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The Chronicles of Croom #1
Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star
Indiana Jones meets Inspector Clouseau in a new comedy-adventure from the screwball imagination of Steven Luna!
In 1926, when technology was far simpler, the world much vaster, and the notion of global discovery still a thrilling and mysterious prospect, dashing adventurer extraordinaire Simeon Croom traveled far and wide on an intrepid search for evidence of forgotten prehistoric cultures—their ruins, their remnants, and their relics.
Then he took a job at Hydewhite Museum, and his life changed considerably.
Ten years after he abandoned his worldwide explorations in search of ancient artifacts and vanished civilizations and settled for lecturing about them instead, Croom receives an invitation for one last exploit from his oldest comrade and ex-artifact-hunting partner Horatio Bombfell. The mission? Travel into the heart of the steamy Sarabezi jungle and retrieve the Treasure Star, a mythological jeweled orb said to be a gift given by the gods to a shaman from the long-extinct Zingaloo tribe. It’s an offer Croom can hardly afford to pass up, especially with Hydewhite footing the bill. With his steadfast and sensible assistant Nebula Everhope along to keep the excursion from flying off the rails and nothing but a mysterious stone tablet that may (or may not) be a map to lead them onward, Croom and Bombfell head off on the adventure of a lifetime! But Bombfell’s increasingly sinister ways are undeniable, and all might not be as it seems regarding his intentions for the Treasure Star, if the relic even exists at all...
Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star is book one in the Chronicles of Croom, a seven-title series. Watch for book two, Simeon Croom and the Hand of Fatiq, coming soon!
In 1926, when technology was far simpler, the world much vaster, and the notion of global discovery still a thrilling and mysterious prospect, dashing adventurer extraordinaire Simeon Croom traveled far and wide on an intrepid search for evidence of forgotten prehistoric cultures—their ruins, their remnants, and their relics.
Then he took a job at Hydewhite Museum, and his life changed considerably.
Ten years after he abandoned his worldwide explorations in search of ancient artifacts and vanished civilizations and settled for lecturing about them instead, Croom receives an invitation for one last exploit from his oldest comrade and ex-artifact-hunting partner Horatio Bombfell. The mission? Travel into the heart of the steamy Sarabezi jungle and retrieve the Treasure Star, a mythological jeweled orb said to be a gift given by the gods to a shaman from the long-extinct Zingaloo tribe. It’s an offer Croom can hardly afford to pass up, especially with Hydewhite footing the bill. With his steadfast and sensible assistant Nebula Everhope along to keep the excursion from flying off the rails and nothing but a mysterious stone tablet that may (or may not) be a map to lead them onward, Croom and Bombfell head off on the adventure of a lifetime! But Bombfell’s increasingly sinister ways are undeniable, and all might not be as it seems regarding his intentions for the Treasure Star, if the relic even exists at all...
Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star is book one in the Chronicles of Croom, a seven-title series. Watch for book two, Simeon Croom and the Hand of Fatiq, coming soon!
- GenresAdventure
163 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2016
6 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Steven Luna
34 books80 followersSteven Luna likes making things up on a daily basis. This biography, though factual, is one of those things. He's the author of the absurdly humorous Joe Vampire series for grown-ups, the heart-wrenchingly serious Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing for almost-grown-ups, and the magical realism tale Starfire and the Miracle Tree for readers of all ages. Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star, his new comedy-adventure series, is now available.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 7, 2017
Advance review copy kindly provided by author and Goodreads friend Steven Luna.
This was a highly enjoyable read. There were rather more typos than I would have liked, but perhaps that was due to the fact that this was an ARC. And this did not detract from the story as a whole. Other reviews have compared this novel to Indiana Jones, and I confess that this idea occurred to me too, since the tale narrates the quest of an antiquarian moonlighting as an adventurer for a legendary artifact of spiritual significance. The plot moves quickly, has many twists and turns, and provides surprises right up to the end. However Luna's work is far from being a slavish imitation of the Indy flicks.
If anything, Simeon Croom comes across as slightly more polished, the barroom shenanigans notwithstanding. Part of the fun comes from the electrically charged exchanges between Croom, his companion Horatio Bombfell and his feisty and ever vigilant assistant Miss Nebula Everhope.
What also strikes the reader is the pervasiveness of the humour here. There are some moments of introspection and reflection, true. But there is much comedy cropping up everywhere: in the names, in the word-play, and in the use of the tropes of the adventure story. The parody is very sharp and occasionally reaches such a pitch as to be self-aware. However my friend Steven has such fun producing his lunacy that you can't help but laugh along and hope for more.
This was a highly enjoyable read. There were rather more typos than I would have liked, but perhaps that was due to the fact that this was an ARC. And this did not detract from the story as a whole. Other reviews have compared this novel to Indiana Jones, and I confess that this idea occurred to me too, since the tale narrates the quest of an antiquarian moonlighting as an adventurer for a legendary artifact of spiritual significance. The plot moves quickly, has many twists and turns, and provides surprises right up to the end. However Luna's work is far from being a slavish imitation of the Indy flicks.
If anything, Simeon Croom comes across as slightly more polished, the barroom shenanigans notwithstanding. Part of the fun comes from the electrically charged exchanges between Croom, his companion Horatio Bombfell and his feisty and ever vigilant assistant Miss Nebula Everhope.
What also strikes the reader is the pervasiveness of the humour here. There are some moments of introspection and reflection, true. But there is much comedy cropping up everywhere: in the names, in the word-play, and in the use of the tropes of the adventure story. The parody is very sharp and occasionally reaches such a pitch as to be self-aware. However my friend Steven has such fun producing his lunacy that you can't help but laugh along and hope for more.
September 20, 2016
Every line is ridiculously funny - absolutely loved it! Fast-paced action adventure with clever twists and witty comebacks, and beautifully written. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a delightful break from reality. It's rare to find such pure good humor.
November 7, 2016
I'm excited to know that this is a part of a new series. It's a mystery why there aren't more books set in this 1930s tomb-raiding, globe-trotting, nostalgic world of adventure, though I'm sure few can do it as well as Steven Luna.
Reading, I was of course reminded of Indiana Jones, but I also saw a bit of Kyril Bonfiglioli's Mortdecai in there too. I loved the over-the-top, lighthearted fun. The characters were a riot and the dialogue snappy and full of laughs. Definitely a good choice for a day on the couch!
Reading, I was of course reminded of Indiana Jones, but I also saw a bit of Kyril Bonfiglioli's Mortdecai in there too. I loved the over-the-top, lighthearted fun. The characters were a riot and the dialogue snappy and full of laughs. Definitely a good choice for a day on the couch!
May 22, 2017
Hilarious
This was a hilarious story about Simeon Croom , Nebula, and his old friend Dr Bomfeld. It starts out like it's a story of old friends going on an adventure, looking for the treasure star. Once on this adventure, neither one has anything planned out. If it wasn't for Nebula, they wouldn't have gotten very far. The story and dialogue was very funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading it. The ending left me wanting for another book. Can't wait to hear about more of Simeon Croom and Nebulas adventures.
This was a hilarious story about Simeon Croom , Nebula, and his old friend Dr Bomfeld. It starts out like it's a story of old friends going on an adventure, looking for the treasure star. Once on this adventure, neither one has anything planned out. If it wasn't for Nebula, they wouldn't have gotten very far. The story and dialogue was very funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading it. The ending left me wanting for another book. Can't wait to hear about more of Simeon Croom and Nebulas adventures.
September 20, 2016
A well written jaunt into the jungle
Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star marks the introduction of what will likely result in a series of Simeon Croom tales. The character of Croom loves to tell these stories of derring-do to pretty much everyone and at every given opportunity. If I had to draw a real life comparison to the character, he’d likely be a hybrid of Bruce Campbell and cartoon-gone-television show hero, The Tick. Someone who is charismatic, skillful, larger than life, and a do-gooder to the core.
The characterisation of Croom is the only issue that I have with the story. I love Steven Luna’s writing, but I just don’t like Croom. To me, he reads as a “look at me, aren’t I great” persona who also actually is as great as that persona. He can hear a couple of words of a lost language and immediately be fluent. He can juggle, and flirt, and sword fight, and make masterful love, and probably all of these things simultaneously while making you a meal that would ruin all other food for you. He’s a jack of all trades, master of all.
While I understand why Croom is written this way; it’s meant to be a humorous story, it is a characterisation that lands flat with me.
Given what I’ve told you about Croom and my dislike for him, here is the odd part. I think I’m on-board for the next adventure of Croom. The story, while comfortably concluded, drops a revelation or two that makes me think that what follows will be more enjoyable than what preceded it.
The next story has a clear cut antagonist. The results of this story’s arc may actually humble our adventurer a bit and we may see that there is more complexity to him than we’re originally offered. In conclusion, the writing here is fantastic. Luna tells a tale that goes surprisingly far in relatively few pages. For my money though, I like Luna best when he’s exploring humans, not jungles. Simeon Croom will not replace Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing for me as my favorite Luna tale, but I may find that Croom is capable of one more unbelievable feat, winning me over.
I’m required to notify you that I was given a copy of Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star for free in exchange for an honest review.
Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star marks the introduction of what will likely result in a series of Simeon Croom tales. The character of Croom loves to tell these stories of derring-do to pretty much everyone and at every given opportunity. If I had to draw a real life comparison to the character, he’d likely be a hybrid of Bruce Campbell and cartoon-gone-television show hero, The Tick. Someone who is charismatic, skillful, larger than life, and a do-gooder to the core.
The characterisation of Croom is the only issue that I have with the story. I love Steven Luna’s writing, but I just don’t like Croom. To me, he reads as a “look at me, aren’t I great” persona who also actually is as great as that persona. He can hear a couple of words of a lost language and immediately be fluent. He can juggle, and flirt, and sword fight, and make masterful love, and probably all of these things simultaneously while making you a meal that would ruin all other food for you. He’s a jack of all trades, master of all.
While I understand why Croom is written this way; it’s meant to be a humorous story, it is a characterisation that lands flat with me.
Given what I’ve told you about Croom and my dislike for him, here is the odd part. I think I’m on-board for the next adventure of Croom. The story, while comfortably concluded, drops a revelation or two that makes me think that what follows will be more enjoyable than what preceded it.
The next story has a clear cut antagonist. The results of this story’s arc may actually humble our adventurer a bit and we may see that there is more complexity to him than we’re originally offered. In conclusion, the writing here is fantastic. Luna tells a tale that goes surprisingly far in relatively few pages. For my money though, I like Luna best when he’s exploring humans, not jungles. Simeon Croom will not replace Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing for me as my favorite Luna tale, but I may find that Croom is capable of one more unbelievable feat, winning me over.
I’m required to notify you that I was given a copy of Simeon Croom and the Treasure Star for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2016
What A Fun Adventure!
This new adventure from Steven Luna is fantastic! From the very beginning you feel a sense of competition between friends, and a sense of determination to be the best. Taken on a fun ride to uncover the Treasure Star, this is an enjoyable read that you won't want to stop until the adventure ends.
This new adventure from Steven Luna is fantastic! From the very beginning you feel a sense of competition between friends, and a sense of determination to be the best. Taken on a fun ride to uncover the Treasure Star, this is an enjoyable read that you won't want to stop until the adventure ends.
December 13, 2016
Marvelous! So many interesting characters that have you rooting for Simeon Croom and his lovely assistant Nebula when the bad guys come calling. The many adventures that will befall the characters in this series have me quivering in anticipation. These books are perfect for sticking in the pocketbook for a little quiet time during the day to read.
September 27, 2016
Review to come
November 19, 2016
This book was actually alot funnier than I thought it was going to be. I loved the whole adventure aspect of it too. I will be on the lookout for the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews