Review: The Immortality Engine
A couple of years ago, George Mann took the Steampunk genre by storm when he introduced us to Maurice Newbury and Veronica Hobbes, detectives in the service of Queen Victoria. Theirs is not the London of history books. It is a zombie-ridden, clockwork monstrosity on the brink of ruin, and I tear through every page as though it were my last.
The latest book in the series is “The Immortality Engine.” Queen Victoria is long past her prime. In fact, she should have died ages ago, but a disgusting breathing apparatus and tanks of foul preservatives are keeping the mad Queen perched on her throne. “The Immortality Engine” demonstrates the lengths she will go to maintain her unholy existence, and how it conflicts with the loyalties of our intrepid investigators.
Opium, androids, explosions, androids, dirigibles and opium. George Mann has got the right idea. He knows how to manipulate the Steampunk genre to some of its best potential.
My complaints are minor. There’s been a zombie plague in London for months, and somehow it hasn’t spread beyond the lower classes? I’m honestly enjoying myself too much to care, and no logic or genre expectations will get in the way of my admiration for Ms. Hobbes and Mr. Newbury. I also have faith that the author knows what he’s doing, as he’s proven himself more than capable of tying things up in a neat, Rowling-like fashion.
Good show, old boy!
