MIRRORED WORLDS

In Tameem’s fantasy novel, three operatives must infiltrate a hostile foreign land to kidnap the first baby in a thousand years to be born without magic.

Ever since “the Gift”—a magical cataclysm that led to the appearance of monsters as well as elves and other fantasy peoples—civilization on the planet Reath has rebuilt itself around the use of pervasive mystical energy known as Magicka. In the Nation, a country with magically powered technology, the Bureau of Magical Affairs handles threats to the National government and the balance of magic itself. Lila Bakurets, a recently graduated combat mage–turned–desk jockey for the BMA, is summoned for a covert mission. Lila soon learns two undeniable truths: First, that there’s a parallel world, devoid of magic, connected to Reath by means of an ancient, mysterious mirror. Second, a child without magic has been born in the far-off kingdom of Opar, and his existence is unraveling the fabric of reality. In order to quell the growing natural disasters surrounding the child, Lila will need to send him through the mirror to his true home. However, Opar is in a proxy war with the Nation and ruled by the authoritarian Federation. It will be up to Lila, along with elven smuggler Graute and part-giant warrior Battleaxe, to sneak into Opar and abduct the child while avoiding ferocious monsters, military patrols, and a brewing rebellion. Tameem introduces a fun and engaging urban fantasy setting, paying close attention to the ways in which the history, economy, and social prejudices of a world entirely dependent on magic might develop. That said, the prose feel overwritten at times, often dragging out exposition, even in dialogue: “Already, the news is starting to spread through the continent that Opar is under attack from some strange, supernatural force….Over the next month, these disasters will grow in intensity, exponentially, until the entire planet feels them.” Still, it’s an easygoing read, and the three main characters balance one another well. There are also many exciting action scenes that fans of pulpy fantasy (and Dungeons & Dragons) will enjoy.

A pleasant, if somewhat prolix, mashup of urban fantasy and international espionage.