Let’s see… Steampunk, alternate Victorian London, Reptilian Royalty, diabolical Anarchists . What’s not to like.
“The Bookman” is a terrorist who uses exploding books as weapons. Our hero is “The Orphan” who has lost his love to an explosion set off the Bookman at a crowded launch of a space probe to Mars. In his grief, the Orphan is determined to find out the truth about his love’s death and to find out who the Bookman is. His quest takes him into the heart of an alternate Victorian London where he meets Jules Verne, Captain Nemo and sails on the Nautilus to visit the mysterious island home of Les Lezards, the Lizard People who rule the world. (of course they do ! Queen Victoria is a reptile!).
Great adventure story as our hero jumps from the frying pan into the fire in his search for the truth. Fun mix of real and literary characters – Moriarity is the Prime Minister! Flashman is Real! Irene Adler is an Inspector and Watson is a Doctor in a hospital. The story includes a lot of amusing “easter egg” spoilers buried in the story. Clever and not your typical “Steampunk” tale.