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Horatio Lyle #3
The Doomsday Machine: A Further Astonishing Adventure of Horatio Lyle
There are many mysteries in this world that are yet to be resolved in 1865. Some of them, man was not meant to know. Scientist, inventor, and occasional sleuth, Horatio Lyle, is a man of science and a man of reason. As such, he does not care for the mysterious sect known as the Tseiqin and the strange, mystical enigma they represent. But when news reaches him of a plot to remove them—through the simple expedient of mass murder—well, that presents a problem for a man of moral fortitude. Once more leading his young friends, Tess and Thomas, and his faithful hound, Tate, into a series of the most appalling dangers, Lyle leaps to the rescue of his mortal enemies. But when the dust clears and the menace has been confronted, there remains one rather pressing question for occasional Special Constable Horatio Lyle—who’s going to rescue him?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 24, 2008
About the author
Catherine Webb
21 books333 followersAn English science fiction author, she is best known for her Carnegie Medal-nominated books, Timekeepers (2005) and The Extraordinary and Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle (2006). She wrote her first novel, Mirror Dreams, when she was only fourteen years old.
She began writing mostly in the young adult genre and has since begun authoring books for adults. Also a performing arts enthusiast, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2010. She also attended the London School of Economics.
She helped pioneer a new genre of writing called Urban Magic, which combines fantasy elements with modern-day city environments.
She grew up in London, England. Her father, Nick Webb, also had a career as a writer.
Catherine Webb also writes adult fiction under the pen names Kate Griffin and Claire North
She began writing mostly in the young adult genre and has since begun authoring books for adults. Also a performing arts enthusiast, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2010. She also attended the London School of Economics.
She helped pioneer a new genre of writing called Urban Magic, which combines fantasy elements with modern-day city environments.
She grew up in London, England. Her father, Nick Webb, also had a career as a writer.
Catherine Webb also writes adult fiction under the pen names Kate Griffin and Claire North
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 22, 2018
In the continuing adventures of Horatio Lyle, Lyle is forced to ally with former enemies to stop a threat based on the principle that you can't judge an entire group of people based on the actions of some.
It's a worthy and timely message that I hope doesn't get lost in the shuffle of the adventure.
I enjoyed this one, though perhaps not as much as the last in the series. The children, Tess and Thomas, felt a bit sidelined in this story - especially Thomas who doesn't even come into the story until around page 80.
That said, I enjoyed getting some of Tess's back story, and also meeting Thomas's parents. The colliding of Thomas's two worlds was an interesting part of the story.
My favorite part of the story was the addition of Ms. Lin, who is rather Loki-ish in her not-entirely-evil-but-not-entirely-night-revelry-of-mayhem.
I also like how the stories have been trying together, and I'm interesting to see how things wrap up in the next and, apparently, final book of the series.
It's a worthy and timely message that I hope doesn't get lost in the shuffle of the adventure.
I enjoyed this one, though perhaps not as much as the last in the series. The children, Tess and Thomas, felt a bit sidelined in this story - especially Thomas who doesn't even come into the story until around page 80.
That said, I enjoyed getting some of Tess's back story, and also meeting Thomas's parents. The colliding of Thomas's two worlds was an interesting part of the story.
My favorite part of the story was the addition of Ms. Lin, who is rather Loki-ish in her not-entirely-evil-but-not-entirely-night-revelry-of-mayhem.
I also like how the stories have been trying together, and I'm interesting to see how things wrap up in the next and, apparently, final book of the series.
June 15, 2009
I truly enjoyed this alternate history / fantasy / young adult series, and Horatio Lyle is now one of my new favourites. Lyle, a Darwin-era inventor, thinker, scientist and sometimes special constable, is called on by Her Majesty's agents to solve some mysterious goings on involving strange people with green eyes, magnets, machines and assorted other odd happenings.
I found the first few chapters awkward in their wording (especially the dialogue between Tess and Horatio), but after this Webb hits her stride and the story flows. Lyle is a strong character, with a distinct Vimes-esque (Terry Pratchett) influence, and his companions Tess, Thomas and Tate (alliteration!) are well-drawn also.
Well paced and clever, these books make for an enjoyable read.
I found the first few chapters awkward in their wording (especially the dialogue between Tess and Horatio), but after this Webb hits her stride and the story flows. Lyle is a strong character, with a distinct Vimes-esque (Terry Pratchett) influence, and his companions Tess, Thomas and Tate (alliteration!) are well-drawn also.
Well paced and clever, these books make for an enjoyable read.
April 19, 2020
I found this book very difficult to get into,and slow to start. The pace picked up in the second half of the book though, and it was an enjoyable story. In the second half I could hardly put it down.
It's a very descriptive book, at times very scientific and wordy, and at times I struggled with all the descriptions.
The characters, as always, were wonderful. I love them. They feel real, and are portrayed with their flaws as well as strengths. Its nice seeing them grow.
Overall I thought it was a good book, and I would recommend it to others. Older children and teens into detective work and science would like this book.
It's a very descriptive book, at times very scientific and wordy, and at times I struggled with all the descriptions.
The characters, as always, were wonderful. I love them. They feel real, and are portrayed with their flaws as well as strengths. Its nice seeing them grow.
Overall I thought it was a good book, and I would recommend it to others. Older children and teens into detective work and science would like this book.
March 9, 2022
I just love these books, such fun to escape into and I love the author's turn of phrase.
January 30, 2011
It was a fairly enjoyable read, hence the '3 stars', but I think 'The Obsidian Dagger' was better.
The first chapter was a bit 'over descriptive', in that the use of verbs and adverbs was kind of 'over-done'. You know how Stephen King said 'The road to Hell is paved with adverbs'? Well, I found the level of description went on and on and on in the first chapter. I got the impression that the copy editor had said 'describe more of the feel of old London town, the smog, the buildings, etc.etc.'
But by the second chapter it started to get more character based and the story began to unfold. We learn more about the Tseiqin in this book, who they are, their motivation, their history and fears. One of the Tseiqin, Lin Zi, actually likes some aspects of the humans, their dance's for one. And she even likes Horatio Lyle. I felt a bit more could have been done with that aspect, but her character certainly helped the book.
The Doomsday Machine is going to wipe out all the Tseiqin, so Lyle is working with them, and in particular with Lin Zi. The children, Thomas and Tess, play good supporting roles too.
Though I felt that The Obsidian Dagger had more action, intrique, dialogue, more of Lyle's science, compounds, and detective work. In short, more of a 'roller coaster ride' and a more intriguing read...
Verdict: An okay read, fairly enjoyable. But unlike The Obsidian Dagger, I wouldn't feel the inclination to read it again at some point, or to pass the book on to my niece.
The first chapter was a bit 'over descriptive', in that the use of verbs and adverbs was kind of 'over-done'. You know how Stephen King said 'The road to Hell is paved with adverbs'? Well, I found the level of description went on and on and on in the first chapter. I got the impression that the copy editor had said 'describe more of the feel of old London town, the smog, the buildings, etc.etc.'
But by the second chapter it started to get more character based and the story began to unfold. We learn more about the Tseiqin in this book, who they are, their motivation, their history and fears. One of the Tseiqin, Lin Zi, actually likes some aspects of the humans, their dance's for one. And she even likes Horatio Lyle. I felt a bit more could have been done with that aspect, but her character certainly helped the book.
The Doomsday Machine is going to wipe out all the Tseiqin, so Lyle is working with them, and in particular with Lin Zi. The children, Thomas and Tess, play good supporting roles too.
Though I felt that The Obsidian Dagger had more action, intrique, dialogue, more of Lyle's science, compounds, and detective work. In short, more of a 'roller coaster ride' and a more intriguing read...
Verdict: An okay read, fairly enjoyable. But unlike The Obsidian Dagger, I wouldn't feel the inclination to read it again at some point, or to pass the book on to my niece.
September 20, 2017
The third in the series, it sees the return of the antagonists from the first book, the Tseiqin. Commonly referred to as ‘Them’ throughout the series, the Tseiqin are the magical beings that Horatio both accepts and denies in the same breathe.
On the whole, the book wasn’t as good as it could have been. I hope that it’s building to something big in the next one.
On the whole, the book wasn’t as good as it could have been. I hope that it’s building to something big in the next one.
January 6, 2014
This was one of the best books I have ever read!! Catherine Webb is a brilliant author whose skill at writing absolutly blew me away. I was hooked from the first sentence and quite literally couldn't put it down until I had read every last word. It's a tense, action filled read, complete with a good dose of humor, and plenty of complex scientific terminology that will leave you thinking 'wait what?'. The characters are unique with subtly crafted personalities, which is very refreshing when compared to the cliché, blatent, and sterotypical characters I'm used to in books. The plot was also unbelievably well done, and for once I couldn't predict the outcome anything, (something I'm pretty good at doing.) All in all The Doomsday Machine is a book I'll never forget. I recomend it to anyone who likes British historical mysteries with a twist of fantasy.
January 17, 2010
The Doomsday Machine benefited from a faster pace than the first book; it jumps right into the action, and we discover more about the Tseiqin. Old enemies return, new enemies are introduced, as well as new allies. Lin Zi is an amusing character, and her fondness for Lyle is rather adorable. It might be interesting if something develops between them in a subsequent novel.
Thomas is also a much better developed character than before, and he finally becomes more his own character than a simple sidekick for Lyle that provides him with upper-class connections and information. Surprisingly he is proving more interesting than Tess, who has experienced zero character development since the first book.
Thomas is also a much better developed character than before, and he finally becomes more his own character than a simple sidekick for Lyle that provides him with upper-class connections and information. Surprisingly he is proving more interesting than Tess, who has experienced zero character development since the first book.
August 13, 2016
I bought this book without having read the first 2 parts. Since it seemed to be the kind of sequel where prequels aren't essential to have read. I was partly right, it wasn't needed but I did sometimes miss out on certain references and histories. I'd recommend to read the first two books before reading this, it would definitely help with knowing and appreciating the characters I think.
I find Webb's writing style sometimes overly detailed and some sentences and descriptions can just go on and on and on while it's not majorly interesting. But overall, it was a pleasant book, not amazing, but not bad either. It's quite suspenseful.
I find Webb's writing style sometimes overly detailed and some sentences and descriptions can just go on and on and on while it's not majorly interesting. But overall, it was a pleasant book, not amazing, but not bad either. It's quite suspenseful.
August 21, 2008
Horatio, the scientist cum sleuth is back with his third adventure, in which some shadowy figures are trying to build a machine that will destroy the Tseiqins in London once and for all. Although Horatio has a bitter relationship with the Tseiqins, now he has to decide whether he is cruel-hearted enough to let every one of them slain without mercy. And although Horatio thinks he doesn't really care about humanity, he has to face an experience in which all his morals and values are tested.
My favourite quote:
"An atheist?"
"Worse. A scientist."
My favourite quote:
"An atheist?"
"Worse. A scientist."
October 31, 2010
This book goes along with it's successors wonderfully! Besed in England in the 1860's or so it is perrect. I learn new words! I learn a lot about of the culture too! I have learned more history as well. The touch of magic is wonderful because it is coombined with technology and science to be somewhat realistic! I believe that tess and thomas will be together considering the fact that they are getting older! Can't wait for the next one!
January 28, 2011
I like Webb's writing, although for a child, I can imagine this could get a bit dry in parts.
What I admire most is how Webb manages to teach scientific concepts in a way that draws the reader in. She writes simply and well. There are verbose moments that perhaps don't need to be, but the text absorbs these and the plot races on. Great characters. A meaty series for both boys and girls, equally.
What I admire most is how Webb manages to teach scientific concepts in a way that draws the reader in. She writes simply and well. There are verbose moments that perhaps don't need to be, but the text absorbs these and the plot races on. Great characters. A meaty series for both boys and girls, equally.
May 12, 2016
A reasonably rollicking adventure for young adults, kinda in the vein of the Sally Lockhart series by Philip Pullman. Having not read any of the previous books - our library only has this one :( - I think I missed a bit, and kept thinking the Tseqin looked like the Silurians (from Doctor Who). But the language and descriptions were just brilliant. Catherine has such a gorgeous voice to read.
April 23, 2016
This is the kind of book whose review must include the word "rollicking ", so here I goes:
This is a rollicking good read! Lovely! I simply slurped it up, and then, with a great big smile on my ugly mug, I licked my fingers an' all! 5,5 stars!
This is a rollicking good read! Lovely! I simply slurped it up, and then, with a great big smile on my ugly mug, I licked my fingers an' all! 5,5 stars!
March 3, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable if slightly confusing at times
March 11, 2011
Another good story about Horatio Lyle and friends. The original one is still my favorite though.
March 24, 2011
great read if u like funny, sweet and unpredictable stories
September 1, 2011
I do like this series.
January 31, 2012
I think these books are actually getting better, if that's even possible. This one introduces the character of Lin, who I absolutely adore. I have to buy these.
September 23, 2015
Ok, so 4 typo's on the very first page?! Who the hell edited this?! Fired.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews