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    The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
    The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
    The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel

    Written by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

    Narrated by James Langton

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Hang onto your bowler hats, agents Books and Braun of Britain’s top-secret Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences are back in The Janus Affair. In their second wildly imaginative, utterly fantastic steampunk adventure, authors Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris carry readers back to an alternate history Edwardian England, where suffragettes are inexplicably disappearing in flashes of lightning, and the brainy, intrepid Mr. Books and his partner, the fearless, lovely, weapons-loving Eliza Braun, must get to the bottom of the nefarious matter—while confronting high-flying assassins, a traitorous turncoat, and the Queen of the Underworld herself. The Janus Affair is the British TV classic, The Avengers, updated for the 21st Century and given a delectable steampunk twist—an Affair that will satisfy fantasy lovers, graphic novel aficionados, and dedicated fans of the novels of Gail Carriger.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateMay 29, 2012
    ISBN9780062207722
    Author

    Pip Ballantine

    Born in New Zealand, Philippa (Pip) Ballantine has always had her head in a book. A corporate librarian for thirteen years, she has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Library and Information Science. She is New Zealand's first podcast novelist and has produced four podiobooks. Many of these have been shortlisted for the Parsec Awards, and she has won a Sir Julius Vogel Award. She is also the author of Geist and the soon-to-be-published Spectyr. While New Zealand calls, currently Philippa calls America home.

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    Reviews for The Janus Affair

    4/5

    124 ratings15 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I love these steampunk novels, and the two leading characters are just perfect.
      I listened to both books and am now on the hunt for others in the series. They have descriptions of ingenious machines and the other characters who the pair come across are just as ingenious
      A book well worth listening to and enjoying..
    • 4/5
      I said of the first book that the characters needed fleshing out and with this entry, they do get some of that flesh. Incorporating even wilder elements of science fiction... a steampunk Trek transporter and amazingly sophisticated steampunk AI automatons... the story has a slightly uneven pace, but is still engaging and entertaining. Appetite whetted, I’m splitting my fiction time between multiple series but won’t wait another six years between this and the next.
    • 4/5
      Once again Books and Braun are caught up in a case when suddenly some of their fellow-travellers disappear in a bolt of lightning. When other people start to disappear in the same way they have to stop whoever or whatever is doing this.More of the background of both of them is revealed and I'm really enjoying reading their adventures and looking forward to more
    • 3/5
      Sigh, I wanted to like this book, really, I did. But the plot of how someone is killing off the suffragettes of Britain never really achieved escape velocity for me and what is essentially a thriller needs to get off the ground fast and keep moving. I've been picking up and putting down this book for awhile and I just reached the point where I just started skipping through it to get to the end.
    • 5/5
      A really well written book -- it took a few pages to get into the theme and setting, but it was a delightful read. I started off with this second book of the 'Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences' so perhaps would have been easier to dive right into had I read them in order. After less than 50 pages I promptly ordered the first book (Phoenix Rising) and hope there are more in the series.Very cool steampunk -- not overdone, but nearly always present.
    • 2/5
      The authors either need better editors or they need vocabulary lessons. "Shear" is not the same as "sheer", "any" is not the same as "many" and "bobble" is definitely not the same as "bauble."

      And oh, my dog, "a grizzly discovery" means you just found a bear. If you just found a body, that's more of a grisly discovery.
    • 4/5
      My first venture into "Steampunk" and I liked it well enough to then buy the first book in the series (this is the second). I think I'll enjoy this series, so I really hope there will be more. Historical science fiction in an alternate reality? At any rate I thought it was quite good.
    • 5/5
      I loved this. Absolutely. Frikkin. Loved it. I tried to draw out the experience and couldn't make myself stop reading the second day. Without a doubt, this impressive second novel in the newer Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series is going into my "best of 2012" shelf as well as my much less used "all-time favorites." I think I may even have loved this book like I love my hallmark series of steampunk, Gail Carriger's formidably funny and inventive Parasol Protectorate series. I literally have nothing to complain about here, and that is rare. That's a lot of praise for a book to live up to, but The Janus Affair is that rare novel, the one that manages to be delightful, zany, action-packed and original from inception to execution. Please excuse and recognize my blatant and epic fangirling for what it is -- that classic kneejerk reaction of happiness that happens right after finishing an unexpected treat - not everyone in the world will be wowed with this foray into Edwardian steampunkery but boy I was. Though the first novel Phoenix Rising wasn't quiiiite as perfect, this is the steampunk series everyone should be reading now that Alexia has wrapped up her five novel arc hung up her written parasol duties. While the main events of book two of the MoPO were neatly and explosively wrapped up without my predicting the outcome (once again, thanks to the amazing Eliza Braun), I will count the minutes wait patiently until I can get my grabby little hands on whatever else next springs from the fertile minds of Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris.By far and away, a third of my love for this book is due entirely to the two main characters at the heart of everything, Eliza Braun and Wellington Books. (The other 2/3rds are reserved for steampunkery, excellent/unpredictable and intelligent antagonists and sheer madcap adventure.) Their banter and genuine camaraderie are prone to bustups and petty fights, but it's the underlying respect and genuine feeling of friendship between that makes reading these two feel less like characters and more like real people. It helps that Eliza is a heoine to shame most other heroines - she's brash and coarse and willful and exactly whatever she wants to be. I love Eliza - I always liked her, from the first chapter of book one, but midway through this, I knew I loved her. (This was the exact moment: "In New Zealand, there had been such sweetness to their courtship, but back then she had been quite a different person. Still a little reckless, but in the way of a young woman not yet as familiar with black powder and explosions.") Her characterization is seemingly blunt and obvious (EXPLODE ALL THE THINGS!), but through interactions and over time and pages, with her Ministry Seven, Welly, and the women she relentlessly helps, Eliza is revealed to be much more than just a mere colonial or pistol-loving walking armoury. Wellington Books has been my absolute favorite character from the start and that is only reinforced through his evolution during the last two novels, but The Janus Affair particularly illustrated him as a man of many facets. His dry humour is still very much in tact ("Once more into the breach.." "Sorry, Welly, what was that?" "Shakespeare. I always recite it just before placing my career in harm's way.") These are definitely not stagnant characters - they grow and change, make mistakes and adapt, and most importantly, they help one another. The working relationship between the two has evolved to be effective and natural - Books can more than count on Eliza to save him from danger as many times as he saves her.Steampunk itself seems to be evolving to blend quite naturally with two other, less fantastical genres - mystery and romance. The Janus Affair does have more than a bit of both and handles each element quite admirably - as Books would say, with aplomb. I never felt that one was cheated at the expense of the other - never does any romantic entanglement supersede the plot, nor does the mystery overwhelm the sense of compatibility and chemistry between the Sherlockian main characters. I have to think that these two authors work together more cohesively than any other pairing I've yet come across - Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine complement each other naturally and Though a lot of steampunk novels have the secret organization paired with "agents" used to protect Old Blighty from the supernatural (Parasol Protectorate, Newbury & Hobbes Investigations) and solve paranormal crimes, co-authors Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris go to extremely awesome lengths to create a wholly enveloped and imagined alternate universe for their characters to play within. (They even have a ton of novellas - often by other authors - in the same universe with different characters! There are editions you can purchase, or as free podcasts.) Much like their imagined version of 1800's Britain, the steampunk machines and gadgets used by the cast are wholly original, fun and useful without becoming deux-ex-machinas. I especially liked that something from the first book was referenced and used as a slight part of the plot for the second (the "aethergates" anyone?) - it reinforces the feel that this version of England is an ongoing world, not just unconnected vignettes into random episodes.The Janus Affair, simply put, is a book that has a lot to offer across a wide variety of areas. Original plotting, genuinely twisty and murky mysteries with a high body count, several strong female characters, amusing banter, original and highly creative use of steampunk and gadgets, veeery smart and fully capable antagonists, the slight but oh-so effective romance, double agents, explosions and more. As I said, the main events and plot of this book have been neatly and effectively wrapped up, but there are some few exceptions to the rule. I don't want to spoil anything from the novel because this really is a fun mystery to try and solve independently, but there are juicy, unresolved plot tendrils enough to ensure that readers from books one and two will want to read the planned third to figure out the Maestro's plans.I bought the first book, Phoenix Rising, on sale for Nook for a $1.99 late last year and waited several months to dig in. (I guess I like to wait on my books before I read them? Sit on them like a dragon with its hoard, jealously guarding any potential enjoyment I might have when/if I start...? I have 100+ bought and waiting to be read...I'm crazy.) The publishers were generous enough to send me an ARC copy of The Janus Affair just in time for me to realize how much I was going to love this book, series, characters and how much I needed the sequel the second I finished book one. After the last 800 pages with Wellington Books (whom I always call "Boots" in my head before I realize) and Eliza, I can say that I will be buying my own physical copies of both these books because I love them that much. Hey now that I've finished book two, any chances of a draft of book three? Philippa? Tee? Anyone? Please? In the meantime, I'll have to go read the short stories and wait patiently for whatever these creative authors are cooking up for round number three.
    • 4/5
      Agents Wellington Books and Eliza Braun are making their way home on a hypersteam train in Britain when a passenger suddenly vanishes in a bolt of lightening. This peculiar case is only just beginning as more women involved with the suffragists’ movement also disappear in bolts of lightening. Agents Books and Braun begin their investigation in an attempt to unravel the series of peculiar occurrences that hit especially close to home for Agent Eliza Braun.This being my first foray into the steampunk genre, the novel was a bit difficult to get into at first. However, I came to love the characters of Eliza and Wellington and the dynamic that exists between these two protagonists. Although this novel is the second in a series, I didn’t feel like I was missing much information as this novel stands well enough on its own. The interludes introduce characters in the beginning of the story and then it’s almost like they are forgotten until later. This novel is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes down to the inclusion of a Doctor Moriarty-like villain. I will definitely look for a sequel and I believe this was a perfect introduction into the steampunk genre.
    • 4/5
      In their second outing, ex-field agent Eliza Braun and Archivist Wellington Books find themselves sunburned and baffled after a lightening bolt snatches a fleeing woman from a high-speed hypersteam train. The vanishing act they witness turns out to be the pointy tip of a very large iceberg of disappearances that seem to be targeting British suffragettes, and the Ministry investigator assigned doesn't seem to be doing his job... is it laziness? Or is something more nefarious at work... Leave it to Books and Braun (or Ballantine and Morse) to create such bountiful havoc and such marvelous gadgets. Can't wait to see what the pair stumbles into and blows up next.
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:allthingsuf.comA classic steampunk novel, THE JANUS AFFAIR faithfully combines the aesthetic and social mores of Victorian England with advanced technologies in their nascent form. The period elements of this story didn’t always work for me, so prospective readers may want to read an excerpt first to assess the style. And though PHOENIX RISING dragged for me, I am so glad I picked up book two. I found THE JANUS AFFAIR to be a fun, satisfying story that developed Books’s and Braun’s partnership in wonderful ways.My love for this series main characters is both an asset and a downfall for the series. On one hand, the hints about Wellington’s “less civilized side” had me eager for an explosion of super spy prowess that would cause Eliza’s heart to explode with unbridled admiration. On the other hand, waiting, waiting, waiting for that damnable Victorian reticence to get out of the way so these two partners could high-five their palpable awesomeness was painful. Even worse than waiting for them to acknowledge how much their working relationship means to them, the hints of sexual tension drove me to distraction. The needle barely moved on either front in PHOENIX RISING, but luckily, by book’s end THE JANUS AFFAIR had things developing in a good direction.Of course, any sudden baring of souls (or flesh), would go against the authentic steampunk tone of the story. And it was just those elements that I really struggled with. The droll habit of calling Eliza a “colonial pepperpot” was funny the first time, but by book two I was more than ready for that type of humor to give way to new wit or a deeper appreciation for Eliza’s character. THE JANUS AFFAIR at least addresses the crushing chauvinism Eliza deals with every day, but reading along as she secretly solves cases in the face of condescension and incompetence on the part of so many of her male peers was frustrating. Books himself often looks down upon her and censures her behavior, which is not entirely balanced by the instances where he comes to appreciate Eliza’s take no prisoners abilities. Of course, Books too is continually underestimated by field officers, including Eliza herself, so I suppose they’re about even on that score.Despite my struggles with PHOENIX RISING, THE JANUS AFFAIR delivered a lot more focus on the partners themselves, though the steampunk elements were still more of a distraction than an asset for me. By book’s end, Wellington and Eliza are poised to escape the bureaucratic bonds that I can’t stand and explore a new dynamic to their partnership, and both of those developments promise that the next The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences book may just be the best one yet.Sexual Content: Kissing, references to sex.
    • 4/5
      "Holy Moly", as Walter Matthau would say. This book is even better than Phoenix Rising!There are just as many amazing machines, airships and other vehicles. There is a Quite Confounding Threat to the Empire. There is more development in the relationship between Books & Braun, and in fact, we learn more about each of them. It's another action-packed adventure story, and that's what 'steampunk' is all about. - Oh yes, and one of the things I love - the Chapter Headings: "Wherein Eliza Sees Things She Shouldn't and Learns things She Didn't Know".
    • 5/5
      There are those books that suck you in completely and pull you deep down into their depths. When you stop reading it is almost painful because you were submersed in the world that you were reading about. And the characters....books like this make me feel like I know these characters. That maybe they were once intimate friends of mine. This is one of those books for me! Stepping back into The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences was like visiting old friends but only better because I swear that I enjoyed this book even more than the first!I LOVED The Janus Affair! Loved it! Everything that I enjoyed about Phoenix Rising was back in this second book and there was more! That's right...more! In this book, Eliza and Wellington begin to secretly investigate the very odd and mysterious disappearances of a few leaders of the feminist movement. Secretly investigate because it seems like these disappearances are being ignored by the Ministry. And Eliza and Books are still in hot water for all of the trouble that they managed to cause from their last case. As always trouble is underfoot whenever these two get their hands on a good mystery.One of my favorite things about this book was the growing and changing relationship between Books and Eliza. I'll try to be as spoiler-free as possible but it really was what MADE this book for me. I loved the fractures and misunderstandings that were abundant and played an important role in this book. I felt like each step of the book was leading up to something, and that something happened at the end of the book just like I had hoped! Did I say that I loved this book already??? I seriously did! I had a hard time putting the book down and found myself wondering how I am going to possibly wait for the next book to come out. Aack! I may end up rereading these two books to help hold me off until book 3 comes out. But back to my thoughts on it. The steampunk aspect was fun to read about it...I loved reading about all of the different gadgets and gizmos. Although there were a few times that the technical parts of explanation went way over my head, I felt like it really added to the story. I've got to add that I really like the mystery that is included in the interludes throughout the book. I feel like these interludes are giving us hints on whats to come in the series. It is very intriguing! Reading this book was such a fun-filled adventure with unexpected twists and turns and so much more! I can't get enough of these books and I'm really eager to see what kinds of trouble Eliza and Books can get into next. Because you just know that somehow they are going to get themselves in more trouble. It is bound to happen. And I'll be there to read all about it!!All in all, a deliciously good read and a great follow-up to the 1st book! I highly recommend this series if you haven't tried it yet. Especially if you are thinking about dipping your toes in the steampunk genre. You won't be disappointed! As for me, I'm going to be impatiently waiting for the next book to come out. Highly recommended!Bottom Line: An unputdownable read! Already a favorite series of mine and we are only on book 2!Disclosure: I was lucky enough to receive an e-galley of this through Edelweiss and the publisher.
    • 5/5
      The Wait Is Over.That’s all I could think of when review copies were made available for the sequel to last year’s Phoenix Rising — the first volume chronicling the adventures of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. That book, added to my habitual reading of the Girl Genius webcomic, became my gateway into the world of steampunk — a truly fascinating place, to be sure.The Janus Affair starts off on a hypertrain, with a woman who vanishes right in front of Eliza Braun. Turns out that the woman is (or was) a suffragist, and knew Eliza. Of course, Braun and her partner, Wellington Thornhill Books, Esquire (it just seems wrong somehow to leave any part of his name out when addressing him), are told to leave the case to the field agent — in this case, Eliza’s countryman Bruce Campbell. We find out that this isn’t the first time a noted suffragist has disappeared, and Eliza’s old friend Kate Sheppard, a noted New Zealand suffragist, is in England to boost morale. And of course … well, you can put two and two together, and see that Eliza feels duty bound to protect Kate, no matter what the Ministry thinks. And of course, Books is in it up to his neck.But things are not as they seem. As more and more suffragists disappear, the movement threatens to fall into disarray. Eliza is attacked at her home. Books squares off against Douglas Sheppard, who fans of the Ministry’s podcast may remember from Episode 1 (The Evil That Befell Sampson), and in particular his … attachment to Ms. Braun. (That story is also available in one of the Tales from the Archives anthologies that are still available on Amazon for $2.99.) Suffice to say that Mr. Sheppard’s arrival in England is welcomed by Eliza, and not so much by Wellington, and I will leave the rest to your imagination until you read it for yourself. The resolution to this particular plot thread was, I thought, rather satisfying.In fact, the whole book is rather satisfying. We learn much more about Wellington Thornhill Books, Esq. than we have even in the short stories — enough that we see he’s not the nebbish that we may have thought he was. And we learn more of Agent Campbell in this book — enough to know that he isn’t, in fact, as bad as we had thought before – he is much worse. We see more of the Ministry 7 in action, we see Eliza’s housekeeper in action, we see Wellington kiss a girl (two, actually, and I’m not telling who they are!). There are airship battles, perilous chase scenes, life and death struggles — and there is RUGBY. So what more could you possible want out of a book?One thing I want to note for those who missed Phoenix Rising — while there are some things in this book that refer back to the previous volume, do NOT feel that you can’t jump into this series right now. Once you do, you will feel compelled to read the first book, then get the three volumes of short stories set in this world, and THEN subscribe to the podcast, but you won’t miss out on anything important if you jump in here.There is a concern among many people in writing a sequel, and it is addressed in the prologue to this book."There is always that daunting task after you write a book, people want more. Sure, it’s always good when people want more. It means they like you. (They really, really like you!) So you get started on the sequel … and that’s when it sinks in — you’ve got to clear the bar you’ve set for yourself."The Janus Affair clears the bar masterfully, and leaves me wondering now — What will they do next? The bar is now even higher.
    • 5/5
      This is the sequel to Phoenix Rising and continues the adventures of Books and Braun. If you are a fan of Steampunk this should be on your list of books to read this year. I just love the interplay of the two main characters who never seem to be able to stay out of trouble and yet always manage to save the day.