The chronicles of Isambard Smith

Last year I spied the first novel by Toby Frost and decided I would take it, and the rest of the series, away with me on my expeditions to keep me amused in the quiet hours.  I was not disappointed!


This series is the most amusing saga of the heroic though inept Space Captain Smith of the British Space Empire of the 35th Century (which is very much a Victorian style setting).


Accompanied by his polite alien friend (with a penchant for collecting skulls in battle), his android pilot (who is a runaway pleasure 'bot) and a hippie chick with pyschic powers (who he is in love with), they undertake all sorts of adventures in Her Majesty's name, slay her enemies in droves and drink endless cups of tea along the way.

The series currently comprises three books: Space Captain Smith, God Emperor of Didcot, and Wrath of the Lemming Men.  I can best describe them as a blend of Black Adder and Galaxy Quest in aVSF style setting.  If that is your thing I strongly recommend these books to you.   If not, you'll enjoy it so read it anyway! I cant wait until the fourth book, a Game of Battleships, is released!

[EDIT: Well I finally got A Game of Battleships and it was similarly excellent!]

Read interviews with Toby Frost here and here
Visit his website here: http://spacecaptainsmith.com/
and true affectionados can register their support at the Captain Smith facebook page here

Villains, Heroes and Fiends

This week I have returned from adventures in Her Majesty's name far away.  Not only was I excited to find this little number waiting for me in months old, unopened post...

But I then found out that this is shortly to be released!

I have three factions in various stages of preparation (stand by for more on those), it bodes well for the servants of the Empire, and is a time of dread for her foes!!! You can read more about In Her Majesty's Nae at the official blog here:
http://inhermajestysname.wordpress.com/

Steam and Aether

I recently spied a new VSF project about the aethernet: Steam and Aether to be exact, by Meridian Miniatures.  They were funded through a kickstarter project earlier this year, and the author is continuing to develop his background at his blog.

I truly hope this enables him to build some interest and run another crowd funding project later on because these figs look gorgeous!

http://steamandaether.blogspot.co.uk/

Space 1889: Relaunch!

New life into a wonderful game!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/440453703/space-1889-sf-role-playing-in-a-more-civilized-tim

Brit Chap Wins Wimbledon!

Hurrah! The Empire celebrates this evening as that fine chappie Andy Murray beats some Central European cove at Wimbledon in three sets to claim the championship, the first chap from the mother country to win on home soil since 1936! Off to celebrate with a Pimms No. 1 cup and see if there are some Frenchmen one could give a good thrashing to...

Lions Maul Wallabies Down Under!

What ho! Chaps! Enjoying a fine pint of India Pale Ale here as I toast the brave chaps of the British and Irish Lions rugger team who have triumphed in their tour of Down Under stuffing the Aussies 41 to 16 in the third and decisive test! Hurrah for our boys! The Ashes next eh? Pip, pip!

Pax Britannia: A few more to Crow about

Its been a bit hard to update the blog of late, but that doesn't mean a chap has been slacking off on his VSF reading- Nossir it does not!  I've been steaming along at full speed with more of the jolly adventures of Dandy Adventurer and Hero of the Empire Ulysses Quicksilver, Esq.

Evolution Expects - a fiend from the past re-emerges, causing havoc and carnage in Londinium and Magna Brittania.  Can our Hero (and Nimrod of course) stop him in time from wrecking his vengeance?  And who is this flying vigilante - friend or foe?


Blood Royale - dastardly plots from distant realms sees the Agent of the Throne  travel to Imperial Russia and become entangled with Vampires, Werewolves and other nasties.  I really enjoyed this one and the sneak peak view of the world outside the isles of the United Kingdom.





Dark Side - Go off planet with Quicksilver as he travels to the moon and quickly becomes embroiled in more nefarious schemes and chased by danger and mayhem all over the satellite rock.  The ending is a cliff hangar, leading right onto the next installment which I'm devouring now...

Human Nature: Redux

The third book in the Pax Britannia series, Human Nature sees a couple of characters from previous penny dreadfuls pop up once more as dandy adventurer and Hero of the Empire Ulysses Quicksilver delves into the mystery of the Whitby Mermaid.  Adventure, excitement  swooning lovely ladies, bounders and cads all come together to make this another great yarn.

At the back of the book is a short story which will leave you worried next festive season!

Another great offering from Mssr Green that any VSF fan cant afford to pass up.

All Quiet on the Martian Front

Yes, another kickstarter, but one which VSF fans will enjoy - check it out!
http://www.martianfront.com/kickstarter

Leviathan Rising: Redux

They say worse things happen at sea, and they do indeed for dandy adventurer and servant of the throne Ulysses Quicksilver as he (and his faithful manservant Nimrod of course) enjoy the maiden voyage of the luxury submersible cruise liner Neptune.

Mssr Blease has commented on this book here before but I add my own commentary, some years later it must be admitted, as I am thoroughly enjoying this great series.

Leviathan Rising is a wonderful combination of the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Murder on the Orient Express and The Poseidon Adventure.  It will keep you on the edge of your chesterfield and in danger of spilling your cognac the whole way though.  Mystery, underwater cities, intrigue, giant beasties, conspiracy, murder and crevats- this ripping yarn has it all!  And as a nautical chap myself it struck a real chord with me.

Another cracking tale by Mssr Green which I most thoroughly enjoyed, leaving me again wondering why it has taken me this long to read it.  Then again, it means I can read them all in double quicktime without having to wait for the next release! Tally-Bally ho I say, as I recharge my snifter and eagerly reach for the next installment in the Quicksilver series, Human Nature.

Dynamite Gun Cruiser

In reading Angel of the Revolution, I came across a type of vessel I hadn't encountered before: the Dynamite Gun Cruiser.

The USS Vesuvius was a one of a kind experimental vessel commissioned in 1890.  She was fitted with three fixed elevation compressed air launchers which were aimed by physically turning the ship, and lobbed explosive charges.  In theory she could lob 30 charge in 30 minutes, giving a rate of fire, and a net explosive effect, significantly greater than any other vessel.

Vesuvius saw action in the Spanish American War, joining the Cuban blockade in 1898 and conducting a number of shore bombardments.  While the local Commander claimed she had 'great effect' a planned follow up vessel was never built as more conventional weapon technology overtook pneumatic weapons and made them redundant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Vesuvius_(1888)
http://www.spanamwar.com/vesuvius.htm

A new journey begins

My sea chest has been packed into my stateroom and today we cast off all lines to set sail for new adventures!  I shall of course be incommunicado mostly but from time to time may be able to send the odd aethergram of news.

Unnatural History: Redux

Some time ago that splendid chap Mssr Blease posted his thoughts on this fantastical tale
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/pax-britannia-unnatural-history.html

Well blast me if I hadn't forgotten all about it since then, but recently my man servant was doing a bit of a tidy up in the Library and brought it to my attention.  I immediately corrected the oversight of not reading it before and dashed if it wasn't a ripping yarn of the highest calibre!  I went through it like a Gentleman's Club consumes cognac and it left me wanting more, which I will be enjoying rather shortly.

Do yourself a favour and make sure you don't miss the adventures of dandy adventurer and agent of the throne Ulysses Quicksilver, Esq and his servant Nimrod.

1 Week left for IHMN

Depending on what side on the International Date Line you dwell of course, there is only a week left to get ion on the new Steampunk Skirmish game, In Her Majesty's Name.

There are some gorgeous figures on offer - so much so in fact that the hardest decision is not if to get, but what to get!

The developers also have a blog up in which they discuss the development of the rules.  Have a gander here for more info
http://inhermajestysname.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/the-development-of-in-her-majestys-name/

Go on, and get onboard- you know you want to :-)
http://nstarmagazine.com/IN_HER_MAJESTYS_NAME.htm

Angel of the Revolution

Written in 1893, and now 120 years old, this book is a classic period piece of  'invasion literature' which I really enjoyed.  In many ways, Griffiths is quite prophetic in his vision of a Great War involving all the European powers.  One one side he has the aggressors of the Franco-Slavonian League, comprised of Russia, France, Italy, Spain (who were promised Gibraltar), Portugal (who are promised the Congo) and Serbia.  Matched against them is the Anglo-Teutonic Alliance of Britain, Germany and Austro-Hungary supported (in varying degrees of willingness) by Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.  So while he didn't quite get the alliances exactly right, he rightly forsaw the impact of such a titanic conflict, and the transition of warfare from one which involved personal heroism and gallantry into one of mechanised butchery. 

Add then to this mix, a fleet of newly invented dirigibles employed by the Tsar's and Gallic forces which can bomb the opposing armies unopposed (and without mercy of course) and make short work of them and their prepared fortifications.  Luckily though a third force lurks in the shadows - the Brotherhood of Freedom (better known throughout the world as Terrorists or Nihilists) who, thanks to their new and clever recruit, have solved the problem of aerial navigation and now possess the only real aerial fleet in the word.  Able to significantly outfly and outgun the war balloons of the Franco-Slavonian League, their support could change the course of the war but they elusively pursue their own ends... 

Wrapped around some wonderful British romanticism of the period, are some great descriptions of battles, particularly the second Battle of the Nile, the Russians forcing an exit from the Baltic and subsequently raiding the coaling station at Aberdeen, the RN Atlantic convoy system, and some major engagements in British Homewaters.  Two squadrons of French Aquanefs also make an appearance towards the end so there is something for everyone (but no Land Ironclads or Terranefs though I'm afraid).

Highly Recommended - if you haven't read it, go find yourself a copy and enjoy!

You can get this reprint from Heliograph here: http://www.heliograph.com/buy.shtml#angel