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Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 2,600 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.
These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray.
For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot . . . or see England fall to the Phoenix!
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"I totally LOVE these audio books! Steampunk at its finest! Funny, romantic and kick-ass adventurous! And James Langton does a great job as narrator!What is Steampunk? Wikipedia's definition:Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Although its literary origins are sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre, steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Therefore, steampunk may be described as neo-Victorian."The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Series" is wonderful!! I look forward to revisiting these audio books in the future, when I just want to listen to a good, fun, adventure with cool ideas and gadgets and Victorian Sherlock Holmes/James Bond characters!! Hopefully I will get to listen, or read, more from Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris, a wife & husband collaboration of great writing! Fun Fun Fun! "
— Howard (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Well suited for a bit of early summer beach reading.”
— Publishers Weekly
Phoenix Rising Listener Reviews
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" Steamy steampunk romance with secret agents. She likes guns and bombs, he's an archivist, together they take on the secret and depraved Phoenix Society. I had a lot of trouble getting through this...almost quit halfway through and only went on to finish because the action finally started to kick in. The characters all just seemed really typecast to me, and the supposedly witty turns on British society seemed both heavy handed and not particularly witty. Reminiscent of Phillip Pullman's Sally Lockhart series (with added sexual innuendo and an orgy), but not as well constructed. "
— John, 2/13/2014 -
" This book had potential, but honestly it tried to be too many things at once. It kept my attention enough to finish it (which is why it got 3 stars instead of 1 or 2) however throughout the book I just felt "eh" about it and the ending left me feeling the same way. I have no need to read the next book in the series. I wouldn't say this book was a waste of time, but Ms. Ballantine is no Ms. Carriger ;) "
— Gwynn, 2/12/2014 -
" Enjoyed this book but didn't Love it. Story was Ok, really liked their play on words: archivist named Books and an agent who shoots first and asks questions later named Braun? Very cute. Overall really fun and of course, who doesn't love steam punk?! "
— Ani, 2/3/2014 -
" A lot of style and flash with little substance. "
— J., 1/30/2014 -
" This book was such great fun. Laughs, excitement, sexual tension...you can't ask for more. The icing on the cake is the heroine, Eliza. She reminds me so much of Fiona from the TV show Burn Notice, and she is my favorite TV character ever. Anxiously awaiting book two. "
— Cindy, 1/15/2014 -
" I had a hard time getting through this one. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, because I did. The story, though interesting, didn't flow particularly well. There was a lot going on, and yet it still stagnated awkwardly in parts. I felt as if it could have been great, but ended up only being so-so. "
— Stephaney, 12/30/2013 -
" Funny and original theme... sort of. I mean, it really is a Warehouse 13 set in Steampunk alt universe. "
— Francine, 12/10/2013 -
" The story could have been told much quicker with a lot less of the painful banter, but the concept was interesting and I will try the second in the series. "
— That70sheidi, 12/4/2013 -
" The story started off strong, then quieted down a bit in the middle. I liked the characters though, so I stuck it out and really enjoyed the ending. Can't wait to read the next book! "
— Amanda, 8/7/2012
About the Authors
Philippa “Pip” Ballantine is a writer, podcaster, and librarian. She first earned a BA in English literature and political science and later a BA in library and information science. In 2006 she became New Zealand’s first podcast novelist, and she has voiced and produced Weaver’s Web, Chasing the Bard, Weather Child, and Digital Magic as podiobooks. Her podcasts have been shortlisted for the Parsec Awards and have won a Sir Julius Vogel award.
Tee Morris is the author of The Case of the Singing Sword and coauthor, with Lisa Lee, of Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana. He has also published several nonfiction titles, including Podcasting for Dummies, Sams Teach Yourself Twitter in 10 Minutes, and All a Twitter.
About James Langton
James Langton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film, and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.