Here at the fantasy-hive the SPFBO team have been reading through the nine other finalists that have been put forward by the other blogs alongside our own selection of THE HALLOWS and we are now posting our reviews, on an intended fortnightly schedule up to the end of December and the conclusion of SPFBO 11.

We do have to give scores at this stage and we’re also aware that the scores can tend to average out and congregate around the middle so we’ve tried to make a conscious effort to distinguish between each book in the scores we give and the implicit order that we are placing on them – which may mean some scores veer towards the upper and lower ends of the range.

However, we have been impressed by the professionalism and quality of this year’s finalists field and also how so many of them have done something different with their story ideas and maybe trodden into spaces where traditional publishers might fear to go.

Hopefully there will be enough in our reviews to give you a flavour of each book and a sense of whether it would appeal to you or not which – after all – is what reviews should be about. 

So on to our fifth finalist review of OF MAGES AND MAKERS by Rel Carroll where the judges will comment (as always) under the headings of worldbuilding, Prose, Character and Plot, before giving their pithy one line conclusions and scratching their heads to come up with a numerical score for this fortnight’s finalist.

Worldbuilding

Theo: The worldbuilding is quite fun, with steampunk-type artificers (the makers) and quasi-religious fantastical magic users (the mages) in a culture that also has gems (aristocrats) with a queen ruling over all and cogs (workers) who have to earn their living. The politicking and tensions between these four factions does create a dangerous context for our protagonists to explore their relationship.

The inspiration of the French Revolutionary period also comes through in the very gallic use of the French language by people (most notably the aunt Emma) from the neighbouring country of er… Gallia. 

Cat: This is a great example of how to worldbuild naturally. Without relying on exposition, we are guided into a world that touches the edges of our own while remaining firmly in steampunk fantasy-land, and everything just seems to slot into place so beautifully. The social rankings, the mechanical worldplay and the wishes of the characters were sketched out within the first few chapters, so I never felt lost or confused at all. The Dumas-esque Church vs State was fun too, and I agree that there was a certain Pimpernel-vibe to our main male protagonist! Making nods to the worlds of others while creating something so entirely new and original was refreshing to me.

Vinay: There is a distinct Scarlet Pimpernel-esque vibe to the story only with the gaslamp & steampunk elements added and dialed up a fair bit. These influences clearly show up in the airships and guns that are gaining prominence in this world. The other element which I really dug about this world was the distinct French inspiration especially as it pertains to the class struggle and revolution. There is strife between the monarchy who supports the makers (inventors) and the mages and between them dangles the common man. Aristocrats also are part of this struggle but for their own selfish needs. I really liked how much was communicated in a neat elegant manner that draws heavily on inspiration but spins it in its own style. If there is an element I would quibble is we are primarily based out of a few locations and most indoors and not too much commentary on the other areas and surroundings.

Prose

Theo: Carroll delivers some nice lines that catch the eye with their humour and imagery.  For example, when the ostentatiously indolent protagonist Art berates the dangerous path taken by his sister.

“…Especially because I believe executions are generally carried out at dawn, and we both know I would never wake up early enough to see you off.”

And when we are shown the queen unflatteringly depicted through Art’s eyes

“Poor fashion choices, mingled with a weak chin, watery eyes, and a profile ill-suited to a coin–”

And the new-made industrialisation of this steampunk world comes through in passages like this description of a car.

A four-wheeled frame supported the large, open cabin lined with furs and leather, and a tall black smokestack stood between the covered boiler and bumper like a cigarette between the brightly painted lips of a revue girl. 

Cat: From the very first moments, the author’s light banter lets us know what we’re in for as we head forward to the main action, with a refreshing tone that made the pages fly by. 

‘Thanks to the wide circumference of her social circle, Mum was uncommonly well-informed on social matters.’

We’re guided into the world easily, and again I was reminded of several classic authors along the way:  

‘Cogs wanted socials reform. The gems wanted wealth and industry. And the Magicstry quietly siphoned away their own wealth and beneficence under the guise of piety.’

The humour combines with drama almost effortlessly, making this a real pleasure to read.

Vinay: This has been genuinely one of the breeziest reads of this competition, which owes a lot to the nimbleness and the deftness of the writing. The banter is crackling with the humor really shining through the book. The charm of the writing pretty much carries the book, almost covering up for a lot of the coincidences and contrivances that take place – and I say that as a good thing.

Characters

Theo: Art is quite a fun character, somewhere between a character devised by P.G. Woodehouse and one of Oscar Wilde’s creations. The Wildean impression is heightened by the fact that his sister/cousin/ward is called Cecily – and has an eccentrically independent spirit that puts one in mind of Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest.  I did like Art’s manner of affected ‘uselessness’. Of course it is clear from the beginning that he has a secret and the other inspiration is very much Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel – the original superhero hiding beneath an alter-ego. Of the other characters, I found myself intrigued by the enigmatic Harland whose motives and loyalties seemed to flicker like a candle flame. I see that Carroll has a companion short story Of Cogs and Conduits which gives something of Harland’s backstory, and I wonder if elements of that could have been fed into Of Mages and Makers to give the reader a more satisfying and complete understanding of who he was.

Cat: I loved how the main characters here are all so very well-drawn, making them sympathetic and likeable even when they clearly have social annoyances! Art is both Blakeney and Wilde in style (ie with more depth than at first appearance) and Cecily is adorable in her hopeful genius. Even minor characters are clear and understandable from the first – Art’s mother is straight out of Jane Austen (and possibly Jilly Cooper!), and the Queen and Magistry upperclass perform exactly as they need to be. Perhaps this makes matters a little predictable in places, but I was enjoying myself so much that it really didn’t matter that I was cheering the goodies and booing the baddies as I was carried along.

Vinay: The influences of Scarlet Pimpernel are very evident in the way the lead character of Art has been written. A wealthy fop on the surface, he has many shades to him that mark out as a fun character to root for. The romantic interest of Audrey, as the co-lead has a bit of Marguerite to her but is more willing to take matters in her hand to impact outcomes. Their pairing is fun & the writing when they come together has a definite James Bond – Vesper vibe to it. The same level of depth however doesn’t find its way to the antagonists and some of the leaders of the other parties who are either extremely evil or have devious designs of their own. One supporting character who definitely did stand out was the Mage Harland, especially with his divided loyalties and surprising turns of humanity allied with calculating moves.

Plot

Theo: It is in the nature of Romantasy that the plot is the vehicle by which the would-be lovers are repeatedly thrown together in slightly differing degrees of misalignment, like a pair of trapeze artistes never quite getting the synchronicity to launch into the air for ‘the catch’ (aka the kiss). However, I did feel that Of Mages and Makers was a little bit heavier than others on contrivance with the underlying plot of intrigue, industrial espionage and heavy handed inquisition relying a little too heavily on unnecessarily kept secrets or illogical choices. That said, there was a nice twist at the 65% point which made sense of some of the minor characters’ beneficial responses to Audrey, if not so much to Art. I did feel that a better understanding of Harland might have tied things together.    

Cat: As I said above, the occasionally predictable character relationships and plot contrivances didn’t really stand out as much as they might due to the author’s breezy writing, and I really did find it a cosy pleasure to pick this book up. It’s got more depth than many romantasies that I’ve read recently, with the worldbuilding making up for the twists and turns that were a little forced. This is a romp at heart, and I loved it for that.

Vinay: This is maybe where I felt the book’s charm really helped as there isnt much of a plot and it relies a lot of some major contrivances and coincidences to keep things moving. The charm of the writing does blind you to the happenings until towards the end where you realize the load that had been carried. There is a major reveal that happens around two-thirds into the book which definitely adds a nice layer of intrigue and complication to the book – I think we may see that play much more in the sequels than in this one. The ending of the book also felt a bit rushed even as it settles down into a couple of satisfactory moments that maintains the vibe of the book.   

Conclusion

Theo: A breezy romp through a steampunky romance that leaves both readers and characters gasping for air.

Cat: A delightful steampunk adventure that was a true pleasure to hurtle through!

Vinay: A breezy, charming book that channels Scarlet Pimpernel through steampunk and gaslights