book data
59 ratings, 3.39 average rating, 11 reviews
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published
April 26th 2005
by Ace
binding
Paperback, 496 pages
isbn
0441012744
(isbn13: 9780441012749)
description
In a bleak and gritty England, in a fantastical Age of Industry, the wealth that comes from magic is both revered and reviled. Here, an ambitious youn...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 112)
While comparisons to Pullman and Mieville are not off entirely off base for Macleod’s work of industrial fantasy it is a much slower paced but if you let it take its time it weaves a subtler and deadlier spell like its obvious model, Keith Robert’s Pavane(did Pullman also use this for a model?). Melancholy character and touches of the grotesque this novel details an alternative history were a 300 year industrial revolution(based on the substance aether) freezes progress leaving England in...more
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Read in October, 2006
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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The blurbs compare this sprawling steam-punk-esque neo-Victorian novel to Dickens; I'd consider that unfair, but he is clearly the author's model. What Light Ages lacks in satirical with, it makes up for in strong, lyrical writing and interesting ideas. A magical metaphor for our oil-dependent age, Light Ages is a wonderful ride with a variety of interesting characters and concepts. Unfortunately, it is kept from a 4 rating by the weak ending which both undercuts any real criticism implicit i...more
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Read in January, 2006
MacLeod's prose is fantastic (especially for a sci-fi/fantasy author - sorry genre, but its true), and the world he has invented is riviting and believable. By replacing the industrial revolution's technology with magic and exploring the same social-economic and class issues, MacLeod does what weird fiction should ultimately aspire to - force the reader to re-examine the world they live in, and understand our world through a new and illuminating lens.
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Read in October, 2007
Best described as an urban science fiction/fantasy. I was easily pulled in and convinced of the reality of the world setting. Similar enough to our own time/space to leave me constantly questioning whether it was our world afterall. A little political, but in just the right way to make one believe he really can effect change.
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Read in April, 2006
recommends it for:
fans of literate fantasy
If Dickens wrote a fantasy novel, this is what it might have been like. England is in the midst of an industrial revolution, powered by a magical substance called aether. Working class Robert Borrows becomes obsessed with the magical Annalise, even as he grows into a revolutionary determined to bring about a New Age.
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This took a while to read -- it got stuck on the "come back to later" pile for ages. It's an OK book, and someday I need to put together a list of "anachronistic science-fantasy that rereads the French / Russian revolution" because, really, there are a lot of those.
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I started reading this one boring Saturday afternoon and put it down after nightfall and just couldn't bring myself to care enough about the characters to pick it up again. It wasn't bad or anything. I just...couldn't be bothered.
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Read in September, 2007
Highly unusual fantasy. The story wanders but is entertaining and keeps you curious about where it's going. A rather unusual ending to boot. The writing is at least as good as most good fantasy, but it over-reaches occasionally.
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My thoughts (oh if he had left well enough alone and never written the sequel):
http://www.greenmanreview.com/...
http://www.greenmanreview.com/...
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Alternative history SF/F. I wasn't a huge fan of the style, but the story was solid and the ideas were great.
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on-deck-prospects (on 1 person's shelf)
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