The Moonstone and Miss Jones

September 15, 2012
The sequel to The Seduction of Phaeton Black (2012) finds paranormal investigator Phaeton shanghaied and his lover, America Jones, pregnant. Alarmed at his absence, America follows Phaeton from China to London only to learn that the moonstone, a fabulous energy source, is missing. Phaeton is rumored to be the only person who can tap into the stone's energy and make it usable. Finding the stone and retrieving it, however, create enough adventure, even for this thrill-seeking, steampunk couple. Not only is late-1890s London beset by fantastical, tentacle-wielding creatures and succubus sisters but the London of the future is slowly disintegrating. The moonstone's power could heal both versions of the city. But malevolent supernatural forces also want the moonstone to take over the world, so Phaeton and America must work in both historical and current London to make sure the right side wins. Adventure fans, whether steampunk readers or not, will enjoy this imaginative, fast-paced romp, which includes Stone's sage comments on how society and life have morphed over the past century.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)