Cerulean Rust: Book Two of the Rail Legacy

The Rail Legacy #2

by William J. Jackson

In the second book of the Rail Legacy, the Wild West metropolis of Railroad City faces an even larger threat. Already overwhelmed by military intervention, the Rail's stalwart duo, Professor Epsom and Aretha Astin, are being targeted by the secretive group only they know the Stimuli Club. But the Club will not strike directly at them. Oh no. This wicked shadow will cast its darkness over the Rail's underbelly, harming everything the heroes care for, destroying the very foundation of America...

503 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2016

About the author

Wanderer and writer, daydreamer and birdwatcher. William J. Jackson grew up poor, remained poor, but imagined richly and lavishly. He became fascinated with the past, and with nature, and these things inform his writing. An introvert,he finds people intriguing and odd, like himself.

Reviews

[Frank Geimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story.

This novel somewhat takes off where book one ended. It beefed up the character building to give you a greater idea of what makes them tick. I especially liked the background stories at the end, that explained how this world came to light and the powers the characters received. I'm looking forward to reading book three tomorrow.

[John Catton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book "An Unsubstantiated Chamber", in the Rail Legacy series, and I found that "Cerulean Rust" has even greater scope. Not only do we get an expanded look at the world of Rail City, Missouri, we get more of the fusion of Steampunk, Dieselpunk and superhero fiction found in Book One. "Cerulean Rust" has old faces The Spaceman, Flag Epsom and The Huntress in Hazel return, while also bringing in a host of new characters, who are all very well rounded.
While this is a stirring science fiction thriller, there is a lot of dialogue and character development to pay attention to, alongside the action scenes, and it disregards any outdated pulp cliches. I'm not exactly sure if there will be another book in the series but I hope there is, because I'd definitely be willing to read it!

[C. Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerulean Rust by William J Jackson is the second in a series of semi-dystopian steampunk novels set in Rail City, Missouri, during the 1880s. It takes place in the wake of a cosmic explosion and the failed league of paranormal heroes The Guild of Honor that it temporarily produced. It’s dark, heavy and dirty as it draws us into the charisma of its characters only to drag them through the mud.
While the first installment revolved around a status quo of murder-mysteries, this one quickly throws aside any previous formula. There's more action, higher stakes, and deeper explorations of the characters as a result. And more characters. Flag Epsom, and the Huntress in Hazel return, and we're treated to a pretty vulnerable opening for Epsom, who was kept at arm's reach emotionally the last time. Tad, a gravedigger, formerly Chance of the Guild of Honor, is another breakout star, capable of hulking out, in a sense, and being generally unkillable, I guess . And a small band of youthfully optimistic acrobats are a joyful addition as they try to fill the big shoes the Guild left behind with tragic results.
This is his Empire Strikes Back. All your favorites and more are together again and closer than ever but are soon to be pulled apart. Just as that great sequel expanded the universe of its predecessor and then tore the heart in two for a tragically unresolved conclusion, so also Cerulean Rust expands all the backstory and context of its original and tears our heroes apart before its completion. Just like watching Empire for the first time, I said to myself, this can’t be the end. It’s not finished! But, wait I must for whatever fate Jackson holds in store. This story is no less dismal when its characters learn the fate of their comrades just before the epilogue denies them any time to go after them.

Conclusion: 4.5 out of 5 stars. William J Jackson proves extremely adept at building an interesting world and walking you through it just as the walls are crumbling around your feet. His characters will grow on you and his mysteries will lure you in deeper.

Check out the full review on my website CWilliamPerkins.weebly.com