The Iron Wyrm Affair

Lilith Saintcrow

Aug 2012 · Sold by Orbit

About this ebook

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. . .

Ratings and reviews

I am a fan of this author, but not this book. Whether classified Steampunk, or Victorian sci fi the book lacked substance. The reader shouldn't have to struggle to figure out what is going from one paragraph to another. It feels as if the author herself knew she was not in her comfort zone and was aware she was struggling.

It took about 20 pages for me to get into this book, but once I did it was a very good read. Mixing magic and mechanics together was a good match. Will be reading her next 2 books soon. Already have the red plaque affair in my library.

And the normal words used to describe the steam-punk genre are very rarely used. I have to admit that this is the first of this particular genre I have ever enjoyed. I find it rare that an author can describe things in such detail without sounding like they are beating you over the head. Thank you for such a fantastic read and please hurry with the sequel.

About the author

Lilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. She currently lives in Vancouver, WA.