Steampunk Hands 2016 – Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia

While I was attending the Nova Albion convention in 2010 with James Ng, Diana Pho, and Jaymee Goh, we had the opportunity to share dinner and conversation with author Ekaterina Sedia. Later that weekend, she presented me with a copy of her latest book, Heart of Iron.

The book cover says:

 

“In a Russia where the Decembrists’ rebellion was successful and the Trans-Siberian railroad was completed before 1854, Sasha Trubetskaya wants nothing more than to have a decent debut ball in St. Petersburg. But her aunt’s feud with the emperor lands Sasha at university, where she becomes one of its first female students – an experiment, she suspects, designed more to prove female unsuitability for such pursuits than offer them education. The pressure intensifies when Sasha’s only friends – Chinese students – start disappearing, and she begins to realize that her new British companion, Jack, has bigger secrets than she can imagine! Sasha and Jack find themselves trying to stop a war brewing between the three empires.”

 

The story, narrated by Sasha, is an engaging read about the complexities of the social, political, and academic challenges surrounding her. There’s dealing with life at 18, sexism at University, alliances and espionage among Russia, China, and Great Britain, friends who have disappeared, loyalty, bravery, and the opportunity to do the right thing.

Jake Von Slatt offered his review, the AV Club posted theirs, and Kathy did a Q&A session with the io9 Book Club.

If you enjoy a story set outside of Victorian London, a bit of alternate history, and engaging characters, Heart of Iron might be for you.

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