Customer Reviews

The Dark Deeps: The Hunchback Assignments 2

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even better than the first HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS! and that is saying a lot. i say buy this: you cannot possibly be disappointed.

This is a darkly delicious follow up to the lauded Hunchback Assignments!

Modo and Octavia, under the orders of the complicatedly sinister Mr. Socrates have re-emerged from their last disastrous adventure to trace the whereabouts of a missing fellow spy.

To New York they go, disguised as husband and wife and then to sea where a twist of fate sends the inimitable Modo to the very depths of the abyss.

A french spy, Colette, a man with the amazing power to make himself invincible named Griff and the villainous Captain of the steam-powered submarine ship Ictineo pepper the fast-paced homage to Victoriana.

I must confess that these stories are especially fun for those who are familiar with their source material. Drawing on Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Dickens, Hugo ( to a lesser extent in this volume than in the first Hunchback Assignments ) and even Arthur Conan Doyle, this addition to the extremely popular Steampunk genre will be a hit with kids.

The isolating cabin wherein Modo finds himself trapped at the bottom of the Ocean as well as the gruesome circumstances surrounding Modo and Octavia's missing colleague and the re-appearance of the Clockwork Guild add the thrills and chills needed for the Hallowe'en Season.



Kids and adults with a penchant for rollicking yarns ( in tradition of yore) will be beguiled by Slade's inventive world.


Those looking for a little Steampunk in their fantasy will find more than enough to whet their appetite in this smartly engaging addition to a great series!

This time Modo meets a French spy and gets on a submarine commanded by a group that is trying to build a utopia under the sea. Lots of nods to 20,000 Leagues. Of course, the nefarious Clockwork Guild is involved, too. You also get a glimpse into the lives of other operatives and get to see another side of Octavia.

I thought it was a good continuation of Modo's adventures, but it was over a bit too quickly for me. I still had a lot of fun reading it and I recommend it as a great middle school steampunk adventure. Really looking forward to the next one.

Gold Star Award Winner!

In the first book of THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS, Modo becomes a spy for his guardian, Mr. Socrates. During his premier assignment, he meets and becomes infatuated with Octavia Milkweed, a girl close to his age. In this second book, Slade channels Jules Verne as he introduces young readers to the world of steampunk adventures.

Now, despite their youth, Modo will be asked to pose as Octavia's husband. Though it seems like a dream come true, Modo will experience significant discomfort as he has to continually transform his features, so Octavia will not discover his true identity.

As Modo's and Octavia's exciting new adventure takes off, they are sent to America aboard a steamship to find another one of Mr. Socrates' agents. Once they arrive, however, they are given the tragic news of the agent's death, and they are thrust into another ocean-going escapade. This time, they are setting off to find out what they can about the mysterious IctÍneo, but the only clues they have are its longitude and latitude and a loose definition of the word that suggests a connection or resemblance to a large fish.

When the rusty ship they are traveling on is damaged on the voyage, Modo is thrown overboard. Octavia struggles with the idea that Modo is dead or will be soon as their ship leaves the area to get repairs. Surprisingly, Modo is saved and learns more about the IctÍneo than he thought was possible.

Interspersed with exciting exploits, frightening villains, and shadowy locations, this segment of Modo's and Octavia's service is a fun, fast read for all ages.

Reviewed by: Theresa L. Stowell

I am a 50-something person and I have really enjoyed this series. It is an engaging, keep you reading to find out what happens, type of story/series. It it very subtle, but it helps you think about things - the validity of judging people by looks only, the debate between honesty and dishonesty, etc. Some things that people of any age should think about!