Dull stuff really. None of the characters were developed and there was a lack of period feel. None of the steampunk devices seemed to add to the plot which was really a rather generic thriller which could have been placed in any set of circumstances. The writing increases that feeling with the incorrect use of "momentarily", "source" and "reference" used as verbs, and bizarre talk about "objectifying" women. Not the language of a steampunk universe. I think the author will find that the British Museum has Ionic not Corinthian columns. A big disappointment. A good but very unbalanced book that went from a four to a three star purely on the fact that the main character of this series is simply a moron.This is my second full Newbury and Hobbes book and though I enjoyed the first novel, it was very flawed (mainly in the characters...) and I hoped that the second novel would make amends and learn from book 1's mistakes...nope...not at all:1) The world just like in book 1 and the 2 short stories before this book was interesting. This is a steampunk novel a lot of the troupes are here but I really do enjoy in the fact that Mann focuses more on the pseudo-science and steam tech over vampires and werewolves and zombies. It's a big different from other steampunk novels in that regards and I like it that way. It's a world I enjoy and I am happy to visit again.2) The story this time is mummy based, which I also like, and is an interesting tale that is paced fairly well. The pacing is fine and the story moves at a brisk pace and is focused without losing it's way. The story is told with two cases that are worked in tandem, one by Newbury and one by Hobbes and I like how splitting the two up made for a chance for Hobbes to shine...but it also showed me one of the biggest and honestly most gigantic problem with this series...the characters.3) Aw jeez! Where do I start? George Mann has problems with characters, he's good with world building and competent in storytelling but his characters (mainly Newbury...actually just Newbury) is STUPID, MORONIC, ILLOGICAL, STUPID (yes I know I said stupid already)...and STUPID. He's suppose to be intelligent, is a great agent and an expert on the occult, but what I find is a bumbling man who 1) makes giant logical leaps and assumptions on the cases he's on and it colours all his judgment 2) His "instincts" are illogical and often time down right stupid and idiotic but he trusts them anywas, to his own downfall 3) His addiction angle which I know Mann is trying to mirror him to Sherlock Holmes, but Newbury is a moron and makes bad choices so adding the addiction angle and still getting things wrong just makes him STUPID!!!!!! Yes I do not like the Newbury character...get your act together Mann...make him consistent. Either make him a bumbling fool, a brooding fool, or a brooding genius, but DON'T tell reader's he's a genius and have him be so bloody stupid!I like this world and I want to continue reading it but if Book 3 is also like this (in terms of Newbury) I don't know if I can continue. Onward to the next book!
Do You like book Osiris Ritual (2012)?
Loved how the book started. The ending was a little disappointing, but overall was a good story.
—dayna555
This was a good read. I thought it was a tighter story than the first in the series.
—supna
Not as good as the first, struggled to finish this one.Story just didn't grab me.
—Ronald
FANTASTIC! I've found a new favorite mystery series, that's for sure.
—ayserose
I won this from Goodreads First Reads. Great fun book. Thanks.
—0987654321
