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The Chronological Man #2
The Martian Emperor
Description from the author's website:
Who is the Martian Emperor?
When a giant airship descends on New York City in 1892 and threatens destruction if the world doesn’t submit to the Martian flag, it’s up to the mysterious Smith, inventor and adventurer to find out what forces are at work.
From the dangerous basement fan-tan parlors of Chinatown to the top of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, Smith and his brilliant assistant, April Malone, will have to unravel the clues and avoid danger lurking behind every corner. To stop the menace they’ll need they enlist the help of Theodore Roosevelt and other early twentieth-century heroes.
The second book in The Chronological Man series, The Martian Emperor combines mystery, airship battles and backroom Tammany Hall politics against the backdrop of a world on the verge of war.
53,000 words – approximately 160 pages.
Who is the Martian Emperor?
When a giant airship descends on New York City in 1892 and threatens destruction if the world doesn’t submit to the Martian flag, it’s up to the mysterious Smith, inventor and adventurer to find out what forces are at work.
From the dangerous basement fan-tan parlors of Chinatown to the top of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, Smith and his brilliant assistant, April Malone, will have to unravel the clues and avoid danger lurking behind every corner. To stop the menace they’ll need they enlist the help of Theodore Roosevelt and other early twentieth-century heroes.
The second book in The Chronological Man series, The Martian Emperor combines mystery, airship battles and backroom Tammany Hall politics against the backdrop of a world on the verge of war.
53,000 words – approximately 160 pages.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 5, 2018
This is an unfortunate case of wrong expectations. I really liked the first story. It is lovecraftian enough to be entertaining, so I expected at least something similar here.
What I got was an American Doctor Who or something close to it. I stopped watching the TV series a season or two ago. Smith often acts as the Doctor. April acts as some of the Doctor's companions (at least not Amy Pond or Clara, thank God). Some might appreciate certain aspects of the story (for example, Teddy Roosevelt plays an important part) more than others, but they didn't mean anything to me.
Also, when you are distracted like this, you tend to notice various errors. The book needed an editor.
Most of the book they - Smith, April and Roosevelt - are trying to investigate the Martian issue. The rest is there's someone who wants to capture Smith (again).
The biggest problem here was that I didn't expect the Doctor Who wannabe, that's all. I might try it again some day and have better luck since it isn't exactly a bad story. If I had read this first instead of the one with a sea monster, I would like it more.
What I got was an American Doctor Who or something close to it. I stopped watching the TV series a season or two ago. Smith often acts as the Doctor. April acts as some of the Doctor's companions (at least not Amy Pond or Clara, thank God). Some might appreciate certain aspects of the story (for example, Teddy Roosevelt plays an important part) more than others, but they didn't mean anything to me.
Also, when you are distracted like this, you tend to notice various errors. The book needed an editor.
Most of the book they - Smith, April and Roosevelt - are trying to investigate the Martian issue. The rest is there's someone who wants to capture Smith (again).
The biggest problem here was that I didn't expect the Doctor Who wannabe, that's all. I might try it again some day and have better luck since it isn't exactly a bad story. If I had read this first instead of the one with a sea monster, I would like it more.
May 31, 2012
The Martian Emperor is the second in the Chronological Man series from Andrew Mayne, and sees the return of the mysterious steampunk come sherlock come inspector gadget "Smith" and his assistant April. In this, the martians are invading, flying in on spaceships to demand gold and obedience from Earth's populace.
This is just good clean honest fun, with a great easy to follow story with cameos from some of history's great characters to work with Smith to solve this intriguing puzzle. To be honest it barely felt like I was reading, it just flowed brilliantly, ans stayed fast paced and riveting throughout.
The author has laid the groundwork for what im sure will be some interesting additions to this series which will be on my kindle as they are released. Just a note on the kindle version, looked great and an awesome price ($0.99) for a nights entertainment.
This is just good clean honest fun, with a great easy to follow story with cameos from some of history's great characters to work with Smith to solve this intriguing puzzle. To be honest it barely felt like I was reading, it just flowed brilliantly, ans stayed fast paced and riveting throughout.
The author has laid the groundwork for what im sure will be some interesting additions to this series which will be on my kindle as they are released. Just a note on the kindle version, looked great and an awesome price ($0.99) for a nights entertainment.
June 7, 2018
Entertaining But Frustrating
The writing is good. It's engaging and fast-paced. You like the protagonists and hope they make it out alive. BUT...and here is why I won't be picking up any more installments: the mystery if who Smith is, is unrealistically and continuously dangled in front of the reader. Unrealistic how? If I had a super-science gadget and you asked me where I got such a marvellous item, and I replied with a wink, saying "Oh, I have my sources.", would you accept that, shrug, and move on in the conversation?? No. You'd be like "Seriously. Where did you get the gadget??" and you probably wouldn't stop until your curiosity was fulfilled. "Oh, that's clearly not a real Martian." The character THINKS to ask how he would know a real Martian, but they don't. You're in an illegal train that could collide headlong into another train, but the only answer to the characters concerns is "Then we'd be in trouble.". Who the hell leaves the conversation at that??? Yet, this book is chock FULL of stuff like that. It's frustrating! If your partner emerged from a vault every couple of decades without aging, don't tell me you wouldn't dash through that door the moment he walked out to go find the mechanism/coffin/lazurus pit he used to perform this feat? Wouldn't YOU want the secret to eternal life? These ancillary characters are unrealistically un-curious and I'm done with it. When you want to reach into a book and strangle the characters, it's time to move on.
The writing is good. It's engaging and fast-paced. You like the protagonists and hope they make it out alive. BUT...and here is why I won't be picking up any more installments: the mystery if who Smith is, is unrealistically and continuously dangled in front of the reader. Unrealistic how? If I had a super-science gadget and you asked me where I got such a marvellous item, and I replied with a wink, saying "Oh, I have my sources.", would you accept that, shrug, and move on in the conversation?? No. You'd be like "Seriously. Where did you get the gadget??" and you probably wouldn't stop until your curiosity was fulfilled. "Oh, that's clearly not a real Martian." The character THINKS to ask how he would know a real Martian, but they don't. You're in an illegal train that could collide headlong into another train, but the only answer to the characters concerns is "Then we'd be in trouble.". Who the hell leaves the conversation at that??? Yet, this book is chock FULL of stuff like that. It's frustrating! If your partner emerged from a vault every couple of decades without aging, don't tell me you wouldn't dash through that door the moment he walked out to go find the mechanism/coffin/lazurus pit he used to perform this feat? Wouldn't YOU want the secret to eternal life? These ancillary characters are unrealistically un-curious and I'm done with it. When you want to reach into a book and strangle the characters, it's time to move on.
January 26, 2013
Loved this book! The characters, the plot, the surprise visits from historical figures. Oh the fun I had with this book. And the ending. So sweet! Can't wait for book 3! :)
September 14, 2020
This was a good story. I’m disappointed that there aren’t more Chronological Man books. I have unanswered questions.
April 27, 2015
I really loved this second book of the chronological man.
A little more info about this mysterious man is given us and the writing is arguably better than in the first book.
The story is much better too.
I'm a big Jules Verne / Steampunk fan and I'm looking forward to more of Smith's adventures.
Keep'em coming and I'll keep reading.....
A little more info about this mysterious man is given us and the writing is arguably better than in the first book.
The story is much better too.
I'm a big Jules Verne / Steampunk fan and I'm looking forward to more of Smith's adventures.
Keep'em coming and I'll keep reading.....
July 28, 2018
Unlike the first one of this series, this one fell more flat for me.
April Malone continues to be delightfully resourceful. Smith is--well, it feels a bit like the author is cheating, because he clearly knows who Smith is, but just won't tell us, and I'm just getting tired of waiting.
The biggest problem with this book for me, though, was that I had a much harder time with suspension of disbelief. Can you really hide that there? Wait, where did the bad guys get *that*? And when I got to the end, I realized that the bad guys are just as mysterious as Smith, with powers just as mysterious, and (as I mentioned) I'm getting a little tired of that. When the protagonists are too mysterious, you don't know the rules of the game, and the author can (and in this case does) pull rabbits of of a hat, so I'm left thinking: wait, can he do that? It feels like violating the fundamental rules of detective stories.
It just didn't hold together as well as The Monster in the Mist. Thinking back on it now, I feel like this is supposed to me more like the comic book sagas (or The Matrix or the never-ending X men saga, the ultimate fruit of that), where all the physics is dubious, and the ideas are cool but not well thought out. Since I never was able to get into that genre due to suspension of disbelief issues, I didn't honestly like this all that much.
Andrew Mayne is a fantastic writer, so he knows how to pull a story together. If you can get beyond the doubts, you'd probably enjoy this.
April Malone continues to be delightfully resourceful. Smith is--well, it feels a bit like the author is cheating, because he clearly knows who Smith is, but just won't tell us, and I'm just getting tired of waiting.
The biggest problem with this book for me, though, was that I had a much harder time with suspension of disbelief. Can you really hide that there? Wait, where did the bad guys get *that*? And when I got to the end, I realized that the bad guys are just as mysterious as Smith, with powers just as mysterious, and (as I mentioned) I'm getting a little tired of that. When the protagonists are too mysterious, you don't know the rules of the game, and the author can (and in this case does) pull rabbits of of a hat, so I'm left thinking: wait, can he do that? It feels like violating the fundamental rules of detective stories.
It just didn't hold together as well as The Monster in the Mist. Thinking back on it now, I feel like this is supposed to me more like the comic book sagas (or The Matrix or the never-ending X men saga, the ultimate fruit of that), where all the physics is dubious, and the ideas are cool but not well thought out. Since I never was able to get into that genre due to suspension of disbelief issues, I didn't honestly like this all that much.
Andrew Mayne is a fantastic writer, so he knows how to pull a story together. If you can get beyond the doubts, you'd probably enjoy this.
April 30, 2018
Martians are Threatening Our World, Smith Returns to Solve this Bizarre Encounter
Smith and Miss Malone are joined by Teddy Roosevelt and other of the time personalities to solve problems confronting the world. Martians appear and want gold, men in black kidnap the mayor of New York and attempt to kidnap Smith and nearly succeed in letting a mad scientist learn Smith's secrets. Miss Malone is a quick thinker, retains all that she reads and sees and gets Smith out of trouble when the readers sees Smith in unresolveable problems. All that is tossed in front of Smith has an underlying current of traps for Smith. I hope that Smith and Malone return for more adventures.
Smith and Miss Malone are joined by Teddy Roosevelt and other of the time personalities to solve problems confronting the world. Martians appear and want gold, men in black kidnap the mayor of New York and attempt to kidnap Smith and nearly succeed in letting a mad scientist learn Smith's secrets. Miss Malone is a quick thinker, retains all that she reads and sees and gets Smith out of trouble when the readers sees Smith in unresolveable problems. All that is tossed in front of Smith has an underlying current of traps for Smith. I hope that Smith and Malone return for more adventures.
October 23, 2018
Excellent steampunk(ish) adventure
Any book that can combine the Emperor of Mars landing in Central Park, airships, wiretapping the telegraph, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini and quite a few other oddities is OK with me. You could, perhaps, question a few linguistic anachronisms that have crept in, but the author has even accounted for these in the afterword. I was surprised at the end to find that as well as this and it's predecessor The Chronological Man, I'd
enjoyed two other books by Andrew Mayne. I hope there may be future adventures of Mr Smith, but his current books are also worth reading!
Any book that can combine the Emperor of Mars landing in Central Park, airships, wiretapping the telegraph, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini and quite a few other oddities is OK with me. You could, perhaps, question a few linguistic anachronisms that have crept in, but the author has even accounted for these in the afterword. I was surprised at the end to find that as well as this and it's predecessor The Chronological Man, I'd
enjoyed two other books by Andrew Mayne. I hope there may be future adventures of Mr Smith, but his current books are also worth reading!
August 22, 2018
SMITH , the Chronological man , returns
Apparently I got the Chronological man books in the wrong order as this is the second one.
It is a wonderful romp through the early 19th century age , with marvelous characters , Teddy Roosevelt , And my Favourite Harry Houdini my personal hero. Smith a man hundreds of years ahead of his time in intellect whom can apparently live for centuries due to his life extending stasis chamber is the most interesting literature figure in a omg time is really enjoyable to read about. I look forward to his next , rather first adventure.
Apparently I got the Chronological man books in the wrong order as this is the second one.
It is a wonderful romp through the early 19th century age , with marvelous characters , Teddy Roosevelt , And my Favourite Harry Houdini my personal hero. Smith a man hundreds of years ahead of his time in intellect whom can apparently live for centuries due to his life extending stasis chamber is the most interesting literature figure in a omg time is really enjoyable to read about. I look forward to his next , rather first adventure.
February 12, 2023
A fun adventure with a Dr. Who vibe, mixed with liberal doses of pulpy fun. It's not full novel length, but it works well in a shorter novella format. There are some editing mistakes, but not enough to be off putting. My biggest problem with this series, which just starts to hint at the mysteries behind our mysterious main character in this book, is this is the last we hear of him. As this was a decade ago now, we are unlikely to get any wrap up. It's like that cool netflix show that was cancelled after two seasons and never got around to explaining anything.
September 28, 2023
Dear Andrew Mayne: Please continue this series! Thank you.
The main characters revealed a bit more of themselves in this second book in the series. Of course, it's just enough to drive you crazy and want more. I've enjoyed the scientific storylines (gadgets, aliens) and historical figures (Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Houdini). There is some darkness, for sure. On the other hand, the thought of a man riding a rhino to the rescue turned things around. It makes me think of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Inspector Gadget with a little MacGyver thrown in. Good times.
The main characters revealed a bit more of themselves in this second book in the series. Of course, it's just enough to drive you crazy and want more. I've enjoyed the scientific storylines (gadgets, aliens) and historical figures (Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Houdini). There is some darkness, for sure. On the other hand, the thought of a man riding a rhino to the rescue turned things around. It makes me think of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Inspector Gadget with a little MacGyver thrown in. Good times.
January 28, 2023
As I mentioned in my review for the first book in this series, I usually don't read this type of book, but I enjoyed the first one and decided to read the second. It was absolutely stupid. Teddy Roosevelt, Houdini, a wolf boy. Good god. I only finished it because I wanted to find out "who dun'it" But that wasn't even clear. I have read some of Andrew Mayne's other books and will continue to read them, but this series is not for me.
March 20, 2018
THEY KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER THEY DO....
Hello, these stories and this one here are just plain great. They remind me of the "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" but different. They are heading somewhere that will, I hope, give us a little more information . Great job. Thanks.
Hello, these stories and this one here are just plain great. They remind me of the "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" but different. They are heading somewhere that will, I hope, give us a little more information . Great job. Thanks.
February 20, 2021
Read first book in Mayne's series, The Monster in the Mist, before this one if you want an introduction to his world of time travel and steam punk technology. Both of these books are fascinating and engaging. I really like Andrew Mayne's writing ever since discovering The Naturalist. I have enjoyed each of his novels immensely.
March 20, 2025
Smith and Miss Malone return and are heading to New York, as the Martians have arrived and are making demands!! As they attempt to stop the plot and expose the people behind the hoax, they are joined by Teddy Roosevelt. Good story, shame this looks to be the last book, so much to learn about both Smith and Miss Malone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2017
A rollicking mashup of historical figures and steam punk fantasy
The multi talented Andrew Maine has created another unique protagonist in the wild plot to match. Fireworks, dirigibles, and white rhinos combine with clever steam punk science to make an original and engaging read
The multi talented Andrew Maine has created another unique protagonist in the wild plot to match. Fireworks, dirigibles, and white rhinos combine with clever steam punk science to make an original and engaging read
July 19, 2017
Steam punk mystery novellas. Without any pretension. Just for fun. In this second book we will start knowing a little bit more about the Chronological man, a very mysterious man that appear time to time to solve very strange cases. As the threats of a martian emperor...
April 13, 2018
Wild Imagination
A raucous adventure that shows a great imagination by the author. I loved the characters and their own idiosyncrasies. Good fun read. Hope to see more in this series!
A raucous adventure that shows a great imagination by the author. I loved the characters and their own idiosyncrasies. Good fun read. Hope to see more in this series!
December 23, 2018
Fun and enjoyabe
Great time reading this book by Andrew Mayne! In my earlier reviews of the author, I have often been impressed with his vast subject matter and is much I enjoy reading his stories. Read and find out for yourself!
Great time reading this book by Andrew Mayne! In my earlier reviews of the author, I have often been impressed with his vast subject matter and is much I enjoy reading his stories. Read and find out for yourself!
January 31, 2019
Two years later...New York is visited by a Martian spaceship with a few demands. Smith and Ms. Malone start a new adventure...Martian or hoax?
I was intrigued with so many historical characters coming into play. It made the story a bit more fun.
I was intrigued with so many historical characters coming into play. It made the story a bit more fun.
November 11, 2022
We want more!
Andrew, please give us more of this delightful series. Those of us who have read everything you have written, demand more of these wonderful characters! Your readers have spoken, por favor!
Andrew, please give us more of this delightful series. Those of us who have read everything you have written, demand more of these wonderful characters! Your readers have spoken, por favor!
January 3, 2023
Steampunk still not my thing but a fun read nevertheless. I have a lot of questions about The Chronological Man and now his protégé. The Epilogue hints at more but alas, 12 years later I don't see a book 3.
June 26, 2023
It'd make a fantastical movie
Very creative and almost cheesy but an enjoyable read. Lots of grammatical and punctuation errors. If you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes remakes and that type thing you'll love it
Very creative and almost cheesy but an enjoyable read. Lots of grammatical and punctuation errors. If you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes remakes and that type thing you'll love it
May 14, 2025
Good story using real historical persons
The author uses real historical people to forward the story. Yet, while he does this, he keeps the main story on the primary characters. It was refreshing to read this story.
The author uses real historical people to forward the story. Yet, while he does this, he keeps the main story on the primary characters. It was refreshing to read this story.
November 7, 2017
Mesmerizing
Fantastic story, captivating characters, fast pace- a damn good read. Hopefully Smith will return in the near future with more adventures.
Fantastic story, captivating characters, fast pace- a damn good read. Hopefully Smith will return in the near future with more adventures.
April 15, 2018
An interesting story with some clever surprised. However, I just didn't enjoy it quite at much as the first book in the series.
August 5, 2018
I enjoyed this, but The Naturalist works much better
March 25, 2019
Good read
A good plot with interesting and colorful players the use of inventions and people of the time period was clever
A good plot with interesting and colorful players the use of inventions and people of the time period was clever
December 23, 2019
Great tale
Well told. Historical details well woven. Andrew Mayne just might be new age polymath. I love these books he writes.
Well told. Historical details well woven. Andrew Mayne just might be new age polymath. I love these books he writes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews