Moth Girl versus The Bats

by Michael Wombat

This short steampunky adventure with a flavour of thirties movie serials was inspired by a Twitter conversation the author had with Thea Gilmore in early 2013, and then by her song “Start As We Mean To Go On”. As the story progressed, other Thea songs lent their titles easily to the remaining three episodes, and more song titles found their way into the text. If you're a fan of Thea Gilmore, see how many you can spot. The name ‘Moth Girl’ came out of an anagram of Thea’s name – in fact Ratporchrico’s opening phrase in this story is that very anagram.

Also includes sample chapters of other Michael Wombat books, and a preview of the forthcoming medieval saga, 1322.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

87 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2013

About the author

A Yorkshireman living in the rural green hills of Lancashire, Michael Wombat is a man of huge beard. He has a penchant for good single-malts, inept football teams, big daft dogs and the diary of Mr. Samuel Pepys. Abducted by pirates at the age of twelve he quickly rose to captain the feared privateer ‘The Mrs. Nesbitt’ and terrorised the Skull Coast throughout his early twenties. Narrowly escaping the Revenue men by dressing as a burlesque dancer, he went on to work successively and successfully as a burlesque dancer, a forester, a busker, and a magic carpet salesman. The fact that he was once one of that forgotten company, the bus conductors, will immediately tell you that he is as old as the hills in which he lives. Nowadays he spends his time writing and pretending to take good photographs. You can have a good laugh at his pathetic blog or his photographs, but most of all please go and mock him mercilessly on Twitter or Facebook. Michael Wombat has published over one book. Other authors are available.

Click here for the "Ask Michael Wombat" discussion group.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thea became more ambitious, she swooped and soared, turned and twisted, her breath vapor-trailing behind her to mingle with her faint blue lifeline. She laughed aloud at the unexpected joy of flight. She shouted with excitement. She imagined herself an angel, an avenging angel swooping to the rescue of her beleaguered city. The stars wheeled about her almost as if she controlled their arc through the heavens. This must be what it felt like to be an angel in the stars.

So, I'm picturing a prettier, more streamlined version of this -



Join our intrepid heroine, Thea, (DO NOT call her "Moth Girl"!) as she battles an airborne army of clockwork bats and struggles to find out just who the heck created the damned things in the first place.

This sort of story fails miserably if it is taken too seriously. Luckily, the author had the good sense to keep things light and humorous. From Thea's "Big Red Button" to her elderly helpmate's asking her if she needs to wee before she takes flight, these scattered bits of funny somehow serve to make things more believable.

"If you're going to indulge in badinage, at least make it coherent and quippy."

Good advice, and well played in this tale.

There's a real excitement to this work and an magical, almost "Night Before Christmas" feel of cold, crisp air, things flying about that really shouldn't be, and a breathtaking promise of good things to come.

Here's hoping Thea will take to the air again soon.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps one of the trickiest things about writing good steampunk is inventing and describing in credible detail mechanical items that do not exist. Michael Wombat does an excellent job of creating inventions that are simultaneously easy to visualize and plausible for the reader. His heroine Thea, aka Moth Girl, is a spunky, no nonsense gal with a strong will and a quick mind. I look forward to reading more of her adventures.

[Miranda Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect little book to accompany me on my day trip to London. A short but gripping read, and pocket sized so perfect for carrying round with me.

A steam punk suspense tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat as the main character, Thea, tries to uncover a mystery behind some ruthless mechanical bats.

This is not a book for the faint hearted. It is at times gory, but oh so funny in places too, with some great language - that might not suit everybody. I loved it.

And the tale ends on a cliff hanger. I look forward to the next instalment.

[Michael Wombat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry, Goodreads, but if you insist on asking the author what they think of their own work then they're going to give it 5 stars. (I'm such a pimp).

[Alex Brightsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid yarn that perfectly captures the tone and flavour of the sci-fi serials of the fifties, and serves it with a sassily modern heroine and a steam punk twist.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book... so unusual but vividly written. Can't wait for the sequel!

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sully and short but not bad.

[Lisa Shambrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read 'Moth Girl' serialised on the author's blog...and waited for each installment with bated breath!
This is a short story that grabs you immediately. The author's writing is evocative and definitely brings out a comic book feel, think Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. Powerful and fantastical description will pull you into Moth Girl's predicament, and you'll be wincing in pain as steampunk creatures and critters show up...
The characters are strong, well-written and tongue-in-cheek at times, and you'll find yourself both concerned and rooting for the heroine as she battles against evil.
An incredibly vivid visual tale, which will beguile you!

[Bekah Shambrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth Girl versus The Bats Is a wonderful steampunk short full of vivid imagery and stunning descriptions. Michael fills this adventure with fantastic mechanical creations that bring the steampunk theme to life in your mind. The only thing that disappoints me is that it isn't longer and I really look forward to reading more about the feisty Moth Girl. (There'd better be more!)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this adventure and didn't want it to end.

[Rose English · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little steampunk adventure with its mechanical bats and the wonderful heroine Thea, nicknamed 'Moth Girl'.
The descriptions were wonderful I could almost hear the whirring of the wings and the cogs and wheels turning in the most unexpected place where Thea follows the bats to.
Sorry don't want to give too much away you will just have to check it out for yourself

[Gilly Riet]

Looking forward to her next adventure !