Vic James’ magical yet chilling debut novel describes an alternate contemporary world in which, since the 1640s, Britain has been divided between the Equals, a ruling Aristocracy who have magical skills at their fingertips, and the commoners, the vast majority of the population with no magical skills and little hope. To even become a full citizen, to be able to own your own home, to travel abroad you must go into slavery for ten years – working either in the cities or on the vast estates owned by the aristocrats. There are clearly metaphors here about the distribution of power and opportunity in our own world but James leaves the conclusions to her readers, rather employing her skills as a writer to tell a gripping story of one family.
The Hadleys have decided to serve their ten slave years together but find themselves in service to one of the cruellest of Britain’s aristocratic families. Our heroine Abi is separated from her brother Luke who is taken to the factories of Manchester so is alone when she discovers a secret that could be the death of her, or which could change the world for good. James’ prose is clear and swift with some lovely descriptive flourishes in the detail and her novel should appeal particularly to fans of Neil Gaiman and Susannah Clarke. ~ Simon Spanton
| Primary Genre | Fantasy |
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