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| Image courtesy of www.ministryofpeculiaroccurrences.com |
Pip Ballantine
Tee Morris
2011
The Summary
As members of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, Wellington Books and Eliza Braun have become accustomed to the odd, the unusual, and the downright absurd.
But their latest case - an unsanctioned investigation into the murders of more than a dozen factory workers - is the strangest and most deadly they have ever faced.
The Good
Books and Braun are a thoroughly entertaining duo, because they couldn't be more different. As an archivist for the Ministry, Books is pedantic and modest to the point of being prudish; Braun, on the other hand, is loud and adventurous. Yet they somehow manage to make phenomenal strides in their investigation.
Between Books's incredible analytical skills and Braun's talent with guns - and dynamite - they make an effective team. Granted, they never escape without destroying private property or flagrantly disregarding Her Majesty's laws, but they know how to get the job done.
Most notably about this novel, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris have created a sort of "steampunk" genre for their work. They've crossed Victorian era concepts with science fiction and modernized technology - and created a steampunk novel. It's an intriguing blend, to say the least, but I think the authors pull it off quite well.
It's fun, it's absorbing, and it's amusing to the point of being hysterical. Ballantine and Morris's novel is certainly worth a read.
The Bad
Despite its intriguing qualities, Phoenix Rising can occasionally become confusing. Given the action-packed nature of this novel, I can understand the technical difficulty involved; however, some sections appear to lack proper execution and explanation.
Moreover, some passages seem a little bipolar by switching between too many characters and leaving more questions than answers. Books and Braun may solve one mystery, but they're left with about a dozen more.
But I suppose that's the prerogative of a book series: more mysteries means more books.
The Ugly
Sex, violence, foul language, and so on - you know, all those elements that smack of the label "adult content."
I will admit, however, the orgy was unexpected. I really did not see that one coming.
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