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A review by nickyxxx
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder
5.0
The steampunk enthusiast that I am, I had yet to find a steampunk book that I really liked. Sure, I had read some, but they were just not as good as I'd hoped they would be (looking at you, [b:Made Things|44581532|Made Things (Made Things, #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557991956l/44581532._SY75_.jpg|69197736], and [b:Boneshaker|1137215|Boneshaker (The Clockwork Century, #1)|Cherie Priest|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433161048l/1137215._SX50_.jpg|1124460]...).
TSAoSHJ was different. Very different! Starting off, I thought this would be a book with a focus on African expeditions, which I wasn't truly excited about - but then that appeared to be only a background story and the starting point for Burton's involvement in the plot.
I think the thing I was most excited about, were the very vivid descriptions of Victorian London with its dirt, of the degenerates living in the East End and the smoke and fog. Yeah, I can't help it, I just love an elaborate and lively description here and there (much to the dislike of some writer friends of mine, #sorrynotsorry...).
Then there was the crazy and yet logical world building - litter-crabs, really? A year ago I would've DNF-ed and said "this is too crazy for me", but somehow, present-me loved it so much, and not only the litter-crabs; also the kite-tethered swans, cursing parakeets, and messenger-dogs. Even the talking orangutan - yup, I'm not kidding - felt somehow fitting to the whole book and setting.
The plot itself was so elaborately planned and worked out so well in the end - Mark Hodder proved to be an excellent storyteller and for real, I saw none of it all coming, but then in the end it came together so beautifully and I can't stop marvelling about the entire story. Just an excellent job, really. Chapeau. *tips top hat*
And finally - SWINBURNE! Oh my dear lord, are you all right, mate? I don't know what wires have come loose in your head, but I love it. Please don't change throughout the rest of the series (but also, do, because I love a good character arc...? Maybe change a little.).
This book is one of my 2021 favourites; I'll be starting book #2 soon!
TSAoSHJ was different. Very different! Starting off, I thought this would be a book with a focus on African expeditions, which I wasn't truly excited about - but then that appeared to be only a background story and the starting point for Burton's involvement in the plot.
I think the thing I was most excited about, were the very vivid descriptions of Victorian London with its dirt, of the degenerates living in the East End and the smoke and fog. Yeah, I can't help it, I just love an elaborate and lively description here and there (much to the dislike of some writer friends of mine, #sorrynotsorry...).
Then there was the crazy and yet logical world building - litter-crabs, really? A year ago I would've DNF-ed and said "this is too crazy for me", but somehow, present-me loved it so much, and not only the litter-crabs; also the kite-tethered swans, cursing parakeets, and messenger-dogs. Even the talking orangutan - yup, I'm not kidding - felt somehow fitting to the whole book and setting.
The plot itself was so elaborately planned and worked out so well in the end - Mark Hodder proved to be an excellent storyteller and for real, I saw none of it all coming, but then in the end it came together so beautifully and I can't stop marvelling about the entire story. Just an excellent job, really. Chapeau. *tips top hat*
And finally - SWINBURNE! Oh my dear lord, are you all right, mate? I don't know what wires have come loose in your head, but I love it. Please don't change throughout the rest of the series (but also, do, because I love a good character arc...? Maybe change a little.).
This book is one of my 2021 favourites; I'll be starting book #2 soon!