Review: Ice Age Steampunk
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 20, 2012
Joseph Robert Lewis's "The Broken Sword" is a deft blending of several genres, including Steampunk, Alt-History, and Fantasy. But the overlying genre is Action Adventure. Indeed, I don't think there was a single page that didn't have fighting, chasing, or intrigue; or at least someone plotting to do one of those.The world-building is unique and satisfying. The author places you in the 19th-century western Mediterranean, but in a timeline where the Ice Age is still in full swing. So places like England and Germany are buried under glaciers, while Spain, Italy and Morocco are in a temperate region where snow is not uncommon.An anti-killing hero is a nice change-of-pace. The ending is decent, if not spectacular. There are a few too many deus ex machinas, but I quibble.Even though it is part of a series, The Broken Sword can be read as a standalone book. There are some back-references to Book 1 (which I haven't read), but none of them are vital to this story.This was a fun read from start to finish. Nothing deep or highbrow. Just an exciting tale.  4 Stars