Described as an alternate history of Elizabethan steampunk meets magic (that same uncredited review, being rather lazy here) I'd like to say it is, but am not familiar enough with steam punk to offer a yay or nay, it sounds good though, and it feels like it could be accurate. Does do a good job of avoiding crossover or leakage from the other backgrounds he writes which I could imagine would be an occupational hazard.
The lead character could have been inspired by Blackadder , but fused with Lord Flasheart and Baldrick just for good measure. This could be construed as lazy but it's done so well it's easily forgivable.
The supporting cast is an interesting mix of the usual generic sidekicks, with the odd interesting twist.
The story is a really interesting idea, with a couple of side plots running alongside the main storyline. The "universe" lends itself to wider exploitation, either by Abnett, or equally by other authours overseen by Abnett to keep/set the conventions. I like the idea of seeing the alternative view of the rest of the world, possibly a pre-quel following Sir Rupert's expedition.
Despite all this I couldn't settle to read it. Suppose some of that was having two other books on the go at the same time, and trying to look after this one a bit more (for the novelty first book value) meant i wasn't taking places like work or in my bag when down our lasses, so wasn't giving it the same attention, plus it is a bit closer to fantasy than the usual sci-fi or alternative history I normally read, but I did enjoy it.
I will at some point review something I didn't enjoy, I know "coming soon" (probably within three months) a book about sparkly vampires....
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