Elin Gregory

I haven’t done one of these for a long time – life has, as they say, been ‘interesting’ – but I recently read a follow up to books I have recced before so I thought I’d give it a mention.

I was very excited to hear that the next one in K Z Snow’s steampunky magiccy fantasy series was out and I’m delighted to say that my excitement was justified.

Machine by K Z Snow continued the story of the relationship of Fanule Perfidor, Eminence of Taintwell, and his ex-carnival snake oil salesman lover, Will Marchman, who has given up on the snake oil and now sells luxury items for personal grooming, with some time spent revisiting other amazing characters like Clancy Marrowbone, vampire, and Lizabetta and her cat, surely the most unusual healer and pet currently in fiction.

Life is proceeding pretty well until a strange wagon arrives at the carnival, then appears in various places around Taintwell, and the citizens begin to exhibit odd behaviours and in some cases disappear. The owner of the Spiritorium is implicated and Fanule has to find out who he is and what he’s doing.

Then epic stuff happens, happy couples are torn apart and everyone’s well-being spirals quickly towards the drain.

This is such good fun and fills in answers to some questions that had occurred to me in book one, Mongrel. Another thing I really enjoy about it is that the lives of the bit part players are treated with sympathy and there are some of that rare breed in M/M fiction – strong sensible female characters who are not interested in getting into either hero’s pants because they have their own thing to do. People in this world have flaws to overcome and conflicts to resolve beyond the main plot and that is as it should be.

But the main plot is compelling and exciting and I recommend this book very highly to any reader who craves a good sound plot and compelling characters.