The Ebb Tide

Narbondo #4

by James P. Blaylock, J.K. Potter (Illustrator)

A flaming meteor over the Yorkshire Dales, a long-lost map drawn by the lunatic Bill Cuttle Kraken, and the discovery of a secret subterranean shipyard beneath the River Thames lead Professor Langdon St. Ives and his intrepid friend Jack Owlesby into the treacherous environs of Morecambe Bay, with its dangerous tides and vast quicksand pits. They descend beneath the sands of the Bay itself, into a dark, unknown ocean littered with human bones and the remnants of human dreams. In this tale of murder, infamy, and Victorian intrigue, the tides of destiny shift relentlessly and rapidly as the stakes grow ever higher and the pursuit more deadly....

Genres: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Audiobook

132 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2009

About the author

James Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.

He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.

He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.

Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.

Reviews

[William Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back on form after the disappointing 'Knights of the Cornerstone', Blaylock returns to the wonderful world of 'Steampunk' England. Diabolical villains, curious machines and fabulous and impossible scenery combine into a satisfying, fast-paced and beautifully crafted yarn. My only criticism is that it is too short.

More please.

[LP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of steampunk literature, dark and light. This is a somewhat lighter one, although there are harrowing moments. It's also a novella, which I knew going in but which still makes me a little sad because I wanted it to keep going. But what I really appreciate is how skilled the author is at characterization. The characters seem real and I wish I could hang out with them. On to the next adventure!

[Frank Taranto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good short steampunk story set in 19th century England.
Langdon St. Ives is a scientist and an explorer and Jack Owlesby is his partner and storyteller.
The story includes a submarine, an undersea walking machine, an evil professor and a few thugs thrown in.
A fun, young adult book.

[Shaun Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short steampunk story that seemed to suffer from being a short story, it easily could have been part of a much better longer tale.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's steampunk, but it's not that interesting. Really there are three problems. First, the characters are too careful in spelling out their situation to each other. Second, there's no element of surprise. Things happen in order, but there is no particular cleverness, like Brian Lumley's Crow stories. At points where there might be rising excitement, the first-person character Jack does not throw in much in the way of emotional verbiage. Finally, the narrator works so hard on his neutral tone, that it's work to listen to the audiobook.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very steampunk adventure. Fun, but I couldn't get into it as much as I would have liked. The "intrepid upper-class adventurer who is never afraid" is a trope of the time period -- and it's well done here. I used to enjoy it, but now find it grating. That's no fault of the book, but it affected my experience. Overall, though, I liked the book. And that's 3 stars.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novel in the Narbondo Steampunk series. I enjoy these alternate Victorian era novels of a world where steam is king.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read.

[Bill Ramsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steampunk mystery adventure featuring Langdon St. Ives and various of his usual pals. What could be more fun?!

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

19th-century London. A quiet evening among more or less renowned gentleman, including the gifted scientist-explorer Langdon St. Ives, at their favorite tavern is interrupted by word that a map to a missing mysterious device has been found. In no time, as chronicled by St. Ives's cohort Jack Owlesby, the group sets off to claim the map and device, racing against the shadowy figure of St. Ives's nemesis, Ignacio Narbondo (now known as Dr. Frosticos).

The first new tale of St. Ives in nearly two decades, The Ebb Tide is a brisk steampunk yarn with a dash of Sherlock Holmes. (Steampunk is, of course, a play on cyberpunk; instead of computers, the focus is usually on airships or mechanical men.) The focus in The Ebb Tide is on underwater transports (and a strange underwater environment), which James Blaylock, as usual, describes with ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short story. I did like it but it was probably my least favorite of all the Blaylock books I've read. I will be reading the next in the series though, The Affair of the Chalk Cliffs.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading Blaylock for a few decades now and always enjoy his work. He keeps things lighthearted and whimsical with that British dry humor. Good steampunk that isn't heavy and depressing (it all doesn't have to be).

[David Schwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a series of adventures of Langdon St. Ives, a scientist/adventurer set in Victorian London. I loved the descriptions of the book dealer and his shop. The object they are chasing seems almost an afterthought in the story, as is St. Ives nemesis. A quick fun read.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://greenmanreview.com/book/book_b...

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2nd attempt at reading this. Just don't like the story. Gave it another fling because my sister really likes this author. oh well.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

St. Ives returns with Jack Owlesby for another adventure.
The plot cleverly blends Vern and Poe with a entertaining result.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blaylock's plot pays homage to Vern and Poe, while at the same time, he also has a great deal of fun.

[Todd Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. Blaylock's characterisation and prose are outstanding.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun, albeit a bit short.

Cheers.