384p.
Published: 3/25/14
Publisher: Ace
Source: eARC from publisher for review
Working for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, one sees innumerable technological wonders. But even veteran agents Braun and Books are unprepared for what the electrifying future holds…
After being ignominiously shipped out of England following their participation in the Janus affair, Braun and Books are ready to prove their worth as agents. But what starts as a simple mission in the States—intended to keep them out of trouble—suddenly turns into a scandalous and convoluted case that has connections reaching as far as Her Majesty the Queen.
Even with the help of two American agents from the Office of the Supernatural and the Metaphysical, Braun and Books have their work cut out for them as their chief suspect in a rash of nautical and aerial disasters is none other than Thomas Edison. Between the fantastic electric machines of Edison, the eccentricities of MoPO consultant Nikola Tesla, and the mysterious machinations of a new threat known only as the Maestro, they may find themselves in far worse danger than they ever have been in before…My thoughts:
Another great installment in this series. Only question... will we ever see Welly's face on the cover? I love those teases... :D
In this book our duo is shipped to the Americas finally getting some field work which ends up helping their American counterparts in taking down a notorious evil mastermind... Thomas Edison. Okay, well, he isn't completely evil, it's just good business to destroy any and all competition.
There are also many other elements at play here. There is a side mystery with the Prince, Her Majesty, and the notorious House of Usher (which we have seen in the other episodes/series) and a couple of assassins. The blurb has it right, it is quite convoluted indeed. While all these parts, which could become confusing if it went on for much longer, do come together in the end... there are still loose threads. Including one that will go on in the next chapter for our duo. We know they won't get a moment to just find out what is going on between them relationship wise. Still you know that Eliza will press the issue and Welly will try to dodge it, but we do have some answers regarding their relationship in this book.
I don't want to give away too much, but I was satisfied with the story and I really want the next one in my hot little hands now. I'm curious as to where the last thread leads and what personal developments we will have with Eliza and Welly. I give this book 4 stars and if you are looking for a good series with lots of steampunk gadgets, nods to iconic tv and movies, evil and good historical figures and some great interaction between characters, mystery and thrilling spy work do get this book! In fact this series is great in terms of steampunk and spy work. Get it!
Other books in the series:
Phoenix Rising (#1), The Janus Affair (#2)
Bloggy Note:
Last day to enter for some great prizes in this series. Go to the post HERE for deets. US/CAN only.
I did not realize that we never see his face...strange :)
ReplyDeleteWe ALMOST see it in #2! :)
DeleteI know I've seen the cover for the first book in this series somewhere around the blogosphere, but I didn't realize this series had progressed so rapidly already. I'll definitely have to look into this as I'm always on the lookout for urban fantasy-esque novels to enjoy, so thanks for putting this one back on my radar, Melissa!(:
ReplyDeleteLots of mini stories too! :D
DeleteSneaky cover designers! It looks like he's getting closer, though. Maybe on the next one! I haven't read any of these but I'm adding them to my TBR--you make them sound great.
ReplyDeleteI don't know... the last one was closer than this one to a reveal. :)
DeleteI'll have to get this series when I go on vacation. They sound like so much fun. I'm a big mystery fan and I also like steampunk so this one is a win-win for me.
ReplyDeleteOh then I think you'll really enjoy these books! Sounds like they are right up your alley!
DeleteI kind of like that they're teasing readers with these covers! It's making me almost sort of desperate to see his face now:) Glad to hear that all the pieces of this plot come together in the end and weren't a confusing tangle of threads, and that you get some relationship answers:) Win.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I think it is also because we have yet to see the depths of Welly. :) It was WIN. :)
DeleteA series I'll definitely keep a look out for.
ReplyDeleteAs for seeing Welly's face on the cover I love this mystery just as I love that you only ever saw the wrinkled stockinged legs of the woman with the broom in the old Tom and Jerry cartoons and only ever get to hear the voice of Howard's mum in The Big Bang Theory.
LOL! Great analogies. :)
DeleteARG, I still haven't read the 2nd book! It's probably super cheap so I should order a copy. It's been a long time since I read the first book, but I really liked it!
ReplyDeleteOh these are so much fun! Check out the minis too!
DeleteSteampunk books rock! And yes, I will ad this to my tbr pile. This sounds like a great series.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll have fun with this one. You may be a bit frustrated with the romance, but it is worth it going slow. :)
DeleteI am doing the audio of this series thanks to you and I cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteSweet! I hope you enjoy!
DeleteNa, it's ONLY book 3! :D
ReplyDeleteGah! I remember loving the cover and wanting to read the first one. Okay, maybe I can start this series soon, after I finished a couple that have enders coming up.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like such a fun series! glad you're enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that this was a satisfying part of the series.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed book 1 a lot, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Glad you liked it Melissa.
ReplyDeleteWe've waited so long for this one, what with the change of publisher and all! I even requested an arc, but was pretty much ignored, which is a pity. Ah, well, it's out now and my pretty is on its way from The Book Depo. yaaaay.
ReplyDeleteI've got to get started on this series. It really reminds me of the YA series by Kady Cross.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Welly is always looking the other way. :D And yes. Magnificent addition to the series. :) Loved what we learned of Welly here. lol.
ReplyDelete