Operation Book Review

Hi,

I'm just about finished with all the books I bought in England.

The last one on the docket is Operation Red Jericho by Joshua Mowll. It's a Young Adult book and with that audience in mind, it's a pretty spiffy book.

Rebecca and Doug MacKenzie are brother and sister. Their parents went off on an expedition to Western China and haven't returned. They've been shipped off to their Uncle who's the captain of the Expedient, a research vessel. Life is very hum-drum and boring until the pair start to explore all the interesting parts of the ship that they're not supposed to be exploring. Then the French scientist shows up. Then the Chinese pirates show up. Then things get very interesting and Doug and Rebecca discover that their Uncle and their parents are members of a secret society.

The story is pitched for a younger audience, but it's told very well. It's obviously the first book in a trilogy (it says so on the spine), so there's one or two loose ends, but the book reaches a decent stopping point. For those of my friends who are into secret societies and alternate histories, this book might be a lot more interesting than Harry Potter.

But the best part about this book are the copious illustrations scattered throughout. You definitely want to get the hardcover version of this book, because it contains fabulous, full-color, fold out illustrations. There are maps and technical drawings and historical photographs. It includes very real items like Holbin's "The Ambassadors" and photographs of ancient coins and postcards of Shanghai and it includes detailed schematics of fantastical submarines, and ancient weird science devices. The book has a host of sidebars with historical facts and trivia along with some fictional facts about items in the book itself. I'm reminded of Call of Cthulhu modules that pack in historical and fictional detail for the players and the GM. It's that kind of book and a lot of fun as well.

later
Tom

Operation Book Review

Hi,

I'm just about finished with all the books I bought in England.

The last one on the docket is Operation Red Jericho by Joshua Mowll. It's a Young Adult book and with that audience in mind, it's a pretty spiffy book.

Rebecca and Doug MacKenzie are brother and sister. Their parents went off on an expedition to Western China and haven't returned. They've been shipped off to their Uncle who's the captain of the Expedient, a research vessel. Life is very hum-drum and boring until the pair start to explore all the interesting parts of the ship that they're not supposed to be exploring. Then the French scientist shows up. Then the Chinese pirates show up. Then things get very interesting and Doug and Rebecca discover that their Uncle and their parents are members of a secret society.

The story is pitched for a younger audience, but it's told very well. It's obviously the first book in a trilogy (it says so on the spine), so there's one or two loose ends, but the book reaches a decent stopping point. For those of my friends who are into secret societies and alternate histories, this book might be a lot more interesting than Harry Potter.

But the best part about this book are the copious illustrations scattered throughout. You definitely want to get the hardcover version of this book, because it contains fabulous, full-color, fold out illustrations. There are maps and technical drawings and historical photographs. It includes very real items like Holbin's "The Ambassadors" and photographs of ancient coins and postcards of Shanghai and it includes detailed schematics of fantastical submarines, and ancient weird science devices. The book has a host of sidebars with historical facts and trivia along with some fictional facts about items in the book itself. I'm reminded of Call of Cthulhu modules that pack in historical and fictional detail for the players and the GM. It's that kind of book and a lot of fun as well.

later
Tom