“Unnatural History”

by Jonathan Green

Format: Paperback, 336 pages

Publisher: Abaddon Books

Take some generic steampunk, add in some Sherlock Holmes, and a dash of dinosaur and mix well. Simmer over a low heat before mixing in a couple of evil villains and a dash of cartoon violence before finally garnishing with a couple of chase scenes and some heaving bosoms. Should be enjoyed as a light starter which can (and probably will be reheated). Excuse me for being flippant but this book does feel like it has been put together using a check-list (or shopping list). I don’t mean to suggest that this is necessarily a negative thing after all even the best writers (or is that chefs, this analogy has gone too far!!) need certain key ingredients. It’s just that this book sticks to the recipe (I can’t believe its still going on!) at the expense of just that little bit of flair.

Book 1 in the Pax Britannia series (details here) is set on an alternative Earth. On the earth of Pax Britannia it’s 1997 and Queen Victoria still reigns (she is about to celebrate her 160th anniversary), the difference or analytical engine has transformed the world. Robot policeman roam the streets, Zeppelins rule the sky and steam and gears are state of the art technologies so its typical steampunk stuff, Victorian morals mixed with new science.

Into this world steps dandy and rogue, Ulysees Quicksilver (think Sherlock Holmes mixed with Raffles) engaged by the British Government to investigate the disappearance of an eminent professor. Supported by his seemingly indestructible butler Nimrod, the pair set out to discover the truth. Unfortunately arch enemy and all round scoundrel Jago Kane also appears leading a group of terrorists and the plot, as they say, thickens.

With the lack of swearing, no sex (apart from the aforementioned heaving bosoms) and generally cartoon violence the book has a comic book (not graphic novel) feel. Its perhaps not surprising therefore to find out that Abaddon is an imprint of Rebellion, creators of 2000AD. It certainly feels like a prose comic with larger than life characters and a fairly simplistic plot, a typical boys own adventure in fact. indeed the film that kept springing to mind whilst reading this novel was Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow which had that same comic book/pulp hero feel.

Given these facts its fair to say that I am perhaps not the demographic this book is aimed at ( I would imagine it’s targeted at young adults rather than old duffers!) but even so I enjoyed it. there were a couple of really good descriptive passages including one iconic image of Jago Kane standing on the rubble of a recently destroyed railway bridge surveying the city below which reminded me of the recent Dark Knight posters. Its well enough written and the series could certainly expand in some interesting directions. It’s not testing, it’s easily read and most importantly it’s fun. So avail yourself of a copy my good man (or dear lady) and beware for the game’s afoot!

Rating 3 out of 5