The Alchemy of Stone

This book works neither as a literary work or as genera fiction.

This book works neither as a literary work or as genera fiction. It's a rambling work of far-flung similes and overstretched metaphors for what felt like every other sentence. The run-on sentences were bad enough on their own without the over-description of useless details that did nothing to add to the story. This is the kind of book dumb people write to look smart, and dump people pretend to like to feel smart.

The world itself is surface at best: beyond the existence of mechanics, gargoyles, alchemists, ghosts, a tormented spirit man and automatons there isn't really anything deeper. The alchemical system is straight out of classic herb craft/hedge witchcraft, so it isn't even really alchemy. The steam punk contraptions feel commonplace and un-inventive, and don't really go anywhere in relation to the story. The internal political system isn't properly laid out: it does not go much past..."so there's this Duke and these Alchemists and the Mechanics...and they hate each other...for some reason...something about progress...yeah."

The story itself is slightly redeemable: it's an interesting mishmash of political unrest, war, women's lib, ethnic profiling, a robot identity crisis, and terrorism, but just sort of dies without a proper conclusion. The story of the Gargoyles was captivating, even if that lacked a certain internal logic. But a key character lacks a basic motive and background, and it feels like everyone is just sort of fighting everyone towards the end.

If this is a Locus recommended book, they can keep it!

Characters FTW

I passed this book in B&N one day and was captivated by the cover. I remember picking it up and looking over the back before putting it back and attributing my initial desire to read it right then and there as a passing impulse. A week later I still wanted to read it, but I couldn't remember either title or author so a friend and I spent twenty minutes pulling books off of the shelves to see their covers until I finally found it - not on the top of a row where I first saw it, but on the bottom shelf, where I would never have found it if I was not intentionally looking for it. I have no regrets about the purchase and I'm quietly cheering on the author for pulling off an ending that I love to hate. I don't know that I would call the book steampunk; yes there are elements of advanced technology, but it doesn't really fit to me as steampunk. If you're looking for a steampunk book specifically, a person might be disappointed.

The Setting - is a slightly steampunk fantasy city. There is a long-lasting relationship with stone in their culture which is revered because of the gargoyles.

The Characters - or more specifically Mattie, is what makes this book come alive. One of the reviews on the book says:

A gorgeous meditation on what it means to not be human. - Justine Larbalestier

And also what it means to be human. Mattie's plight as both an emancipated, created being and female are striking and powerful. It makes me think about what other discriminated persons feel like. Through the eyes of a non-human Sedia evaluates what it is to be considered not-human. Beyond Mattie, there are other characters. I liked how individualistic they all were. Sometimes characters muddle together in my head until I'm not quite sure who is who and I have to flip around to make sure, but I knew who everyone was.

The Plot - to me felt like it took a back-seat to Mattie. Which, I don't necessarily think is a bad thing. At times it made for slow reading - which is probably why I've been carrying it around with me for a few days, leafing through a few chapters at a time. I'm not sure what the intent was when the story was written, but I found Mattie's own struggles far more interesting than the actual plot. Yes, I wanted the gargoyles to be set free. I wanted the Soul-Smoker to have some respite. There were things I wanted the plot to do or things I wanted to cheer on, but I was less interested in them, and more in Mattie.

Covert symbolism in a charming fantasy

Call it science fiction, steam punk, magical realism, fantasy or subversive feminist literature - whatever you call it, call The Alchemy of Stone good reading. The excellent and original quality of the story, the characters, the setting, the dialog would be enough to recommend this novel, but Ekaterina's deft handling of symbolism and fairy tale elements make it memorable, and a highly satisfying experience. This is a keeper.

A novel of automated anarchy and clockwork lust.

Sedia's books are fascinating. Last year I read The Secret History of Moscow and then stumbled across this book later in the year. I've only just now gotten around to reading it, but it's been quite the literary delight.

Unlike most of the UF genre out there - Sedia's books are gentle. Not so much in their subject matter, but in the feel of them.

Alchemy is the tale of an intelligent automaton named Mattie, who's caught up in a fight between numerous factions to control her town. On one side is her maker, on the other the mechanic Sebastian she's become fascinated with. Through it all, Mattie searches for a way to free the gargoyles, and we get neat 1st person snippets from them peppered into the tale. The tale culminates in a massive fight, betrayal, and Mattie's struggle to retrieve the one thing in the world that matters to her - the key to her clockwork heart.

It's an achingly beautiful book.

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