★ 01/22/2024
Set in the world of City of Last Chances, this grim and exceptional look at fantasy warfare from Tchaikovsky feels like M*A*S*H written by an uncharacteristically somber Terry Pratchett. Maric Jack, the latest unwilling inductee into the Palleseen war machine, is assigned to the experimental hospital of the Forthright Battalion. Ordinarily the Palleseen would kill a foreign magic-user like Jack out of hand, but the Higher Orders believe his powers can be used to help the war effort against their adversaries, the mercantile power Lor. What they don’t understand is that, unlike the other miracle workers in the hospital, Jack isn’t in control of the marvelous healing that happens in his presence. The miracles are bestowed by the cantankerous pacifist God whom Jack was once a priest of—and that God will revoke his blessing from anyone he heals who then goes on to attempt to harm another. While Tchaikovsky centers the story on Jack, he takes the time to develop the other hospital staff as well, painting a broader picture of the corroding conflict between medicine and war. He also spices things up with a potential love interest for Jack and myriad details of both the Palleseen and the cultures it has swallowed in its quest to “perfect” the world. This is not to be missed. (Mar.)
