⭐⭐⭐
You can buy The Diamond Device...Here You can follow MH Thaung...Here
The Blurb...
After diamond power promises to replace steam, an unemployed labourer and a thieving noble unite to foil an international plot and avert a war.
Alf Wilson resents the new technology that cost him hibuy s factory job, especially as his clockwork leg bars him from army enrolment. He daren’t confess his unemployment to his overbearing mother. Desperate over the rent, he ends up in a detention cell with a hangover.
Impoverished Lord Richard Hayes maintains his expensive parliamentary seat by a mixture of charm and burglary. During a poorly planned break-in, he inadvertently witnesses a kidnapping. To cap it all, the police arrest him for the crime. At least he's using a fake identity. The real criminals make off with not just the professor who discovered diamond power, but her plans for a diamond-fuelled bomb.
When Rich encounters Alf in the neighbouring cell, he sees an opportunity to keep his noble reputation intact. He persuades Alf he's a secret agent who needs an assistant. This chance association will take them to the oddest locations. But law-abiding Alf’s first assignment? Break Rich out of jail.
My Review...
So... my first steampunk novel.
What is steampunk? Basically a tale set in a fictionalised Victorian type era with some wacky technology eg a diamond powered, clockwork prosthetic leg or steam powered handsome cabs.
There are several plotlines including an aristocrats parents go missing, a culture clash between working class Alf and upper class Rich (who is actually so poor he resorts to theiving), a kidnapping of a prominent scientist, industrial espionage, a maid who may be more than she seems, a cold War between two countries, so there is a lot going on. In fact on occasion I felt like a lion trying to pick out one wildebeest out of the herd to chase down.
The characters were an interesting ensemble. Alf seemed honourable but not too savvy and Rich seems savvy but not too honourable. Also they don't particularly get along. A partnership of inconvenience from across the social divide.
I found the reasons why Rich's parents abandoned him without resources to be odd as was his nonchalance when he finds out.
The relationship between the scientist and her husband was an odd one as well. She seemed caring to others while he did not, and yet he was devoted her.
The strength of this novel was the world building. The author has created a vibrant environment that is very familiar yet very different at the same time.
There is a sense of adventure in the narrative rather than fear, or impending doom and while the multi plots may be a problem for an old git like me, I feel that there is plenty to capture the attention. In addition to the above reasons I believe the pace of the book and the author's world building aptitude may lend themselves to a YA audience.
Selected Quotes...
"Silhouetted in the doorway were two figures. One was female, her curves beginning the slow decline towards sagginghood."
"But the amused dimples and long dark lashes brought back memories of passing notes in class. And trading boiled sweets. And imaginative dreams."
"While nobles might invest, or direct, or be consulted for advice, they didn’t actually work for pay. That distinguished them from the lower classes,"
"It was clearly a misunderstanding, and these tabloid papers don't always concern themselves with accuracy.”“That’s understandable, but they’re worryingly influential, even among our enlightened citizens."
About the Author...
M.H. Thaung was born in Scotland and has moved progressively southwards throughout her career. She now works in a biomedical science research institute in London, England. She loves her job and academic writing (where she publishes as C. Thaung). She also enjoys wondering "What if...?" and seeing what might happen in alternate worlds. Her creative writing is split between novels and Twitter microfiction
No comments:
Post a Comment