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The Dark Deeps

9780732290450
By: Arthur Slade

The Hunchback Assignments bk 2

Modo steps out of his London comfort zone as he is thrust into the world of international espionage. Something has been happening in the waters, there are rumours of a lethal and mysterious underwater creature. He is not the only one on this trail. He is paired up with the beautiful Octavia and this adds further complications to his life.

This journey leads Modo to an incredible machine called the Ictineo, a remarkable feat of machinery, and an incredible underwater city. Along the way he is separated from Octavia and confronts French spy Colette. Modo isn’t sure how he will ever complete his mission for Mr Socrates.

The Clockwork Guild are not inactive though and play a key role in this mission as it unfolds. What is Dr Hyde’s hideous new experiment ? Will he be able to stay out of the hands of long-time enemy Miss Hakkandottir?

A great followup to the first book. Modo is a wonderful character; brave, smart and willing to do his best. At the same time he is always self conscious about his appearance. He is scared to reveal his true self to anyone and this colours so many of his actions. His two female companions in this keep his biggest secret foremost in his mind.

Both Octavia and Colette are strong female characters, more than capable of keeping up with being agents like Modo, on some cases surpassing him. The bad guys are cold and deeply nasty. Griff with his twisted nature, Miss Hakkandottir with her bitter, vengeful heart, and Dr Hyde with his evil experiments. Slade has created a complex world that is well coloured and layered. The steampunk elements are both intriguing and terrifying. The underwater elements fantastical and inventive. I love the steampunk genre and Slade hasn’t let me down. Adventure and fantasy mix so well together, if you like this sort of this definitely give this a shot, and even if you’re not familiar with the style take a look, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Published: 01 June 2010

Format: Paperback 272 pages

Categories: Steampunk, Fantasy, Action

ISBN 13: 9780732290450

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

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