Currently
I found Currently by Sarah Mensinga an utterly charming and endearing read.
Told in a first person voice that really brings across the naivety of the PoV character, the story transports us across the surface of a watery world full of intrigue, violence, love and swingtime steampunk.
All in all, it was a joy to read.
The characters are interesting and nuanced, the action is believable, the stakes are high and the world building thorough. Despite the plot remaining un-flawed throughout, there were twists and unexpected reveals galore. However, everything was nicely foreshadowed and woven in, so it never felt like just convenient plot devices.
Despite the magic system being fairly simple and straightforward, it’s treatment was great. Instead of continuous escalation of power, it set out a few basic rules and then focused on how these effect the plot and action at a fundamental level.
Though it certainly includes much that is dark and unpleasant (violent deaths, physical, mental and sexual abuse, bereavement), it is never gratuitously brutal and always respectful. All in all, it was a joy to read.
A delightful 5 out of 5 stars for Sarah Mensinga. Though this book falls just shy of absolutely perfect (there are a few minor typographical errors and the exposition was, on a few rare occasions, a tiny bit too heavy handed) it’s pretty darn close.
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