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A review by mxsallybend
The Ishtar Ignition by Timothy Black
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
Picking up immediately where The Clockwork Courtesan left off, Timothy Black slows the pace with The Ishtar Ignition and delves deeper (quite literally) into the history of the Matriarchy and the magic of its Tantric Aviatrixes.
Where the first book was swashbuckling sci-fi, this one is more pulp sci-fi adventure, taking us beneath the sands and into the ruins of the long-buried Temple of Ishtar. It’s a dark, dangerous place, complete with a magical suppression field that drains the life from both Captain Charlotte Frost and the Doll – in both its forms. With evidence of past Matriarchy involvement, the ruins of artificial monstrosities, and strange writings everywhere, we’re presented with a locked room puzzle that Charlotte must risk hastening her own death to solve.
Black explores various levels of his world-building and mythology in this second volume, exposing myths and secrets along the way. Not all of the answers are ones Charlotte will want to hear, especially the final one that leads into an even better cliffhanger than the first, and we’re left with enough doubt to trust any of the answers. We learn more about the Doll as well, with Arlan’s identity suppressing Tash for much of the story, and it both evokes new sympathies and fresh fears. Again, the answers are couched in doubts and secrets, but even the questions we’re left with are huge.
Two books in, and I can confidently say the Tales of the Tantric Aviatrix saga is well worth the read. It’s a wonderful blend of adventure, science fiction, and erotica, with a pulp/steampunk feel . . . except it’s magic, not steam. I’m still hoping the see the story open up a bit and give us more insight into the other Aviatrixes, but that’s a desire, not a complaint.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/01/13/book-review-the-ishtar-ignition-by-timothy-black-scifi-lesbian/
Where the first book was swashbuckling sci-fi, this one is more pulp sci-fi adventure, taking us beneath the sands and into the ruins of the long-buried Temple of Ishtar. It’s a dark, dangerous place, complete with a magical suppression field that drains the life from both Captain Charlotte Frost and the Doll – in both its forms. With evidence of past Matriarchy involvement, the ruins of artificial monstrosities, and strange writings everywhere, we’re presented with a locked room puzzle that Charlotte must risk hastening her own death to solve.
Black explores various levels of his world-building and mythology in this second volume, exposing myths and secrets along the way. Not all of the answers are ones Charlotte will want to hear, especially the final one that leads into an even better cliffhanger than the first, and we’re left with enough doubt to trust any of the answers. We learn more about the Doll as well, with Arlan’s identity suppressing Tash for much of the story, and it both evokes new sympathies and fresh fears. Again, the answers are couched in doubts and secrets, but even the questions we’re left with are huge.
Two books in, and I can confidently say the Tales of the Tantric Aviatrix saga is well worth the read. It’s a wonderful blend of adventure, science fiction, and erotica, with a pulp/steampunk feel . . . except it’s magic, not steam. I’m still hoping the see the story open up a bit and give us more insight into the other Aviatrixes, but that’s a desire, not a complaint.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/01/13/book-review-the-ishtar-ignition-by-timothy-black-scifi-lesbian/