Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess is the second book in the Girl Genius series. It picks up the action from the Airship City as Agatha attempts to get home and there’s already a lot going on. Little wonder the novel is twice as long.
The first thing the Clockwork Princess proves is that the Foglio’s can write and the first book wasn’t a fluke. The second thing this book does is introduce a whole new cast of characters. Thankfully one of the Foglio’s many skills is to quickly build up memorable, fun and friendly characters. There might have been a risk of overload here but that didn’t happen. We very quickly get on to discovering what new trouble Agatha gets herself into.
This time round our girl genius finds herself shacked up with a travelling Circus as they make slow progress through the dangerous countryside.
It’s a great story as we immediately realise the complexities and challenge in what Agatha needs to do. We will her on over each obstacle and towards her destiny.
The problem the Foglios therefore face is that they are the people who are getting in Agatha’s way. They are both the obstacle and the oracle for what comes next.
To be harsh on The Clockwork Princess it is a chunky book that doesn’t seem to advance things terribly. Instead the book layers on hiccups and complexities. Agatha picks up new enemies.
As a result I really enjoyed Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess is a fun and enjoyable read but it leaves you needing more.
The gamer in me is aware of the important role this book plays in describing the world. We find out about important historic events, we get more insight on The Other, which monster race has accountabilities to whom and how the common people live.
Good news. As expected there is a Girl Genius RPG and its from Steve Jackson Games.
If the main negative a book has is that it leaves you wanting more then that’s a good sign. I strongly recommend the Agatha H series to fellow geeky gamers.
Geek Native’s copy was provided for review. Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess, Phil & Kaja Foglio, Titan Books, £7.99.
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