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Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin #2
Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War
The frozen wasteland of Snow World—known as Southern California before an alien invasion decimated civilization—is home to warring steampunk clans. Crankshafts, Imperials, Tinskins, Brineboilers, and many more all battle one another for precious supplies, against ravenous mutant beasts for basic survival, and with the mysterious Founders for their very freedom.
Through this ruined world soars the Pneumatic Zeppelin, captained by the daring Romulus Buckle. In the wake of a nearly suicidal assault on the Founders’ prison city to rescue key military leaders, both the steam-powered airship and its crew are bruised and battered. Yet there’s little time for rest or repairs: Founders raids threaten to shatter the fragile alliance Buckle has risked everything to forge among the clans.
Even as he musters what seems a futile defense in the face of inevitable war, Buckle learns that the most mysterious clan of all is holding his long-lost sister in a secret base—and that she holds the ultimate key to victory over the Founders. But rescuing her means abandoning his allies and praying they survive long enough for there to be an alliance to return to.
Through this ruined world soars the Pneumatic Zeppelin, captained by the daring Romulus Buckle. In the wake of a nearly suicidal assault on the Founders’ prison city to rescue key military leaders, both the steam-powered airship and its crew are bruised and battered. Yet there’s little time for rest or repairs: Founders raids threaten to shatter the fragile alliance Buckle has risked everything to forge among the clans.
Even as he musters what seems a futile defense in the face of inevitable war, Buckle learns that the most mysterious clan of all is holding his long-lost sister in a secret base—and that she holds the ultimate key to victory over the Founders. But rescuing her means abandoning his allies and praying they survive long enough for there to be an alliance to return to.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2013
44 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Richard Ellis Preston Jr.
8 books82 followersRichard Ellis Preston, Jr. is a science fiction and historical fiction author whose first published work is the "Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin" steampunk series from 47North. Richard was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Ontario, Canada. He attended the University of Waterloo where he obtained an honors B.A. in English with an Anthropology minor. He also earned a Radio and Television Broadcasting degree with Honors and Distinction from Algonquin College in Ottawa. He worked as an ENG cameraman for CBC Canada before attending the York University film program on a talent scholarship. He then relocated to California where he wrote screenplays for film and television, including programs aired on HBO, USA, Animal Planet and Fox Kids. Richard is currently writing novels and chipping away at a History M.A. at CSUN.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 9, 2018
This was another swashbuckling good time with Captain Buckle and the crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War begins 3 weeks after the conclusion of book 1, and Mr. Preston wastes no time throwing the reader into the thick of the action. Buckle is in search of answers. Answers that may prove vital to the Crankshaft clan in the upcoming war with the fogsucking Founders clan. There is only one problem. Our dear Captain Buckle tends to act first, and think later. Which tends to get him in some precarious situations. It's a good thing he has his crew there to back him up.
One thing you can always count on in these books is plenty of banter between the crew members of the Pneumatic Zeppelin. They are like a tight knit family, but just like a regular family, there are some disagreements and awkward moments that will happen from time to time. These encounters tend to be hilarious and made me laugh out loud on several occasions.
The pacing in this book was a bit slower in parts than the first book. These sections were well done and offered more time for some additional world building. This helped to set up the scenes, develop the plot, and introduce us to some new characters. Speaking of the characters. The main characters do steal the show in these stories, but they would not be as enjoyable without the side characters. They are very well developed and compliment the main characters in a way that increases the experience of each scene. Mr. Preston took great care in the creation of this world and characters. It shows in the authenticity and dialogue of each scene.
The action scenes, Oh my, let me tell you about the action scenes. There are several encounters with nasty hybrid-type beasties that roam this world, a gentleman's dual, and zeppelin dog fights in the winter stricken skies. I would have to pick the zeppelin dog fights as my favorite, because you get detailed information into the workings and strategies of piloting a zeppelin. These scenes are filled with all kinds of interesting terminology and the constant back-n-forth chatter of Captain Buckle with his crew.
I'm sure your asking, "If you like it so much Jody, why did you only give it 4 stars?" Well, I did have one minor con, and that was the fact almost every female main character is in love with Captain Buckle. While this doesn't usually bother me, I didn't see the significance in the overall story. I can see him having a lover or companion, but it seemed a bit overdone in this instance. This was only a minor issue, and one that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. Just a little annoying really.
It's hard to imagine that the next book in this series will be the last. This just feels like the type of story that should go on for several more books instead of being just a trilogy. Alas, I will leave you here with my ravings and hope that you decide to join the crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin on their journeys in your future. It is time that I delve into the last book and fly the skies with Captain Buckle and his salty crew one last time.
4 stars ****
Buckle scrambled to his feet and charged.
"Captain! Wait, sir!" Darcy howled as Buckle sprinted past him.
A mistake to wait, Mister Darcy, Buckle thought. A mistake to charge as well. Buckle chose the better mistake.
One thing you can always count on in these books is plenty of banter between the crew members of the Pneumatic Zeppelin. They are like a tight knit family, but just like a regular family, there are some disagreements and awkward moments that will happen from time to time. These encounters tend to be hilarious and made me laugh out loud on several occasions.
"I swear by the ass hairs of the devil himself," Ivan howled, backing up as Buckle and Windermere advanced upon him, "I shall geld the first blaggart who dares touch my topper!"
The pacing in this book was a bit slower in parts than the first book. These sections were well done and offered more time for some additional world building. This helped to set up the scenes, develop the plot, and introduce us to some new characters. Speaking of the characters. The main characters do steal the show in these stories, but they would not be as enjoyable without the side characters. They are very well developed and compliment the main characters in a way that increases the experience of each scene. Mr. Preston took great care in the creation of this world and characters. It shows in the authenticity and dialogue of each scene.
The action scenes, Oh my, let me tell you about the action scenes. There are several encounters with nasty hybrid-type beasties that roam this world, a gentleman's dual, and zeppelin dog fights in the winter stricken skies. I would have to pick the zeppelin dog fights as my favorite, because you get detailed information into the workings and strategies of piloting a zeppelin. These scenes are filled with all kinds of interesting terminology and the constant back-n-forth chatter of Captain Buckle with his crew.
"All ahead flank!" Buckle screamed. "Helm, bring us across the Russian's stern as tight as you dare! Bring me on that second Founder's arse as quick as the devil, Mister DeQuincey, you blackjacket hound!"
I'm sure your asking, "If you like it so much Jody, why did you only give it 4 stars?" Well, I did have one minor con, and that was the fact almost every female main character is in love with Captain Buckle. While this doesn't usually bother me, I didn't see the significance in the overall story. I can see him having a lover or companion, but it seemed a bit overdone in this instance. This was only a minor issue, and one that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. Just a little annoying really.
One thing about Buckle - he was quite the romancer, but blind and dumb as an earthworm when it came to the accelerated heartthrobs of the female species.
It's hard to imagine that the next book in this series will be the last. This just feels like the type of story that should go on for several more books instead of being just a trilogy. Alas, I will leave you here with my ravings and hope that you decide to join the crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin on their journeys in your future. It is time that I delve into the last book and fly the skies with Captain Buckle and his salty crew one last time.
4 stars ****
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February 22, 2018Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
The Swashbuckling King of Steampunk is back!
Yes, Romulus Buckle, our favorite zeppelin captain, has returned with the same fiery attitude, the same devious enemies, and the same soaring zeppelin to ride above it all. However, this time Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. has upped the fun quotient in Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War with an unexpected love triangle, more mesmerizing world building, new characters and dueling zeppelins!
You heard me right. Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. has done it; he has taken the silver-skinned zeppelins where readers have always longed them to go: war! And he has crafted those daring conflicts in the clouds with such amazing details that not only does the Pneumatic Zeppelin’s battles fill a reader with adrenaline pumping, steampunk daring-do but they also tantalizing in their absolute realism. A dualism that sets Romulus Buckle above so many other steampunk novels.
The story itself begins where the first novel in the series stopped: the Snow World prepares for all out war between the Founders and the rest of the clans. A war that promises to destroy everyone unless somehow Balthazar, Romulus’ adopted father, can forge a grand alliance to oppose the Founders. An alliance that must unite diverse people who have generations of hatred wedging them apart.
While the world balances upon the edge of steam-powered calamity, our ever impetuous hero, Romulus, extracts himself from the political intrigue, deciding to leave the politicians to their work and his beloved Pneumatic Zeppelin in dry dock for repairs while he sets out into the dreadful mountains to solve a mystery. Who attacked the Crackshafts years before and killed his sister?
Naturally, the quest immediately turns into non-stop action and thrills. And while the answer to the mystery seems fairly evident after reading book one, it still delights in its swashbuckling brilliance, as our favorite zeppelin captain encounters Martian monsters, uncovers yet more mysteries, and succeeds in turning every page into an action lovers roller coaster of delight.
But every roller coaster needs to slow down and allow the riders to catch their breath before the next big plunge and Mr. Preston gives his readers this pause from the heart racing excitement, seamlessly shifting from swashbuckling adventure to political intrigue and character development. And during these brief pauses, readers find themselves entertained by the characters themselves, learning more about our hero and his trusted comrades past and watching as Mr. Preston deftly fleshes out his amazing steampunk world: an environment of hissing steam contraptions, ferocious Martian monsters, and age old mysteries.
As you can no doubt see, I really enjoyed this novel. It took everything enjoyable from the first book, mixed in new character development and world building and cooked up a heart-racing steampunk masterpiece. Go buy this one today!
The Swashbuckling King of Steampunk is back!
Yes, Romulus Buckle, our favorite zeppelin captain, has returned with the same fiery attitude, the same devious enemies, and the same soaring zeppelin to ride above it all. However, this time Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. has upped the fun quotient in Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War with an unexpected love triangle, more mesmerizing world building, new characters and dueling zeppelins!
You heard me right. Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. has done it; he has taken the silver-skinned zeppelins where readers have always longed them to go: war! And he has crafted those daring conflicts in the clouds with such amazing details that not only does the Pneumatic Zeppelin’s battles fill a reader with adrenaline pumping, steampunk daring-do but they also tantalizing in their absolute realism. A dualism that sets Romulus Buckle above so many other steampunk novels.
The story itself begins where the first novel in the series stopped: the Snow World prepares for all out war between the Founders and the rest of the clans. A war that promises to destroy everyone unless somehow Balthazar, Romulus’ adopted father, can forge a grand alliance to oppose the Founders. An alliance that must unite diverse people who have generations of hatred wedging them apart.
While the world balances upon the edge of steam-powered calamity, our ever impetuous hero, Romulus, extracts himself from the political intrigue, deciding to leave the politicians to their work and his beloved Pneumatic Zeppelin in dry dock for repairs while he sets out into the dreadful mountains to solve a mystery. Who attacked the Crackshafts years before and killed his sister?
Naturally, the quest immediately turns into non-stop action and thrills. And while the answer to the mystery seems fairly evident after reading book one, it still delights in its swashbuckling brilliance, as our favorite zeppelin captain encounters Martian monsters, uncovers yet more mysteries, and succeeds in turning every page into an action lovers roller coaster of delight.
But every roller coaster needs to slow down and allow the riders to catch their breath before the next big plunge and Mr. Preston gives his readers this pause from the heart racing excitement, seamlessly shifting from swashbuckling adventure to political intrigue and character development. And during these brief pauses, readers find themselves entertained by the characters themselves, learning more about our hero and his trusted comrades past and watching as Mr. Preston deftly fleshes out his amazing steampunk world: an environment of hissing steam contraptions, ferocious Martian monsters, and age old mysteries.
As you can no doubt see, I really enjoyed this novel. It took everything enjoyable from the first book, mixed in new character development and world building and cooked up a heart-racing steampunk masterpiece. Go buy this one today!
August 20, 2018
The first 30% of this book is a rehash of the first book, pointless solo journey and air fight with a flying beastie.
Once the actual storyline starts the is full of non stop excellent action right up till the end.
One thing I find Romulus Buckle really annoying he seems to not learn from his experiences.
Once the actual storyline starts the is full of non stop excellent action right up till the end.
One thing I find Romulus Buckle really annoying he seems to not learn from his experiences.
December 18, 2013
I really dug this, I am not huge on steampunk but Mr. Preston seems to have the attitude of "screw it, lets go over the top and throw as much stuff in this book as we can."
It was loads of fun, I even went back and read the first book, it has a few problems, plot is kinda weak, Mr. Preston has a habit of over describing things, lots of ten dollar sentences when a five dollar one would work.
Needless to say, its a smashup of a good time. It's worth the read even with the minor flaws.
It was loads of fun, I even went back and read the first book, it has a few problems, plot is kinda weak, Mr. Preston has a habit of over describing things, lots of ten dollar sentences when a five dollar one would work.
Needless to say, its a smashup of a good time. It's worth the read even with the minor flaws.
August 15, 2015
Just as fun as the first one. I'm going to have to go ahead and find the next book in the series. Still over the top, but that's part of what makes it endearing.
A couple of notes - I listened to the first book via Audible and didn't notice the author's reluctance to use contractions. I think it's mostly a stylistic choice, but it can make for some noticeably choppy reading. There was also a lot more of the potential romantic triangle in the second book that didn't do a whole lot for me. It seems more of a distraction from the plot and doesn't contribute much to characterization. But that could just be me.
A couple of notes - I listened to the first book via Audible and didn't notice the author's reluctance to use contractions. I think it's mostly a stylistic choice, but it can make for some noticeably choppy reading. There was also a lot more of the potential romantic triangle in the second book that didn't do a whole lot for me. It seems more of a distraction from the plot and doesn't contribute much to characterization. But that could just be me.
October 14, 2022
6/10*
Not sure how much of my view was impacted by doing the audible version instead of the kindle version as I had done on book #1.
Overall it's a fairly fun read.
The dialog and characters are often over the top and there are instances of timeline oopsies..and don't get me started on the bizarre mashup of "clans".
The author has some cool ideas, but I fear there was a fair bit of leaping before thinking going on ....
Not sure how much of my view was impacted by doing the audible version instead of the kindle version as I had done on book #1.
Overall it's a fairly fun read.
The dialog and characters are often over the top and there are instances of timeline oopsies..and don't get me started on the bizarre mashup of "clans".
The author has some cool ideas, but I fear there was a fair bit of leaping before thinking going on ....
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
It's series like this one that make me fall in love with steampunk all over again. Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War continues the series, providing plenty of action/adventure, introducing new characters, and giving us more information on the dystopian Los Angeles world in which this is set. I'm reminded of great seafaring tales like Treasure island and Horatio Hornblower - with the action and adventure in the air rather than on the sea.
In this second book, Romulus sets out to discover who really attacked the Tehachapi stronghold - was it the Imperials or did the Founders have a hand in the action instead? For the land is in turmoil: rumors abound that the Founders are going to go all out in war - and the Crankshafts will need all the allies they can get. That is, unless one ally ends up being the daughter of Buckle's Imperial enemy. And along the way he is going to learn that all of the Crankshaft orphans have terrible secrets - including Romulus' sister Elizabeth. Cue krakens, sabretooth tigers, blizzards, air ship battles, explosions, and more!
There's a lot of male wish fulfillment here, as Buckle grapples with not two but now three nubile women on his ship as Valkyrie, daughter of the Imperial clean leader, is forced to join his crew. But that doesn't bother me in a book where the women give as good as they take. For once, every woman is on equal footing with their male counterparts and I just love that about the book. It's a book that is agreeable to both women and men (especially considering we have both male and female POVs).
While the first book was nearly non stop action, the second book takes its time to set up more world building, including intriguing hints about all the Crankshafts. We're also given a glimpse of more clans, their leaders, and some great foreshadowing to come. Each of those clans are really fun - from the Aztec inspired 'snakeheads' to the pseudoGerman Imperials.
There really is so much inventiveness in this series. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series! This is steampunk done right - fun, exciting, thrilling, and joyfully over the top.
February 8, 2014
Is Romulus ever going to get a break? I suppose it’s the life of a swashbuckling hero to face danger and death in the eye and walk away. Now, with a tenuous peace threatening to dissolve, Romulus discovers his long lost sister is being held by a mysterious clan and that she may hold the key to finally vanquish the Founders. Now he must risk everything he has worked so hard for, leaving his friends and allies behind to fend for themselves if he is to save his sister. Is this the right course of action? Will there be a world to return to, if he makes it back? Find out by reading Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War (The Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, Book Two).
Once again, Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. cranks out some action-packed steampunk in the chaotic world he has created! Great dialogue, some amazing “creatures,” and some VERY enlightening news twist the adventure like a tangled ball of yarn, colorful, chaotic and at times a little difficult to unknot. Out over-the-top hero, Romulus is clearly the apple of every corset-wearing, lady’s eye, such a charmer.
If you’re looking to settle in and leave reality to enjoy some pure fantasy and steampunk fun, this world will delight your imagination as you are airshipped away into another time and place.
I received this copy from 47North in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, Book 2
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: 47North
ISBN: 1477807683
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
Number of Pages: 485 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Once again, Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. cranks out some action-packed steampunk in the chaotic world he has created! Great dialogue, some amazing “creatures,” and some VERY enlightening news twist the adventure like a tangled ball of yarn, colorful, chaotic and at times a little difficult to unknot. Out over-the-top hero, Romulus is clearly the apple of every corset-wearing, lady’s eye, such a charmer.
If you’re looking to settle in and leave reality to enjoy some pure fantasy and steampunk fun, this world will delight your imagination as you are airshipped away into another time and place.
I received this copy from 47North in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, Book 2
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: 47North
ISBN: 1477807683
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
Number of Pages: 485 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
December 13, 2013
This is officially the first steampunk novel I have ever read and it wasn't too bad! I really didn't think I would enjoy it, but after awhile it grew on me. The main character Romulus Buckle, swashbuckeling captain of the "Pneumatic Zeppelin" is your typical James Bond, cocky, womanizing, brave, type. You just have to like him (although his attraction to two of his step sisters is a little odd for me).
This is the second in a series and it picks up immediately where the last one left off and ends in such a cliffhanger that you're stuck waiting for the next installment. I'm not sure how many are in the series but this book sets it up for a major war against the founders. The whole point of this book is uniting all the warring clans together to fight a common enemy, the Founders.
It's super fast paced. I'm fairly positive that Buckle did not sleep once during the entire book. The characters are pretty well developed and leave you with enough curiosity that you'll want to see how they develop later on in the series.
This book is all steam punk with some fantasy elements thrown in (flying krakens, sabertooths, martians, etc.) so if you're into that kind of thing you will most definitely love this book.
I received this book free from Goodreads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
This is the second in a series and it picks up immediately where the last one left off and ends in such a cliffhanger that you're stuck waiting for the next installment. I'm not sure how many are in the series but this book sets it up for a major war against the founders. The whole point of this book is uniting all the warring clans together to fight a common enemy, the Founders.
It's super fast paced. I'm fairly positive that Buckle did not sleep once during the entire book. The characters are pretty well developed and leave you with enough curiosity that you'll want to see how they develop later on in the series.
This book is all steam punk with some fantasy elements thrown in (flying krakens, sabertooths, martians, etc.) so if you're into that kind of thing you will most definitely love this book.
I received this book free from Goodreads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
March 5, 2014
Action! Adventure! Discoveries and alliance before the outbreak of war! In a post-apocalyptic steampunk California!!
While I think the story stands on its own, it does have a lot of plot spoilers for The City of the Founders.
For instance, the opening sequence is Romulus going up into the mountains to investigate a shipwreck, because he had been told something in the last book and could verify it there. A venture enlivened by weather and sabretooths, by Max's coming to his aid against his orders, by the strange location where he finds refuge for them. (There are a few more hints of what the apocalypse was in this book, but not much.)
And then he returns for a council of war, as they group against the Founders, who have manifested such hostility and marshaled such forces that they have no hope except in a grand alliance. A late arrival to the discussion observes that by coming, they have cast their lots: Founders' spies will have reported them by now.
The story goes on, covering a ball, nightmares, a heroic effort to deliver a message, a battle, the need to stop the lynching of a spy, insoluble equations that would make immortal the one that solved them, and much more.
While I think the story stands on its own, it does have a lot of plot spoilers for The City of the Founders.
For instance, the opening sequence is Romulus going up into the mountains to investigate a shipwreck, because he had been told something in the last book and could verify it there. A venture enlivened by weather and sabretooths, by Max's coming to his aid against his orders, by the strange location where he finds refuge for them. (There are a few more hints of what the apocalypse was in this book, but not much.)
And then he returns for a council of war, as they group against the Founders, who have manifested such hostility and marshaled such forces that they have no hope except in a grand alliance. A late arrival to the discussion observes that by coming, they have cast their lots: Founders' spies will have reported them by now.
The story goes on, covering a ball, nightmares, a heroic effort to deliver a message, a battle, the need to stop the lynching of a spy, insoluble equations that would make immortal the one that solved them, and much more.
December 15, 2013
As I expected, this book was definitely better than the first book in the series. I am still not completely satisfied about items such as character and story development, but the Engines of War proved to be a better read.
One thing that I do not like...large portions of both this book and the first in the series contain long descriptions and setups of both characters and situations that seem to be nothing but extraneous "filler" material, with no real intent other than to increase the length of the book and/or story. While some people may enjoy this, I do not.
Still, if you like steampunk, I would fully expect you to like this book. I had other people tell me, "hey, this like reading a pirate book!"
I don't know about that, but this series does have an action-oriented center to it, once you parse through the lengthy verbiage and get to the meat of the plot. Not a bad book, and an easy read.
One thing that I do not like...large portions of both this book and the first in the series contain long descriptions and setups of both characters and situations that seem to be nothing but extraneous "filler" material, with no real intent other than to increase the length of the book and/or story. While some people may enjoy this, I do not.
Still, if you like steampunk, I would fully expect you to like this book. I had other people tell me, "hey, this like reading a pirate book!"
I don't know about that, but this series does have an action-oriented center to it, once you parse through the lengthy verbiage and get to the meat of the plot. Not a bad book, and an easy read.
November 26, 2025
Saber Toothed, Kraken, Oh My! Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War is a non-stop, steampunk adventure. Infused from start to finish, this story provides an endless adrenaline rush. The perfect book for those who want their action injected into every page.
Romulus battles saber-toothed, a kraken, and perilous conditions, all while trying to balance a tenuous truce with the other clans.
Many secrets are revealed, while new secrets will boggle your imagination.
Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War is steampunk zeppelin flight at its purest.
I received this ARC copy of Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War from Amazon Publishing - 47North in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on November 19, 2013.
September 15, 2021
I listened to this story more times than what I’ve got here on Goodreads. I absolutely love this series & with Preston would publish the fourth book already. There is a 3rd book, but it’s only in print. Again this is an amazing series for anyone that is new to the world of steampunk. The characters are distinct & very well defined. The slang is fun if a little bit cheesy.
April 19, 2021
This review originally published in Looking For a Good book. Rated 3.5 of 5
Swashbuckling steampunk. That's Romulus Buckle.
Romulus Buckle is the captain of a zeppelin which is soaring over the frozen wasteland known as Southern California, where warring clans battle one another for precious supplies. Buckle has worked hard to bring about an alliance between the clans in order put an end to the fighter. But that alliance is tenuous at best and actions taken by the Founders (one of two major organization/factions along with the Imperials) put the peace between clans at risk.
Just as Buckle is gearing up for a war - something he would prefer to avid but he will meet it head on if he must - he learns that his long-lost sister is being held captive at a secret base. That base could also hold the secrets to defeating the Founders in the upcoming war. Buckle has no choice but to infiltrate the base.
This is the second book in the Romulus Buckle series, though only the first one I've read. I did feel that there was probably information about Buckle and the world of the book that was presented in the first book that would have been helpful to know when reading this book.
The book was entertaining, but really it was mostly action sequence after action sequence. It seemed as though each time Buckle finished a battle, he was preparing for another one. Sometimes they were mano a mano, sometimes they were via his airship. About two thirds of the way through I rolled my eyes at 'yet another battle sequence.'
When Buckle gets word about his daughter, the story of the book picks up. Prior to this it seemed to be just action, action, action without motivation. Having a viable purpose seriously helped the book.
The read was fine, but it didn't make me interested in picking up any other books in the series.
Looking for a good book? Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. is a swashbuckling action/adventure steampunk novel. If this is something you're looking to read, then you'll enjoy this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Swashbuckling steampunk. That's Romulus Buckle.
Romulus Buckle is the captain of a zeppelin which is soaring over the frozen wasteland known as Southern California, where warring clans battle one another for precious supplies. Buckle has worked hard to bring about an alliance between the clans in order put an end to the fighter. But that alliance is tenuous at best and actions taken by the Founders (one of two major organization/factions along with the Imperials) put the peace between clans at risk.
Just as Buckle is gearing up for a war - something he would prefer to avid but he will meet it head on if he must - he learns that his long-lost sister is being held captive at a secret base. That base could also hold the secrets to defeating the Founders in the upcoming war. Buckle has no choice but to infiltrate the base.
This is the second book in the Romulus Buckle series, though only the first one I've read. I did feel that there was probably information about Buckle and the world of the book that was presented in the first book that would have been helpful to know when reading this book.
The book was entertaining, but really it was mostly action sequence after action sequence. It seemed as though each time Buckle finished a battle, he was preparing for another one. Sometimes they were mano a mano, sometimes they were via his airship. About two thirds of the way through I rolled my eyes at 'yet another battle sequence.'
When Buckle gets word about his daughter, the story of the book picks up. Prior to this it seemed to be just action, action, action without motivation. Having a viable purpose seriously helped the book.
The read was fine, but it didn't make me interested in picking up any other books in the series.
Looking for a good book? Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. is a swashbuckling action/adventure steampunk novel. If this is something you're looking to read, then you'll enjoy this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2019
20000 Leagues Above the Land
Drawing on myths, fairytales, seamen's tales, and any number of other sources, Preston weaves a new fabric from threads of worn (but favorite) tales that have gone before. The setting is following the fall of modern civilization yet it SEEMS as if the time could be prior to the Industrial Revolution. Either way, PEOPLE are still the same. "There shall be war rumors of war. It is necessary that these things happen, but the end is not yet". We seem to survive in spite of ourselves. Can you imagine what we could accomplish if we were to all work together instead of trying to kill each other? We do the best we can in the face of adversity and resistance everywhere. This adventure taps in to the futility of war and the necessity of working together to survive. At the same time providing exciting aerial inter-ship cannon battles akin to Errol Flynn pirates combined with WWI airplane dogfights. Add to this mix the emotional interactions of loved ones and you BEGIN to catch the underlying tone of Romulus Buckle - in spite of ludicrous and weird appearances.
Drawing on myths, fairytales, seamen's tales, and any number of other sources, Preston weaves a new fabric from threads of worn (but favorite) tales that have gone before. The setting is following the fall of modern civilization yet it SEEMS as if the time could be prior to the Industrial Revolution. Either way, PEOPLE are still the same. "There shall be war rumors of war. It is necessary that these things happen, but the end is not yet". We seem to survive in spite of ourselves. Can you imagine what we could accomplish if we were to all work together instead of trying to kill each other? We do the best we can in the face of adversity and resistance everywhere. This adventure taps in to the futility of war and the necessity of working together to survive. At the same time providing exciting aerial inter-ship cannon battles akin to Errol Flynn pirates combined with WWI airplane dogfights. Add to this mix the emotional interactions of loved ones and you BEGIN to catch the underlying tone of Romulus Buckle - in spite of ludicrous and weird appearances.
February 16, 2018
What a good adventure story!!
I have read 2 books in this series and both of them are really exciting. Sometimes it is hard to keep the characters straight but they are very entertaining and there is never a dull moment. Romulus Buckle is the airship captain, he is quite a ladies man and a true swashbuckling (ha) hero. His crew has many beautiful women including Martians and mechanicals. I have already ordered the next book in the series.
I have read 2 books in this series and both of them are really exciting. Sometimes it is hard to keep the characters straight but they are very entertaining and there is never a dull moment. Romulus Buckle is the airship captain, he is quite a ladies man and a true swashbuckling (ha) hero. His crew has many beautiful women including Martians and mechanicals. I have already ordered the next book in the series.
July 28, 2017
More Zeppelin Excellence
Book two of this wonderful trilogy easily holds the pace of the first book while continuing the interesting details of the technology. Mr. Preston has obviously given a lot of thought to these airships, yet the explicit details never detract from the story or the considerable action. Truely an excellent series.
Book two of this wonderful trilogy easily holds the pace of the first book while continuing the interesting details of the technology. Mr. Preston has obviously given a lot of thought to these airships, yet the explicit details never detract from the story or the considerable action. Truely an excellent series.
August 19, 2019
I really enjoy the gritty main character in this series and look forward to book 3, which I have in ebook form and will now move forward with since the third is not available in audiobook. I am curious to see how the relationships will play out in the next one. I really like Max as a character and find her fascinating.
April 27, 2020
Who knew I would like steampunk, but I do, or at least I like this. The battles are interesting. There is detail, but it's not overwhelming. And I like the characterization. I'm interested to see which of the heroines the hero ends up with and there's a great little mystery involving his missing sister.
May 12, 2020
Another great adventure by author Preston, and he doesn't fail to amaze at how creative the stories he weaves. A few questionable faux pas here and there as with volume one but hey, it's a long book.
Now on to volume three in the Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin!
Now on to volume three in the Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin!
July 28, 2021
Over all I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next. About the only complaint I could say would be it sometimes feels like he could use some work on pacing but in the end it is an enjoyable read and if you like steampunk then recommended.
September 10, 2017
Fun steampunk.
I can smell the steam. Preston makes the world come alive. Totally enjoying this trip in the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Onward to the thrilling conclusion.
I can smell the steam. Preston makes the world come alive. Totally enjoying this trip in the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Onward to the thrilling conclusion.
April 5, 2019
An easy fun read.
July 27, 2019
It's getting complicated
Would love more back story. I am sure in the many follow on volumes it will all be explained. On to vol 3
Would love more back story. I am sure in the many follow on volumes it will all be explained. On to vol 3
October 18, 2025
A great tale
Unlimited imagination, grounded in history tells of our future. A most satisfying read. Thank you Richard Ellis Preston jr as I reach for the next volume.
Unlimited imagination, grounded in history tells of our future. A most satisfying read. Thank you Richard Ellis Preston jr as I reach for the next volume.
November 14, 2015
Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War is another wonderful book in The Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I absolutely love the Steampunk feel to these books and really find the main characters to be quite intriguing. The entire feel to the story is one of a frozen and gritty world where the only true form of science it the hydrogen-filled airships (Scary . . . I know). And then there is all of the Martian beasties that are always attacking the humans. I wish we had more back-story on these creatures and the obelisks that the Martians left behind. Speaking of the Martians, what happened to the them? Where are they? Maybe I missed this in the first book, but there is a lot of history that the readers are missing out on. Even with this lack of information, the story is still terrific and I couldn't put it down. It is a true page-turner in the style of the old-fashioned dime-store novel..
The first half of this book was quite different from Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders in that the main characters spend absolutely no time on the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Romulus and Max end up fighting for their lives from the brutally cold conditions on the surface and the nasty Martian Sabertooths that are hunting them. Once they are finally rescued and are on the Arabella, then they end up in the worst kind of storm fighting a Martian Kraken. On one hand, I was disappointed by the idea of a kraken attacking the small airship, but on the other hand, I still found the episode to be very exciting. After it was over, I discovered that I was now okay with the entire thing. One thing that bummed me out was that Max was injured throughout the entire book and played a very minor roll in the story. She was replaced by Valkyrie, the daughter of Katzenjammer Smelt. But, I also ended up liking this new character very much, so I'm not sure where I stand on this. Hmmm.
All of the characters, be they good or evil, are quite interesting. The author does a wonderful job in fleshing out the main characters, and even some of the minor characters. It is interesting that characters Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. gives names to are sometimes quickly killed off. It would appear that the life of a zeppelineer is a short one, as Romulus informed us in the first book. I really enjoy how the author is developing the series and introducing the clans in a slow manner. Sure, the ambassadors from most of the clans were at Balthazar's meeting, and I can barely remember any of them, but I won't forget the captain of the Spartak airship that was under attack from the Founders. He is a pretty cool cucumber.
Overall, Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War is another excellent science fiction story that adds more depth to the continuing story about Romulus Buckle and his Pneumatic Zeppelin. I was excited to start reading this book, having recently finished the first book in this series, and I will say that this book is highly entertaining. In my opinion, both of the books would be wonderful to see on the big screen. So, with this in mind, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. I am ready to get started on it now. Of course, I cannot because it hasn't yet been published, or maybe even written. I guess I am just going to have to bide my time and wait patiently for Romulus Buckle to re-enter my life sometime in the future. It is going to be a very difficult wait.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
The first half of this book was quite different from Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders in that the main characters spend absolutely no time on the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Romulus and Max end up fighting for their lives from the brutally cold conditions on the surface and the nasty Martian Sabertooths that are hunting them. Once they are finally rescued and are on the Arabella, then they end up in the worst kind of storm fighting a Martian Kraken. On one hand, I was disappointed by the idea of a kraken attacking the small airship, but on the other hand, I still found the episode to be very exciting. After it was over, I discovered that I was now okay with the entire thing. One thing that bummed me out was that Max was injured throughout the entire book and played a very minor roll in the story. She was replaced by Valkyrie, the daughter of Katzenjammer Smelt. But, I also ended up liking this new character very much, so I'm not sure where I stand on this. Hmmm.
All of the characters, be they good or evil, are quite interesting. The author does a wonderful job in fleshing out the main characters, and even some of the minor characters. It is interesting that characters Richard Ellis Preston, Jr. gives names to are sometimes quickly killed off. It would appear that the life of a zeppelineer is a short one, as Romulus informed us in the first book. I really enjoy how the author is developing the series and introducing the clans in a slow manner. Sure, the ambassadors from most of the clans were at Balthazar's meeting, and I can barely remember any of them, but I won't forget the captain of the Spartak airship that was under attack from the Founders. He is a pretty cool cucumber.
Overall, Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War is another excellent science fiction story that adds more depth to the continuing story about Romulus Buckle and his Pneumatic Zeppelin. I was excited to start reading this book, having recently finished the first book in this series, and I will say that this book is highly entertaining. In my opinion, both of the books would be wonderful to see on the big screen. So, with this in mind, I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. I am ready to get started on it now. Of course, I cannot because it hasn't yet been published, or maybe even written. I guess I am just going to have to bide my time and wait patiently for Romulus Buckle to re-enter my life sometime in the future. It is going to be a very difficult wait.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
April 28, 2015
Steampunk novels are more fun when something extra is inserted into the story -- space travel, zombies, cloud squirrels, et cetera.
And there is a LOT of extra stuff in "Romulus Buckle & The Engines of War" -- a futuristic, icy version of Earth with sabretoothed tigers, steam-powered airships, and plenty of aliens. It's a pulpy, piratey kind of adventure story, with lots of fun action scenes -- but Richard Ellis Preston Jr. does have a distracting tendency to ramble.
Romulus and a grievously wounded Max are stranded in the Devil's Punchbowl, with wild beasts trying to eat them. But they have no time to rest when they are rescued, because Romulus has discovered a shocking fact -- it was the Founders, not the Imperials, who stole his sister. The only hope of stopping the Founders is by uniting the various disparate groups against them.
But there are obstacles in the way of the Pneumatic Airship -- vast sky krakens, political squabbling, saboteurs, and a shocking revelation about one of Romulus' own crew. As a war starts to rev up between the Founders and the other clans, the airship's crew finds itself on an ambassadorial mission that turns into a battle.
"Romulus Buckle & The Engines of War" is basically steampunk pulp -- which I mean in the most affectionate way possible. It's a colorful, fast-moving story with plenty of vivid scenes (giant sabretoothed tigers with four green glowy eyes!) and exciting action scenes with muskets and cutlasses. It's a rollicking ride, sort of like steampunk pirates without the theft.
The one problem is Preston's writing style. He packs in a lot of solid dialogue and vivid descriptions, which are lots of fun to read. But he has an unfortunate tendency to write in long, rambling sentences. Some of them are as long as a small paragraph, and could be easily divided into two or three smaller ones.
But if you can overlook that easily-fixed flaw, the characters are a likable bunch. Buckle is a rough'n'tumble, hard-drinking, courageous captain, and his rough edges and flaws are enough to distract you from the fact that all women are hot for him. The regal half-Martian Max and the mysterious Sabrina are both nicely rounded out, although their flashbacks can be a bit intrusive (did Sabrina's REALLY need to be in the middle of a kraken attack?).
The second Romulus Buckle is a fun, wild ride with plenty of steampunk flair, as long as the lengthy, rambling sentences don't bother you. Enjoyable steampunk pulp.
And there is a LOT of extra stuff in "Romulus Buckle & The Engines of War" -- a futuristic, icy version of Earth with sabretoothed tigers, steam-powered airships, and plenty of aliens. It's a pulpy, piratey kind of adventure story, with lots of fun action scenes -- but Richard Ellis Preston Jr. does have a distracting tendency to ramble.
Romulus and a grievously wounded Max are stranded in the Devil's Punchbowl, with wild beasts trying to eat them. But they have no time to rest when they are rescued, because Romulus has discovered a shocking fact -- it was the Founders, not the Imperials, who stole his sister. The only hope of stopping the Founders is by uniting the various disparate groups against them.
But there are obstacles in the way of the Pneumatic Airship -- vast sky krakens, political squabbling, saboteurs, and a shocking revelation about one of Romulus' own crew. As a war starts to rev up between the Founders and the other clans, the airship's crew finds itself on an ambassadorial mission that turns into a battle.
"Romulus Buckle & The Engines of War" is basically steampunk pulp -- which I mean in the most affectionate way possible. It's a colorful, fast-moving story with plenty of vivid scenes (giant sabretoothed tigers with four green glowy eyes!) and exciting action scenes with muskets and cutlasses. It's a rollicking ride, sort of like steampunk pirates without the theft.
The one problem is Preston's writing style. He packs in a lot of solid dialogue and vivid descriptions, which are lots of fun to read. But he has an unfortunate tendency to write in long, rambling sentences. Some of them are as long as a small paragraph, and could be easily divided into two or three smaller ones.
But if you can overlook that easily-fixed flaw, the characters are a likable bunch. Buckle is a rough'n'tumble, hard-drinking, courageous captain, and his rough edges and flaws are enough to distract you from the fact that all women are hot for him. The regal half-Martian Max and the mysterious Sabrina are both nicely rounded out, although their flashbacks can be a bit intrusive (did Sabrina's REALLY need to be in the middle of a kraken attack?).
The second Romulus Buckle is a fun, wild ride with plenty of steampunk flair, as long as the lengthy, rambling sentences don't bother you. Enjoyable steampunk pulp.
December 26, 2013
Romulus Buckle is captain of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, and he and his Crankshaft clan are facing war from the Founders clan. They must gather the other steampunk clans together to face the Founders, but Buckle's is also searching for his missing-presumed-dead-sister. Will he be able to find her, and when he returns, with the clans' alliance still be intact?
When I picked this up, I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series. When I finished it, I was upset to see that a third book wasn't listed for the series! (This just came out, though, so hopefully a third will pop up.)
I was pleasantly surprised--thrilled--at how much I loved this, and how quickly I fell in love with the characters. I wish I had read the first one, but it didn't take long at all for me to catch up with what was going on and who everyone was.
I simultaneously love Buckle as a Captain and dislike him. Or, well, I get frustrated by him. He's so headstrong and reckless, and completely unapologetic for what and who he is. He was no guilt about himself. I suppose there's a twinge there, especially when he loses members of his crew, but he never wallows in guilt. I suppose that's part of him that I like, it's rare in a character. Oftentimes you come across a character that clings to feeling guilty as... what? The author's attempt at making them human? I like a character that realistically doesn't feel that way.
It was a fun steampunk world, too. Post-apocalyptic, which isn't unusual or unique in steampunk, but a frozen world that's still ruled by airships? That's new and fun.
I wasn't expecting the story to start the way it did, but I got into it quickly. It has a good pace, and consistently kept my attention right up until the end. I wish I had gotten to see more of Max, but I suppose if I had read the first book I would have.
When I picked this up, I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series. When I finished it, I was upset to see that a third book wasn't listed for the series! (This just came out, though, so hopefully a third will pop up.)
I was pleasantly surprised--thrilled--at how much I loved this, and how quickly I fell in love with the characters. I wish I had read the first one, but it didn't take long at all for me to catch up with what was going on and who everyone was.
I simultaneously love Buckle as a Captain and dislike him. Or, well, I get frustrated by him. He's so headstrong and reckless, and completely unapologetic for what and who he is. He was no guilt about himself. I suppose there's a twinge there, especially when he loses members of his crew, but he never wallows in guilt. I suppose that's part of him that I like, it's rare in a character. Oftentimes you come across a character that clings to feeling guilty as... what? The author's attempt at making them human? I like a character that realistically doesn't feel that way.
It was a fun steampunk world, too. Post-apocalyptic, which isn't unusual or unique in steampunk, but a frozen world that's still ruled by airships? That's new and fun.
I wasn't expecting the story to start the way it did, but I got into it quickly. It has a good pace, and consistently kept my attention right up until the end. I wish I had gotten to see more of Max, but I suppose if I had read the first book I would have.
January 12, 2014
Trinitytwo’s Point of View
Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War picks up right where The City of the Founders left off. (Note: if you have not read Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders go back and read it now.) Romulus Buckle and his crew are pretty beat up after their encounter with the City of the Founders. Their airship, the Pneumatic Zeppelin, was almost destroyed and many of the crew were injured or killed. Thankfully, their daring rescue attempt succeeded and their leader, Admiral Balthazar Crankshaft, along with two other clan’s leaders are safe. Among the recovered clan leaders is Admiral Katzenjammer Smelt who swears that his Imperial clan is innocent of waging the devastating assault on the Crankshaft’s Tehachapi outpost over a year ago. This blitz resulted in the stronghold’s obliteration and the tragic loss of Buckle’s adoptive mother and his biological sister, Elizabeth. Smelt’s denial forces Buckle to reconsider his hatred of the Imperial clan. Buckle is so obsessed in discovering the truth that he is willing to risk his life by heading into the treacherous mountains where an enemy zeppelin was shot down during the attack.
Engines of War starts off at a rollicking fast pace. New mysteries, deadly alien beasts and unexplored romantic longings are introduced adding more depth to the story. Author Richard E. Preston, Jr. begins to layer personal history and insight into many of the main characters. I enthusiastically enjoyed the glimpse into Romulus and his adopted sister Sabrina’s respective childhoods. The momentum stalled somewhere midpoint when in the middle of war councils and military preparations, the story dallies at the Seasonal Ball. Here our characters primp, play matchmaker, and think inappropriate thoughts about one another. Once this is accomplished, however, the momentum is regained and the characters get back to the dire business of impending war onboard their zeppelin. Preston is at his best in the midst of battles and action and the author begins and finishes Engines of War with exciting exploits and a promise of more to come. Preston’s steampunk world has sparked my imagination and I am anticipating the next chapter of Romulus' adventure in his third book.
Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War picks up right where The City of the Founders left off. (Note: if you have not read Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders go back and read it now.) Romulus Buckle and his crew are pretty beat up after their encounter with the City of the Founders. Their airship, the Pneumatic Zeppelin, was almost destroyed and many of the crew were injured or killed. Thankfully, their daring rescue attempt succeeded and their leader, Admiral Balthazar Crankshaft, along with two other clan’s leaders are safe. Among the recovered clan leaders is Admiral Katzenjammer Smelt who swears that his Imperial clan is innocent of waging the devastating assault on the Crankshaft’s Tehachapi outpost over a year ago. This blitz resulted in the stronghold’s obliteration and the tragic loss of Buckle’s adoptive mother and his biological sister, Elizabeth. Smelt’s denial forces Buckle to reconsider his hatred of the Imperial clan. Buckle is so obsessed in discovering the truth that he is willing to risk his life by heading into the treacherous mountains where an enemy zeppelin was shot down during the attack.
Engines of War starts off at a rollicking fast pace. New mysteries, deadly alien beasts and unexplored romantic longings are introduced adding more depth to the story. Author Richard E. Preston, Jr. begins to layer personal history and insight into many of the main characters. I enthusiastically enjoyed the glimpse into Romulus and his adopted sister Sabrina’s respective childhoods. The momentum stalled somewhere midpoint when in the middle of war councils and military preparations, the story dallies at the Seasonal Ball. Here our characters primp, play matchmaker, and think inappropriate thoughts about one another. Once this is accomplished, however, the momentum is regained and the characters get back to the dire business of impending war onboard their zeppelin. Preston is at his best in the midst of battles and action and the author begins and finishes Engines of War with exciting exploits and a promise of more to come. Preston’s steampunk world has sparked my imagination and I am anticipating the next chapter of Romulus' adventure in his third book.
January 21, 2014
http://koeur.wordpress.com/2013/12/09...
Publisher: Amazon
Publishing Date: November 2013
ISBN: 9781477807682
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Publisher Description: The frozen wasteland of Snow World—known as Southern California before an alien invasion decimated civilization—is home to warring steampunk clans. Crankshafts, Imperials, Tinskins, Brineboilers, and many more all battle one another for precious supplies, against ravenous mutant beasts for basic survival, and with the mysterious Founders for their very freedom.
Review: Wow, another epic chronicle in the Romulus Buckle saga. This novel has it all…adventure, great character and scene development, suspense and a cool cover to wrap it in. This novel never really falls flat, anywhere. Usually a novel will have some down time, depending on how the story-line is being developed. For example, at the bedside of an injured Max, the author transports you into her Martian dream-scaping that is at once compelling and unsettling. The war scenes are very well crafted and carry this humanistic element throughout, as seen through the eyes and feelings of Buckle. There is compassion, anger, love….all the emotions that we know so well, that rampage through the pages.
In the first novel, we had no sense if Buckle was a man with human needs. We began to see the burgeoning interest expressed by Max, Buckle’s chief engineer. In this installment, Buckle is confused by his feelings for Max, Sabrina and quite possibly Valkyrie, princess of the Imperial clan. The women that fly with Buckle on the Pneumatic Zeppelin are smarter than Buckle, capable and, well, hot. There is this constant tension that occurs between Buckle and the women in his world.
This was a great read, better than the City of the Founders, in that there was constant well developed scenes with good character involvement and movement. In the next installment Buckle is going to Atlantis to find his sister and I can’t wait to be there with them.
Publisher: Amazon
Publishing Date: November 2013
ISBN: 9781477807682
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Publisher Description: The frozen wasteland of Snow World—known as Southern California before an alien invasion decimated civilization—is home to warring steampunk clans. Crankshafts, Imperials, Tinskins, Brineboilers, and many more all battle one another for precious supplies, against ravenous mutant beasts for basic survival, and with the mysterious Founders for their very freedom.
Review: Wow, another epic chronicle in the Romulus Buckle saga. This novel has it all…adventure, great character and scene development, suspense and a cool cover to wrap it in. This novel never really falls flat, anywhere. Usually a novel will have some down time, depending on how the story-line is being developed. For example, at the bedside of an injured Max, the author transports you into her Martian dream-scaping that is at once compelling and unsettling. The war scenes are very well crafted and carry this humanistic element throughout, as seen through the eyes and feelings of Buckle. There is compassion, anger, love….all the emotions that we know so well, that rampage through the pages.
In the first novel, we had no sense if Buckle was a man with human needs. We began to see the burgeoning interest expressed by Max, Buckle’s chief engineer. In this installment, Buckle is confused by his feelings for Max, Sabrina and quite possibly Valkyrie, princess of the Imperial clan. The women that fly with Buckle on the Pneumatic Zeppelin are smarter than Buckle, capable and, well, hot. There is this constant tension that occurs between Buckle and the women in his world.
This was a great read, better than the City of the Founders, in that there was constant well developed scenes with good character involvement and movement. In the next installment Buckle is going to Atlantis to find his sister and I can’t wait to be there with them.
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