Rotocopters and Spring-Heeled Anarchy

*Somehow, I wrote this entire review without including a single spoiler! It's a Christmas miracle!

I don't have strong feelings about steampunk as a genre. I am, however, annoyed by stories where the steampunk is tacked on - it isn't essential to the plot, but simply used as window dressing (in such cases, it's officially considered "gaslight fantasy"). Why bother with the steampunk at all? Mark Hodder's The Strange Affair of the Spring-Heeled Jack does not fall into this trap. Not only are the steampunk elements of Spring-Heeled Jack delightfully creative, they are also an integral part of the plot.

The story unfolds in a fascinating jigsaw of information, pieces dropping here and there to form a larger picture. The prose is tight, and aside from one or two awkward scenes, the pacing spot-on. In the midst of his elaborate storytelling, Hodder skillfully paints an alternate-reality Victorian England, including everything from the gritty industrial pollution to the elegant steampunk machines. The ambiance is impeccable.

The characters are based on historical figures who lived in 19th century England, including the protagonist, explorer Sir Richard Burton. He's an interesting man, both historically and within the pages of Spring-Heeled Jack, although I never found him truly compelling. I felt mildly curious to see what happened to him, but I was more excited to watch the jigsaw plot fall into place and see the steampunk unfurl.

Hodder leaves the story open for a sequel - or even a full Sherlock Holmes-esque series starring the two main characters (hence the "Burton and Swindbourne in..." tag on the cover). Although I'm not enthusiastic enough to pre-order his books, I'd definitely give Hodder more of my readerly time.

Up Next: The First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie. Bloody epic fantasy.