This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and the story, making sure we get all the jokes by explaining them, rather spoils the spontaneity of the wit.

The “show, don’t tell” rule ought to have a corollary; “whatever you do, don’t do both, one after the other.” Examples:

“I do miss the orgies,” said Eros, dreamily reminiscing about his glory days. 

The author is telling us what the character is doing, having just showed us through dialogue.

Likewise,

“No, thank you,” Eros declined politely and slightly disappointedly,” also adding three adverbs to the mix.

Part of the joy of reading witty dialogue is the reader’s “Hah! I got it” feeling of accomplishment, Having the author immediately explain the humour spoils this.

This sort of writing adds up to an opening section long on description and low on suspense.

The story then glides merrily along on a creative path of mild humour, mostly of the non-sequitur style, depending on elements of farce, but the constant explanations destroy the quick pacing required.

And a different problem: when you mix Sci-Fi with Fantasy, the two genres have different rules of premise creation. Fantasy is allowed more leeway; you can have magic of any sort you want, and if anyone complains about the unlikelihood of it, well, it’s just magic.

Sci-Fi can also have just about any premise you want, but there has to be an underlying scientific believability or it sounds lame. So, for example when you state that a being’s blood actually boils when it is cooled below ten degrees, Fantasy readers will accept this premise, but the average Sci-Fi reader says, “Huh? Fluids boil when you heat them. They go solid when you cool them.”

Fortunately (as we often find in books of this type), once the conflict gets moving, the author stops adding characters and explaining what each one is doing and why. At this point a decent story develops, and the final battle is a well-orchestrated conflict, complete with a tense “final countdown” to a satisfying conclusion.

Except for the Epilogue, which sets us up nicely for what I hope is a less explanatory sequel.

Three stars.