The Two Faces of Temperance

“Oh, my Goodness, Miss Plumtartt, there is a fiendish monster at loose in London!”
“Quite so, Mr. Temperance. I say, the villain has the Great City in an uproar, sir.”
“Yes, Ma’am, Miss Plumtartt, Ma’am, there is murder at our elbow, wherever we turn.”
“The machinations of intrigue threaten to crush us in their merciless gears, eh hem? Yes, One suspects that this adventure may come to be known as ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Icky and Mr. Temperance.” – Goodreads Synopsis

–S&S–

The Two Faces of Temperance Review

The Two Faces of Temperance is an unapologetically silly revision of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is not a book that is meant to be taken seriously. It’s best read out loud, with outlandish accents, and plenty of overly-dramatic emphasis on the words. This is the tenth book in the series, but you do not need to have read the other books first. (Thought it might help.)

There is one defining characteristic of The Two Faces of Temperance that potential readers must be aware of. It is told completely through dialogue (internal and verbalized). While the characters do sometimes describe their surroundings while talking, for the most part the settings are up to the reader’s imagination. It is very definitely a make or break, and I highly suggest potential readers check out the preview function.  I enjoyed what I was reading, but found I needed to read it in bits and pieces.

The writing style definitely lends itself to a unique way to experience a story that one is familiar with from a different point of view. The characters’ personalities shine through, and you can’t help but like them. Ichabod Temperance is an American (Alabama) fellow with ‘enhanced tinkering capabilities’. I don’t think I was ever entirely sure on who Miss Plumtart was, but she was definitely entertaining. One has to admire a lady who knows what she wants, even if you can’t understand why she wants it.

The pacing is good in the Two Faces of Temperance. It seems like something is always happening. There’s plots, shenanigans, and tomfoolery galore. The language itself has a very Victorian air to it. I may or may not have scribbled down a few insults to pull out on people that annoy me, just to see the expression on their faces.

Overall, The Two Faces of Temperance is a book that could very well have you cracking up as you read it. It definitely showcases the author’s unique style.

Title: The Two Faces of Temperance | Author: Ichabod Temperance (site) | Publisher: Goldenbear Creative Works | Pub. Date: 2016-10-17 | Pages: 259 | ISBN13: 9781539554790 | Genre: Steampunk & Science Fiction | Language: English | Triggers: None | Rating: 3 out of 5 | Source: Received a copy from the author for review consideration | Purchase on Amazon