Modo is back for another adventure. After almost losing his life against the Clockwork Guild, he takes some time off. Of course, evil never rests, so in no time he's back to helping The Permanent Association and Mr. Socrates. His latest assignment is tricky ... he must pose as husband and wife with Octavia on a sea voyage. If there is one thing he never wants to show to Tavia, it is his true face. Modo's special ability to shape-shift comes in very handy for his spy work. Unfortunately, he can only hold a different face for a limited amount of time. His true face is so disfigured that he knows Tavia would be horrified. He must wear a mask and lie low while they gather information.
On their arrival in New York, they discover that their contact has been murdered! Without much to go on, they decide to continue with the plan to hunt down French-Japanese agent Colette. While they are not exactly sure what she has been investigating, they know it must be important. The coordinates they retreive are in the middle of the ocean. They hire a boat to take them into the icy waters, but everything goes wrong.
The ship is rammed from below, and Modo is thrown from the boat. Barely managing to escape with the vessel in tact, the crew and Octavia flee for safety. All she can think about is how to get back to save him, but no one will help her. The locals think the area is haunted, and only a fool with a death wish would risk going back out there. Can she find someone willing?
Modo plunged into the freezing depths, only to be confronted with a bizarre submarine-like vessel. After forcing his way in, he is greeted by Captain Monturiol. This strange fish-shaped ship is apparently also the first underwater civilization, and she is at the helm. Shortly after arriving, Modo meets Colette who is also aboard. It seems her presence isn't exactly voluntary...
As if things weren't backwards enough, the Clockwork Guild is on their tail. A secret agent has been following their every move. Will Modo ever make it out alive?
Great steampunk adventure novel with excellent strong female characters. It explores some ideas about male beauty that I find interesting. Good for reluctant readers, recommended for 5-12 grades.
"Modo gestured around him. 'I've never seen such a vessel. What is it?'
'It's a submarine ship,' the captain said matter-of-factly. 'Welcome to the Ictineo. You were not invited, but please consider yourself our guest anyway.'
'By guest she means prisoner,' Colette added.
'Prisoner?'
'I do tire of your sharp tongue, Miss Brunet,' said the captain. 'My apologies...I am afraid in her short time here she has grown impatient. Should she offend you at some time during your visit, I apologize in advance on her behalf,'" (Slade pg.101, 2010).
If you liked this, check out:
The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade (Hunchback Assignments, Book 1)
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (Leviathan, Book 1)
Mister Monday by Garth Nix (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1)
Slade, Arthur. G. (2010). The Hunchback Assignments #2: The Dark Deeps. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.
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