A Review by

~She couldn’t help but sob. There were bleeding cuts all over her hands, and the dodo’s beak had scratched her cheeks. Her dress was all dirty and covered in dust. Her pretty hat was all bent and riddled with peck marks. As tears started to flow, she pulled Anwin from her pouch.~

 

I’ve gotta be honest, when I was first introduced to Igraine Mortuba in Book 1 (A Wrench in The Machine) I was not completely  sold on her character. She  came off as an ungrateful little brat, especially toward Ol’ Barrow, who saved her life on more than one occasion. But in Book 2 her charm and spontaneity are quickly winning me over. This is one of the two main reasons why I think Bound for The Styx is yet another solid publication by author/youtuber Bonsart Bokel.

PLOT:

Even if you haven’t read Book 1, Book 2 can be followed without any previous knowledge of events. Basically it’s an account of Igraine’s journey to Arkology as told by Igraine herself to former inspector and now RFA member Mr. Ol’ Barrow.

Due to needing new implants to survive the ongoing ‘decay’ the body goes through when traveling over multiverses, the Association of Ishtar sends Igraine to Arkology, on Elysium, where she can get this unique procedure done. Little does she know that in exchange, she will have to undertake a mission on behalf of the Founder, who rules Arkology. Joined by a group of resourceful scavs (Cheff, Cutter, Breach, Cabby, and Neir), Igraine has no choice but to delay her return home and get involved in the local affairs of Arkology.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND/IGRAINE IN ARKOLOGY:

What I really like about this story is that I see a parallel with classic childrens’ tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, albeit in a steampunk setting. Our Igraine is a seemingly timid yet resourceful young girl thrown into a world where nothing seems to function as in her own world, and where the ‘unconventional’ becomes the norm. 

And just like the classic Lewis Carroll children’s tale, Bound for the Styx could have had all the potential to become a new and original classic for all ages (more on that later). Igraine’s French accent, with her “Oui” and “Non” exclamations and gentle demeanor really serve as the finishing touches on a character that both children and adults could easily feel drawn to.

PACE:

The pace feels at times a little slow but if you consider what Bokel is trying to create here, it is quite understandable. This is not just about telling one story but rather about adding another piece to the world of multiverses of the Association of Ishtar. 

 

ARKOLOGY:

After reading about Elysium in Bokel’s graphic novel-Journey to Elysium-we finally find out what this body revolving around the moon is all about. Elysium is basically this massive satellite structure with life and civilization within it. Its capital is Arkology, and this is where Igraine finds herself right now. The place is like the Wild West, where only the strong survive, and where different social classes fight in the struggle for dominance.

CLOSING REMARKS:

The only negative remark has to do with some of the sexual content. I was really hoping that the author would have kept this rated PG all the way, but by adding those sexually-charged scenes, this automatically turns into a 14-and-over rated book. I understand that it’s the author’s personal choice, but like I said before many times, what we need today is more content that is appropriate for all ages while getting both children and adults fired up for more. 

Think about Lord of the Rings; 3 books, not one single sex scene or even profanity, and yet people of all ages love it today as much as ever. You can still have love stories develop, that is not what I’m inferring at all. Yet no current author has been able to pull that off, and that’s exactly the type of content we so dearly need, or at least that I personally hope to see.

Other than that, the story is fun, the world building is as always compelling, and the characters all memorable!

🦀