The Iron Wyrm Affairby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Emma Bannon is a powerful Prime (the highest caliber of sorceress) in service to the Queen. Her new mission is to protect a Mentath (a genius with levels of deduction well beyond normal geniuses), Archibald Clare. Together they stumble upon and unravel a mystery that reveals an uprising set to destroy their world. Logic and magic do not work well together, so a sorceress and a Mentath must learn to work with each other, and even appreciate each other's unique skills as dragons and mecha threaten.This is a fantastic novel! I loved all the steampunk and magical elements and how they work -- and didn't work -- together. There is an oddity to the author's writing voice. It's partially grammar, partially tense and word choice, making some sentences read quite odd. The Prelude is especially difficult to get through. However, the story quickly picks up and the issues lessen (though don't disappear). The chapters alternated between Bannon and Clare for the point of view. This adds a lot of depth to certain scenes, while allowing them to go separate ways later in the book. I especially like how it allows us to see two different viewpoints regarding the Wark and Mehibital, which is truly one of (if not the most) frightening scene in the book. There's a smattering of German and other languages thrown in, which fits characters well. Thankfully, most of the words and sentences can be figured out from the surrounding text. There is also some English vocabulary that some readers may need a dictionary for; I enjoy books that do that, though in this book it seemed a bit random, with several words within a single sentence or paragraph and then no others like that for chapters. Getting a feel for this alternate reality is very easy; it's truly integrated throughout. The author spends much time and words on scene building and descriptions, which is sometimes very useful and sometimes overdone. I grew quite tired of seeing "yellow" and "boiling" used to describe the fog, and I wished that some descriptions were more integrated through the scenes rather than as bulk paragraphs dumping the illustration on me. However, the world feels rich and fleshed out, especially with regard to mechanical Alterations and clockhorses (which, oddly, seem to use magic and logic together despite all the arguments against that throughout the book), the magic hierarchy, and the logic (science) -based mecha. The various physical settings are, for the most part, well described with a sense of realism, and there is a definite attention to detail. I like how the author captures the time period as well, with Bannon herself struggling with how she should present herself with the truths about her Discipline (Black) and what she can and does do with her powers. I also love how her jewelry (stones and silver) are used with her powers, and I don't even mind being unclear on if they harness, direct, or store magical energy. I love the use of Gryphons, and how they prefer to eat sorcerers. I love how deadly and intelligent they are, though I have to wonder at their willingness to be put in a stable and used to pull carts on occasion even with their agreement with the Queen. The dragon history is very interesting, and I really like the elements that are included in the story, though I wish there was actually more dragon involvement. I love that the giant mecha is a spider. I really like the idea of Shields for sorcerers and sorceresses to do the hand-to-hand fighting, and Mikal is an amazing character, though I must admit I found myself wondering on a few occasions if he is actually human or not. The Italian assassin makes for a great "shield" for Clare, but we get more of a sense of personality from him than the regular Shields -- he's at least a bit more expressive, which I liked. My favorite scene is the frightening time in the Wark that I've mentioned above. My second favorite scene is when Bannon unleashes the true power of her Discipline and conjures forth Death's horse (as in the four horsemen, Death). I did wonder where all that mental came from (and all the other biological pieces, as I doubt Gryphons leave many leftovers when they eat clockhorses), but I was soon spellbound by the horse and what happened on her ride astride the horse. Plus, there was the description of Bannon while she was "building" her steed, with herself as a vessel for her powers. It is wonderfully done! The hierarchy of magic users and three definitions are included in the back of the book. I appreciate it, though most of that was picked up through reading the book. Then there's a small interview with the author, which is enlightening. I find it interesting that she doesn't see either of the two potential love interests for Bannon, when both are visible when reading the book. Of course, it helps that part of being a Prime or a Mentath is having complete control over not just one's emotions, but all biological reactions, dismissing or stopping physical and mental reactions to things. Both Bannon and Clare can do this, and they both open up as the story unfolds and they run into unexpected things that they have not come across before. The book ends with a sneak peek at the sequel. I appreciate the sneak peek, and based on this novel I will pick up the sequel, but the content of the sneak peek is almost a turn-off with it taking place in the feces-filled sewers and includes a fresh load being added from one character upon his death. That's not really the way to hook potential readers, and it's a shame they couldn't have selected another passage (even if that's the prelude to the sequel). For all of the book's little quirks of language and possible over-detailing, it is a truly engaging and magical read. The story and characters make it worth the distractions sometimes caused by the author's writing voice. Do yourself a favor and make sure you read more than the Prelude and first chapter before deciding whether or not to continue; it takes some pages to set everything up and then gets into a natural stride that builds wonderfully to the climactic battle (with some amazing and dangerous battles before that) and a well-done conclusion. I loved reading it, and would recommend it to those looking for strong female leads and / or good steampunk adventure. Written: August 11, 2015
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