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Unobtainium #1
Kate on a Hot Tin Roof
Kate should not exist. The product of a mad scientist of great talent, she is the fusion of man and beast only made possible but the power of the Wonder Metal, Unobtainium.
When Charles Barstow-Hall’s grandfather discovered Unobtainium in Scotland, he had no idea that it would change the world, and even less idea of the extent of that change. Thirty-five years later Charles still spends much of his time cleaning up after the messes made by those with less moral fibre than himself. When he discovers Kate, a truly ungodly use of his grandfather’s discovery if ever there was one, he determines that she must be cured of her unnatural condition.
But there are other men with other ideas about Kate’s future and soon Kate and Charles, together with their friend Antonia Wooster, must brave the perils of the Dark Continent to bring an end to the vile schemes of evil men.
When Charles Barstow-Hall’s grandfather discovered Unobtainium in Scotland, he had no idea that it would change the world, and even less idea of the extent of that change. Thirty-five years later Charles still spends much of his time cleaning up after the messes made by those with less moral fibre than himself. When he discovers Kate, a truly ungodly use of his grandfather’s discovery if ever there was one, he determines that she must be cured of her unnatural condition.
But there are other men with other ideas about Kate’s future and soon Kate and Charles, together with their friend Antonia Wooster, must brave the perils of the Dark Continent to bring an end to the vile schemes of evil men.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2015
44 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books293 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 5, 2015
Kate on a hot tin roof.
I usually love the work of mister Teasdale, but this time I must say that he surpassed my usual expectation. This novel remind me of a lot of different others I read, like the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The explanation and the logical ways of thinking of each protagonist astounded me, Antonia, Kate and Charles are so special in their own way. You can't choose which one is you favorite characters because each of them make you like them in an unexpected way. Reading this novel was like watching a historical tv show, even though the story is situated in a steam punk world (or alterned history), mister Teasdale can exploit the next books he will write for this series who got so much potential with so much plot from our own world. I won't say what he can exploit, but know that the date in this novel is 1920. You'll have to read to see what I see. This book was rather conservative compared to the Aneka Jansen or Thaumatology series. But I loved it more for that, the author didn't add too much sex scene, I didn't expect that but that won't stop me from reading anymore of Kate's novels.
I usually love the work of mister Teasdale, but this time I must say that he surpassed my usual expectation. This novel remind me of a lot of different others I read, like the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The explanation and the logical ways of thinking of each protagonist astounded me, Antonia, Kate and Charles are so special in their own way. You can't choose which one is you favorite characters because each of them make you like them in an unexpected way. Reading this novel was like watching a historical tv show, even though the story is situated in a steam punk world (or alterned history), mister Teasdale can exploit the next books he will write for this series who got so much potential with so much plot from our own world. I won't say what he can exploit, but know that the date in this novel is 1920. You'll have to read to see what I see. This book was rather conservative compared to the Aneka Jansen or Thaumatology series. But I loved it more for that, the author didn't add too much sex scene, I didn't expect that but that won't stop me from reading anymore of Kate's novels.
November 29, 2020
An interesting mix of Steampunk and Teasdale's usual style.
Kate on a Hot Tin Roof is set in a 1920s Steampunk-like England. But rather than the clockwork, steam-powered wonders, in this universe the wonder metal Unobtanium was discovered. This metal advanced technology a great deal, but also enable true horror to be made. One of which is Kate herself. A human chimera made using Unobtanium. Gifted with power, but having lived in captivety her whole life, Kate wil have to learn to adapt and fit into Victorian England.
Overall this is definitely Teasdales work, but it is more on the tamer side than his usual work. The story takes a more sedate pace than usual and only later adds action to the mix. Mind you this book is still full of Powerful Woman, but they seem to be a bit more subdued in their carnal exploits. (Thematically appropriate for a Victorian setting) And in truth I must add that I find myself agreeing with this decisions. With a larger portion dedicated to the intricacies of the plot, a larger story can be told with fewer pages diverted to other matters.
Overall I liked this novel quite a bit. Kate and her supporting cast are likable characters and the setting allows for plenty of interesting avenues of exploration in future novels.
Kate on a Hot Tin Roof is set in a 1920s Steampunk-like England. But rather than the clockwork, steam-powered wonders, in this universe the wonder metal Unobtanium was discovered. This metal advanced technology a great deal, but also enable true horror to be made. One of which is Kate herself. A human chimera made using Unobtanium. Gifted with power, but having lived in captivety her whole life, Kate wil have to learn to adapt and fit into Victorian England.
Overall this is definitely Teasdales work, but it is more on the tamer side than his usual work. The story takes a more sedate pace than usual and only later adds action to the mix. Mind you this book is still full of Powerful Woman, but they seem to be a bit more subdued in their carnal exploits. (Thematically appropriate for a Victorian setting) And in truth I must add that I find myself agreeing with this decisions. With a larger portion dedicated to the intricacies of the plot, a larger story can be told with fewer pages diverted to other matters.
Overall I liked this novel quite a bit. Kate and her supporting cast are likable characters and the setting allows for plenty of interesting avenues of exploration in future novels.
May 4, 2021
Returned to this author after a fairly long break and found this novel up to his previous standard. A Steampunk/Dieselpunk setting of pseudo victorian British Empire with a type of nuclear energy, airships, and mecha in the 1920s.
A pleasant romp with reflections of period adventures, but with the author's 21st-century approach to sex. This is very much an adult book for those of broad sensibilities. As always strong female leads feature in this authors stories.
Enjoyed reading, but it took a while, something about it didn't grab me and make me want to rush through it. Equally could say nothing negative about it. Will like read the follow up at some point but not in any great hurry.
A pleasant romp with reflections of period adventures, but with the author's 21st-century approach to sex. This is very much an adult book for those of broad sensibilities. As always strong female leads feature in this authors stories.
Enjoyed reading, but it took a while, something about it didn't grab me and make me want to rush through it. Equally could say nothing negative about it. Will like read the follow up at some point but not in any great hurry.
August 7, 2023
Don't judge a book by its cover. This novel is an original action packed quick read. It's a fantasy / steampunk/ science fiction blend that got me interested pretty quickly. I had a lot of fun reading it, and have gone straight on reading its sequel.
June 15, 2015
This is crossposted from my Smashwords review, but yeah. I read it in a marathon over this past weekend. This should tell you much.
Do you like pulp adventure? How about not-quite-steampunk? Well this one's a mashup of both genres, with a bit of modern twist and the author's signature world building.
This one starts a new series in a new world. It's somewhat cliché, but that's really the point. It's a fast, fun, easy read with some darker undertones and likable characters. Highly recommended.
Do you like pulp adventure? How about not-quite-steampunk? Well this one's a mashup of both genres, with a bit of modern twist and the author's signature world building.
This one starts a new series in a new world. It's somewhat cliché, but that's really the point. It's a fast, fun, easy read with some darker undertones and likable characters. Highly recommended.
March 8, 2015
This is a 3.5 really.
I love the authors other works, and this is a good start to a series. I like the 3 main characters, and they show great promise.
the .5 off of a 4 (which is usually my highest rating, a book must be exceptional to get a 5 from me.) Is because the flow of the book seemed a little .... jerky? Uneven? I'm not really sure how to explain it.
I Hope there is a book 2, and eagerly await more Ceri and Lilly :)
EDIT Well it's a month later, and i just re-read it. I think i may have read it too fast or whatever. I am upping the book to 4 stars.
I love the authors other works, and this is a good start to a series. I like the 3 main characters, and they show great promise.
the .5 off of a 4 (which is usually my highest rating, a book must be exceptional to get a 5 from me.) Is because the flow of the book seemed a little .... jerky? Uneven? I'm not really sure how to explain it.
I Hope there is a book 2, and eagerly await more Ceri and Lilly :)
EDIT Well it's a month later, and i just re-read it. I think i may have read it too fast or whatever. I am upping the book to 4 stars.
February 2, 2015
ehhh, entertaining bit of reading, but not the author's best. good guys have obvious good guy motivations, bad guy(s) have stereotypical motivation(s). world isn't as interesting as those of the previous works.
i'll happily read any followups; but i won't be chomping at the bit for them.
i'll happily read any followups; but i won't be chomping at the bit for them.
February 22, 2015
I have greatly enjoyed the misadventures of Miss Felix and company. I eagerly await the next book.
July 12, 2021
A fun read, an interesting twist in history and the creation of a wonderfull parallel world.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews