The Transference Engine

Verne St. John’s serviceable debut is a steampunk romp set in early 19th-century London. Madame Magdala has been hounded by Lord Byron, a necromancer whose otherworldly, soul-transplanting Transference Engine she destroyed a year earlier. With Byron’s only legitimate child, Ada Lovelace, by her side, Magdala must right the wrongs of the past and prevent a royal assassination. Verne St. John paints an intriguing portrait of London past and introduces a colorful cast of characters. The steampunk genre is difficult to refresh, but Verne St. John does a credible job with a new take on necromancy. However, the prose sometimes sounds too modern, which clashes with the setting. The characters are interesting, but their personal choices and moral ambiguity can make them difficult to root for. Verne St. John does not tread much new ground, but this is an enjoyable read nevertheless. Agent: Mike Kabongo, OnyxHawke Agency. (July)