A Vanishing Glow, by Alexis
Radcliff
The
Mystech Arcanum #1 Shattered Dreams, and #2 Dark Omens
Published: September 15, 2015, CreateSpace
Pages: 397 PDF
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure,
Steampunk
Source: Author
When the High
Sovereign of the five kingdoms of Ghavarim is murdered by a mysterious
assassin, the realm is plunged into chaos. Jason Tern, a noble captain
with a tragic past, must battle shadowy assailants and untangle an
ever-widening web of lies to discover the true identity of the killer before
mounting tensions spark a bloody civil war. Meanwhile, Nilya Valsu, a talented
army engineer with a broken heart, finds herself used as an unwitting pawn in a
plot that has deadly consequences. Wracked by guilt, her sole chance for
redemption lies with a man who would loathe her – but only if he knew her
secret.
As the conflict intensifies between the magic-fueled technology of the West and the disaffected rebels of the East, all must fight for what they hold dear. Who will reign victorious and who will lie bloodied on the ground in the light of a vanishing glow?
As the conflict intensifies between the magic-fueled technology of the West and the disaffected rebels of the East, all must fight for what they hold dear. Who will reign victorious and who will lie bloodied on the ground in the light of a vanishing glow?
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Alexis
Radcliff’s first novel is a well written, intelligent, and complex foray into a
fantasy world focused around the ancient city of Adaron. While her novel really
defies genre definition, it has elements of adventure, magic, and
tech/steampunk on the background of a ruling noble hierarchy somewhat akin to
old European. One thing this book is not however is a romance novel.
We
begin with Captain Jason Tern’s return from duty out on the savannah to Adaron
to serve with friend, Nole Ryon, the future High Sovereign. Jason is likeable
though has clear self-doubts stemming from his past. At his first social gathering, he and the
reader are plunged into Adaron politics, governmental and military, that underscore
much of the story.
The
author introduces original themes such as the mystech crystal (a blend of magic
and machinery), and constructs (humans that have suffered bodily injuries that
have been repaired with mechanical prostheses powered by mystech). The idea of East
versus West marking increasing industrialization and the attendant problems
this brings is also an important theme.
There
are two expertly interwoven plotlines of Captain Tern’s investigations of the
High Sovereign’s assassination, and that of Nilya, a young tech engineer who
wants to improve her life. Her course is a peculiar one, in part influenced by
the machinations going on in Adaron. Nilya comes to an emotional, and very interesting end.
Several
unexpected and fantastic plot twists really kept me going. I wouldn’t normally
read a book like this (political/military/adventure) but found myself enjoying
the author’s smooth writing style and unexpected plot twists. Exciting ending
as a lead into the next instalment.
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