Hyde's Children

Mission Clockwork

by Arthur Slade

A shape-shifting secret agent. A merciless enemy with a metal hand. The Victorian Empire got more than it bargained for.
Start the adventure today!
Modo is a young hunchbacked spy, raised by a British Lord to be the ultimate secret agent. Not only is he strong and fast, but he has a special he can change his shape and look like other people. Alas, he can only hold this shape for a few hours. When he teams up with the beautiful agent Octavia, he hides his ugliness from her. Modo worries he can't keep his looks hidden forever. Even more worrisome is the fact children are disappearing off London's streets. Then the War Secretary is murdered by his own son. It's clear a secret organization has Britain in its sights. But their final attack is far more devious and destructive than anyone is prepared for. Will Modo and Octavia survive?
Buy Mission Clockwork to find out.

Genres: Steampunk

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2016

About the author

Arthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a cross between a William Gibson Novel, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and the Matrix. Modo is a secret agent; he was raised almost from birth by Mr. Socrates who is a member of a secret agency within, or on top of, the British Government. Their goal is to protect all things British and to make the world in its own image. But unlike Neo's ability to shape his reality, Modo can shape himself. He can change his looks and appearance and Mr. Socrates believes this gift will make him an excellent agent. Therefore he invests years in his upbringing and training in all the skills he will require.

The story is classed as SteamPunk. It takes a historic setting, time and place and adds in technology they did not have at the time. Kind of an alternate reality storyline. Once the adventure begins the story is a race to the climax. Modo meets another agent of Socrates, a beautiful young woman named Octavia Milkweed and together they must discover the truth around missing children - a missing grandson of the queen and strange stories of feral children with incredible strength, and bolts coming out of their shoulders. Their enemies are a mysterious Clockwork Guild and their mad scientist Dr. Hyde.
This story was great fun to read. After the first few chapters about Modo's upbringing, it races through to a great battle. The story is compelling and Modo, with his abilities and his difficulties, is a charming protagonist. It is another great novel by Governor General Award-winning Canadian author, Arthur Slade. We can only hope it will be the first in a series, for upon finishing the book you are left wanting more and wondering what will happen between Modo and Octavia.

(Note I read the Canadia edition of this book, called The Hunchback Assignments.)

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by arthur Slade. As well as an author profile and interview with Arthur.

[Paul Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid steampunk storycraft

Well written, exciting, full blown adventure with superbly drawn characters. Human, tender and frightening in the right measure. Highly recommended.

[Amanda Meggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steampunk at its best. Modo is a lovely soul in an ugly body, he is disgusted by his appearance but does learn that beauty is only skin deep. Mr Socrates bought Modo from a freak show when he was just a baby and brings him up isolated in a country mansion, Modo is to be the ultimate secret agent as he's able to change his appearance with effort at will. Mr Hyde is given employment in his dream job, allowed to create body parts from mechanical means and creating fabulously strong creatures. Mr Hyde works for the "bad guys".

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, interesting premise but just could not get in to the stories, and considering have been reading serials and the like lately should not have been that hard.

Book 1: HYDE'S CHILDREN
Book 2: THE DARK DEEPS
Book 3: EMPIRE OF RUINS
Book 4: ISLAND OF DOOM
Modo: Mission Clockwork Boxed Set (1-4)

Seems as if those above The Hunchback Assignments so probably another version/cover of same

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK folks, my bad. I thought this was the entire book but it was only the first 3 chapters. Waah, waah, waah. LOL
But the first 3 chapters were pretty interesting. I think I might have liked the book. LOL

Anyway, MODO was found and bought by Mr. Socrates. MODO has a strange ability to change his face and body into any other person that he concentrates on. Even at 5 years old he is highly advanced and intelligent. That's as far as I got. LOL

If I can ever get the entire book, I'll add on or change my review.