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Blackwood and Harrington #2
The Feaster From the Stars
LONDON, 1899 Something strange is happening on the London Underground. The ghosts which haunt the platforms and tunnels are being seen much more frequently than usual, and it seems that they have become angry and frightened for some reason. There is, apparently, something on the network of which even the dead are afraid, and the train drivers and other staff are becoming increasingly reluctant to work there. The new atmospheric railway is being installed, and the railway companies are demanding that the mystery be solved before their investments go up in a puff of steam. When a train driver named Alfie Morgan is driven insane by something indescribable in the remote section of the network known as the Kennington Loop, Queen Victoria instructs her Bureau of Clandestine Affairs to investigate. Enter Thomas Blackwood, Special Investigator, and Lady Sophia Harrington, Secretary of the Society for Psychical Research. Along with Detective Gerhard de Chardin of the Metropolitan Templar Police and the famous occultist Simon Castaigne, Blackwood and Sophia plunge into a terrifying adventure which takes them from the dank tunnels of the London Underground to the depths of interstellar space and a dying planet known as Carcosa, where a horrific being from beyond the ordered universe has set its sights on Earth. The being is known as the King in Yellow, or the Feaster from the Stars, and unless Blackwood and Sophia can prevail, it will descend upon the Earth and consume every living thing upon it!
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 23, 2016
I didn't read the blurb before reading. I liked the first book, the story, the world and both protagonists. And I was awarded this time too. Well, there were a couple of annoying things but they in no way ruin the story overall.
Plus, with a title like this you just know it's going to be good. I mean, The Feaster From The Stars is a great title! The story is Lovecraftian with a bit of fae thrown in, mixed with a dash or romance and a great deal of horror.
The Underground has become a dangerous place. The ghosts are acting out; there are more of them than ever before. The engineers, drivers and workers are terrified to work there. Some even end up in Bedlam. It's obviously a perfect case for Thomas Blackwood and Lady Sophia Harrington.
Sophia drive me crazy. I forgave her by the end completely, but she acted beyond stupid. You know those moments so common in books with female characters when she gets angry/insulted/hurt/whatever for some reason or other, so 'to show them all' or 'to prove them wrong' or something similar proceeds to prove her own stupidity. Who likes that?! I mean, there are so many of those that I have to think I am in minority because I hate this type of 'smart and independent'. Sophia shouldn't be weak and insecure. Anyway, as I said, I forgave her because she was great in the end.
At first I thought they dealt with the problem too quickly, but the way the punishment for the evil is envisioned, what happens in the very end offers more satisfaction.
My favourite parts of this story are about Wanderer. They are the saddest too.
Plus, with a title like this you just know it's going to be good. I mean, The Feaster From The Stars is a great title! The story is Lovecraftian with a bit of fae thrown in, mixed with a dash or romance and a great deal of horror.
The Underground has become a dangerous place. The ghosts are acting out; there are more of them than ever before. The engineers, drivers and workers are terrified to work there. Some even end up in Bedlam. It's obviously a perfect case for Thomas Blackwood and Lady Sophia Harrington.
Sophia drive me crazy. I forgave her by the end completely, but she acted beyond stupid. You know those moments so common in books with female characters when she gets angry/insulted/hurt/whatever for some reason or other, so 'to show them all' or 'to prove them wrong' or something similar proceeds to prove her own stupidity. Who likes that?! I mean, there are so many of those that I have to think I am in minority because I hate this type of 'smart and independent'. Sophia shouldn't be weak and insecure. Anyway, as I said, I forgave her because she was great in the end.
At first I thought they dealt with the problem too quickly, but the way the punishment for the evil is envisioned, what happens in the very end offers more satisfaction.
My favourite parts of this story are about Wanderer. They are the saddest too.
November 1, 2015
Throwing all sorts of sci-fi-, faerie-, steampunk- and mystery elements together made for an unique, but ultimately very disappointing book with Blackwood & Harrington’s first mystery, Alan K. Baker’s debut novel “the Martian Ambassador”. The clunky steampunk novel from 2011 tried to do too many things at once, threw some poor dialogue and less-than-stellar prose into the mix, and didn’t get me too excited for its follow-up, “the Feaster from the Stars”.
So imagine my surprise when I spent the first half of this book on the edge of my seat, nearly soiling myself and gnashing my fingernails to rags.
On top of all the various genres he was already using, Baker leans heavily on elements of horror and gothic romance during the opening chapters of “the Feaster from the Stars” – and does that surprisingly well.
With lead characters Thomas Blackwood and Lady Sophia Harrington plunging into deserted bits of the London Underground, where hunted spirits of the dead are driving train drivers utterly insane, the novel builds up great tension, showcases some terrific atmosphere and presents chapters of thrilling beauty and hair-raising terror. The success of all this caught me completely off-guard and immediately got me excited to give the Blackwood & Harrington-series a second chance.
It’s a shame that during the second half of the novel, “the Feaster from the Stars” sinks back to the puzzling, nonsensical level which so plagued “the Martian Ambassador”. While this half is still a half-decent sci-fi novel, the inclusion of Faerie-elements remains the weakest element of this series. It’s the cheap cop-out which defeats any threat, the superman without any kryptonite in sight.
So imagine my surprise when I spent the first half of this book on the edge of my seat, nearly soiling myself and gnashing my fingernails to rags.
On top of all the various genres he was already using, Baker leans heavily on elements of horror and gothic romance during the opening chapters of “the Feaster from the Stars” – and does that surprisingly well.
With lead characters Thomas Blackwood and Lady Sophia Harrington plunging into deserted bits of the London Underground, where hunted spirits of the dead are driving train drivers utterly insane, the novel builds up great tension, showcases some terrific atmosphere and presents chapters of thrilling beauty and hair-raising terror. The success of all this caught me completely off-guard and immediately got me excited to give the Blackwood & Harrington-series a second chance.
It’s a shame that during the second half of the novel, “the Feaster from the Stars” sinks back to the puzzling, nonsensical level which so plagued “the Martian Ambassador”. While this half is still a half-decent sci-fi novel, the inclusion of Faerie-elements remains the weakest element of this series. It’s the cheap cop-out which defeats any threat, the superman without any kryptonite in sight.
June 9, 2019
I bought this book as part of a Kindle bundle and even though the first - The Martian Ambassador - was pretty terrible, I thought I'd give this, the second in the series, a go especially as it promised some Lovecraftian elements. Alas it is even more ridiculous! As in the first book the author just magics up whatever is necessary to resolve a situation. There seem to be no physical (or magical) bounds to his universe. Need to get across the universe in a few hours? Just magic up a faery space galleon! Need an underwater shoot-up? Just get the boffins to science up some underwater bullets! (What with R & D and construction, it can be done in an aside.) Add to all the lunacy dialogue that seems to have been lifted from aging children's books: 'Unhand her you rotter!' and you have a really absurd and risible read. It's not even 'so bad it's good', it's just bad.
November 17, 2018
I enjoyed it, from the mystery of what is happening to the ghosts in the underground, to the different societal norms and what that leads to between the characters. I enjoy the writing as it is very remnicent of classics but easy to read. Though I am suprised here and there how little time actually passed between the start of the first book and the events in here.
There is also not really anything tying the plots together except a mention here and there, which all things considered could be a bit more interconnected.
There is also not really anything tying the plots together except a mention here and there, which all things considered could be a bit more interconnected.
October 16, 2015
Lovely! It's not amazeballs, so that's why it didn't get 5 stars. But I like the concept of this world and it's very nice. Also Sophia is a real lady. She doesn't take no for an answer and is bad ass enough to do shit on her own.
You don't need to read the 1st book to be able to read this one. They are more stand alone stories but with the same few characters :)
You don't need to read the 1st book to be able to read this one. They are more stand alone stories but with the same few characters :)
April 8, 2021
A mixture of the horror / Cthulhu Mythos and Steampunk genres which I really enjoyed overall. My one niggle would be that the characters would often refer back to events in the previous book, (which I haven't read), but I found that no prior knowledge of the other books in the series is required before reading this, but it obviously couldn't hurt, just to make thigs clearer.
The horror in this is not slasher horror, rather the suggested horror of man's insignificance as cosmic events unfold around them ala Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos.
The steampunk stuff is played down a little.
I enjoyed this enough to look out for the other books in the series, or anything else by this author.
The horror in this is not slasher horror, rather the suggested horror of man's insignificance as cosmic events unfold around them ala Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos.
The steampunk stuff is played down a little.
I enjoyed this enough to look out for the other books in the series, or anything else by this author.
September 22, 2019
Perfect for a little light reading - for those with a warped mind and a taste for the supernatural. Felt a bit too light, but I was invested enough in the characters and the story to continue and to finish it. Might read another entry in the series.
March 4, 2022
A second instalment in an interesting series of books. Sci-fi/steampunk/fantasy and some horror mixed together.
Still, i'd take a glass of vodka every time i see the world 'alighted'. It feels as if some fancier words are forced into the text, making for a rather troublesome reading experience.
Still, i'd take a glass of vodka every time i see the world 'alighted'. It feels as if some fancier words are forced into the text, making for a rather troublesome reading experience.
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October 17, 2024Really pulpy, for good and ill. It straddles genres effectively but the hodgepodge of Forteana that makes up the setting is a bit much at times. Given the tight, noir-ish story at the middle it could’ve benefitted from being 100 pages shorter, but it’s a fun read nonetheless.
May 12, 2017
Just wasn't what I wanted. Not enough Victorian steampunk elements and too much sci fi\fantasy.
June 14, 2017
Vermakelijk. De grote verrassingen zijn er een beetje uit, hier en daar voelt het verhaal een tikje geforceerd. Maar al met al vermakelijk.
June 16, 2018
Fantastic especially as an audio book and you like sci fi, steam punk and adventure.
November 29, 2019
An enjoyable romp but there was a little too much distracting exposition.
June 12, 2021
This book really captures the feeling of the Victorian era, with a mixture of H. G. Wells seamlessly entered into the story. This is steam-punk at its glorious best. A very good read.
December 16, 2022
Enjoyed this book. It is an easy read. Looking forward to the next one.
May 4, 2024
I'm a sucker for books that include fairies, supernatural monsters, and accompanying special agency investigators. I loved this one.
August 13, 2024
good quality Steam Punk
I enjoyed the story very much, lots of imagination, fun and very entertaining. I’d say it would make a very good movie
I enjoyed the story very much, lots of imagination, fun and very entertaining. I’d say it would make a very good movie
November 21, 2022
Writing too simplistic in places for an adult book. Not enough of zing in it. I became bored with it, skipping ahead after tedious parts.
October 17, 2011
This was a really good follow up to 'The Martian Ambassador' which I read a couple of months ago. The story was a little bit over descriptive at times but Alan Baker writes with a style that keeps you engaged so it didn't end up putting me off the book. His books have certainly given me a good introduction to 'Steampunk'. It's a genre I would never really thought about reading in the past. It will give me the impetus to search out other books in the genre in future. :)
April 29, 2016
honestly i love this series! a wonderful world has been elaborated upon in this series and with wonderful references to John Dee, Edward Kelly, Marcus Aurelius and more. Anybody who loves steampunk should try this series immediately!
August 16, 2011
The second book in the series is as good as the first one.
A great mix of myth, steampunk and paranormal.
A great mix of myth, steampunk and paranormal.
April 24, 2013
This is a great mixture of steampunk and science fiction. The characters introduced in the first novel continue to develop. The plot is exciting. A thoroughly good read.
September 22, 2013
Entertaining.
April 5, 2015
This was an entertaining read. I haven't read the first book in the series, but it wasn't difficult to catch up. Steampunk, Victorian literary references, space zeppelins... and fairies?
April 14, 2018
If your into historical and present mysteries then you`ll love this.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews