Probably one too many in the series, but a good yarn nonetheless. Darwin is, as he will ever remain, a wonderfully thought-through character, preferable to many of the so-called Sapiens I have encountered. ( )

Call it old age or perhaps a weakening immune system, but this, the third Robert Rankin book I have read, was one I actually liked. An inventive time-travel plot, firmly embedded in Rankin's existing steampunk universe is entertaining and exciting. An easy read that drags you along through the set pieces at a steady trot - didn't like that episode? No problem, try this one! - and generally links them all to the overarching narrative (I didn't quite get the relevance or change of pace of the adventure in the clouds...).

The book made me smile often and laugh a few times. What I struggle with is the forced signposting of the laughs - this next bit is really funny, or, that last piece was hilarious, was it not?

Cultist Golden Sprouts will not need a recommendation from me, but if you haven't tried wacky steampunk yet, maybe you should give it a try. ( )