Reviewed by annieb123 on
Comeuppance Served Cold is an engaging and well written historical fantasy/mystery by Marion Deeds. Released 22nd March 2022 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 192 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
I found myself swept up in the story from the first page. There are three different intertwined plots which revolve around one another and culminate in a satisfying climax and denouement. An alternate 1929 Seattle where magic works and a powerful (but essentially toxically privileged, racist, misogynistic) bureaucrat is working to control and ultimately destroy vulnerable magic users in the city.
It's a short novella and the author does a superb job with world-building given the rigid length constraints of the form. She does a lot without a lot of extra wordage. The language is rough; there are instances of racism, brutality, sexism, and attempted assault. It's never used egregiously, but it is present, and sometimes difficult to see.
Four stars. Definitely a worthwhile and engaging read. The author is adept and talented. I would love to see more stories in this world.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 13 November, 2022: Reviewed