I was trolling through Library to Go a few months ago as I was completely out of listening material and I happened upon the Hunchback Assignments. I downloaded it but didn't listen to it for quite awhile as the title didn't really jump at me. I had bought the books for my library as well but the covers really didn't grab me either (they still don't). However, a desperate day with nothing to listen to lead to me getting absolutely hooked on the steampunk world of Modo, Octavia, the Permanent Association they work for, and the dreaded Clockwork Guild they are trying to defeat.
a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually the Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.
Modo, the main character, is a 14 year old secret agent with a gift for changing his usually grotesque figure (he brings to mind Quasi Modo of Hunchback of Notre Dame fame). He was taken in as an infant by Mr. Socrates, who raised and trained him for his future as an agent for the Permanent Association. For short periods he can reshape his entire physical structure to mimic that of someone else.
Octavia, a former thief who was also taken in by Mr. Socrates, is a few years older than Modo and works with him as an agent. Octavia cares deeply for Modo and knows there is something different about him, but he never lets her see his true grotesque form. Modo is absolutely in love with Octavia.
The Clockwork Guild is an organization bent on overthrowing the British government and taking over control of the country by creating super strong monsters that are part metal, part animal or human, and powered by steam.
Author Arthur Slade, hailing from Saskatoon, has created a dark Victorian world that exists alongside the real world. The books are excellent and the audiobooks are really well done. I've listened to the first two and I'm waiting for the third which is coming out soon.
I'd already enjoyed Jayne Entwistle's reading of Alan Bradley's Flavia DeLuce series (blog post on that series coming later this week). Occasionally she gets a bit squeaky when she voices Modo, but that's also part of his personality so it feels appropriate. He can be a bit of a whiner at times! It's a good contrast to Octavia's low, smooth tones.
I downloaded the first two books for free from Library to Go. You can listen to samples at the Random House Audio links below:
Listen Up
The Dark Deeps, (8 hrs, 10 mins), Listening Library, (2009)
Empire of Ruins to be released soon!
