An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors

I've written a lot of four-star reviews recently of books from my obscure Reddit comment rec list. Here's another one.

This series is a perfect example of the difference between 2010s fantasy and 2020s fantasy, if anyone wants to really put a nail on it. It's really much slower-paced than anything that would sell post-covid, but it's not particularly literary, diverse, or topical: it's a straightforward, bright epic fantasy novel that's written patiently and carefully, not with the snap and glamour you see in Sanderson, or the sort of hypermodern fantasy that's trendy on booktube these days. It reminds me most of some finalists I've seen in the SPFBO. I say that as a compliment because what it reminds me most of, The Combat Codes, was a very decent read, and was picked up by a traditional publisher around the same time this series was coming out.

The setting is a really good idea - a western European analogue, focused primarily on Spain and France, except they're floating islands in a sky with steampunk airships. I really like books with an epic feel that avoid sprawl, and this is really one of them. The main characters are Isabelle, the one-handed but intelligent and brave princess - nothing we haven't seen before, and her goofy musketeer, Jean-Claude. Isabelle is deemed powerless at birth and thus, after her best friend essentially gets her soul sucked out of her, is sent to marry the prince of fantasy Spain against her will. Politicking ensues.

And the first half of the book is neverending and extremely slow politicking. It took me about two months to get through the first half of this book, and two hours to get through the second half, which was extremely hectic. This book isn't bad, it's not fresh, but the shift in pace is so jarring that it really comes off worse than it is. And despite the well-managed cast, it feels like we don't actually get to know the characters that well - none of them stuck with me all that much. The plot is intricate and the politics are really well thought-out, and the ending feels rewarding.

This is an objectively high quality, very unglitzy book, the type which I wish were published more these days. I'm not overly attached to this world or characters and it seems the different volumes of this series are pretty independent, so I'll likely return at a later point, but not now.

Rating: 7.5/10

Disclaimer: I initially received this book for free in exchange for reviewing it once it would be published. But that was many years ago, and an early draft, so when the book was finally published I wasn't confident it hadn't changed in editing. So I bought the official version and this review will be based on that.

If you like fantastical science, strong female leads, wormfingers, political intrigue, and/or witty comebacks, it's safe to assume you'll enjoy this book. Well, as long as you also like books that have you thinking “There's no way this situation could get any wors—oh... How in the world are they getting out of this one?” While not as bleak as media such as Attack on Titan or Game of Thrones, the world of The Risen Kingdoms is still not a happy fantasy land. Being important doesn't keep people safe, and being smart doesn't mean you're safe from evil plots. Even the main characters' dashing personalities and wits still aren't enough to keep them ahead of the many nefarious plots and betrayals waiting for them at every corner. Unlike the aforementioned stories however, this book is less about “surviving” than “persevering”, which is an important distinction in tone.

While fantasy may not be my favourite form of speculative fiction, I do appreciate steampunk aesthetics and science-focused details, both of which this novel has in abundance. But calling this novel steampunk would be a disservice to the fact that it's actually aetherpunk, and we all know that aether is a better form of steam. :) My main gripe with fantasy as a whole is that there are some very common tropes that it seems unable to escape, especially in regards to the basically-interchangeable settings (generic Medieval England anyone?). While An Alchemy is still very obviously fantasy, and full of fantasy tropes, it at least avoids most of the annoyingly common ones. The steampunk aspect necessitates a setting that's more Victorian than medieval, and the Kingdoms are culturally distinct (in fact, I would say that having passing familiarity with French and Spanish language is useful, though not necessary).

The magic systems are unique, but every fantasy novel requires as much. More kingdoms and systems of magic are hinted at, but I think it was a good idea to focus on only two, since the story doesn't info-dump its explanations. At times the novel can seem a bit literary or self-indulgent, but I typically assume that means the author is having fun writing, which is fine even if it takes me out of the story a tiny bit. I generally prefer flawed characters, and though the characters are flawed they're perhaps a bit too competent for my tastes. However, they stay far enough away from being Mary Sue's that it's not an issue; and as I stated earlier, being competent is just barely good enough to survive.

Looking forward to the sequels, and I'm glad they were all mostly finished before this novel was released, so that we don't have to wait a decade between each book.

I wrote this three hours ago:

I'm a little more than halfway through “An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors”, a debut novel from Curtis Craddock, and I'm seriously enjoying it. A fantasy based loosely on Europe of the Musketeers era, but the nations are chunks of rock floating in a turbulent sky, with airships plying the traderoutes. Sorcery is reserved for the nobility, and it's all twisted and a bit obscene. The principle characters are a princess of one of the ruling families, born with a deformed hand and a lack of sorcerous ability, and her sworn protector, a musketeer. With no warning, they are thrust into the middle of vast political schemes and machinations, which are igniting sparks that could lead to all out war. There are fascinating mysteries to solve at every turn, and shocking revelations when least expected. And on top of all that, there's a hint the heroine may be part of the fulfillment of prophecy that may mean the end of the world. The world building is turned up to 11, and so far the story is equally vivid. I sure hope it ends as well as it's begun!

Three hours later and I've finished the book. Wow, I so did not disappoint. An absolutely thrilling climax with multiple page-turning escalations. I rarely give books a full five stars. But this novel certainly earned them. I can't wait to read Craddock's next outing!

3.75 out of 5 stars – see this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

In a floating world filled with airships and royal sorcerers, Princess Isabelle and her trusty musketeer, Jean-Claude, fight against a sinister plot that has been thousands of years in the making.

I was immediately drawn in by the wondrous setting and Curtis Craddock's beautiful prose. The humor and clever turns of phrase were perfectly matched to such a fantastical story.

Isabelle and Jean-Claude are wonderful protagonists to follow as they are cunning, capable, and easy to root for. Their bond is a joy to witness, so it was a shame that they spent so little time together in the story. To that end, I wish character relationships, in general, were more at the forefront of this novel. The political maneuverings and motivations were a bit hard to follow and full immersion into the political theater becomes difficult when you only have access to the POVs of two outsiders.

These misgivings aside, this was an entertaining adventure in a fresh new setting. I look forward to seeing where Craddock takes the story next, as he has started (world)building a sandbox with loads of untapped potential.