World: Alternate history version of colonial America called Vinland, Middle Ages (13th Century), Fantasy.
Races: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Goblins, and Trolls.
Magic System: Magical realism.
Sorcerers use real-world magnetism that is creatively extended to the five ancient elements - earth, air, fire, water, and aether (electricity). Magicultors use the branches or stems of magica trees to make objects disappear. Clerics can perform miracles based on those described in the Bible.Premise:
Intrigue structure. Powerful elvish politicians scheme to make the Tuscoraura elves the supreme military power in Vinland until the Inquisition decides to step in.Appraisal:
J.R.R. Tolkien studied Norse myths and decided to give England a mythological past. Similarly, G.K.R. Lindenberg studied Arthurian legends and decided to give America a legendary past.The story opens with two plot threads - Johnny Appleseed preaching to the Tuscoraura elves and the baron of Amhirst marching his army east to claim New Yourke City as its feudal overlord. More and more characters from American history and various fantasy worlds jump into the mix until you feel right at home in a place you never expected to be.
Lindenberg clings fast to the illusion that the description of events is historically accurate, all the while rearranging well-known American personalities within role-playing game mechanics. The story weaves fairy tales, popular songs, cultural references into a parody of fantasy tropes that cumulate in an epic retelling of the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, but transposed into a medieval fantasy setting.
Much of the fun in reading this book comes from picking out familiar faces and tidbits, like a "Where's Waldo?" book. On top of that, the details of Vinland's fantasy setting aim to soothe disbelief, rather than suspend it. Traditional fantasy races are reinterpreted as mere ethnic differences. For example, elves are not immortal, goblins are not grown out of the mud, and females dwarves are beardless and bear children normally.
In a similar way, magic and sorcery are just natural phenomena that can be triggered with an expert touch. The fire elves of Tuscoraura Mountain produce few magicultors primarily because magiculture doesn't pay well as a career.
The real strength of this book is its characters. Florenz Nightingale ends up tossing out the mold for what an American hero is supposed to be but hits at the heart of what it means to be a true hero. Overall, highly recommended.
Age recommendation:
13+