, wheeze or send me to the hospital emergency with exposure to boric acid (used for roaches, and yet the flysheet says it will kill rats and rabitts). Why is the boric acid used in a building with children I'll never know but am writing a letter to government officials to inquire about the validity of such substances. Any comments on the use of Boric Acid or other such chemicals is appreciated.


Photo Credit: Screen Door Slams CC=nc-nd-flickr. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

This photo is of the Bow River heading east toward Canmore, Alberta from Banff National Park. My posts have slowed of late due to ongoing eye problems where I get flashes of light on either side which limits my use of the computer at this time. Thus, future posts are liable to be sporadic until I can get the situation under control. Getting older has its challenges. Photo Credit: pinkcanoe CC=nc-nd-flickr.

These beaultiful gardens are near Chilliwack, B.C. Photo Credit: Stephen Rees CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Point by Thomas Blackthorne (Book Review)

From the back cover: “It’s spreading. The suicide cults of kids barely through puberty. They kill themselves in Cutter Circles, brought together by 3g and desolate dreams. It’s a virus. A plague. Who knows how to stop it? Find out who caused it. Find out who’s in charge. Destroy them. Survive.” This novel is a different kind of science fiction thriller. This was a book that I started several times but was unable to continue to the end due to its subject matter. Stories on suicide may interest other readers even in a fiction setting, but it wasn’t for me. The review copy was provided by Lee Harris. Book format: mass-market paperback, 384 pages Publisher: Angry Robot Books Author website: [http://www.johnmeaney.com] Available: January 2011 US/Canada Edition ISBN 978 0 00 732 948 9 Ebook Edition: ISBN 978-0-85766-080-0 Chapters.indigo.ca