Emma Bannon, forensic sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not inconsiderable. It doesn’t help much that they barely tolerate each other, or that Bannon’s Shield, Mikal, might just be a traitor himself. Or that the conspiracy killing registered mentaths and sorcerers alike will just as likely kill them as seduce them into treachery toward their Queen.
In an alternate London where illogical magic has turned the Industrial Revolution on its head, Bannon and Clare now face hostility, treason, cannon fire, black sorcery, and the problem of reliably finding hansom cabs.
The game is afoot.
I am a victim of buying books off their covers and every now and then I get a good one. THE IRON WYRM AFFAIR is one of those good picks. Emma Bannon is a kickass woman, one who is not of her time and social confines. Archibald Clare is a man who is very similar to the mystery hero, Sherlock Holmes. The world, the magic, and the technology is very interesting and well thought.
For some fantasies, the writer would delve into the world and show every little piece that is different. Saintcrow throws you into the world and describes with enough information to let your mind wander through the world of Londinium. Her characters are well written and have a great chemistry amongst them. I literally felt like I was in the battles with them trying to solve the mystery.
This book is definitely a change from the normal steampunk or fantasy. There’s an element in there that is intriguing. I’ve already bought the second book.
Casia's Corner 