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| Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton |
Mark Hodder
5/5 stars
Nineteenth century Great Britain is in the throes of a steampunk industrial revolution, and the past (as we know it) isn't shaping up the way it should have. Into this, comes a mysterious creature, Spring Heeled Jack, who is accosting women and wreaking havoc. Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (whose real life reads like fiction--look him up!) becomes an agent for the Crown, assigned to solve the case.
This incredibly detailed and richly imagined alternate universe is amazing. Hodder has created realistic literature, political movements, and technology. He has taken one of the great Victorian heroes, Burton, and given him a role that is believable based on his real-life personality. The plot is dense, and requires thought to follow, and is not fully predictable.
This first-of-a-series is a strong piece of steampunk fantasy that is enjoyable, entertaining, and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it!
