Hearts of Smoke and Steam

September 5, 2011
While faster-paced and smoother than May 2011’s The Falling Machine, Mayer’s second Society of Steam adventure is confusingly plotted, zipping from one confrontation to the next while hand-waving the heroes’ repeated escapes. The Paragons, a steampunk Justice League, have degenerated from superheroism to egomania and amorality after the death of their conscience, Sir Dennis Darby. Villainous Lord Eschaton’s evil plans proceed apace, and Sarah Stanton, as the Adventuress, must battle them with the help of Emilio Armando, a young mechanical genius who falls in love with her at first sight. References to a double-amputee as a “half-man” with “wriggling stumps,” Emilio’s appalling fake Italian accent, and gratuitous torture scenes undermine Mayer’s genuinely innovative tale of poor but honest steampunk heroes bootstrapping their way to victory.

October 15, 2011
In the second book of the Society of Steam trilogy, defeat has befallen the Society of Paragons. Sir Darby is dead, the Automaton destroyed, yet evil Lord Eschaton and his Children remain strong. Sarah Stanton turned her back on a life of privilege and chose anonymity. She soon learns, however, that she can't hide forever. In her apartment, underneath her adventurous costume, is the object Lord Eschaton desires most, the remains of the Automaton's clockwork heart. Sarah must rebuild the Automaton, but how? Whereas there once were seven Paragons, only four remain, and they need new recruits to join their team of gentleman adventurers. Yet when Fortified Steam grants ordinary men extraordinary powers, could such powers hide the character of the man underneath? In a world in which citizens mask their true identities to act for good or evil, Sarah must follow her heart and stop Lord Eschaton's apocalyptic plans at any cost. This novel is a solid step towards what is sure to be an exciting resolution to its trilogy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)