I just finished two recent Kage Baker Company titles from Subterranean Press that cemented for me just how much fun her books are. Interestingly, one focuses on male protagonists while the other is certainly female. They do intersect however (rather briefly) and are set in the same time and place. You've got Victorian England, a secret society of inventors and spies, a high class bordello that hides a very impressive spy organization and a ton of steampunkish fun. Of the two, The Women of Nell Gwynne's was my favorite but I heartily recommend both.

Not Less Than Gods begins at the very beginning with the conception of Edward Alton Bell-Fairfax. From there we follow our hero through a Dickensian childhood (condensed to just a couple of chapters) and his discovery of his true mission: as a member of the Gentlemen's Speculative Society (familiar to fans of the Company novels). Edward has lots of adventures and Baker revels in sharing this "grand tour to gather intelligence". The narrative is exceedingly action-packed - a true adventure - but the mystery is equally compelling and Edward makes for an excellent hero. The guy's life has been so miserable that you really want him to have a happily ever after. The GSS is really a big Victorian collection of Q-types so if you like your gadgets then you will really enjoy this crew (and again - STEAMPUNK!!!!).

The Women of Nell Gwynne's, as I said, is set in the same world and Edward actually visits the lady as a bit of an initiation in Not Less Than Gods. The novella though is more focused on one woman, Lady Beatrice, who due to exceedingly tragic circumstances turns to prostitution to support herself. Through a family connection she becomes part of the most discreet and upscale bordello in London - which also happens to be an intelligence gathering unit for the GSS. The events of Nell Gwynne's take place largely over a few days (excepting the backstory for Beatrice). There is a mystery, several potential villains, some men eager for a roll in the hay (that's how the ladies get involved in the first place) and a potentially lethal machine. The plot flies by and the ladies are hysterical. Mata Hari had nothing on Nell Gwynne's; they know what they need to do and they accomplish it quite effectively. And Lady Beatrice - she's just awesome. Never panics, always pragmatic (even when dressed only in a sheet and flowers) and witty as hell. She is awesome.

What do I like about these two books? Collectively, they are very smart fun. You get all the elements of good story and also characters who think and plots that speak to the Sherlock Holmes in all of us. For me, Kage Baker is just about as good as it gets.

[Covers and illustrations by JK Potter. Not Less Than Gods is available as a limited edition from Sub Press in December - no idea if it will be available in tpb or hc soon after or not.]