Three Parts Dead

Starred review from August 20, 2012
In the world of Gladstone's fascinating debut, gods communicate directly with their followers, and magicâknown as Craftâis practiced like law. First-year associate Craftswoman Tara Abernathy; her mentor, Elayne Kevarian; and novice priest Abelard must resurrect the dead god Kos before his city of Alt Coulumb falls into disarray. The investigation takes on new dangers when they discover that Kos may have been murdered. The combination of legal thriller and steam-powered fantasy may seem improbable, but Gladstone makes it work with an appealing cast and a setting rich with imaginative details, like a priest who shows his devotion to a fire-god by chain-smoking, junkies getting high on vampire bites, cops who become part of a hive-mind when on duty, and the binding of divine power by legal contracts. Sometimes the sheer density of information threatens to overwhelm, but the story remains suspenseful and fast-paced throughout, and the diverse, female-led cast is a joy to follow through the fascinating and unusual landscape. Agent: Weronika Janczuk, Lynn Franklin Associates, in association with D4EO Literary Agency.

October 15, 2012

When Kos, fire god of the city of Alt Coulumb, dies unexpectedly, Tara Abernathy, a newly hired associate at the necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao, takes on her first major assignment: resurrect Kos and discover why he died. Her assistant, chain-smoking priest Abelard, has a particular interest in Tara's work. Not only does the death of his god call Abelard's beliefs into question, Kos died on his "watch." As the pair go about their investigation, secrets emerge that threaten not only the lives of the investigators but the existence of the city itself. Gladstone's first novel creates a world filled with magic and faith, and peopled with memorable heroes and villains. VERDICT Accomplished storytelling and a fresh take on world-building make this blend of fantasy, mystery, and courtroom drama a must-read for most fans of the genre. [See Prepub Alert 6/13/12; the author was a panelist at this year's Day of Dialog, "Who's on First? New Voices in Genre Fiction" program.--Ed.]

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