Hearts of Smoke and Steam: The Society of Steam, Book 2

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. (Nov.)