Shannon (mssupermoto7) -
Overall, this was well put together anthology to represent the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Most of the characters in each story REALLY did seem as if they could be proper ministry operatives. However, as few didn't quite fit for me. Rather than go into too much detail, I'll just rate the entries separately:
--The New Recruit by Leanna Renee Hieber: 5 STARS, lovely story about a young recruit, an orphan girl, who upon be booted from an orphanage, ends up on the Ministry doorstep. The girl is quite gifted and is given a task involving ghosts and a steampunk dragonfly. There's also a cameo by Wellington! The ending had a unexpected sad twist. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale!
--A Feast of Famine by Karina Cooper: 3.5 STARS, entertaining tale about two female operatives (one very unlikely), but both of whom I wouldn't mind seeing in future novels. Fun read!
--Chinoiserie by Tiffany Trent: 3 STARS, tale about an operative sent to china to collect artifacts in the midst of a war. He indeed finds a unique item but gets quite a bit more than be bargained for on the train ride home. Fun to read, but the story didn't fit quite "The Ministry" world as well as others.
--Panther Nights by Gleen Freund: 2.5 STARS, Dr. Sound sends an agent Flowerdew to Belize to uncover the mystery of a possible missing agent, multiple disappears, and murders at a lumber camp. I didn't care much for this tale, it felt more like a horror short and lacked elements of steampunk. Not a fit for this anthology, in my humble opinion.
--New London Calling by Peter Woodworth:4.5 STARS, A very dapper Ministry operative is sent to assist an inventive archivist in uncovering and disabling a mysterious device that is causing destruction in the States. This tale was full of action and entertainment! There're gadgets, fist fights, gun battles, and a nutty group of Henrys'. This was a perfect Ministry tale and I would love to see cameos of agents Bernard and Arthur in the future!
--Where the River Shines by Dan Rabarts: 2 STARS, in New Zealand two ministry agents are trying to recover a stolen artifact and apprehend the thief, in the midst of dealing with hostile natives. I liked the 'idea' of the story. It had elements of steampunk and could very well have been logged into The Ministry archives, however the writing was rather confusing. I had a difficult time picturing the events as they were described, which ultimately ruined it for me.
--The Incident of the Clockwork Mikoshi by Lauren Harris: 5 STARS, Ministry Agent Lawrence P. Dagenhart is sent to Japan to assist Investigator Ogawa, whom he is startled to learn is female. The pair are trying to uncover the mystery behind the murder of an important clock-maker. Let me just say I loved these two characters. Dagenhart is tall, has mechanical arm, carries a large colt revolver, and rides a huge horse named Burtus. In short, he sticks out like sore thumb in Japan, but doesn't care one whit. Contrarily, Ogawa is small, soft spoken, but is fast and can fight better than most men. These two are trying to thwart a clock-work bombing in the middle of a traditional parade. Much chaos ensues, yet I did detect very subtle hints of a possible romance between these two characters. It was refreshing and surprising! Loved these two and the story, definitely a favorite!
--The Trouble with Phoenixes by Jaren Axelrod: 4.5 STARS, this story takes place at Ministry Headquarters in London, England. All of my favorite characters are there, mainly Eliza Braun and Mr. Wellington Books! This was a funny tale. A inventor, Agent Axelrod, in the R&D department seeks advice about dating Eliza from Wellington, much to Welly's dismay! Lets just say Eliza does not have a most pleasant evening. As punishment she goads Axelrod into a fighting ring, where upon he makes use of some of his inventions. The story ends with a rocket fueled top hat escape, an angry singed Eliza, and a most pleased Wellington. Perfect story for this anthology!
--The Boy, the Bomb, and the Witch Who Returned by Alex White: 2 STARS, a time traveling Baba Yaga makes an appearance in this tale. To be honest I can't recall much about this entry...except there was a house with chicken legs. It was okay, but not my favorite.
--Our Lady of Monsters by Delilah S. Dawson: 3.5 STARS, baker and previously inactive agent Anne-Marie Bouvier is called upon to partner with Agent Joseph Tipping by Dr. Sound. The pair need to uncover the mystery behind the unexplainable deaths at Notre Dame. Oddly, enough the clues lead them to a brothel and an unusual madam. Kidnapping and chaos ensue, along with mechanized grotesques, revenge, and the detestable House of Usher. This was a well written Ministry tale, though I must say the note at the end had me scratching my head, second guessing certain things.
--The Mystery of the Thrice Dead Man by J.R. Blackwell: 4.5 STARS, this is a must read as Archivist Wellington is the story's main character. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say Welly takes a forced "holiday" with Agent Blackwell to investigate some unusual commonalities in the archives. The trip takes place on an airship, where pirates, fights, mechanical failures, and an unlikely dead relative all make an appearance. Perfect story for this anthology!
--The Clockwork Samaria by Jack Mangan: 3 STARS, it was late when I finished this and to be honest I can't recall much of this one. I may have to re-read it and update this review.
--A Nocturne for Alexandra by Tee Morris: 5 STARS, this was an amazing story. It tells the story of how The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences was formed, which I'm very glad to have learned. I don't want to ruin anything, so I will keep this review very brief. In London England 1839 a Professor Culpepper Source is granted an audience with Queen Victoria. Their meeting changes the course of how England will govern 'peculiar' events and who shall deal with those. I was quite impressed with how Queen Victoria handled the situation and the events that followed. I would love a more in depth story about the early days and the forming of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Perfect ending to this lovely anthology!
*****WOULD RECCOMEND THIS TO ALL FANS OF THE MINISTRY OF PECULAIR OCCURANCES SERIES, and to those who are thinking of giving the series a try!******
--The New Recruit by Leanna Renee Hieber: 5 STARS, lovely story about a young recruit, an orphan girl, who upon be booted from an orphanage, ends up on the Ministry doorstep. The girl is quite gifted and is given a task involving ghosts and a steampunk dragonfly. There's also a cameo by Wellington! The ending had a unexpected sad twist. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale!
--A Feast of Famine by Karina Cooper: 3.5 STARS, entertaining tale about two female operatives (one very unlikely), but both of whom I wouldn't mind seeing in future novels. Fun read!
--Chinoiserie by Tiffany Trent: 3 STARS, tale about an operative sent to china to collect artifacts in the midst of a war. He indeed finds a unique item but gets quite a bit more than be bargained for on the train ride home. Fun to read, but the story didn't fit quite "The Ministry" world as well as others.
--Panther Nights by Gleen Freund: 2.5 STARS, Dr. Sound sends an agent Flowerdew to Belize to uncover the mystery of a possible missing agent, multiple disappears, and murders at a lumber camp. I didn't care much for this tale, it felt more like a horror short and lacked elements of steampunk. Not a fit for this anthology, in my humble opinion.
--New London Calling by Peter Woodworth:4.5 STARS, A very dapper Ministry operative is sent to assist an inventive archivist in uncovering and disabling a mysterious device that is causing destruction in the States. This tale was full of action and entertainment! There're gadgets, fist fights, gun battles, and a nutty group of Henrys'. This was a perfect Ministry tale and I would love to see cameos of agents Bernard and Arthur in the future!
--Where the River Shines by Dan Rabarts: 2 STARS, in New Zealand two ministry agents are trying to recover a stolen artifact and apprehend the thief, in the midst of dealing with hostile natives. I liked the 'idea' of the story. It had elements of steampunk and could very well have been logged into The Ministry archives, however the writing was rather confusing. I had a difficult time picturing the events as they were described, which ultimately ruined it for me.
--The Incident of the Clockwork Mikoshi by Lauren Harris: 5 STARS, Ministry Agent Lawrence P. Dagenhart is sent to Japan to assist Investigator Ogawa, whom he is startled to learn is female. The pair are trying to uncover the mystery behind the murder of an important clock-maker. Let me just say I loved these two characters. Dagenhart is tall, has mechanical arm, carries a large colt revolver, and rides a huge horse named Burtus. In short, he sticks out like sore thumb in Japan, but doesn't care one whit. Contrarily, Ogawa is small, soft spoken, but is fast and can fight better than most men. These two are trying to thwart a clock-work bombing in the middle of a traditional parade. Much chaos ensues, yet I did detect very subtle hints of a possible romance between these two characters. It was refreshing and surprising! Loved these two and the story, definitely a favorite!
--The Trouble with Phoenixes by Jaren Axelrod: 4.5 STARS, this story takes place at Ministry Headquarters in London, England. All of my favorite characters are there, mainly Eliza Braun and Mr. Wellington Books! This was a funny tale. A inventor, Agent Axelrod, in the R&D department seeks advice about dating Eliza from Wellington, much to Welly's dismay! Lets just say Eliza does not have a most pleasant evening. As punishment she goads Axelrod into a fighting ring, where upon he makes use of some of his inventions. The story ends with a rocket fueled top hat escape, an angry singed Eliza, and a most pleased Wellington. Perfect story for this anthology!
--The Boy, the Bomb, and the Witch Who Returned by Alex White: 2 STARS, a time traveling Baba Yaga makes an appearance in this tale. To be honest I can't recall much about this entry...except there was a house with chicken legs. It was okay, but not my favorite.
--Our Lady of Monsters by Delilah S. Dawson: 3.5 STARS, baker and previously inactive agent Anne-Marie Bouvier is called upon to partner with Agent Joseph Tipping by Dr. Sound. The pair need to uncover the mystery behind the unexplainable deaths at Notre Dame. Oddly, enough the clues lead them to a brothel and an unusual madam. Kidnapping and chaos ensue, along with mechanized grotesques, revenge, and the detestable House of Usher. This was a well written Ministry tale, though I must say the note at the end had me scratching my head, second guessing certain things.
--The Mystery of the Thrice Dead Man by J.R. Blackwell: 4.5 STARS, this is a must read as Archivist Wellington is the story's main character. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say Welly takes a forced "holiday" with Agent Blackwell to investigate some unusual commonalities in the archives. The trip takes place on an airship, where pirates, fights, mechanical failures, and an unlikely dead relative all make an appearance. Perfect story for this anthology!
--The Clockwork Samaria by Jack Mangan: 3 STARS, it was late when I finished this and to be honest I can't recall much of this one. I may have to re-read it and update this review.
--A Nocturne for Alexandra by Tee Morris: 5 STARS, this was an amazing story. It tells the story of how The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences was formed, which I'm very glad to have learned. I don't want to ruin anything, so I will keep this review very brief. In London England 1839 a Professor Culpepper Source is granted an audience with Queen Victoria. Their meeting changes the course of how England will govern 'peculiar' events and who shall deal with those. I was quite impressed with how Queen Victoria handled the situation and the events that followed. I would love a more in depth story about the early days and the forming of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Perfect ending to this lovely anthology!
*****WOULD RECCOMEND THIS TO ALL FANS OF THE MINISTRY OF PECULAIR OCCURANCES SERIES, and to those who are thinking of giving the series a try!******
