Watch out for a good read - adventures in space ca. 1851

Mothstorm by Philip Reeve

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoy a good story that doesn't take itself seriously. There are so many books out there with so much heavy drama, and doom & gloom, teenage angst and hopeless romance. Well, actually Mothstorm like the first two books in the series by Philip Reeve, (Larklight: a Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farest Reaches of Space and Starcross: A Stirring Adventure of Spies, Time Travel and Curious Hats ), has plenty of drama too, what with the planning of a Daring Rescue, various space battles from one end of the solar system to the other, encounters with strange aliens and creatures like the mermaids from Uranus , I mean Georgium Sidus, the pudding worms and sun dogs, and, don't forget the very dangerous gigantic moths. There is the usual romantic entaglments of Myrtle and Jack Havock, made all the more vivid by Myrtle's diary. The story is told once again by Art Mumby, with footnotes scattered in various places throughout the book that are unreasonable amusing. It's all very delightful. It's not everyday I get to read a victorian space adventure.

It's almost tempting to nominate the book for a Gooseyness Award. Since it is a sequel though, and there are a few moments in Mothstorm where the narrative refers to the previous adventures of Art Mumby and family, so I shall just have to nomiate all three books. Huzzah!

Myrtle alone could also receive an award nomination. She is such a silly girl. So prim and proper and yet she declares "I do not intend to be left here all alone like some old maid. I shall show Mr Jack Havock that I am quite as daring and adventurous as he, even though I have somewhat more regard for the conventions of society."

Yes, she deserves a nomination, though her brother Art would probably complain about it, since he thinks she is an "absolute horror and looks like a loony fish." Myrle is just your typical Victorian girl living in space concerned about being a lady, swooning when necessary, and saving the universe from deadly creatures like spiders, giant moths, and the occasional alien.

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