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The Extraordinaires #2
The Subterranean Stratagem
The theatre can wait. First there's a mystery to solve, not to mention a world to save . . .
Kingsley Ward and Evadne Stephens are the Extraordinaires and they should be the toast of the town – but their juggling and escapology act is failing, and Kingsley is to blame. His wolfish side is breaking free, ruining performances and endangering those around him. The secret to controlling this wildness lies in his mysterious past. Was he really raised by wolves? Who were his parents? What happened to them?
The discovery of Kingsley's father's journal promises answers, but when it is stolen the Extraordinaires uncover ancient magic, a malign conspiracy, and a macabre plot to enslave all humanity. What begins as a quest to restore Kingsley's past becomes an adventure that pits the Extraordinaires against forces that could shatter the minds and souls of millions.
Kingsley Ward and Evadne Stephens are the Extraordinaires and they should be the toast of the town – but their juggling and escapology act is failing, and Kingsley is to blame. His wolfish side is breaking free, ruining performances and endangering those around him. The secret to controlling this wildness lies in his mysterious past. Was he really raised by wolves? Who were his parents? What happened to them?
The discovery of Kingsley's father's journal promises answers, but when it is stolen the Extraordinaires uncover ancient magic, a malign conspiracy, and a macabre plot to enslave all humanity. What begins as a quest to restore Kingsley's past becomes an adventure that pits the Extraordinaires against forces that could shatter the minds and souls of millions.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
About the author
Michael Pryor
131 books190 followers Michael Pryor's bio
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 21, 2013
I realised, after reading The Subterranean Stratagem, that one could argue the necessity of reviewing a Michael Pryor book - after all, it's always going to be quality stuff. But it's come to my attention (prepare yourselves) that there are people in the world who haven't read his books yet!
Shocking, I know.
Now, if you are one of those people, may I say - in all seriousness - that The Extraordinaires series would be an excellent place to begin. Book 1, The Extinction Gambit, is a highly engaging read, and I found The Subterranean Stratagem even more fascinating. Pryor's signature mix of steampunk, historical detail, romantic tension and rollicking adventure continues to set off the relationship between Kingsley and Evadne brilliantly, and the character development in this second story draws the reader in even more deeply than in the first volume. One of my favourite aspects of the book was Pryor's use of humour. Here's a sample:
The walls above the panelling sported a collection of large paintings, mostly of curly-wigged noblemen posing with swords and horses and some extremely fine sneers. They gazed directly out from the frame, promising a damn good smothering if their wigs ever broke loose and went on a rampage. (p. 88)
Along with the previous book in the series, I highly recommend this one - not only to fans of Pryor's other works, but also to anyone wondering what steampunk is all about.
Shocking, I know.
Now, if you are one of those people, may I say - in all seriousness - that The Extraordinaires series would be an excellent place to begin. Book 1, The Extinction Gambit, is a highly engaging read, and I found The Subterranean Stratagem even more fascinating. Pryor's signature mix of steampunk, historical detail, romantic tension and rollicking adventure continues to set off the relationship between Kingsley and Evadne brilliantly, and the character development in this second story draws the reader in even more deeply than in the first volume. One of my favourite aspects of the book was Pryor's use of humour. Here's a sample:
The walls above the panelling sported a collection of large paintings, mostly of curly-wigged noblemen posing with swords and horses and some extremely fine sneers. They gazed directly out from the frame, promising a damn good smothering if their wigs ever broke loose and went on a rampage. (p. 88)
Along with the previous book in the series, I highly recommend this one - not only to fans of Pryor's other works, but also to anyone wondering what steampunk is all about.
April 16, 2023
I was delaying this because I said when I ended this book I would ended really mad and I just was.
Wow, just wow, the last book was fine, but this just was lovely, lovely, lovely.
The prose felt more natural instead of forced, the characters were better written and the story was just more mature in general.
I understand the low sales and why book 3 never, book 1 wasn't good for todays young'uns standards, it was fun and queer, but too much for them, they're not educated in the weird stuff we were, a pity.
But yeah, I'm really, really mad because book 3 never, editorials, pah! inksuckers, that what they are!
Wow, just wow, the last book was fine, but this just was lovely, lovely, lovely.
The prose felt more natural instead of forced, the characters were better written and the story was just more mature in general.
I understand the low sales and why book 3 never, book 1 wasn't good for todays young'uns standards, it was fun and queer, but too much for them, they're not educated in the weird stuff we were, a pity.
But yeah, I'm really, really mad because book 3 never, editorials, pah! inksuckers, that what they are!
November 19, 2013
I have to confess, Michael Pryor’s second installment of THE EXTRAORDINAIRES series, The Subterranean Stratagem, did not quite charm or engage me as much as its predecessor, The Extinction Gambit, did (or Pryor’s earlier THE LAWS OF MAGIC series). As this is the first of Pryor’s books not to do so, I’m going to consider this a minor blip and assume book three will regain his usual form.
The Subterranean Stratagem picks up a few months after the end of The Extinction Gambit, with Kingsley and Evadne’s new act struggling more than a little, due mostly to Kingsley’s personal struggle in trying to keep his wild side in check, something he has been having more and more difficulty with. Their personal relationship is just as stalled as the professional one, stuck somewhat awkwardly between professional a... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The Subterranean Stratagem picks up a few months after the end of The Extinction Gambit, with Kingsley and Evadne’s new act struggling more than a little, due mostly to Kingsley’s personal struggle in trying to keep his wild side in check, something he has been having more and more difficulty with. Their personal relationship is just as stalled as the professional one, stuck somewhat awkwardly between professional a... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
August 10, 2016
Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
May 5, 2013
Brilliant, as per usual from Michael Pryor.
May 19, 2014
Absolutely brilliant. It was a joy to read and such fun, classic Pryor wit and twisting plots. So good it was (dare I say?) better than the last and that's pretty high praise, indeed.
September 27, 2015
I love his style of writing and his characters are so interesting. I hope that is not the end if their adventures.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews