Eterna and Omega

The second installment in Hieber’s Victorian fantasy series (after The Eterna Files) continues the romp through the occult and supernatural. In the U.S., clairvoyant Clara Templeton is immersed in the labyrinthine Eterna Compound, which may hold the secret to immortality itself. Meanwhile, across the ocean in London, Harold Spire’s Omega organization is after that same secret, hoping to give it to Queen Victoria. Rose Everhart, Harold’s assistant, must unlock it with her own psychic abilities. When Rose and Clara meet, their illusions about the organizations for which they work are shattered. Hieber creates an intriguing supernatural underworld, with the late 19th century providing an engaging backdrop for scandals and dangers. However, her overly descriptive passages slow down the plot. This entertaining series might appeal to newcomers to the genre, but steampunk veterans will find it all too familiar. [em](Aug.) [/em]