Cold Magic

Kate Elliott

Book 1 in the series:Spiritwalker

Save:

'Cold Magic' by Kate Elliott is an alternate history, steampunk, fantasy novel set in 1837 where the industrial revolution is underway, but mages fear the Unseen Courts will see these innovations as a threat. The story follows Catherine and Beatrice, members of Phoenician traders spies, as they navigate a world filled with mages of various types, intelligent bird-like dinosaurs, and a parallel spirit world. The plot unfolds with political turmoil, murder plots, and unexpected marriages, all against the backdrop of a mini ice age in Europa.

Characters:

The characters are well-crafted, with a strong female protagonist and a diverse supporting cast, highlighting themes of friendship and complex relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and descriptive, effectively blending detailed world-building with character depth, although it occasionally suffers from awkward dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a blend of political intrigue and alternate history, focusing on a protagonist who is thrust into a marriage and must navigate her mysterious past while tackling wider conflicts.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined alternate 19th-century Europe, defined by its prolonged Ice Age and cultural amalgam of Mediterranean and African influences.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly, requiring patience but eventually gains momentum, leading to a more engaging narrative as the plot thickens.

Or at least, that’s how the dawn chill felt in the bedchamber as I shrugged out from beneath the cozy feather comforter under which my cousin and I slept. I winced as I set my feet on the brutally col...

Notes:

Cold Magic is set in an alternate universe where the Ice Age never ended and Europa is divided into warring factions.

The story combines elements of afro-centric, Celtic, and industrial politics amid a backdrop of magic and societal unrest.

Catherine Hassi Barahal, the protagonist, is an orphan raised by her aunt and uncle; she finds herself entangled in a complex power struggle involving magisters and cold mages.

The novel features a blend of historical references, including an analog of Napoleon Bonaparte who failed in his conquests and was exiled.

Elliott describes the series as afro Celtic post Roman icepunk with various supernatural elements, including intelligent dinosaur descendants and a spirit realm.

The book explores themes of kinship, loyalty, and the moral questions surrounding truly understanding one's heritage.

The protagonist's journey begins with a forced engagement to a cold mage, Andevai, complicating her life and forcing her to confront her lineage.

The narrative employs a mash-up of cultures, integrating various historical elements and magic systems that interact creatively.

Character dynamics, particularly friendships between women like Cat and her cousin Bee, are central to the plot, showcasing strong female relationships.

The writing style has been noted to shift pace, with some readers appreciating intricate world-building while others found it slow to start.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, mainly revolving around the relationship between Cat and Andevai, which develops from animosity to affection.

From The Publisher:

From one of the genre's finest writers comes a bold new epic fantasy in which science and magic are locked in a deadly struggle.

It is the dawn of a new age. . . The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming in the cities. But the old ways do not die easy.

Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?

Ratings (4)

Loved It (2)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (19):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (10)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

weiluv276

Loved It

2 months

Characters: 6

Atmosphere: 8

Writing: 8

Plot: 7

Intrigue: 7

Logic: 8

Enjoyment:7

7.28 = 4 Stars

What can you read after
Cold Magic?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.