Romulus Buckle and the Luminiferous Aether

Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin #3

by Richard Ellis Preston Jr.

Earth is an icy wasteland, devastated by an alien invasion hundreds of years before. Left with only steam power, the human survivors have formed into steampunk clans. And now these clans are at war.Reeling from a Founders clan invasion, Captain Romulus Buckle of the Pneumatic Zeppelin faces a desperate decision. Does he return home to bolster the Grand Alliance or attempt to rescue his sister, Elizabeth, who is prophesied to be the key to winning the war? With only an ancient automaton and the words of a madman to guide him, Buckle leads an expedition to the mysterious underwater city of Atlantis, where mythical monsters and human treachery make every move perilous

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2015

About the author

Richard 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.

Reviews

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahoy, me matey's! Here lies another adventure with Captain Romulus Buckle of the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Unfortunately, it was not the high flying, swash buckling, good time I was expecting. There were some good moments, but Romulus Buckle and the Luminiferous Aether didn't live up to what I have come to enjoy out of this series. I don't want to go into too much detail, because I will start ranting and end up spoiling something. So, please excuse the vague details.

Captain Buckle, first mate Sabrina, crewmate Welly, and automaton Penny Dreadful head to the underwater clan of Atlantis in search of Buckle's sister Elizabeth, and to seek the aid of the Atlanteans in the upcoming war with the Founders. The most exciting part of this book was the actual trip to Atlantis. Buckle and company have to evade monstrous sea beasties, a Founders blockade, and engage in an underwater sea battle just to get into the city. The following 70% of the book could have been condensed in half. Seriously, I was just ready for it to be over by the end. Not all of it was bad, but I felt it was all too drawn out. Almost everything I enjoyed about the first 2 books was missing. All of the moments on the zeppelin, and the banter between the crew was completely non-existent. I guess Mr. Preston wanted to mix things up from books 1 and 2, and I completely understand that. The change was just a little too much for me.

"We're between the devil and the deep now."

I do want to clear something up that I stated in my review of the previous book, Romulus Buckle & the Engines of War. Apparently, this is not the last book in the series as I had presumed. There is still a lot of story to tell, and while I have searched online for news on book 4, I have yet to find any. Although, I may have had my issues with this installment, I hope Mr. Preston and the publisher will continue with the series. The ending of this book makes me hopeful for the series going forward and I would enjoy to ride the skies once again with Captain Buckle and the crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin.

Don't let my review dissuade you to give this series a try. Books 1 and 2 are extremely good, and while Romulus Buckle and the Luminiferous Aether may be my least favorite, it is still a good book. The first section of the book was exciting and the ending has me hopeful for upcoming books, so I will continue to keep my fingers crossed that there is more to come.

3 stars ***

[Bookwraiths]

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.

My rating is 3.5 stars.

Romulus Buckle returns in the third installment of his serialized steampunk adventures!

In the first two books (The City of the Founders and The Engines of War), the focus of the story was on the sky, specifically the silvery shape of the Pneumatic Zeppelin cutting through the clear blue, captained by its swashbuckling commander Romulus Buckle and his amazing crew. And as the beloved zeppelin carried its colorful cast of characters from adventure to adventure, the Snow World and its post-apocalyptic California came into vivid life; the mesmerizing steampunk societies and their amazing creations pulling a reader in, as a horrible threat to the fragile peace of this place arose and entangled our heroic airman and his companions in a deadly struggle for survival!

The The Luminiferous Aetheris a bit different, however, Romulus Buckle finding himself pulled from the bridge of his beloved zeppelin and immersed in an arena he is totally unfamiliar with.

Quickly, it becomes apparent that Romulus has set out on yet another quest; this time to uncover the fate of his beloved sister Elizabeth, whom he had once believed was killed in the early stages of the war with the Founders. But, now, the daring dirigible driver knows Elizabeth lives and, more, that she is a prisoner of the hated Founders, and so, with the belief that she is being held in fabled Atlantis, the Pneumatic Zeppelin heads off to the shady port of Vera Cruz, where Romulus is determined to find a submersible to transport him to the underwater city!

Accompanied by only a handful of his motley crew, Romulus’ path leads to a pirate in Vera Cruz. This submersible commander more than willing to run the Founder’s naval blockade of the city and take them to Atlantis — for the right price. Yet he warns his potential employer that the risk in daring to run the Founders naval blockade is very, very great and that even if they arrive at their intended destination Romulus might not find the Atlanteans greeting to be very warm — even though he brings an offer of alliance from the other clans.

From this beginning, Mr. Preston weaves a tale of sheer fun, filled with underwater battles and alien monsters, political machinations and familial fraticide, daring do and mesmerizing cliffhangers. Every page is like a roller coaster of thrills and chills; one leading seamlessly to the next until Romulus Buckle’s latest adventure seemingly has flown by before your eyes — the pages literally devoured in your haste to discover how it will all end.

As always the strength of the story is the balancing act of beloved characters with daring do. Romulus, Max, Penny Dreadful, Sabrina and all the rest might not be the most complex people in literature, but they are amazingly likable and have surprising depth for heroes who spend most of their time running, fighting, and stumbling from one grand adventure to the next; depth which turns them from strangers into intimate friends, whom a reader will want to see safely home at the end of their latest adventure.

As for any weakness in the story, it would probably be the non-stop action. The Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin are adrenaline-filled affairs; each daring zeppelin battle, submersible clash, or sword fight leading directly into the next with very little time for a reader to take a breath. Oh, it is action-packed fun with absolutely no dull moments, but I could see where some people might like a few chapters interspersed in the fun to develop the world more or allow Mr. Preston to delve into deeper character development.

After having completed my third adventure with Romulus Buckle, I have to say this is one of my favorite series. It is a fun, exciting place to spend a few hours fighting bad guys, uncovering hidden secrets, and familiarizing myself with an amazing steampunk world. As I’ve said several times before, it reminds me very much of the original Star Trek, especially the crew camaraderie and the daring do of a beloved Captain, which is a great compliment in my book as I was a huge fan of the original series growing up. Now all we need is an introductory speech for Romulus to say at the beginning of each adventure. Something like . . . The sky: the final frontier. These are the adventures of the Pneumatic Zeppelin. Its mission: to visit strange new parts of the Snow World, to thwart at every step the diabolical plans of the Founders, to boldly go where no zeppelin has gone before!

Well, you get the idea. But, like I’ve already said, I really like this series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining read.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an unbiased and honest review. The opinion you have read is mine and was not influenced by anyone else.

[Terry Gero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This the third volume of the story in this part of the series, takes Romulus and part of his crew undersea away from their ominous pneumatic dirigible. There unfortunately for me, it got mired in politics and slow storytelling. The second book and definitely the original story were written much better than this. I was very disappointed that the Whole saga/story was left open-ended and unfinished at the end !

[Jack Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating 3rd Book

Another solid entry in Mr. Preston's "Pneumatic Zeppelin" series. Less action than the previous two books, but with much more history of the main characters and a wild look at an underwater-dwelling clan. Definitely looking forward to the next installment in this excellent series.

[Matt Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best One Yet

I have to admit, I wasn't exactly "hooked" by the first book in this series, but I was determined to give it a chance, and my determination paid off. The 2nd book started grabbing my interest, and this one has me on the hook. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting adventure.

The third book of the "Pneumatic Zeppelin" had a lot more action.. I was disappointed with the ending, except it seemed like there should be another book coming. I hope so

[Thomas James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I HATE SAD ENDINGS!

Preston expLained it's a long series but THIS one ended sadly. Too many of OUR guys dies. Too many were captured. I'll diligently START the next book but I am not real excited about it right now.

[Narfstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series continues

The worst thing about reading this series is waiting for the next. After listening to the first two I could not wait for the third to be made audio. I had to read it. Actin action action with interesting characters and story.

[Timothy Haggerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It leaves you hanging

Great Vol 3, carries the story along with fast pace action and new parts of the universe. Would love to see the story continue.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prophesy of a trusted oracle has convinced Captain Romulus Buckle that he will find his long lost sister Elizabeth in Atlantis. The oracle warned that without Elizabeth, The Grand Alliance has no chance in winning the war against the power-hungry Founders. Buckle, leading a small team that includes Lieutenant Sabrina Seraphim and an ancient but child-like automaton named Penny Dreadful, embarks on a covert quest to find his sister and forge an alliance with the Atlanteans. As hostilities between the Founders and the clans of Snow World escalate, the team is forced to hire mercenaries to transport them undetected to Atlantis. Unfortunately, a blockade of powerful Founder submersibles stands in their way.

Max, Romulus' adopted half Martian/ half human sister, is recovering from her near fatal encounter with a sabertooth while saving Romulus's life during The Engines of War (book 2). She finds recuperating in the infirmary unpalatable and seeks to return to the Pneumatic Zeppelin as soon as possible. Her parting from her adoptive father, Admiral Balthazar Crankshaft stands out as a tender moment for the normally undemonstrative Max.

Also in this volume, the reader relives flashbacks from Pneumatic Zeppelin officers Sabrina and Max. I especially enjoyed Sabrina's escape from the Founders and tidbits of her life before being adopted by Admiral Crankshaft.

Romulus Buckle & the Luminiferous Aether is packed with everything that makes author Richard E. Preston Jr.'s steampunk adventures so highly entertaining. However, instead of being treated to Buckle's high altitude battles between enemy zeppelins, Luminiferous Aether features two different underwater games of cat and mouse that kept me reading far into the night.

Preston's remarkable world building skills and his attention to detail is certainly a highlight. The perilous journey to the troubled city of Atlantis and the description of its architecture and domes practically leapt from the pages.

Follow link to see full post at The Qwillery:
http://qwillery.blogspot.com/2016/01/...

[Joe Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romulus Buckle and the Luminiferous Aether, the third book in Richard E Preston, Jr.’s Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin series, takes a slight deviation from the styles of the previous two and focuses a little less on action and a little bit more on world making, relationships, character, and backstory. That may sound dull but it’s not. There’s still plenty of action, but with the added bonus of delving more into each character we’ve come to know and love. It’s also in this book where we truly dive (literally and figuratively) into Atlantis, and get more story behind the Sabrina and the children of Balthazar, leader of the Crankshaft clan.

We are once again bestowed with a starkly different setting for this book than the other two. While we remain in the steampunesque Snow World, most of the action takes place under water, in Atlantis, the never-lost city under the sea. The Atlanteans base their culture on the Roman Empire, replete with burnished armor and red-combed helmets, Senators in togas, and feelings of superiority. Mr. Preston describes a world of wonder, one that seems both possible if not real with an otherworldly quality to it. Under a thin veneer of civility and power lies of people that are both savage and scared. Those two are never a good combination. Whether it’s the mysterious luminiferous aether with its odd electricity or the items on the menu, this undersea world feels quite alien.

For full review: http://wp.me/p2XCwQ-1nl

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this steampunk adventure series very much, and this latest book is no exception. In this one, Romulus Buckle leads a small expedition to Atlantis in an attempt to rescue his sister Elizabeth. She has been prophesied to be the key to winning the war, and he’s sure the underwater city of Atlantis is where he can find her. Of course the Founders are blockading the city with their huge submersibles, so it will take some mercenary assistance to make it through to the city, with not only the Founders to worry about, but undersea guardian creatures as well. Once in the city, Romulus realizes that no one is to be trusted, with fighting among different factions of the Atlanteans only part of the problem. There was plenty of action, not only on the way to the city, but once there, and Romulus and his crew, including the ancient automaton, Penny Dreadful, acquit themselves heroically, as usual. I loved the descriptions of the underwater city, with its luminiferous aether - which not only lights, but powers the whole city. My only complaint is that the story ended with so many questions unanswered and I’ll have to wait for the next installment to find out what happens - to Romulus, his sisters Elizabeth, Serena and Max, Penny Dreadful, and the Grand Alliance. I’ll be waiting impatiently for that next installment, so I hope the author writes quickly.

[Ryan Rauber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book in the Romulus Buckles series. This is a steampunk adventure set in a future Earth dominated by zeppelin warships, though hardly any of this part takes place on board a zeppelin. Romulus Buckles and his crew travel to the underwater city of Atlantis to find his sister and enlist the people of Atlantis into an alliance to fight the Founders.

Obviously, Preston intends this series to continue for multiple books, and he sets this one up with multiple plots for the next one. I was happy to see the return of Max, my favorite character, but she wasn't in the book for very long. As a stand-alone book, I wouldn't recommend this without reading the first two books first. But if you're invested in the series and the story, you'll enjoy this. Hopefully we won't have to wait long for the next entry in the series.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romulus Buckle finds himself looking for his sister AND attempting to win over the Atlanteans to the cause - fighting the Founders and their attempt to take over. Unfortunately, those in Atlantis are having their own power struggles, and it bleeds over into Buckle's mission.

I enjoyed reading this, though I don't feel it had the same draw as the first couple of books. It felt more like the author was in a rush to get the story out than either of the previous. Having said that, I will read the next one and go from there - here's hoping it feels a little less...contrived...in parts.

[Connie Fogg-Bouchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ocean deep

the war with the Founders beat Romulus to Atlantis. his search for Elizabeth, combined with his diplomatic mission are on a slippery slope with treachery a possibility at every turn.

the characters all continue to delight. the kinship of Buckle's family and his uncertain feelings are so well played. proving family can win over blood is key and seeing old enmities simmer down makes me so glad there is more to come

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read.

And the story goes on. A very different feeling book compared to the previous two, but this is not in detriment to it. The characters backstroke continue to be fleshed out, and as d questions are answered, New ones arise. Mr. Preston, again, you have not let me down!

[Martin Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! wow. Action, character and fabulous story. Atlantis too! Underwater fighting with sea monsters and razor fish, submersibles, and even an appearance by a roman scholar, (Was it really Cisero?) The scenes came alive and the action and pace I just fell into. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Arietta Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I have to say that Buckle didn't feel like Buckle to me until three quarters of the way through but this book has more Max and Sabrina in it and I like them just as much as Buckle. I guess that means that Buckle is a captain through and through. I can't wait for the next one.

[Anton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book in this amazing series!

Just as with previous two, I loved this book for a creative world setup, fun adventures and very relatable characters. Hope the series continue soon!!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might never come out at this point

[Deborah Otway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Long awaited - but do not feel it moved along much in the story. Still a good read though and look forward to next instalment.

[The Modest Verge · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Victoria Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it - as I have the other books - but prefer it in audio format, which wasn't available for book three. Luke Daniels does a great narration job.

[Cindy Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a delight

I truly enjoy every word of this series and am anxiously awaiting more to the story of Captain Romulus Buckle!

[Arran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking

Another gripping instalment, as usual cut short and leaving the reader gasping for more. I shall eagerly await part four.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a different tone than the first two... More violent and much more gory. Also, there were a ton of typos and mistakes.

[Nichole Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

More please

Its been a tremendous yarn so far. Fascinating, action packed and full of intrigue. I am on tenterhooks. Where is the next one!!

[Max Gaddis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

I've read all the books and it's a great series filled with events that could actually happen. Oh and the Martians are as great as you'd expect them.

[Willow Estel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I hoped for and more! I really hope we get more of this story! I would really like to know what happens.