I received this as an arc from the publisher but the review is my own.
This is a debut novel from the author and it is a beauty. Set in a world that revolves around captured elementals fueling ever day needs, Tarland is a city with lavish glimpses of steampunkesque construction. As in every society there are rumblings in the politics of both state and church but in Tarland where you are designated as to what you're capabilities are, there are some people who are more important than others. Christopher Buckley's family used to be in a position of power but years after a horrible incident the Buckley's are no longer important enough to warrant attention. They are on their last legs and that is how he winds up working for a Deathsniffer, a woman who is seemingly incapable of anything but tracking down murderers. Although his new employer immediately causes Buckley to regret his acceptance of a job. Buckley rinds himself embroiled into a murder investigation of the sort that will not only unwind the story of a powerful family's secrets but the underlying currents that are running through the ongoing battle for control of his world's present.
As Faraday and Buckley struggle to stop the body count from rising, they are individually being unmasked themselves. Each in their own way has secrets that need to be kept hidden from prying eyes. One is too close to that which she hunts and the other is hiding a secret that is in plain sight and time is running out.
A great read, first book in a series which shows great promise. Laced with magic, fantasy, steam punk, and other chunks of goodies, this is a recipe for success. Personally, I'm looking forward to the next installment.
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