The Griffin or the Agate

    I'm usually not one for Victoria Era pieces, often finding that the story gets lost amidst the backdrop or strangled by the need to expound on the social parameters. The fact that I thoroughly enjoyed Gordon Dahlquist's The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters despite the setting is a testament to what an original and well-written work it is. From the simple starting point of a jilted woman trying to discover exactly why her ex-fiance left her, Dahlquist creates a fascinating tapestry of mad science, political intrigue, and heroism from unexpected sources.
    The story centers around an unlikely trio of heroes. Celeste Temple, a well-bred lady of some means who has experienced little beyond her parlor, decides to follow the man she was to marry to a remote location and sees things she wasn't supposed to. After a narrow escape she finds an ally in Cardinal Chang, an unusual but certainly ruthless street thug. He's a killer but his quarry was eliminated before he got the chance to do his job, and he finds a common foe with Celeste in the people who killed a prostitute he had feelings for. The final member of their group is a foreign doctor named Svenson who, while trying to protect his feckless Prince, finds that his noble intentions have landed him against some very dangerous people.
    The titular glass books are a rather clever construction by Dahlquist, and I'm loathe to give away their secret here. Suffice to say that as important as they may be to the plot, the true strength of this book lies in the very real, very believable characters that the author presents. The heroes don't sport superpowers, and don't suddenly acquire the ability to outduel master swordsmen or walk on water. They rely on their determination, their wits, and a little luck. By book's end you'll be rooting for them as well. Despite a few slow spots the almost 800 pages seem to breeze by as the trio battle to uncover the information they each need to know while also striving to survive - no easy task. The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters rises far above its setting and offers something different, yet engrossing.   §

Purchase this title through:
   Amazon.com