Dancing Jack

The renewal of Ash's life and world, from disasters she had a hand in creating, is told in deceptively low-key language, which grows to be compelling. After revolution with mixed resilts, plague and famine, the lands along the Madeena River are, like Ash herself, in a world class funk. The story opens in spring, with the first muddy thaw in the ground and in Ash's heart. The "Dancing Jack" of the title is a toy, whose effect on events.like so much else, is not obvious, yet may be considerable. The world is not a standard stereotype. Steamboats combine with potato farmers and clock-makers to divert attention from wonders building out of the corner of the eye. Conclusion: the book is much better than my review of it. It you have any tolerance for understated beauty, and have a chance to get it, try it.