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CHAPTER 1
The advantage of being a great man was that even when one had nothing to do, one could always contemplate one’s greatness. Since entering the Marchioness’ employ, Longinus had been given precisely nothing to do, and as a result he had had plenty of time to contemplate. A good thing there was so much material for him to work with.
All the same, as great a man as he was, he was beginning to grow tired of his own greatness (a sentiment Longinus never thought he would experience). So tonight’s excursion was coming just in time to relieve him of his boredom.
Longinus decanted the sleeping draught he had prepared into a small vial, smiling to himself. It had been a lot of fun planning for this evening. Scheming with Rory, exchanging notes, agreeing on secret signals, and all of it, of course, without Cruikshank getting wise. They’d spent far more time and energy planning the excursion than needed, but it was refreshing after all that inaction.
And now the time for plans was past.
Longinus had spent all day selecting his clothing for the evening: a crisp white shirt, a forest green silk cravat, and a burnt orange smoking jacket. The attire suggested nonchalance, a man planning to spend his evening writing poetry. Perfect. He had in fact just finished composing a new poem for Lady Martha — thereby lending veracity to his appearance. The smoking jacket had the added benefit of roomy pockets, so Cruikshank wouldn’t spot the vial.
For the first time since moving into Cruikshank’s workshop, Longinus wasn’t sorry to be leaving his quarters, his oasis of peace and elegance. His room was encased within a large wooden box that Cruikshank had built for him up on the suspended walkway that ran along the top of the warehouse walls — a similar setup to Cruikshank’s own quarters. He’d furnished his room with characteristic elegance and style, choosing a lovely jade and gold velvet to upholster the walls and lacquered wood for the furniture.
As Longinus stepped outside, the noise, the heat, the acrid smell of sweat and hot metal hit him like a brick to the face. He pulled out his handkerchief (matching his cravat — of course) and waved it in front of his face.
“Could you make your workshop smell any worse, Cruikshank?” he called as he made his way down the ladder.
“Is that a challenge?” replied the machinist.
Cruikshank cut an impressive figure, even with her short height. She was all muscle and sinew, the brown skin of her bare arms rippling as she moved, bringing to life the complex tattoo of cogs that covered her right arm. Her goggles were pushed up into her curly hair, the dark roots showing where she hadn’t yet dyed them the russet colour she favoured.
“Where are they — where are my snub-nose pliers?”
Cruikshank asked as she looked around the mess she called her workbench. (No matter what she claimed, Longinus failed to see where the ‘organised’ was in all that chaos.) “Lovey, I swear, if you’ve taken them…” Cruikshank threw Rory a warning look which the girl answered with an innocent look of her own, wide eyes peering out from beneath her mass of rope-like hair.
“Me? I’m hurt Cruikshank, really. I’m nothing but an innocent urchin, a reformed innocent urchin, too. My pickpocket days are over, I’m lost to thieving, I’m —”
“Yes, yes,” interrupted Cruikshank rooting through tools and machine parts. “Help me find them, then.”
Longinus knew full well that Rory had taken the pliers — she had been stealing and returning things every day for the last few weeks as a way to keep herself entertained.
The lack of work had left her as bored and restless as Longinus. Tonight though, the stealing was part of the plan to rile Cruikshank. When Cruikshank was cranky, she smoked. And when she smoked, she liked to have a coffee — or at least what she called coffee. Longinus wouldn’t befoul the word by associating it with the grim, mud-like concoction that Cruikshank drank.
Longinus moved over to the furnace, which was burning low. A metal kettle stood nearby, as did some mugs. He exchanged glances with Rory and touched his right ear. He was ready.
“Oh look, Cruikshank, is that them?” Rory pulled out a pair of pliers from beneath a piece of copper sheeting.
“What a coincidence that you should find them, lovey,” Cruikshank replied with no small amount of sarcasm. She snatched the pliers from Rory. Longinus took advantage of her attention being focused elsewhere to empty the sleeping draught into one of the mugs.
“Gods alive, you’re going to send me to an early grave,” Cruikshank said to Rory.
“Me? I’m here to help. We urchins are nothing but helpful types.”
Cruikshank grunted in reply and pulled out a cigar. She lit it and exhaled the smoke with a sigh of satisfaction.
“I’m going to make some coffee,” announced Longinus.
“Or at least I’m going to attempt to make something resembling coffee. Would anyone like a cup?”
“Me, please,” said Rory.
“Cruikshank?” asked Longinus.
“Sure. Thanks, lovey.” Cruikshank clamped her cigar between her teeth and examined the machine part she had been working on with a frown.
“I really can’t fathom why you won’t let me set up something more adequate,” Longinus said as he filled the kettle with water and set it to boil on the furnace. “Can this even be called coffee?”
“I’m not listening,” replied Cruikshank without looking at him.
“I mean, really. Tramps probably get better coffee than this. The furnace is just too hot. It burns the coffee beans, to say nothing of the quality—”
A loud clanging interrupted him. Cruikshank had switched on one of her infernal machines, filling the workshop with noise. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Longinus stopped talking, and she turned it off.
“I’m only trying to improve —”
The loud clanging interrupted him once more.
“Have I made my point?” asked Cruikshank, finger hovering over the switch that turned the machine on.
“Yes, but —”
The clanging drowned out the rest of his sentence.
“Fine,” he sniffed once silence had resumed. “I see that censorship is the way of things here.”
“It is when you’re trying to change the way I do things,” replied Cruikshank with a fierce smile.
Soon enough the coffee was ready. Longinus gave Rory her mug, and the one with the sleeping draught to Cruikshank. He had dosed the draught to take effect in half an hour. Any faster and he feared that Cruikshank would get suspicious.
The potion was strong enough that once she was asleep she wouldn’t stir. She certainly wouldn’t hear Rory and Longinus borrowing her steam-powered spider.
Longinus risked a glance towards it.
It hulked in the corner beneath a tarp, the end of its copper legs just visible. Rory caught his eye and gave him a small smile. Longinus knew she was as excited as he was. Soon they’d be riding across the Damsian rooftops.
It took twenty minutes before Cruikshank yawned. Immediately after, Rory yawned, as did Longinus.
“Gods, I’m knackered,” said Rory. “I might go lie down.”
She went to the cot that had been set up for her in a corner and pulled off the blanket, spreading it on the ground. It had taken Cruikshank and Longinus six weeks to coerce her into sleeping indoors, but the bed remained a sticking point. Rory refused it, saying it was too soft for her liking. Her opinion remained the same after Longinus had found her the hardest and lumpiest mattress in Damsport. At least it showed the girl had standards, although in typical Rory fashion they were the wrong way around.
Cruikshank yawned again. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight, I’m really tired,” she said with a frown. “It’s not even close to midnight.”
I should hope not, I plan to be at my tailor’s by midnight.
“Well, I for one am going to retire,” said Longinus. “Good night, one and all.”
Rory stretched out on the ground, yawning loudly. Longinus tutted to himself when she didn’t cover her mouth. Rory’s actions set off another bout of yawning in Cruikshank — she didn’t cover her mouth either. Typical. Where did anyone get the impression that women formed the ‘fairer’ sex?
Cruikshank’s eyelids drooped.
“Why don’t you call it a day, Cruikshank,” said Rory. “You look like you’re about to fall asleep at your workbench.”
“I think I might, actually.”
She put out her cigar and followed Longinus up the ladder. Longinus went to his quarters and turned on the alchemical chandelier. He and Rory had agreed to wait thirty minutes after Cruikshank had gone to sleep to make sure she would really be dead to the world. It also gave him time to change.
Longinus walked to his wardrobe and riffled through his clothes. He should be dressing in black since he was going out at night, but of late there had been a penury of black silk in Damsport, so he had been forced to make do with browns and greys. Insufferable. His wardrobe had been burned with the rest of his belongings when Myran had torched his house, and he had had to re-furnish himself with a decent wardrobe.
Now all that he lacked were black silks, and tonight he would finally remedy this unfortunate shortcoming. His tailor should have received a shipment this morning, with part of it specially set aside for Longinus.
“Myran,” he whispered to himself as he selected a maroon dark enough to pass for black in the night. “Myran, Myran, Myran.”
He whispered his sister’s name to himself every day, to ensure the stutter didn’t return.
Once the thirty minutes had passed, he crept out. Somehow the stink of the workshop was more intense in the dark. Longinus grimaced. His attempts at introducing perfumes and incense to try and improve the smell of the place had been met with nothing but brutal rebuffs. As with all his helpful suggestions.
Before going down, Longinus went to Cruikshank’s quarters and listened at her door. He smiled when he heard a faint snoring. He climbed down the ladder and reached the ground to find Rory still stretched out on the floor and fast asleep. How can she sleep so well on the floor? Longinus shook her shoulder and she started, frowning.
“Oh,” she whispered, quickly getting to her feet. “Clearly I was tired! Everything ready?”
“Cruikshank snores, as it turns out.”
“Huh. Don’t surprise me, mind you.”
“Me neither.”
They made for the spider.
“I feel a bit guilty now,” Rory whispered. “Not to mention, if we get caught, we’ll be up to our eyeballs in shit.”
“No need to get scatological,” Longinus whispered back. “Anyway, I’ve dosed the sleeping draught perfectly. She won’t stir until morning. It will do her good, too. She said she’s not been sleeping well of late.”
“Don’t try and pretend that we’re doing this for the good of Cruikshank’s health.”
“I’m not, but if our borrowing her spider means she gets a good night sleep out of it, then so much the better.”
“Hmm, maybe.”
When Longinus threw the tarp off the spider, all of Rory’s reservations seemed to melt away, and she grinned.
“Ain’t she a beauty?” She stroked one of the legs. The spider was huge, tall as a man and large enough to seat two people. Its copper hull gleamed softly in the moonlight.
“Well, hop to it,” said Longinus. “I like to arrive at my tailor’s precisely at midnight.”
“Course you do.”
Real customer stories
4.84 ★ (864)
Verified
Customers praised this steampunk fantasy sequel for its engaging plot, witty banter, and strong character development. Readers said "This series just keeps getting better" and loved the relationship between Rory and Longinus. The vivid world-building of Damsport impressed many, with one noting "I want to run along the rooftops." All reviews rated 5 stars, calling it a "gripping caper."
- 5 stars: 19 (100%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
S
SarahReads81 Rory and Longinus are relegated to working under Cruikshank's thumb in the workshop. Having nothing to do as of late, they are bored out of their minds. When they sneak out and Longinus finds out there is o black silk in Damsport (gasp) he decides he must solve this case. The next day, the Marchioness assigns Rory to investigate a body, who turns out to be her friend from the Rookery. After some investigating, it starts to look like their cases may be related and there is more going on than they could have imagined. Now Rory and Longinus must keep a visiting dignitary safe while trying to stay one step ahead of the most likely suspect, Myran.
Longinus was definitely more of a MC in this book for me. Rory was definitely still up front and center, but it was Longinus who really connected with the reader in this book. He starts to have old feelings of abandonment from his childhood resurface and he has a difficult time splitting up from Rory in this book. He shows more than just his haughty attitude, and it really made him more relatable. Rory does the bulk of the more difficult investigating, and we get see some of her insecurities as well. She realizes a certain character may be interested in her, but she doesn't know how to handle it. I'm hoping that her reaction at the end of the book isn't the way she leaves things.
This was another fun book to try to solve along with Rory and Longinus. There are so many clues but you never know who to trust with everything going on. While some of it was slightly more obvious there are definitely subtle clues hidden in that when you find out the entire conspiracy you kind of slap your forehead. There was more of the mystery that I loved from the first book as well. We are taken to different areas of the city than the previous book and really get a feel for the "seedy underworld" in that section as well. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to venture outside of Damsport for the next book.
J
Jane F. This series just keeps getting better and better! The Black Orchid is a wonderful second book in The Viper and the Urchin series.
When one of Rory's old friends turns up dead mysteriously, she vows to figure out who killed him. There are so many suspects and loads of suspicious activity to keep Rory and Longinus on their toes, not to mention Longinus' having to settle for off the rack clothes or Gods forbid, grey silk, since not being able to find his treasured black silk anywhere. What is a respectable assassin to do?
This book had me alternating between nail biting and laughter and I couldn't put it down for a minute!
P
Phil Who could take the Viper seriously if he was willing to resort to wearing dark grey? Impossible. How this crisis of dress results in the facing of terrible villains and nefarious friends is both complex and delightful. We also have the great pleasure of getting to know better mechanics, smugglers, and very handsome guards. Be careful what you drink around Longinus and Rory. It could be to your detriment.
M
MonkeyBoy I loved The Bloodless Assassin, so was excited to know there was a second in the series, and The Black Orchid didn't disappoint. Another gripping caper full of amusing banter and exciting exploits. It was great to have some more characters fleshed out and new ones introduced. Cruikshank and Adelma make a colourful addition to the team! More swashbuckling, steampunking fantasy adventure from this ecclectic band of misfits please! And more Two Planks too :(
M
MonkeyBoy Another great read from Celine JeanJean
I loved the-bloodless-assassin, so was excited to know there was a second in the series, and the-black-orchid didn't disappoint. Another gripping caper full of amusing banter and exciting exploits. It was great to have some more characters fleshed out and new ones introduced. Cruikshank and Adelma make a colourful addition to the team! More swashbuckling, steampunking fantasy adventure from this ecclectic band of misfits please! And more Two Planks too :(
M
MonkeyBoy I loved the-bloodless-assassin, so was excited to know there was a second in the series, and the-black-orchid didn't disappoint. Another gripping caper full of amusing banter and exciting exploits. It was great to have some more characters fleshed out and new ones introduced. Cruikshank and Adelma make a colourful addition to the team! More swashbuckling, steampunking fantasy adventure from this ecclectic band of misfits please! And more Two Planks too :(
E
Emily W. After having such a bad experience with the last book I read, I was so glad that I had a copy of the Black Orchid on my Kindle that I could move straight onto. I knew that being back with Rory and Longinus would bring a smile to my face, and I was not disappointed.
This book picks up a couple of months after the first book. Rory and Longinus are now in the Marchioness’ employ, though so far, she hasn’t had them do anything. When she asks them to investigate the death of man in the Rookery, found exsanguinated, their digging leads them a new brothel, The Black Orchid, and a smuggling ring whose existence makes no sense. When they are framed for the death of an important diplomat’s bodyguard, the race is on to find out exactly who is behind the mysterious disappearances and deaths, before they both end up in prison.
Once again, I can’t decide whether it’s the characters or the world-building that are the highlight. Both are so well-drawn. . Longinus needs all the hugs; while is coping with his most recent confrontation with his sister, Myran, his issues aren’t entirely gone, and there are times in this book when Rory unintentionally exacerbates them (hence him needing the hugs). I really loved the little detail of him saying Myran’s name a few times every day, to ensure his stutter is kept in check. Rory is torn between wanting to make something of herself and leaving behind her urchin identity, which is the only identity she’s ever known. This is partially due to Rafe, who also makes some more appearances in this one, and is now firmly established as Rory’s love interest. We learned a few things about him in this book, too, and I look forward to that being explored further.
And I have to say, I love Damsport. We got to see a few more of the districts within this thriving city, and learned more about how it operates. Jeanjean’s descriptions are wonderful; I want to run along the rooftops with Rory or drink butterscotch coffee in Susie’s Coffeehouse with Longinus. Even though I’m a complete klutz who would slip on the first uneven tile and I generally don’t drink coffee at all, I still want to. The whole place is just cozy and comforting to read about, even with the rough around the edges aspects. In the next book, our favourite characters are going to be traveling out of Damsport, and I can’t wait to see what locations they visit and how those are brought to life.
Overall, I honestly can’t recommend this series enough! Get to it!
E
Emily W. (Thank you to Celine Jeanjean for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a re...
After having such a bad experience with the last book I read, I was so glad that I had a copy of the-black-orchid on my Kindle that I could move straight onto. I knew that being back with Rory and Longinus would bring a smile to my face, and I was not disappointed.
This book picks up a couple of months after the first book. Rory and Longinus are now in the Marchioness� employ, though so far, she hasn�t had them do anything. When she asks them to investigate the death of man in the Rookery, found exsanguinated, their digging leads them a new brothel, the-black-orchid, and a smuggling ring whose existence makes no sense. When they are framed for the death of an important diplomat�s bodyguard, the race is on to find out exactly who is behind the mysterious disappearances and deaths, before they both end up in prison.
Once again, I can�t decide whether it�s the characters or the world-building that are the highlight. Both are so well-drawn. . Longinus needs all the hugs; while is coping with his most recent confrontation with his sister, Myran, his issues aren�t entirely gone, and there are times in this book when Rory unintentionally exacerbates them (hence him needing the hugs). I really loved the little detail of him saying Myran�s name a few times every day, to ensure his stutter is kept in check. Rory is torn between wanting to make something of herself and leaving behind her urchin identity, which is the only identity she�s ever known. This is partially due to Rafe, who also makes some more appearances in this one, and is now firmly established as Rory�s love interest. We learned a few things about him in this book, too, and I look forward to that being explored further.
And I have to say, I love Damsport. We got to see a few more of the districts within this thriving city, and learned more about how it operates. Jeanjean�s descriptions are wonderful; I want to run along the rooftops with Rory or drink butterscotch coffee in Susie�s Coffeehouse with Longinus. Even though I�m a complete klutz who would slip on the first uneven tile and I generally don�t drink coffee at all, I still want to. The whole place is just cozy and comforting to read about, even with the rough around the edges aspects. In the next book, our favourite characters are going to be traveling out of Damsport, and I can�t wait to see what locations they visit and how those are brought to life.
Overall, I honestly can�t recommend this series enough! Get to it!
E
Emily W. After having such a bad experience with the last book I read, I was so glad that I had a copy of the-black-orchid on my Kindle that I could move straight onto. I knew that being back with Rory and Longinus would bring a smile to my face, and I was not disappointed.
This book picks up a couple of months after the first book. Rory and Longinus are now in the Marchioness� employ, though so far, she hasn�t had them do anything. When she asks them to investigate the death of man in the Rookery, found exsanguinated, their digging leads them a new brothel, the-black-orchid, and a smuggling ring whose existence makes no sense. When they are framed for the death of an important diplomat�s bodyguard, the race is on to find out exactly who is behind the mysterious disappearances and deaths, before they both end up in prison.
Once again, I can�t decide whether it�s the characters or the world-building that are the highlight. Both are so well-drawn. . Longinus needs all the hugs; while is coping with his most recent confrontation with his sister, Myran, his issues aren�t entirely gone, and there are times in this book when Rory unintentionally exacerbates them (hence him needing the hugs). I really loved the little detail of him saying Myran�s name a few times every day, to ensure his stutter is kept in check. Rory is torn between wanting to make something of herself and leaving behind her urchin identity, which is the only identity she�s ever known. This is partially due to Rafe, who also makes some more appearances in this one, and is now firmly established as Rory�s love interest. We learned a few things about him in this book, too, and I look forward to that being explored further.
And I have to say, I love Damsport. We got to see a few more of the districts within this thriving city, and learned more about how it operates. Jeanjean�s descriptions are wonderful; I want to run along the rooftops with Rory or drink butterscotch coffee in Susie�s Coffeehouse with Longinus. Even though I�m a complete klutz who would slip on the first uneven tile and I generally don�t drink coffee at all, I still want to. The whole place is just cozy and comforting to read about, even with the rough around the edges aspects. In the next book, our favourite characters are going to be traveling out of Damsport, and I can�t wait to see what locations they visit and how those are brought to life.
Overall, I honestly can�t recommend this series enough! Get to it!
M
Mickey Murder, intrigue, action, humour, friendships - Loved it all
I loved the first 2 books, and the only disappointing thing about the-black-orchid is it's the last in the series for now, which means I need to wait for the next book - sigh... I love how Rory's and Longinus' friendship grows, and how they're making each other better. Very strong female characters (both heroines and villians). Longinus has a lot of hang-ups, but it's so great to see him improving and growing as a character. Hope that continues. Now... the wait for the next book in the series... sigh...
M
Mickey I loved the first 2 books, and the only disappointing thing about the-black-orchid is it's the last in the series for now, which means I need to wait for the next book - sigh... I love how Rory's and Longinus' friendship grows, and how they're making each other better. Very strong female characters (both heroines and villians). Longinus has a lot of hang-ups, but it's so great to see him improving and growing as a character. Hope that continues. Now... the wait for the next book in the series... sigh...
M
Mike M. Well plotted, great descriptions that let you see the background and action. The twists and turns keep you reading.
J
JetGirl This is a sequel that I had been eagerly anticipating and I was definitely not disappointed! This is a suspenseful romp through the city of Damsport, which the author introduced in her first novel, "The Bloodless Assassin" (formerly "The Viper and the Urchin.") What to do if you are a bored assassin or rough-around-the-edges swordswoman-in-training? After their last adventure, Longinus and Rory find themselves "honestly employed" with nothing to occupy themselves...which could be dangerous in itself, but then they finally receive a call from the Marchioness. She needs their help to solve a series of mysterious murders and uncover a conspiracy involving her former consort, some smugglers, and a malevolent alchemist! No further ingredients are necessary for a good adventure!
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters better. I would say that the characters are my favorite part of the story and I'm glad to see a lot of my favorites back from the first book, as well as some new ones that I'm hoping to see more of in future installments!
Although both the main characters are uniquely self-confident, we get to see some of their inner struggles in this book. Rory is growing up, but has her own particularly "Rory-like" way of navigating the "typical" teen struggles. I was happy to get to know more about her childhood and the inhabitants of the Rookery. I really love that Ms. JeanJean has created some wonderfully atypical strong female characters, like Adelma.
Longinus, too, has his "growing pains" in this book, and I thought it was fascinating to be privy to his thoughts as he reveals some of his insecurities to the reader while showing quite a different facade to the world. The ending was a bit shocking, but satisfying, and left me wanting to go on another adventure with Rory, Longinus, and all the fascinating people they seem to meet in their adventures.
r
rann I fell in love with Rory and Longinus and the city of Damsport when I read The Bloodless Assassin last fall. So, when I learned the book I read was only the first book of a steampunk series, book 2 (which did not yet have a name) became one of the most anticipated new books of 2016 for me. From the first word on page one to the last word on the final page, The Black Orchid met all of my expectations!
The continuing adventures of the assassin that cannot stand the sight of blood and the grammatically incorrect urchin who insists she is nobody’s assistant are highly entertaining. Like the first book, this sequel has engaging characters and an intriguing plot. It all happens in a city that is vividly detailed, Crayola-box-64-colorful and full of possibilities!
In The Black Orchid, urchin Rory becomes a little less urchin-like. Much to her insistence to the contrary. The question of her age was answered – sort of . She may pretend to be 16, but she is not that young. She suspects she is 18, but may be even older. Rory is no longer a child and in her position working for the Marchioness of Damsport, away from her childhood home in the Rookery, Rory is maturing faster than she would like. Rory’s struggle to hold on to her heritage and maintain her urchin life-style is poignant, commendable and entertaining. I love the scenes where, in the course of her grownup job working for the Marchioness, urchin Rory is tearing through Damsport either on the back of a powerful mechanical spider or on her feet. Running and jumping across rooftops and scampering up and down gutters, Rory needs no steam coaches or steam rickshaws to get herself from place to place.
Longinus is the assassin who cannot abide the sight or smell of blood. It would seem a serious handicap for an assassin, but he has other talents that aid him in his profession. In The Black Orchid, his ability with a sword, skill as an alchemist and his heightened sense of fashion are critical to Longinus’ work for The Old Girl (the Marchioness). Longinus’ quirks have endeared him to me despite the fact that he is vain, arrogant and often totally clueless when it comes to understanding Rory.
One of the things I admire about Longinus is his direct mode of conversation. In the Rookery, it turns out to be surprisingly effective. I love this example:
“Why’s he staring at me like that?” asked Adelma.
“Longinus,” hissed Rory, elbowing him.
“Forgive me,” replied Longinus with an apologetic incline of the head. “I was just absolutely mesmerised by the brutishness of your features.” At his side, Rory squeaked.
“Well, course you was,” said Adelma. “And normally I’d buy you a pint for that, but today I’m in no mood for compliments.”
Rory is scampering across rooftops and Longinus is hanging out in the Rookery because there is a mystery to solve. A mystery that started with the mysterious death of Rory’s friend and may have far reaching consequences. Because the Old Girl’s dear friend and former lover Mizria is visiting Damsport, the Marchioness wants the murder solved soon to keep everyone safe and the political situation status quo. Since the body was found in the Rookery, she calls on Rory to visit the old neighborhood and dig into the mystery. It is going to get a lot more complicated than the death of one Rookery citizen and Rory and Longinus will be in the thick of it. There are plots and there are plots within plots. The mystery is complex and dark with more than enough intrigue. The intrigue was doled out in small bites throughout the book, so don’t think you are going to figure this one out very fast. Just the way I like it!
Ms. Jeanjean’s imagination set to words has made her a favorite author for me. I love her descriptions of, well, everything. From Longinus apparel to the automated library book retrieval system, I am able to form very vivid pictures in my own mind about what the city of Damsport and her people look, feel, hear and smell like. In one passage in particular, I was mesmerized by the description of the Damsport docks, the people and all the activity occurring there.
The Black Orchid is steampunk with only the slightest bit of romance. Book one had only a hint. In book 2, the hint grew two a realization. My hope is that as the as the adventures continue, so will the romance.
That bit of romance is happening between Rory and Rafe. Rafe is one of the Varanguard – the Old Girl’s personal bodyguards – and he is often assigned to duties that involve Rory. He pretends that he is only doing his job. She pretends to detest him. It doesn’t help that Rafe is of the nobility. When Rory insists she is nobody, Rafe response is sweet and very romantic. “You’re somebody to me”. Witty banter between Rory and Rafe is as entertaining as it is enlightening. They have the same number of letters in their names – does that mean they are meant for each other? The Urchin and the Lord. Hmm, maybe that could be a future title. I can tell you that it looks like boo...
J
Jessie Reviewing a sequel is always a little bit challenging. I’ve begun to think of it as advice on if it’s worth it to start reading the first book of the series.
In this case the answer is yes.
You’ve got to start with The Bloodless Assassin (previously title The Viper and the Urchin) where you will meet the assassin that reminds me of Eyore and the street urchin who teams up with him.
And then, for sure, you’ve got to continue on to The Black Orchid.
Hands down my favorite part of these books is the characters. In the first book it was the witty dialogue between the two. In this sequel the focus shifted away from the dialogue (don’t worry it was all still fun and fantastic) and onto some major character development. I won’t spoil anything with details but let’s just say things have changed quite a bit and watching the two main characters adjust to their new position in life is to watch some great writing at work!
Would I recommend it?
Yup. Yup. Yup! Just don’t forget you need to start with The Bloodless Assassin to make the story even more enjoyable! And then please keep reading because I think this one might be even better than the first!
L
Lizanne L. The second adventure of the Viper and the Urchin finds these two disparate characters relocated to the warehouse of Cruikshank, engineer to the Marchioness, no longer an assassin and a pickpocket, but officially employed by the Old Girl, as the Marchioness is affectionately called. But their services have not been required and they are feeling aimless and redundant when at last they are summoned to investigate a mysterious death by exsanguination in the insalubrious Bayog district of the city of Damsport.
Rory’s knowledge of the criminal underworld of the Rookery make her indispensable but Longinus occupies his time investigating the unexplained shortage of the black silk he needs urgently for his new elegant suit. A link between these two events is discovered in The Black Orchid, a newly popular brothel. Rory and Longinus find themselves in great danger again, not just from their enemy but also from threats to their relationship. As they become estranged, the future looks grim.
Like the first book, The Black Orchid engages readers by the strong, vibrant women who never give up against all odds. An old relationship between the Marchioness and stunningly beautiful Mizria may be reawakened, Rory seems to becoming closer to Varanguard, Rafe and Longinus continues to send anonymous poems to Lady Martha, daughter of the Old Girl.
Celine Jeanjean has written another thrilling adventure which is hard to put down. The grubby streets of the city come alive in the fast moving plot and each character has substance and complication. Alchemy and steam driven vehicles play their part but heroism shines. In conclusion the scene is set for further adventure involving characters who have come to mean a great deal to their readers.
L
Lizanne L. Action and adventure with a heroine who is a tough cookie.
The second adventure of the Viper and the Urchin finds these two disparate characters relocated to the warehouse of Cruikshank, engineer to the Marchioness, no longer an assassin and a pickpocket, but officially employed by the Old Girl, as the Marchioness is affectionately called. But their services have not been required and they are feeling aimless and redundant when at last they are summoned to investigate a mysterious death by exsanguination in the insalubrious Bayog district of the city of Damsport.
Rory�s knowledge of the criminal underworld of the Rookery make her indispensable but Longinus occupies his time investigating the unexplained shortage of the black silk he needs urgently for his new elegant suit. A link between these two events is discovered in the-black-orchid, a newly popular brothel. Rory and Longinus find themselves in great danger again, not just from their enemy but also from threats to their relationship. As they become estranged, the future looks grim.
Like the first book, the-black-orchid engages readers by the strong, vibrant women who never give up against all odds. An old relationship between the Marchioness and stunningly beautiful Mizria may be reawakened, Rory seems to becoming closer to Varanguard, Rafe and Longinus continues to send anonymous poems to Lady Martha, daughter of the Old Girl.
Celine Jeanjean has written another thrilling adventure which is hard to put down. The grubby streets of the city come alive in the fast moving plot and each character has substance and complication. Alchemy and steam driven vehicles play their part but heroism shines. In conclusion the scene is set for further adventure involving characters who have come to mean a great deal to their readers.
L
Lizanne L. The second adventure of the Viper and the Urchin finds these two disparate characters relocated to the warehouse of Cruikshank, engineer to the Marchioness, no longer an assassin and a pickpocket, but officially employed by the Old Girl, as the Marchioness is affectionately called. But their services have not been required and they are feeling aimless and redundant when at last they are summoned to investigate a mysterious death by exsanguination in the insalubrious Bayog district of the city of Damsport.
Rory�s knowledge of the criminal underworld of the Rookery make her indispensable but Longinus occupies his time investigating the unexplained shortage of the black silk he needs urgently for his new elegant suit. A link between these two events is discovered in the-black-orchid, a newly popular brothel. Rory and Longinus find themselves in great danger again, not just from their enemy but also from threats to their relationship. As they become estranged, the future looks grim.
Like the first book, the-black-orchid engages readers by the strong, vibrant women who never give up against all odds. An old relationship between the Marchioness and stunningly beautiful Mizria may be reawakened, Rory seems to becoming closer to Varanguard, Rafe and Longinus continues to send anonymous poems to Lady Martha, daughter of the Old Girl.
Celine Jeanjean has written another thrilling adventure which is hard to put down. The grubby streets of the city come alive in the fast moving plot and each character has substance and complication. Alchemy and steam driven vehicles play their part but heroism shines. In conclusion the scene is set for further adventure involving characters who have come to mean a great deal to their readers.
R
RB Satisfying Steampunk sequel (alliteration unintended!) to The Viper and the Urchin." I enjoy Jeanjean's flowing easy writing style, refreshing. And I continue to be amused by an assassin who grows faint at the sight of blood!
This tale has some great twists, and has some of the unexpected thrown in. The Viper himself does some solid maturing, as of course does the much younger Urchin. At times they seem in over their heads, will they win through to the truth? And who is true anyway? Martha? The Marchioness? Worth reading to find out.
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Hi! I'm Celine
I write different flavours of fantasy with a twist, but always with one uniting thread: quirky, flawed characters and heart-warming found families.
My books span the sub-genres of steampunk (but set in a secondary, tropical world) urban fantasy (set in Asia and London) and gothic gaslamp fantasy.
I'm French, grew up in the UK, and for the last few years I've been living a life of nomadic adventure, exploring the world with my laptop as my constant companion. My adventures have been a great source of inspiration for my stories.
These days I'm trying to figure out where in the world I might stop and setup some bookshelves.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to contact me at with our contact form.
