The Osiris Ritual by George Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Osiris Ritual is the second book of the Newbury and Hobbes Investigations, which has become a series. This book is an improvement on the already enjoyable Affinity Bridge.
The tale follows Newbury at a high society event that features the unwrapping of an ancient Egyptian mummy. At the same time, Hobbes begins her investigation into a series of disappearing girls. The two investigations in themselves are devious and clever, but the unfolding is great. The two enemies we meet are more sinister in this story verses the Affinity Bridge and the action turned up a notch. I am hesitant to say too much as I do not want to reveal too much.
The story is fast, very fast. We have a series of story lines flying around and characters that do get introduced very fast. I never felt lost and very much just wanted to keep reading.
Newbury and Hobbes are better rounded in this book, this makes sense as a series. They have vices and guilt but are still “action heros” so don’t look here for emotional depth beyond what is required to make a great hero and a great story.
These stories are steampunk through and through. Steam powered cars, dirigibles, automatons – the works. Be fore warned if you are not a steampunk fan!
George Mann
I am truly turned on for the third installment, The Immortality Engine, which should arrive in the fall. This should conclude the first trilogy of the Newbury and Hobbes investigations . I read that there will be a second trilogy as well. George Mann also has another book (already pre-ordered) called the Ghosts of Manhattan (Steampunk in Manhatten with superheros!) coming in early May.
