Friday 18 October 2013

URBAN STEAMPUNK: The Kitty Jay 4: The Ace of Skulls - Chris Wooding

Release Date: 19/09/13
Publisher:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

All good things come to an end. And this is it: the last stand of the Ketty Jay and her intrepid crew. They've been shot down, set up, double-crossed and ripped off. They've stolen priceless treasures, destroyed a ten-thousand-year-old Azryx city and sort-of-accidentally blew up the son of the Archduke. Now they've gone and started a civil war. This time, they're really in trouble. As Vardia descends into chaos, Captain Frey is doing his best to keep his crew out of it. He's got his mind on other things, not least the fate of Trinica Dracken. But wars have a way of dragging people in, and sooner or later they're going to have to pick a side. It's a choice they'll be staking their lives on. Cities fall and daemons rise. Old secrets are uncovered and new threats revealed. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?


REVIEW:

Whilst I wasn’t originally enamoured of this series its one that has grown on me over time. As such its come as a bit of a surprise for me to see how sad I was at the end of this series with so many plot lines that could have led to successive titles but the author took not only a brave step but one where he feels that they could bow out on a high.

The writing was sharp, the pace wonderful and when added to an author who has a clear love for the characters created really put his all into this final excursion.

That’s not so say that it’s a book without problems, far from it, as in places it did feel quite rushed but with so many plot lines to tie up that’s hardly a surprise. All round a book that I had fun with and I wish Chris the best of luck with his next project. I just hope it is as good as what has gone before.

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