hobbleit's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
afutt92's review against another edition
4.0
Newbury and Hobbes books are some of my favorite steampunk adventures. They're just plain fun. The world is vivid, the characters are likeable, and the adventures keep you interested.
styxx's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I was fortunate to win a copy of 'The Immorality Engine' in a Goodreads giveaway. However, any opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. There may be potential spoilers.
This is the third book in the Newbury & Hobbes series. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the story begins with Newbury being dragged out of an opium den (shades of Sherlock Holmes) by his trusty sidekick, in this case Veronica Hobbes rather than Dr Watson. Her reason for doing so is because Newbury's detective skills are required for an unusual case: a dead man who has apparently managed to nonetheless commit a burglary even after his body is in the morgue.
Their investigation will lead them to a powerful secret society, as well as raise serious questions about the actions of the doctor treating Veronica's sister, Amelia.
I enjoyed this story. The world is well realised by the author and I liked the fact that the morality was not black and white. The question of right and wrong gets decidedly murky and characters start to question what really is the right thing to do. Is anything justified if it is with the aim of keeping the Victorian Empire intact and is the alternative being presented really any better?
This is the third book in the Newbury & Hobbes series. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the story begins with Newbury being dragged out of an opium den (shades of Sherlock Holmes) by his trusty sidekick, in this case Veronica Hobbes rather than Dr Watson. Her reason for doing so is because Newbury's detective skills are required for an unusual case: a dead man who has apparently managed to nonetheless commit a burglary even after his body is in the morgue.
Their investigation will lead them to a powerful secret society, as well as raise serious questions about the actions of the doctor treating Veronica's sister, Amelia.
I enjoyed this story. The world is well realised by the author and I liked the fact that the morality was not black and white. The question of right and wrong gets decidedly murky and characters start to question what really is the right thing to do. Is anything justified if it is with the aim of keeping the Victorian Empire intact and is the alternative being presented really any better?
tacanderson's review against another edition
4.0
I've greatly enjoyed this whole series so far. This book, even more than the previous two, was very fast paced and moved right along, pausing only for things like character development. Mann definitely took the Steampunk elements up a notch in this book. This is one of my top 3 Steampunk series. Read this but I highly recommend starting with the 1st book, The Affinity Bridge: [b:The Affinity Bridge|3472342|The Affinity Bridge (Newbury and Hobbes, #1)|George Mann|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cJa6S4iIL._SL75_.jpg|3513645].
momoxshi's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While struggling with an opium addiction, Sir Maurice Newbury gets called in to investigate the death of a known but difficult to catch serial burglar. But while the body is in the morgue, his signature burglary tactics are used again in another break in. The mystery deepens even more when they discover a second dead body--again, that of the said burglar.
The Immorality Engine is a Sherlock Holmes-like story set in Steampunk Victorian England that's fit for any readers who like either mystery or steampunk, or both.
Possible trigger warnings: Slight gore and torture.
+
Was this the first book I've read from the Newbury and Hobbes series? Yes. Is it fit as a standalone? Kinda. It CAN work as a standalone to some extent as it wasn't difficult to understand everything but I did get some spoilers from the first two books so there's that. But I was still able to enjoy this. The characters of Newbury and Hobbes are one of the best Sherlock Holmes + Watson inspired characters I've come across. There's a good balance between the two characters that the original duo did not, you'll easily realize that they wouldn't be as successful if they weren't working together.
I'm always a sucker for Steampunk and this did a good job of setting the scene. I always like how a lot of mystery stories I read that are set in Victorian England I did find a few inconsistencies when it comes to motivations of some of the characters
Overall, a pretty good read. Hoping to be able to read the others in the series as I got my copy of this book at a thrift shop.
The Immorality Engine is a Sherlock Holmes-like story set in Steampunk Victorian England that's fit for any readers who like either mystery or steampunk, or both.
Possible trigger warnings: Slight gore and torture.
+
Was this the first book I've read from the Newbury and Hobbes series? Yes. Is it fit as a standalone? Kinda. It CAN work as a standalone to some extent as it wasn't difficult to understand everything but I did get some spoilers from the first two books so there's that. But I was still able to enjoy this. The characters of Newbury and Hobbes are one of the best Sherlock Holmes + Watson inspired characters I've come across. There's a good balance between the two characters that the original duo did not, you'll easily realize that they wouldn't be as successful if they weren't working together.
I'm always a sucker for Steampunk and this did a good job of setting the scene. I always like how a lot of mystery stories I read that are set in Victorian England
Spoiler
paint Queen Victoria as the main villain and her motivations and her being "married" with machinery in this story was just superb. Though I found it laughable that there was a literal kill switch installed on her machine that Dr. Fabian thought no one would notice. I was about to rage until I got to the ending to find out Victoria knew about it all along.Spoiler
specifically, I got confused with Newbury in particular when Veronica was asking him to choose between the Queen and her when it was obvious from the start where his loyalty lies more.Overall, a pretty good read. Hoping to be able to read the others in the series as I got my copy of this book at a thrift shop.
gipanu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
silverina_js's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bibliotheca_draconum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
margaretkearney's review against another edition
5.0
Another thrilling edition in the Newbury and Hobbes series.Full of action,robots,conspiracy theories and steampunk goodness.The romance in the series...well I could have done with a few more intense/romantic scenes between Newbuty and Hobbes just to make the relationship a bit more interesting but then the series is more action/detection than romance/detection.Other than that minor complaint I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait for a fourth to appear.