This accomplished and absorbing book, a novel blend of steampunk fiction, murder mystery, and code (ranging from the covert speech patterns of the Xivato to the proteins for which DNA codes), was a pleasure to read.
...
Against the backdrop of a fantastic
steampunk world where Romans are identified by their tails and the sense of
smell is privileged over sight or hearing, this novel is remarkable for being primarily
driven not by its admirably speculative setting but by its strong characters of
Capa, Chalina, and Punyal, who shift and grow over the full course of the story
in response to circumstances beyond their control. Supporting characters also
are given room to grow—for example, Black Dog, through his increasingly complex
interactions with Chalina.
...
Overall the manuscript’s
style is rich but discreet, offering a rhythmically varied syntax filled with
descriptive detail, but never calling attention to itself and away from the
more important story at hand.
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