Alchymist: A Tale of the Three Worlds. Ian Irvine

Summary: The Node has failed, rendering humanity's battle clankers and the Aachim's constructs useless. With the battle lost, hordes of alien lyrinx are swarming from the tar pits of Snizort, intending to fall upon the survivors and destroy them to the last man. Tiaan, crippled and unable to walk, is held prisoner by the vengeful Vithis, who is determined to extract her geomantic secrets at any cost. For his failings, Nish has been cast out and branded a traitor, while Irisis, accused of high treason, is forced to flee for her life. The fate of humanity is depended on the survival of one wily old man, the Scrutator Xervish Flydd. But Flydd has been blamed for the defeat at Snizort and is condemned to die a brutish death as a slave - hauling ironclad clankers out of the battlefield mire until his heart bursts under the strain. I'm half way through Alchymist and I love it. Without tellin too much of the book, all of the action and light humor has focused more on Flydd, Nish, and Ullii. As always Ian Irvine put forth well rounded detail to his work, making it easy for we common folk to enjoy.