The Steam Magnate

by Dana Copithorne

Departing from formulaic themes involving quests, magicians, mythical animals, and the like, this fantasy novel follows one with powers more ordinary than those of today’s uber-wizards. Eson has inherited the steam-power legacy of an honored family lineage and the mysterious ability to funnel the assets of others into his own coffers through the mere use of ink and paper. Wearing his power like a second skin, he’s hated by some and feared by others. While recovering from a disastrous relationship with a woman of his own kind, he meets a young slip of a woman who isn’t who she claims to be. As a result of this association, Eson finds he must defend himself against challenges far too close to home, and far too dear. Set in a world that is a tempting concoction of fairy-tale charm and mundane existence, of nightclubs, ancestral homes, and desert cities sparkling with mosaics of colored glass, this work explores the inequities of social class and what it’s like to be among the less fortunate.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction

313 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Chocolategoddess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't even finish the first chapter. The prose reads like the author used the thesaurus on every word just to sound fancier, which was really exhausting. Despite all the flowery words, it was extremely difficult to get anything more than a vague impression of what things looked like, what the character was thinking, feeling, or even doing. Seriously, the character meets an interesting person and then explores a brand new city with a rowdy group, and the author doesn't actually explain any of it.

[J. Moufawad-Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful book is the kind of fantasy that prefigures books like *A Stranger in Olondria*: it has the same world-building fantasy feel but in a way where the richness of the world is not used as a basis for epic struggles between armies, or adventurers setting out in a violent land. Not that there aren't "epic struggles" in *The Steam Magnate* but they are of a different order––the banality of capitalist competition, perhaps, that actually means more lives lost and/or impoverished, more states fallen, and more eventual wars than what goes on between tributary social formations.

I like to think *The Steam Magnate* as playing an intermediate role in a fantastic tradition that originates with Candas Jane Dorsey's *Black Wine* and has recently culminated in Sofia Samatar's aforementioned "A Stranger in Olondria*. It is a pity that Copithorne has not appeared to continue the story begun in this book despite the fact that it was promised to be part of a larger series.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read a book like this before. The experience of reading it was much like the experience of looking at a watercolor painting. That's how the characters felt, muted, undefined, but vaguely beautiful. The plot, too, had this quality, such that I don't feel like anything happened, but there was still motion.

Just for the unique quality of the prose, I would recommend that people read it. They may not like it, but it will be a new experience.

[Josie]

This was an interesting read. I still don't feel like I understand what happened or what the motivations of *any* of the characters were, but the language and ideas were intriguing, at least.

LOTS of "telling" and very little "showing". If you're okay with that, then go for it. Otherwise, probably steer clear.

[Avril · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the strangest books I've every read. That being said, I still couldn't put it down.

[SFReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.a...

[Jenne]

Not only dull, but also awkwardly written. Which is too bad, because it sounded really interesting, and there were some images that stuck with me. I gave it the Nancy Pearl 50-page try, but nope.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written, a lazy read, action unfolds slowly. I'm not sure I ever really get to know Kyra; she is never first person. Might read the sequel when it comes out if the time is right.