I enjoyed this book – it has been a while since I’ve read this sort of genre: fantasy/historical fiction. The author does a really good job of creating the setting, and building out the world that we are about to explore. It also includes a long distance train, which seems to me to be the perfect vehicle for intrigue.
While I enjoyed the parts featuring the Wastelands, I’m sure some people may find it challenging to read without getting the gross-out shivers. If icky/slimy/moldy/fungal stuff creeps you out then this book is definitely not for you.
This book sets up a mystery, but its goal is not to answer every question, and that makes the book better. There are other issues – the dangers of capitalism and exploitation, corruption, and maybe even some allusions to the benefits of immigration.
One character that would seem to be critical to the story is oddly shunted aside – the Captain. She has an important role at the end, but that means ignoring what could be an interesting character for most of the story. And I did think that the way the story ended was just a bit too pat.
But overall it was an interesting and unique book, crossing categories as well as continents.
Next I am reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle.
