Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
ISBN: 0062049763 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0062049763 Global Overview for this book
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this copy...
Wellington Books liked his tidy, quiet job as archivist for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, so when he is presented with his wild new partner, he is less than pleased. Eliza Braun may have rescued him from kidnapping at the hands of a secret organization, but she likes raising hell (and blowing things up) far too much to be helpful in cataloging and filing. After the demise of a few irreplaceable items and the misplacing of many others, Eliza discovers the wing of dead end cases and within, a case that ruined the mind of her former partner. Eliza decides to do a little investigating of her own, and drags the reluctant Books out of his safe basement and into a scheme far larger and more twisted than she expected.
I first spotted this novel at Buffalo Street books and thought it sounded like a fun romp, but I picked this used copy up for the steampunk bookbox from Powell's. I was a bit disappointed by it. The plot tends to be scattered, and the authors seem to have ended up with more elements than they could actually juggle. This appears to be the first book in a series, which is probably the reason for so many dropped story threads. Unfortunately, this quantity of loose ends becomes more irritating than tantalizing.
I also struggled to like the main characters, who were distant and bland. I often felt that they could have branched out into interesting roles, since there were some rich, promising elements introduced among the heaps of chaff, but any sign of individuality that might have developed was swiftly ignored in favor of more rote situations. The villains were no better, lacking any real motivation for their evil plots.
Despite the light writing and action-oriented storyline, it took me a couple days to get through this book. The tone of this story wandered as if the authors couldn't decide if it was the darkly humorous, tongue in cheek book promised on the back cover or an edge-of-the-seat thriller.
I first spotted this novel at Buffalo Street books and thought it sounded like a fun romp, but I picked this used copy up for the steampunk bookbox from Powell's. I was a bit disappointed by it. The plot tends to be scattered, and the authors seem to have ended up with more elements than they could actually juggle. This appears to be the first book in a series, which is probably the reason for so many dropped story threads. Unfortunately, this quantity of loose ends becomes more irritating than tantalizing.
I also struggled to like the main characters, who were distant and bland. I often felt that they could have branched out into interesting roles, since there were some rich, promising elements introduced among the heaps of chaff, but any sign of individuality that might have developed was swiftly ignored in favor of more rote situations. The villains were no better, lacking any real motivation for their evil plots.
Despite the light writing and action-oriented storyline, it took me a couple days to get through this book. The tone of this story wandered as if the authors couldn't decide if it was the darkly humorous, tongue in cheek book promised on the back cover or an edge-of-the-seat thriller.
This book is on its way to quietorchid in the Steampunk Bookbox.
Taking this from the Steampunk bookbox. Thanks emmejo, for organizing this.
Very light read. Obviously the dual authors had one thing in common, a love for the old TV show "The Avengers." So plop down those two characters with some minor changes into Victorian England with some minor changes and you're off on an adventure.
Very light read. Obviously the dual authors had one thing in common, a love for the old TV show "The Avengers." So plop down those two characters with some minor changes into Victorian England with some minor changes and you're off on an adventure.
Left on a bench overlooking the field.
#28 in 52 Towns in 52 Weeks Challenge 2012 .
Welcome to Bookcrossing, where Books roam freely! I hope you enjoy the book, and leave a journal entry so I can see where the book ended up. You can remain anonymous if you'd like, or join and follow the book's travels throughout the world! If you join, please mention me, quietorchid, or any other journaller as the referring member. The site is free, secure, and non-spamming. Take a look around, and then go read!
P.S. If the book is too good to read and release, that's okay, you can keep it, just let me know that it's found a good home!
#28 in 52 Towns in 52 Weeks Challenge 2012 .
Welcome to Bookcrossing, where Books roam freely! I hope you enjoy the book, and leave a journal entry so I can see where the book ended up. You can remain anonymous if you'd like, or join and follow the book's travels throughout the world! If you join, please mention me, quietorchid, or any other journaller as the referring member. The site is free, secure, and non-spamming. Take a look around, and then go read!
P.S. If the book is too good to read and release, that's okay, you can keep it, just let me know that it's found a good home!
