For many decades the vast majority of fantasy in the English speaking world has been set either in the Western world or in locations that are reminiscent of its medieval/Arthurian state. Well, over the last few years there has been a steady stream of authors showing themselves brave enough to cut away the safety net and set their novels in worlds more reminiscent of Asia.
Initially, these seemed to come from the débutées, but more and more we’ve seen accomplished authors turning East too; Guy Gavril Kay, Chris Wooding and Elizabeth Bear being excellent examples. Well, the latest author we’ve heard is set and ready to give it a go is Gaie Sebold, who you may remember wowed us with her brilliant Babylon Steel seriesnot to long ago. Rather than an epic fantasy-esque world though, Gaie is set to explore Asia through the genre of Steampunk. Here’s what we know so far:
STEAMPUNK GOES EAST
Shaghai Sparrow is a tale of espionage, warring empires and thrilling exploits with a dynamic heroine, which takes Steampunk out of England and into the Far East.
Eveline Duchen is a thief and con-artist, surviving day by day on the streets of London, where the glittering spires of progress rise on the straining backs of the poor and disenfranchised. Where the Folk, the otherworldly children of fairy tales and legends, have all but withdrawn. Caught in an act of deception by the implacable Mr Holmforth, Evvie is offered a stark choice: transportation to the colonies, or an education – and utter commitment to Her Majesty’s Service – at Miss Cairngrim’s harsh school for female spies. But on the decadent streets of Shanghai, where the Empire’s corruption is laid bare, Holmforth is about to make a devil’s bargain, and Eveline’s choices could change the future of two worlds…
Sounds pretty cool, right? And the cover – that’s the one to your right – looks pretty badass too! To me, the story seems somewhat reminiscent of the old Sherlock Holmes novels that saw our native hero exploring ‘strange new worlds’. The huge dragon on the cover suggests that our protagonist will have far more than the odd revolver to worry about though… I really can’t wait to see who made that dragon and why.
If you’re in the UK, Gaie will be launching SHANGHAI SPARROW at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Thursday 8th May from 6 – 7pm. Try get down there!
Jennie Ivins
This recent “fad” is quite similar to the late 19th century fad for everything “Oriental” when French opera’s had Asian themes and Oriental themes found their way into literature.
Very few of these “fad”s are anything more that superficial curiosities to present the exotic and strange. I’d be more interested in reading Chinese SFF authors writing non-traditional stories using influences like Steampunk, Sword and Sorcery or other genres.