way Farmer manages to meld characters from different series is just genius (for example Captain Nemo is actually the one and same master criminal James Moriarty). It's got a slight air of the Steampunk about it too, enough to be considered part of the genre but it's also got a style all it's own. The story is set within the authors "Wold Newton" series which makes the supposition that the 1795 meteorite strike near the titular village caused genetic mutations to anyone passing by which gave them extraordinary abilities (which were then passed on to their descendants). These alien abilities include an extremely high intelligence, superior strength and longevity along with the desire to do great "good" or great "evil" and they fall into two distinct families, the Eridanean (agents for good) and the Capelleans (villainous rogues) who battle each other in a continuous secret war. I can't see this book being to everyone's taste, it's too close in style and form to the late 19th and early 20th century authors to appeal to all (which in itself is an admirable accomplishment and clearly intended) but anyone who can see the entertaining story and insightful ideas through the slightly dry narrative, or indeed likes the style and form of the classic authors such as Jules Verne, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Edgar Rice Burroughs should love it.