The setting is pure steampunk, a Victorian London society (reference to the Rose theatre and to other London landmarks), the addition of mechanical machines and some other fantasy details are the only thing that bring this novel out from the historical borders. From what I understood, a good steampunk has to be, first of all, a good historical novel, and so Mars on the Rise completely centers the target.
As I said, Erus Veetu, the dark and dangerous war lord, is my favorite character, even if I really hate as he treats Cedo; the easiest way would be for the author to let Erus be the bad villain and Cedo finding love with the more likable and friendly Billy, but Erus is a tortured soul, and of course there is a little of “nurse” syndrome in Cedo, who believes he is the one who can understand Erus and love him despite everything and everyone.
You can see sparks of goodness in Erus, like for example when he allows Cedo to take his cat Misty; he clearly says that he is doing so since it will make Cedo happy, and he wants for Cedo to be happy. And then, after all, he is not taking him captive, he more than once has given him the chance to run away, but Cedo has always came back, willingly, like willingly he followed Erus the first time.
Amazon: Mars on the Rise
Amazon Kindle: Mars on the Rise
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Torquere Press (April 25, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1610403053
ISBN-13: 978-1610403054
Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bott
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