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Burton & Swinburne #3
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon
It is 1863, but not the one it should be. Time has veered wildly off course, and now the first moves are being made that will lead to a devastating world war and the fall of the British Empire. Caught in a tangled web of cause, effect, and inevitability, little does Burton realize that the stakes are far higher than even he suspects. A final confrontation comes in the mist-shrouded Mountains of the Moon, in war- torn Africa of 1914, and in Green Park, London, where, in the year 1840, Burton must face the man responsible for altering Spring Heeled Jack! Burton and Swinburne's third adventure is filled with eccentric steam-driven technology, grotesque characters, and bizarre events, completing the three-volume story arc begun in The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack and The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man.
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
54 people are currently reading
1537 people want to read
About the author
Mark Hodder
74 books518 followersBritish author living in Valencia, Spain.
Burton & Swinburne Novels:
THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF SPRING-HEELED JACK (Winner of the Philip K. Dick Award 2010)
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE CLOCKWORK MAN
EXPEDITION TO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
THE SECRET OF ABDU EL YEZDI
THE RETURN OF THE DISCONTINUED MAN
THE RISE OF THE AUTOMATED ARISTOCRATS
Other Novels:
A RED SUN ALSO RISES
THE SILENT THUNDER CAPER
A DARK AND SUBTLE LIGHT
Novels in Collaboration with Michael Moorcock:
CARIBBEAN CRISIS/VOODOO ISLAND
THE ALBINO'S SECRET (forthcoming)
THE ALBINO'S HONOUR (forthcoming)
THE ALBINO'S EYE (forthcoming)
As Editor:
SEXTON BLAKE AND THE GREAT WAR
SEXTON BLAKE VERSUS THE MASTER CROOKS
SEXTON BLAKE'S ALLIES
SEXTON BLAKE ON THE HOME FRONT
SEXTON BLAKE'S NEW ORDER
Burton & Swinburne Novels:
THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF SPRING-HEELED JACK (Winner of the Philip K. Dick Award 2010)
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE CLOCKWORK MAN
EXPEDITION TO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
THE SECRET OF ABDU EL YEZDI
THE RETURN OF THE DISCONTINUED MAN
THE RISE OF THE AUTOMATED ARISTOCRATS
Other Novels:
A RED SUN ALSO RISES
THE SILENT THUNDER CAPER
A DARK AND SUBTLE LIGHT
Novels in Collaboration with Michael Moorcock:
CARIBBEAN CRISIS/VOODOO ISLAND
THE ALBINO'S SECRET (forthcoming)
THE ALBINO'S HONOUR (forthcoming)
THE ALBINO'S EYE (forthcoming)
As Editor:
SEXTON BLAKE AND THE GREAT WAR
SEXTON BLAKE VERSUS THE MASTER CROOKS
SEXTON BLAKE'S ALLIES
SEXTON BLAKE ON THE HOME FRONT
SEXTON BLAKE'S NEW ORDER
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
August 9, 2013
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack was a fun steam-punk romp with a sci-fi time-travel twist. The pace was break-neck, even if the plot was a bit incoherent at times. The interplay between the colorful cast of characters, most of which were stolen from real-life historical figures, made the book. This same winning recipe continued in The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, which left me excited to read this third and final volume of the Burton & Swinburne trilogy.
Sadly, that excitement died the moment I opened Expeditions to the Mountains of the Moon. The lightness in tone was gone, replaced by a bleak fatalism. The banter between the cast also disappeared, as each of the supporting casts' moment was relegated to their swan song. The Burton & Swinburne moniker doesn't even really apply to this book, as it is mostly Burton, and Swinburne's final appearance is an absurd scene . This book also abandoned its steam-punk origins; it is a full-fledged time-travel book, with rules more convoluted than quantum mechanics, and multiple alternate versions of history.
The book actually jumps back and forth between two time-lines so often that every time I even became mildly interested in where the plot was going, I became stymied by the other time-line being forced back upon me. The latter of the two time-lines was mostly to blame, as it featured Burton alone in a alternate future that the reader has no vested interest in, and the explanation for his purpose there is not given until the story's climax.
I almost lemmed this book more times than I can count. The only thing that kept me going was that I'd already read the two books that preceded it, and wanted to know how the trilogy ended. The conclusion wound up being the final nail in the coffin. I could have forgiven a lot of this book's many faults if the ending were a satisfying one. But instead, the ending is unsatisfying on every level, and also more opaque than the ending of Twelve Monkeys, thanks to the book's convoluted time-travel elements.
I'm so disappointed with this concluding volume that I'd seriously reconsider recommending even the first two books in the trilogy to others.
Sadly, that excitement died the moment I opened Expeditions to the Mountains of the Moon. The lightness in tone was gone, replaced by a bleak fatalism. The banter between the cast also disappeared, as each of the supporting casts' moment was relegated to their swan song. The Burton & Swinburne moniker doesn't even really apply to this book, as it is mostly Burton, and Swinburne's final appearance is an absurd scene . This book also abandoned its steam-punk origins; it is a full-fledged time-travel book, with rules more convoluted than quantum mechanics, and multiple alternate versions of history.
The book actually jumps back and forth between two time-lines so often that every time I even became mildly interested in where the plot was going, I became stymied by the other time-line being forced back upon me. The latter of the two time-lines was mostly to blame, as it featured Burton alone in a alternate future that the reader has no vested interest in, and the explanation for his purpose there is not given until the story's climax.
I almost lemmed this book more times than I can count. The only thing that kept me going was that I'd already read the two books that preceded it, and wanted to know how the trilogy ended. The conclusion wound up being the final nail in the coffin. I could have forgiven a lot of this book's many faults if the ending were a satisfying one. But instead, the ending is unsatisfying on every level, and also more opaque than the ending of Twelve Monkeys, thanks to the book's convoluted time-travel elements.
I'm so disappointed with this concluding volume that I'd seriously reconsider recommending even the first two books in the trilogy to others.
August 4, 2019
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon is the third book in the Burton & Swinburne series. It started off great, then it started to get a bit tedious about midway through. In the end, it made me angry.
The story jumps between two main time periods, and at first the reader is likely to be confused about what's going on and how things in the earlier time period led to the things in the later time period. At first I really enjoyed the story. I also enjoyed the characters, who I’ve become increasingly attached to throughout the series. I also enjoyed trying to puzzle out what was going on with the later time period and trying to guess what would happen in the earlier one.
Then at some point, I’m not really sure why, I started to lose interest. I still enjoyed the character interactions and parts of the story, but the book became easier to put down. Maybe it was just a bit too much travel and a few too many similar events, but it started to feel a little tedious.
The last chapter or two of the story made me mad, and particularly the very end. First, we’re given an explanation for everything that I found difficult to buy into. Then I didn’t like some of the events that happened towards the end. At the very end, I thought the author went off the rails and messed up the relatively consistent logic he had going on.
I’m rating this at 3 stars, which feels a little too generous given my frustration at the end, but I did enjoy most of it and it had some great moments so I can’t bring myself to rate it lower. The end left me with doubts about the remaining three books in the series, though. I plan to give the fourth book a try and then decide from there if I want to keep going, but first I’m going to take a short break to participate in a group read of an unrelated book.
I’ll put a few more excessively long details about my complaints in the spoiler tags:
The story jumps between two main time periods, and at first the reader is likely to be confused about what's going on and how things in the earlier time period led to the things in the later time period. At first I really enjoyed the story. I also enjoyed the characters, who I’ve become increasingly attached to throughout the series. I also enjoyed trying to puzzle out what was going on with the later time period and trying to guess what would happen in the earlier one.
Then at some point, I’m not really sure why, I started to lose interest. I still enjoyed the character interactions and parts of the story, but the book became easier to put down. Maybe it was just a bit too much travel and a few too many similar events, but it started to feel a little tedious.
The last chapter or two of the story made me mad, and particularly the very end. First, we’re given an explanation for everything that I found difficult to buy into. Then I didn’t like some of the events that happened towards the end. At the very end, I thought the author went off the rails and messed up the relatively consistent logic he had going on.
I’m rating this at 3 stars, which feels a little too generous given my frustration at the end, but I did enjoy most of it and it had some great moments so I can’t bring myself to rate it lower. The end left me with doubts about the remaining three books in the series, though. I plan to give the fourth book a try and then decide from there if I want to keep going, but first I’m going to take a short break to participate in a group read of an unrelated book.
I’ll put a few more excessively long details about my complaints in the spoiler tags:
June 7, 2016
I read the majority of this during #tometopple and I have to say it's a weird coincidence that I read Theatre of the Gods and then this as both have a similar light, witty and steampunk vibe to them. I wish I hadn't had a long gap between starting and finishing this one as I started it months ago, put it down, and then had to restart some of it when I returned to it this time around. I think that if I'd been able to just go straight through my rating would have been better, but that is entirely down to schedules being hectic, so not much I can do there!
This story continues the infamous adventures of Burton and Swinburne but this book takes on a bit of a darker voice. I felt that the focus in this story (African tribes and war) was a lot more hard hitting at times and made me think a little bit more about what exactly I was reading and what it might be commenting on. With that said, there are still many highly witty and amusing moments for the reader to roll their eyes, smile at and giggle along with.
This story is also different in that it's set in two parallel times. We have a weird situation where our character is appearing in two different places within time, one in the present we've been following to now, and the other is a future storyline which doesn't look that fab. At first it was very confusing to wrap my head around this new set-up and figure out why it was happening, but as the story went on the book made more sense as a whole and it pulled it off in the end.
Probably the most interesting story for me was that of the African adventuring becuase I felt that this was where we really saw the steampunk creatures, beings and craziness this word has to offer whereas the future story was a lot more war-focused. I definitely enjoyed the interacting of Burton and the tribes he'd met on his previous visits to Africa, and I think that the storyline there kept me excited throughout.
On the whole this is another good continuation in the series and I hope that the next time I move on within the series I can just sit and plough through the book in a few sittings rather than with a large gap as I think this series works best that way. Definitely a series I recommend and will still continue with (hopefully soon) 3.5*s
This story continues the infamous adventures of Burton and Swinburne but this book takes on a bit of a darker voice. I felt that the focus in this story (African tribes and war) was a lot more hard hitting at times and made me think a little bit more about what exactly I was reading and what it might be commenting on. With that said, there are still many highly witty and amusing moments for the reader to roll their eyes, smile at and giggle along with.
This story is also different in that it's set in two parallel times. We have a weird situation where our character is appearing in two different places within time, one in the present we've been following to now, and the other is a future storyline which doesn't look that fab. At first it was very confusing to wrap my head around this new set-up and figure out why it was happening, but as the story went on the book made more sense as a whole and it pulled it off in the end.
Probably the most interesting story for me was that of the African adventuring becuase I felt that this was where we really saw the steampunk creatures, beings and craziness this word has to offer whereas the future story was a lot more war-focused. I definitely enjoyed the interacting of Burton and the tribes he'd met on his previous visits to Africa, and I think that the storyline there kept me excited throughout.
On the whole this is another good continuation in the series and I hope that the next time I move on within the series I can just sit and plough through the book in a few sittings rather than with a large gap as I think this series works best that way. Definitely a series I recommend and will still continue with (hopefully soon) 3.5*s
December 5, 2015
Eagerly awaited.........
Had to really focus with the opening chapter as was totally lost! Thankfully about 50 pages in we get a recap which then makes sense of what id jus tried to fathom & gets me noodle back into the book. Diverging or is that converging timelines & time travel has that effect.....
We’re then in Jolly ol’ England present day, well for Burton & Swinburne, it’s 1863 London! Great stuff as all the characters from the prior books flood back into the story but then it takes a turn....... & I wasn’t sure as to how much I was going to enjoy this adventure seeing as the majority of the book transports us to East Africa via Arabia in search of the “Mountains of the moon” & the black diamonds, which reared itself in the previous book & is the recurring theme for the adventurers Burton & Swinburne.....
The dastardly Hun is our opponent led by the fiendish Count Von Zeppelin! Yes real life characters are used, some as main leads, others with bit parts & its part of the charm to read about their actual histories at the end of the book! We get to jump around a bit too, from 1863 to 1919 to be precise as the African Safari starts to mesh the timelines as they get closer to reaching their goal – them black diamond’s of the Naga.
Pox the parakeet was present as was the philosopher Herbert for some light entertainment along with the irrepressible Swinburne but it wasn’t nearly enough to save the day as I did find the African “safari” a bit of a drag & very repetitive as they had to pay “hondo” (tribute) at every village, haggled with the natives, lost supplies as donkeys perished or porters ran off, followed Speke forever catching him up but not quite..... yadda yadda yadda ......all of which goes on for about 400 pages!
It jus didn’t have the WOW factor of the previous two books nor the inventive world creation factor which forever made you sit up & take note. I did miss the ol smoke of London & all its characters & nuances. In the end a lot of the book came down to just Burton as his compadres factored less & less in the tale & left me floundering & contemplating will I even finish this book.....
All in all it’s slightly better than an ok read, hence the 2.5stars rounded upto 3 stars although as I now finish its close to being rounded down as its failed to deliver the promise of the second book quite spectacularly.
Its a series I’ve really loved prior to this expedition so i’ll be carrying on in the hope that its a return to Steampunk & less of the time travelling & paradox malarkey......
Had to really focus with the opening chapter as was totally lost! Thankfully about 50 pages in we get a recap which then makes sense of what id jus tried to fathom & gets me noodle back into the book. Diverging or is that converging timelines & time travel has that effect.....
We’re then in Jolly ol’ England present day, well for Burton & Swinburne, it’s 1863 London! Great stuff as all the characters from the prior books flood back into the story but then it takes a turn....... & I wasn’t sure as to how much I was going to enjoy this adventure seeing as the majority of the book transports us to East Africa via Arabia in search of the “Mountains of the moon” & the black diamonds, which reared itself in the previous book & is the recurring theme for the adventurers Burton & Swinburne.....
The dastardly Hun is our opponent led by the fiendish Count Von Zeppelin! Yes real life characters are used, some as main leads, others with bit parts & its part of the charm to read about their actual histories at the end of the book! We get to jump around a bit too, from 1863 to 1919 to be precise as the African Safari starts to mesh the timelines as they get closer to reaching their goal – them black diamond’s of the Naga.
Pox the parakeet was present as was the philosopher Herbert for some light entertainment along with the irrepressible Swinburne but it wasn’t nearly enough to save the day as I did find the African “safari” a bit of a drag & very repetitive as they had to pay “hondo” (tribute) at every village, haggled with the natives, lost supplies as donkeys perished or porters ran off, followed Speke forever catching him up but not quite..... yadda yadda yadda ......all of which goes on for about 400 pages!
It jus didn’t have the WOW factor of the previous two books nor the inventive world creation factor which forever made you sit up & take note. I did miss the ol smoke of London & all its characters & nuances. In the end a lot of the book came down to just Burton as his compadres factored less & less in the tale & left me floundering & contemplating will I even finish this book.....
All in all it’s slightly better than an ok read, hence the 2.5stars rounded upto 3 stars although as I now finish its close to being rounded down as its failed to deliver the promise of the second book quite spectacularly.
Its a series I’ve really loved prior to this expedition so i’ll be carrying on in the hope that its a return to Steampunk & less of the time travelling & paradox malarkey......
January 14, 2015
Brilliant, book 3 is the best, all comes together in a near perfect book.
story flow just flows carrying me along with it.
characters mature in a amazing way.
Highly recommended.
Book 4 has a lot to live up too to be better than this.
story flow just flows carrying me along with it.
characters mature in a amazing way.
Highly recommended.
Book 4 has a lot to live up too to be better than this.
June 4, 2020
This third part of the Burton & Swinburne trilogy (more on that later) takes the story of a fractured-history British Empire to its inevitable, mind-blowing conclusion. It has a heavier tone that the prior books. The characters go through a long, trying journey through the heart of Africa, and the overall feeling engendered by the story mirrors their bleak experience. Algernon Swinburne continues to provide manic comic relief and beautiful poetry, with some of the real-life Swinburne's composition factoring into the tale. All of our favorite Scotland Yard personalities make a comeback, as do multiple automatons, and of course the foul-mouthed Pox is present, you bilious scutwagger. Isabel Arundell, given short shrift in the first book, makes a notable comeback, and of the three books this one yields the best roles to female characters, although the males still take up most of the air.
I am sure you are familiar with foreshadowing as a literary technique, but have you ever encountered... aftshadowing? This story flips the prior time travel narrative on its head and tells a parallel tale of the future (circa 1910's, during "The Great War") intermixed with "present" time for the characters (1860's), along with a re-visit to the past, leaving the reader asking not "how did things come to be this way" but rather "how will things become this way", a fine distinction to be sure, but this approach adds much gravitas to the story. There are many touching moments too, as the fate of various characters come to be known across the timelines.
We see the ultimate evolution of the technological and cultural alterations that came into being through the actions of Spring Heeled Jack from the first book (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack), and they are sheer madness and horror. In the "future", the British Empire is on the verge of extinction, war is worse than hell, and there is no certainty that this bleak outcome can be avoided.
That won't stop Burton from trying, though. The end of this book... well, it's just about the only way that a time travel paradox can end, like it or not. I was wowed the first time that I read it and it has stayed with me ever since.
BUT WAIT! There's more! Yes, I was as surpised as anyone, after enjoying the perfect conclusion to this tale, that there were more books in the series. I have only read one further (The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi), and can't wait to re-read that and then move on to all-new territory in this, one of my very favorite contemporary series, and the only steampunk novels that have ever satisfied me.
I am sure you are familiar with foreshadowing as a literary technique, but have you ever encountered... aftshadowing? This story flips the prior time travel narrative on its head and tells a parallel tale of the future (circa 1910's, during "The Great War") intermixed with "present" time for the characters (1860's), along with a re-visit to the past, leaving the reader asking not "how did things come to be this way" but rather "how will things become this way", a fine distinction to be sure, but this approach adds much gravitas to the story. There are many touching moments too, as the fate of various characters come to be known across the timelines.
We see the ultimate evolution of the technological and cultural alterations that came into being through the actions of Spring Heeled Jack from the first book (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack), and they are sheer madness and horror. In the "future", the British Empire is on the verge of extinction, war is worse than hell, and there is no certainty that this bleak outcome can be avoided.
That won't stop Burton from trying, though. The end of this book... well, it's just about the only way that a time travel paradox can end, like it or not. I was wowed the first time that I read it and it has stayed with me ever since.
BUT WAIT! There's more! Yes, I was as surpised as anyone, after enjoying the perfect conclusion to this tale, that there were more books in the series. I have only read one further (The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi), and can't wait to re-read that and then move on to all-new territory in this, one of my very favorite contemporary series, and the only steampunk novels that have ever satisfied me.
March 28, 2022
Quite spectacular, as steampunk novels go. Recommended.
February 13, 2012
What a disappointment! After really loving the first 2 and putting aside the other books I was reading to finish the trilogy I was really let down. Interminable descriptions of the trip across Africa to find the Naga diamonds that are one of the main characters of the story. I lost the thread of the plot even after scanning through pages and pages. There were 7 sentences just to describe Burton changing from one car to another. What a waste of my time but I finished it and then the disappointment continued with a very anti-climactic ending. Although the plot revolves around time travel and the definition of time - the jumps back and forth in time with the different characters became confusing.
October 22, 2015
The tone of all three novels in this trilogy have been quite different. The first,
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack
, was a straight up steampunk-historical-time-travel-adventure (that well known sub-genre) novel; the second,
The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man
, took that premise and played it into more of a mystery direction. This third novel,
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon
, changes tack again to a much darker place – the horrors of war in Africa where the technologies of war have run amok.
The story is told through two parallel narratives. The first in 1863 which follows roughly on from the previous novel. Richard Burton and gang head out on an expedition to the Mountains of the Moon in Africa. Sent by Lord Palmerston to search for the last of the Naga stones, and while he's unsure of Palmerston's motives he really wants to go himself to try and find the source of the Nile before John Speke. All the usual crowd from the previous books are with him, including his estranged fiancé Isabel who is now the Laurence of Arabia style leader of a band of desert women. The second narrative is set over 50 years later in 1941 where Burton finds himself dropped into the middle of a great war, alongside H.G. Wells, between Britain and Germany. He's very disorientated (as you might imagine) and so takes several years to work out why he's been sent forward in time. Jumping between the two is a little confusing at first – it's unexpected and frequently happens mid-chapter – but you get used to picking up on the clues pretty quickly.
The darker style seems to disappoint many reviewers but, while this is a complicated plot and you have to pay attention, I think this is a very strong book in the series. It would be easy to accidentally trivialise the war by having seed bombs and fungal spore biological weapons make the whole thing seem almost comical. Instead Hodder steers the novel deftly down the right path, especially when the price Burton pays for trying to save the world is so very high. This is not an end to the series where everybody comes home safely. In fact, I struggle to see how the series can continue as it is although there appear to be further two novels already.
The story is told through two parallel narratives. The first in 1863 which follows roughly on from the previous novel. Richard Burton and gang head out on an expedition to the Mountains of the Moon in Africa. Sent by Lord Palmerston to search for the last of the Naga stones, and while he's unsure of Palmerston's motives he really wants to go himself to try and find the source of the Nile before John Speke. All the usual crowd from the previous books are with him, including his estranged fiancé Isabel who is now the Laurence of Arabia style leader of a band of desert women. The second narrative is set over 50 years later in 1941 where Burton finds himself dropped into the middle of a great war, alongside H.G. Wells, between Britain and Germany. He's very disorientated (as you might imagine) and so takes several years to work out why he's been sent forward in time. Jumping between the two is a little confusing at first – it's unexpected and frequently happens mid-chapter – but you get used to picking up on the clues pretty quickly.
The darker style seems to disappoint many reviewers but, while this is a complicated plot and you have to pay attention, I think this is a very strong book in the series. It would be easy to accidentally trivialise the war by having seed bombs and fungal spore biological weapons make the whole thing seem almost comical. Instead Hodder steers the novel deftly down the right path, especially when the price Burton pays for trying to save the world is so very high. This is not an end to the series where everybody comes home safely. In fact, I struggle to see how the series can continue as it is although there appear to be further two novels already.
November 1, 2024
Not quite as good as book 2 (because let's face it, how on Earth can you possibly top steampunk zombies!?!), but a rather exciting adventure nonetheless.
September 3, 2018
Sir Richard Francis Burton se tentokrát vydává do Afriky, a to nikoliv hledat prameny Nilu. Jeho úkolem je najít poslední ze tří tajemných drahokamů, který má svou mocí zachránit Britské impérium před rozpínajícím se Německem. Potkáme své staré známé - Oscara Wilda, natahovacího filozofa Spencera nebo Algernona Swinburna, významnou roli má tentokrát i H.G. Wells. Ale oproti předchozím dílům se pohybujeme v úplně jiném prostředí, navíc tu máme dvě propletené časové roviny a docela složitou zápletku - zdálo se mi to místy trošku překombinované.
I tak je to pořád pěkná oddechovka, přestože Případ mechanického muže se mi líbil přece jen o něco víc.
I tak je to pořád pěkná oddechovka, přestože Případ mechanického muže se mi líbil přece jen o něco víc.
October 13, 2024
Ehmm, tlačila som koniec očami 🤷♀️🤦♀️
December 30, 2016
Poslední díl první trilogie Burton & Swinburne a také poslední díl, který vyšel česky - a nevypadá to, že by se Triton chystal druhou trilogii vydat, takže teď řeším, kde koupit ty zbylé tři anglické díly (asi nakonec přes iBookstore).
Tento díl se celý odehrává v Africe a to ve dvou časových rovinách - roku 1863 (Burtonova výprava do Měsíčních hor) a v rozmení 1914 - 1918 (období vyhlazovací války mezi Británií a Velkogermánskou říší). V obou těchto rovinách se vyskytuje postava Richarda Burtona a čtenář se postupně s Burtonem dovídá, jak je to vůbec možné. V obou rovinách jde hrdinům o život, v obou dojde na ztráty v řadách nejbližších a na několik docela nečekaných situací a také překvapivých setkání skrze čas. Opět platí, že bez znalosti předchozích dílů se tohle asi nějak rozumně číst nedá, takže se vyplatí držet chronologii série.
Kvalitativně je tento díl srovnatelný s tím předchozím, jako nejslabší z celé trilogii tak vychází díl první, což je opravdu škoda, protože díky tomu se řada lidí dál nepročte - k vlastní škodě.
Vize vyhlazovací války je opravdu děsivá, ale v určitých momentech jsme ji byly v "naší" historii velmi blízko a Burtonova snaha vše zastavit se opakovaně ukáže jako nereálná. A ten finální výlet do roku 1840 - to je opravdu taková třešnička na dortu :-)
Za mě velmi dobrá série, určitě stojí za přečtení - plnokrevné čtyři hvězdičky. Je to sice lehčí čtení, ale i tak u toho občas člověka napadají těžké myšlenky. Určitě si budu chtít celou sérií dočíst, protože i když se operuje dvěma oddělenými trilogiemi, tak to není až tak pravda a já jsem opravdu zvědavá, jakou verzi reality Richard Burton na konci této knihy stvořil (a podle ukázky z The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi to vypadá velmi zajímavě - asi si celou historii od roku 1840 prožijeme s postavami znovu v jiné realitě).
Kontext: Přečteno během Vánoc - vždy po večerech, když šli děti spát :-)
První věta: "Sir Richard Francis Burton se zavrtěl pod křoviskem na okraji houštiny v horním západním cípu londýnského Green Parku a proklínal svou hloupost."
Poslední věta: "A za ní ležel ten velice, velice skutečný svět, který stvořil."
Tento díl se celý odehrává v Africe a to ve dvou časových rovinách - roku 1863 (Burtonova výprava do Měsíčních hor) a v rozmení 1914 - 1918 (období vyhlazovací války mezi Británií a Velkogermánskou říší). V obou těchto rovinách se vyskytuje postava Richarda Burtona a čtenář se postupně s Burtonem dovídá, jak je to vůbec možné. V obou rovinách jde hrdinům o život, v obou dojde na ztráty v řadách nejbližších a na několik docela nečekaných situací a také překvapivých setkání skrze čas. Opět platí, že bez znalosti předchozích dílů se tohle asi nějak rozumně číst nedá, takže se vyplatí držet chronologii série.
Kvalitativně je tento díl srovnatelný s tím předchozím, jako nejslabší z celé trilogii tak vychází díl první, což je opravdu škoda, protože díky tomu se řada lidí dál nepročte - k vlastní škodě.
Vize vyhlazovací války je opravdu děsivá, ale v určitých momentech jsme ji byly v "naší" historii velmi blízko a Burtonova snaha vše zastavit se opakovaně ukáže jako nereálná. A ten finální výlet do roku 1840 - to je opravdu taková třešnička na dortu :-)
Za mě velmi dobrá série, určitě stojí za přečtení - plnokrevné čtyři hvězdičky. Je to sice lehčí čtení, ale i tak u toho občas člověka napadají těžké myšlenky. Určitě si budu chtít celou sérií dočíst, protože i když se operuje dvěma oddělenými trilogiemi, tak to není až tak pravda a já jsem opravdu zvědavá, jakou verzi reality Richard Burton na konci této knihy stvořil (a podle ukázky z The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi to vypadá velmi zajímavě - asi si celou historii od roku 1840 prožijeme s postavami znovu v jiné realitě).
Kontext: Přečteno během Vánoc - vždy po večerech, když šli děti spát :-)
První věta: "Sir Richard Francis Burton se zavrtěl pod křoviskem na okraji houštiny v horním západním cípu londýnského Green Parku a proklínal svou hloupost."
Poslední věta: "A za ní ležel ten velice, velice skutečný svět, který stvořil."
July 23, 2014
I finished this (maybe last) Burton and Swinburne novel and while I plan to talk more a bit later on further thought, for now i will say that overall I thought it a very good book despite that it almost fell in the solipsistic (the action of one or more characters can erase/change timelines ie have God powers ie solipsism) trap that tends to afflict time travel/timeline changes novels. Very good writing and in the "local" - chapter by chapter, adventure by adventure, scene by scene the book is excellent, but in the global as mentioned it almost collapses the suspension of disbelief and the whole is less than the sum of its parts. The ending was superb though - balance of ambiguity and necessity - to raise the whole a bit more, but while I would highly recommend the book and the series, it is not quite at a top 25 level.
August 8, 2016
That final chapter!!! :o
August 28, 2020
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon is the third book in the Burton and Swinburne series, following just that - their expedition to the Mountains of the Moon, seeking out the Eyes of Naga. A time sensitive expedition to find the stone first, before a rival expedition by John Speke gets there.
Where the first two books in the series felt like grand adventures riddled with humour in a steampunk London, Mountains of the Moon lost its humour and grandiose, becoming a lot more serious and a lot more convoluted. The banter between Burton and Swinburne is minimal, and the extravagance of the others is diluted in a new environment. While there is still hints of steampunk throughout, it’s not as overt or as exciting as it felt in the first two books.
As for the story being convoluted, I’m all for suspension of belief, especially in a alternate history book, but this really took a lot out of me. It didn’t even really feel like it was following the same story anymore, despite meaning to be the concluding book in this three volume part of the series. The ending does start to tie everything back together again, but it still didn’t feel as the others did. It took a lot to get there, and by the end of it, you’re willing to just accept what you’ve been given and let the book end.
Overall, this was a bit of a disappointment of a finale for Burton and Swinburne adventures since Spring Heeled Jack. It lost the novel appeal from the first two, and took everything to far. While still nice to have finished the storyline of the three books, it felt lacklustre. I am willing to say though that because of how dense and convoluted the story is, this may be one of those books you need to reread to really grasp everything that is hidden within, to see how all of the connections are made. That could really make this a five star read on a reread.
Where the first two books in the series felt like grand adventures riddled with humour in a steampunk London, Mountains of the Moon lost its humour and grandiose, becoming a lot more serious and a lot more convoluted. The banter between Burton and Swinburne is minimal, and the extravagance of the others is diluted in a new environment. While there is still hints of steampunk throughout, it’s not as overt or as exciting as it felt in the first two books.
As for the story being convoluted, I’m all for suspension of belief, especially in a alternate history book, but this really took a lot out of me. It didn’t even really feel like it was following the same story anymore, despite meaning to be the concluding book in this three volume part of the series. The ending does start to tie everything back together again, but it still didn’t feel as the others did. It took a lot to get there, and by the end of it, you’re willing to just accept what you’ve been given and let the book end.
Overall, this was a bit of a disappointment of a finale for Burton and Swinburne adventures since Spring Heeled Jack. It lost the novel appeal from the first two, and took everything to far. While still nice to have finished the storyline of the three books, it felt lacklustre. I am willing to say though that because of how dense and convoluted the story is, this may be one of those books you need to reread to really grasp everything that is hidden within, to see how all of the connections are made. That could really make this a five star read on a reread.
February 4, 2020
Если вторая часть приключений Бартона и Суинберна лишь немного уступала замечательной первой, то конец трилогии просто откровенно уныл. Половину книги ничего не происходит, это просто дневник экспедиции по диким просторам Африки, в котором герои бесконечно преодолевают джунгли, дар��т бусы дикарям, разбивают лагерь, ведут учет припасов...
Время от времени герои произносят малоосмысленные монологи, притянутые за уши чисто ради возможности ввернуть от лица, допустим, Герберта Уэллса какую-нибудь знаменитую фразу, которую Уэллс действительно говорил. Очень искусственно и натужно.
От полного провала книгу спасает вторая сюжетная линия, которая разворачивается в начале ХХ века. Первая мировая в мире победившего стимпанка — завораживающее и пугающее зрелище. Если бы не она, бросил бы читать на середине.
Первую часть сериала категорически советую всем, а вот продолжения лучше не надо.
Время от времени герои произносят малоосмысленные монологи, притянутые за уши чисто ради возможности ввернуть от лица, допустим, Герберта Уэллса какую-нибудь знаменитую фразу, которую Уэллс действительно говорил. Очень искусственно и натужно.
От полного провала книгу спасает вторая сюжетная линия, которая разворачивается в начале ХХ века. Первая мировая в мире победившего стимпанка — завораживающее и пугающее зрелище. Если бы не она, бросил бы читать на середине.
Первую часть сериала категорически советую всем, а вот продолжения лучше не надо.
June 1, 2021
I found this third book quite a bit harder to get through than the first two. I really enjoyed the beginning, and the ending was good and fast paced, but there was a large section in the middle that I found repetitive and very slow going. Although I still enjoy all the characters, and I liked the dual time lines, I found the main story quite convoluted too. I also found the tone very different from the previous books, it missed a lot of the light-heartedness and felt very bleak at times.
December 14, 2019
Hm, naja. Ist Zeitreise nicht meins oder ist Steampunk nicht meins? Oder ist etwa Burton nicht meins? War teilweise witzig, auch interessant, aber halt weniger spannend. Da ich noch den vierten Teil hier habe, werde ich irgendwann noch einmal den Test machen.
August 28, 2013
Historia zatacza koło
Moje zamiłowanie do steampunk, większości z Was jest już pewnie doskonale znane. Dlatego nie zdziwi Was fakt, że gdy dotarła do mnie paczuszka z najnowszą, a zarazem ostatnią częścią trylogii Marka Hoddera – Burton i Swineburne; dosłownie skakałam z radości i od razu zabrałam się za czytanie. Patrząc z perspektywy czasu… był to spory błąd, ponieważ… za szybko ją pochłonęłam.
Rok 1863 nie jest już taki jak powinien. Za sprawą Skaczącego Jacka historia znacznie zboczył z kursu, co niestety prowadzi do katastrofalnych skutków z których największym jest niszczycielska wojna światowa. Premier Imperium Brytyjskiego – lord Palmerstone, pragnie ją za wszelką cenę wygrać, a osiągnięcie tego celu widzi w sile Oczów Naga. Aby jednak w pełni móc wykorzystać ich moc, musi posiadać wszystkie trzy. Dlatego po ostatni klejnot wysyła sir Richarda Burtona, który widzi w tej wyprawie także osobisty cel. Pragnie bowiem powrócić w Góry Księżycowe, aby w ramach tej ekspedycji odkryć także źródła Nilu. Jednak nie wie czego może się spodziewać, wie tylko, że jego droga może przeciąć się z tą po której kroczy jego dawny przyjaciel, a obecnie największy wróg - John Hanning Speke. Co się wydarzy? Jakie zakończenie będzie miała ta historia?
Czy wy też macie tak, że gdy czytacie tom zwieńczający ulubionej serię bądź trylogię, a jego treść jak i samo zakończenie przechodzą Wasze najśmielsze oczekiwania, to nie umiecie się zebrać do zrecenzowania tejże powieści? Ja właśnie byłam, i w sumie nadal jestem, w takiej sytuacji. Gdy myślę o Wyprawie w Góry Księżycowe nie potrafię zebrać wszystkich myśli i „oddać ich” w odpowiednich słowach…, zdaniach…, akapitach… tak aby miały sens. Książka po prostu mną zawładnęła od samego początku. Jest to chyba najbardziej emocjonujący tom z całej trylogii
Pierwsze skojarzenia jakie nasuwa się wraz z myślami o fabule, to „szaleństwo”. Autor wprowadził do niej tak wiele różnych wątków, a co więcej pokazał także kilka różnych perspektyw i nie mam tu na myśli tylko bohaterów, ale także i czasów w jakich rozgrywa się historia, że można się w nich wręcz pogubić. Co więcej, przez znaczną część czasu ma się wrażenie, iż poszczególne elementy niewiele mają ze sobą wspólnego. To i mroczny, ciężki oraz przepełniony „parą” klimat jaki Mark Hodder stworzył od pierwszego tomu, tylko dopełnia iście psychodelicznego galimatiasu, którego po prostu nie da się nie podziwiać. Ja sama do tej pory zastanawiam się jakim cudem pisarz nie pogubił się w tym wszystkim. A! I żebyśmy nie zrozumieli się źle, dla mnie to stanowi jeden z najważniejszych atutów powieści jak i całej trylogii. Pozostając jeszcze w temacie fabuły, muszę powiedzieć, że Hodder niczego nam nie ułatwia. Zresztą sobie, także nie. Często gęsto, do różnych wątków podchodzi z iście filozoficznym rozeznaniem, czym zmusza czytelnika do głębszych przemyśleń nie tylko nad życiem, ale także i nad historią. Mimo dość ciężkich rozważań (bo za takie uważam te związane z filozofią), autor potrafi przyciągnąć uwagę i zainteresować.
Akcja i jej tempo są naprawdę doskonale wyważone. Nie za szybko. Nie za wolno. Po prostu w sam raz. Mimo to, autor doskonale wie jak zaskoczyć. Właśnie w takich chwilach czułam się normalnie, jakby w moją krew została wpompowana iście czytelnicza adrenalina. Dosłownie podskakiwałam na leżaku z niecierpliwością czekając co też wydarzy się na kolejnych stronach. Oczywiście wie również jak „wylać na głowę kubeł zimnej wody” co z premedytacją udowodnił serwując nam takie, a nie inne zakończenie. Pozostawia ono ogromny niedosyt i głód wiedzy na temat tego co też wydarzyło się dalej. Tak na marginesie, to odebrałam je w sumie tak jakby Mark Hodder pozostawił sobie otwartą furtkę gdyby kiedyś naszła go ochota aby kontynuować dalsze przygody królewskiego agenta.
Podsumowując. Wyprawa w Góry Księżycowe to naprawdę doskonałe zakończenie trylogii. Autor wie jak sprawić, aby czytelnicy pokochali jego styl i literacką wyobraźnię, co w przyszłości może poskutkować częstym sięganiem po kolejne książki wychodzące spod jego klawiatury. Polecam każdemu! Tą trylogię po prostu trzeba poznać, zwłaszcza jeżeli jest się wielbicielem steampunk.
Moje zamiłowanie do steampunk, większości z Was jest już pewnie doskonale znane. Dlatego nie zdziwi Was fakt, że gdy dotarła do mnie paczuszka z najnowszą, a zarazem ostatnią częścią trylogii Marka Hoddera – Burton i Swineburne; dosłownie skakałam z radości i od razu zabrałam się za czytanie. Patrząc z perspektywy czasu… był to spory błąd, ponieważ… za szybko ją pochłonęłam.
Rok 1863 nie jest już taki jak powinien. Za sprawą Skaczącego Jacka historia znacznie zboczył z kursu, co niestety prowadzi do katastrofalnych skutków z których największym jest niszczycielska wojna światowa. Premier Imperium Brytyjskiego – lord Palmerstone, pragnie ją za wszelką cenę wygrać, a osiągnięcie tego celu widzi w sile Oczów Naga. Aby jednak w pełni móc wykorzystać ich moc, musi posiadać wszystkie trzy. Dlatego po ostatni klejnot wysyła sir Richarda Burtona, który widzi w tej wyprawie także osobisty cel. Pragnie bowiem powrócić w Góry Księżycowe, aby w ramach tej ekspedycji odkryć także źródła Nilu. Jednak nie wie czego może się spodziewać, wie tylko, że jego droga może przeciąć się z tą po której kroczy jego dawny przyjaciel, a obecnie największy wróg - John Hanning Speke. Co się wydarzy? Jakie zakończenie będzie miała ta historia?
Czy wy też macie tak, że gdy czytacie tom zwieńczający ulubionej serię bądź trylogię, a jego treść jak i samo zakończenie przechodzą Wasze najśmielsze oczekiwania, to nie umiecie się zebrać do zrecenzowania tejże powieści? Ja właśnie byłam, i w sumie nadal jestem, w takiej sytuacji. Gdy myślę o Wyprawie w Góry Księżycowe nie potrafię zebrać wszystkich myśli i „oddać ich” w odpowiednich słowach…, zdaniach…, akapitach… tak aby miały sens. Książka po prostu mną zawładnęła od samego początku. Jest to chyba najbardziej emocjonujący tom z całej trylogii
Pierwsze skojarzenia jakie nasuwa się wraz z myślami o fabule, to „szaleństwo”. Autor wprowadził do niej tak wiele różnych wątków, a co więcej pokazał także kilka różnych perspektyw i nie mam tu na myśli tylko bohaterów, ale także i czasów w jakich rozgrywa się historia, że można się w nich wręcz pogubić. Co więcej, przez znaczną część czasu ma się wrażenie, iż poszczególne elementy niewiele mają ze sobą wspólnego. To i mroczny, ciężki oraz przepełniony „parą” klimat jaki Mark Hodder stworzył od pierwszego tomu, tylko dopełnia iście psychodelicznego galimatiasu, którego po prostu nie da się nie podziwiać. Ja sama do tej pory zastanawiam się jakim cudem pisarz nie pogubił się w tym wszystkim. A! I żebyśmy nie zrozumieli się źle, dla mnie to stanowi jeden z najważniejszych atutów powieści jak i całej trylogii. Pozostając jeszcze w temacie fabuły, muszę powiedzieć, że Hodder niczego nam nie ułatwia. Zresztą sobie, także nie. Często gęsto, do różnych wątków podchodzi z iście filozoficznym rozeznaniem, czym zmusza czytelnika do głębszych przemyśleń nie tylko nad życiem, ale także i nad historią. Mimo dość ciężkich rozważań (bo za takie uważam te związane z filozofią), autor potrafi przyciągnąć uwagę i zainteresować.
Akcja i jej tempo są naprawdę doskonale wyważone. Nie za szybko. Nie za wolno. Po prostu w sam raz. Mimo to, autor doskonale wie jak zaskoczyć. Właśnie w takich chwilach czułam się normalnie, jakby w moją krew została wpompowana iście czytelnicza adrenalina. Dosłownie podskakiwałam na leżaku z niecierpliwością czekając co też wydarzy się na kolejnych stronach. Oczywiście wie również jak „wylać na głowę kubeł zimnej wody” co z premedytacją udowodnił serwując nam takie, a nie inne zakończenie. Pozostawia ono ogromny niedosyt i głód wiedzy na temat tego co też wydarzyło się dalej. Tak na marginesie, to odebrałam je w sumie tak jakby Mark Hodder pozostawił sobie otwartą furtkę gdyby kiedyś naszła go ochota aby kontynuować dalsze przygody królewskiego agenta.
Podsumowując. Wyprawa w Góry Księżycowe to naprawdę doskonałe zakończenie trylogii. Autor wie jak sprawić, aby czytelnicy pokochali jego styl i literacką wyobraźnię, co w przyszłości może poskutkować częstym sięganiem po kolejne książki wychodzące spod jego klawiatury. Polecam każdemu! Tą trylogię po prostu trzeba poznać, zwłaszcza jeżeli jest się wielbicielem steampunk.
April 12, 2012
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)
This is the third volume now of Mark Hodder's steampunk series, in which the real-life Victorian explorer Richard Francis Burton and libertine artist Algernon Swinburne fictionally team up for a series of adventures in an alt-history 19th century, and nicely illustrates the problem with missing the first title in such a series when it comes to following along with the rest; for while I didn't seem to have much problem following along with the second volume, The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, mostly I suspect because it didn't contain much background material about the first volume, this third chapter contains just a huge infodump about the book that started it all (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack, that is), a complicated backstory that involves time travel, multiple possible histories, and a sacred prehistoric meteorite that holds the key to the far-future quantum mechanics that are causing all the space-time-hopping messes in the first place (or, um, something like that), and I have to confess that I had a hard time simply trying to keep up with all the complex exposition. (Also, series fans, be aware that Hodder seems to have grown tired of the entire premise of Swinburne playing Dr. Watson to Burton's Sherlock Holmes, and that this third volume is mostly a Burton adventure with a few drunken wisecracks by Swinburne randomly thrown in here and there.) Granted, this universe is a much more original and creepy vision than most steampunk novels, the main reason to read the books in the first place -- in particular I really love the idea of genetic engineering being mastered long before electronics, so that the streets and skies are filled with giant dead bugs whose hollow exoskeletons are used as industrialized human vehicles -- but I also have to confess that by not getting hooked on this series from its start, I'm finding it increasingly difficult with each new volume to stay emotionally connected to the proceedings, the problem in a nutshell with all these endless so-so series that sci-fi publishers love putting out. It should be kept in mind when deciding for yourself whether or not to pick up a copy.
Out of 10: 8.2
This is the third volume now of Mark Hodder's steampunk series, in which the real-life Victorian explorer Richard Francis Burton and libertine artist Algernon Swinburne fictionally team up for a series of adventures in an alt-history 19th century, and nicely illustrates the problem with missing the first title in such a series when it comes to following along with the rest; for while I didn't seem to have much problem following along with the second volume, The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, mostly I suspect because it didn't contain much background material about the first volume, this third chapter contains just a huge infodump about the book that started it all (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack, that is), a complicated backstory that involves time travel, multiple possible histories, and a sacred prehistoric meteorite that holds the key to the far-future quantum mechanics that are causing all the space-time-hopping messes in the first place (or, um, something like that), and I have to confess that I had a hard time simply trying to keep up with all the complex exposition. (Also, series fans, be aware that Hodder seems to have grown tired of the entire premise of Swinburne playing Dr. Watson to Burton's Sherlock Holmes, and that this third volume is mostly a Burton adventure with a few drunken wisecracks by Swinburne randomly thrown in here and there.) Granted, this universe is a much more original and creepy vision than most steampunk novels, the main reason to read the books in the first place -- in particular I really love the idea of genetic engineering being mastered long before electronics, so that the streets and skies are filled with giant dead bugs whose hollow exoskeletons are used as industrialized human vehicles -- but I also have to confess that by not getting hooked on this series from its start, I'm finding it increasingly difficult with each new volume to stay emotionally connected to the proceedings, the problem in a nutshell with all these endless so-so series that sci-fi publishers love putting out. It should be kept in mind when deciding for yourself whether or not to pick up a copy.
Out of 10: 8.2
August 27, 2016
Well, that was exceptional. Hotter takes the ideas he’s messed around with in previous books - time travel and cause & effect, parallel timelines, alternate history - and wraps them into a vast, trilogy-ending quest story across Africa. Actually two different quest stories, in two different alternate histories, featuring the same character - Sir Richard Francis Burton. Free of the sometimes wildly outrageous steampunk London he has created in previous books, the harsh reality of Africa in the Nineteenth century makes for an increasingly grim travelogue, particularly as much loved characters fall by the wayside, and the bloody atrocities of the Great War (as reimagined in one particular timeline) doesn’t add much light relief. By the end it is clear that Sir Richard’s story has ever been a tragic one.
I can quite see why the book has mixed reviews from readers. It’s a sprawling, complex, occasionally exhausting thing, quite different in tone from previous volumes while nevertheless relying on them entirely for context. The series began as a steampunk fantasy enriched with a little science fiction and philosophy. By this point it has become science fiction wearing an outfit made of historical fantasy, examining the modern era with accusing eyes and finding much of who we have become wanting. It’s ambition is ridiculous, and I was sucked in entirely. Particular credit must go to narrator Gerard Doyle, who has brought these books to life for me with his exceptional performances, finding a marvellous line between occasional camp and real emotional and dramatic heft.
This novel ends the trilogy in the grimmest place, but leads into a second. I shall follow, though I have no idea how Hodder is going to navigate himself into a new story from the catastrophe he closes with here. I’m sure it’s going to be ingenious though. Bring it on.
I can quite see why the book has mixed reviews from readers. It’s a sprawling, complex, occasionally exhausting thing, quite different in tone from previous volumes while nevertheless relying on them entirely for context. The series began as a steampunk fantasy enriched with a little science fiction and philosophy. By this point it has become science fiction wearing an outfit made of historical fantasy, examining the modern era with accusing eyes and finding much of who we have become wanting. It’s ambition is ridiculous, and I was sucked in entirely. Particular credit must go to narrator Gerard Doyle, who has brought these books to life for me with his exceptional performances, finding a marvellous line between occasional camp and real emotional and dramatic heft.
This novel ends the trilogy in the grimmest place, but leads into a second. I shall follow, though I have no idea how Hodder is going to navigate himself into a new story from the catastrophe he closes with here. I’m sure it’s going to be ingenious though. Bring it on.
September 23, 2014
Genre: steampunk, sci-fi
Rating: 5
I listened to this book.
Wow! Mr. Hodder has been added to my list of favorite authors. I love his humor and his imagination. His stories (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack, The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, and The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi) are so intricately linked. My idol Charles Darwin (and other evolutionary biologists) plays a central role. The discussions of natural selection and religion are very interesting. The series is a must read! (Of the four, this is my favorite; not least because of the strong female characters.)
Gerard Doyle does an incredible job narrating.
Rating: 5
I listened to this book.
Wow! Mr. Hodder has been added to my list of favorite authors. I love his humor and his imagination. His stories (The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack, The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, and The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi) are so intricately linked. My idol Charles Darwin (and other evolutionary biologists) plays a central role. The discussions of natural selection and religion are very interesting. The series is a must read! (Of the four, this is my favorite; not least because of the strong female characters.)
Gerard Doyle does an incredible job narrating.
June 10, 2012
Mark Hoder always gives you your moneys worth. A splendid story teller with a more than a vivid imagination he blends both in this tale that spans multiple continents and time lines. While the steampunk genre is the pallete he paints the story on he also takes on world politics, religious and spiritual dogma.
The Kings agent Burton has been given the assignment to secure the last Naga black diamond to ensure England's grip on the world remains in tact. However the Germans and the Prussians have other ideas and will use whatever forces they can to stop Burtion from attaining his assignment.
Carefully drawn characters, a compelling storyline and that more than viovid imagination creates a must read book. Part of the Burton & Swinburne series this book carries on the tradition of the previous books in the series. ALL are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Kings agent Burton has been given the assignment to secure the last Naga black diamond to ensure England's grip on the world remains in tact. However the Germans and the Prussians have other ideas and will use whatever forces they can to stop Burtion from attaining his assignment.
Carefully drawn characters, a compelling storyline and that more than viovid imagination creates a must read book. Part of the Burton & Swinburne series this book carries on the tradition of the previous books in the series. ALL are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
July 15, 2013
Hodder is likely one of the best Historical Fantasy / Steampunk authors today. I have enjoyed the Burton & Swinburne novels, and I'm looking forward to his next. But his third book is a bit muddled. Hodder is terrific at moving back and forth in time and space, but for some reason it didn't quite work here. You know something is up when you hear one of his main characters dealing with events in the early 20th Century, but the transitions between time periods just didn't work clearly. It felt as though I was reading two unreleated stories that got forced together in the end. That is my only, ONLY, complaint about the book. Character development, description, action sequences - all A+. Despite my feeling lost in the story's time changes, I am glad to have read this and recommend it.
December 26, 2016
Explorer Burton and his poet sidekick Swinburne are caught up in a race to the lake regions of central Africa in a bid to recover the black diamond known as the Eye of the Naga, before it can be retrieved by a group of Prussians accompanied by John Speke.
The world of this alternate universe remains as bizarre as ever, and the story shifts between 1863 and a much different version of World War I to which Burton has time traveled.
Once again it remains entertaining, with a host of cameos, from Oscar Wilde to H.G. Wells among others.
While this wraps up the storyline that began with "Spring Heeled Jack", the final pages hint at another alternate future (which I suppose I'll find out about if I continue the series).
The world of this alternate universe remains as bizarre as ever, and the story shifts between 1863 and a much different version of World War I to which Burton has time traveled.
Once again it remains entertaining, with a host of cameos, from Oscar Wilde to H.G. Wells among others.
While this wraps up the storyline that began with "Spring Heeled Jack", the final pages hint at another alternate future (which I suppose I'll find out about if I continue the series).
January 24, 2012
In spite of a remarkable amount of information about Sir Richard Burton and the Victorian era, viewed through the lens of an alternate history, the plot thread became somewhat muddled by the third book of this trilogy. In addition, I had guessed the "surprise" ending in advance, due to what seemed like overly emphatic foreshadowing (to paraphrase Chekhov, the gun was hung rather obviously on the wall early in the first act). Still, I enjoyed all three books as a whole, and will look for future books by the author.
April 6, 2012
I found the third book in the series not as much fun as the previous two. It is a darker, more thought provoking book, and rather sad. The humorous moments were heavily outweighed by the tragic, as the author leads the reader on a journey to disaster. Sir Richard Burton is in two separate times, an 1863 trek through Africa, and in 1914 in the Great War as fought in Africa in an alternate future. The true tragedy isn't the Great War, but the awareness of how one's actions with the best of intentions can lead to terrible, entirely unforeseen outcomes.
April 14, 2012
This book is the last of a very good trilogy. However I found this one to be the least satisfying of the three.To use an oft used cliche it felt like the author was juggling too many balls in the air for at least half of of the book.It also made me think of Lonesome Dove in that any character you may have grown to like, had a high probability of meeting an untimely end.That said the alternate time lines of history stocked with historical figures does enough for this book to merit a read.
January 25, 2012
A striking conclusion to the Burton and Swinburn trilogy. I am still trying to process what I have read. The dramatic adventure portrayed in the novel was compelling and kept the pages turning but there is more to this book and it's predecessors than just a good story.
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