Earthquakes on Mars in the 22nd Century (2132) and 18th Century (1779) British Sailing Vessels traversing space might not be the first two things one might think to pair together in a story, but that is part of what makes Michael J. Martinez’s debut novel, The Daedalus Incident such an interesting and fun novel. Part Alternate History / Steampunk, part Hard Science Fiction, The Daedalus Incident is a combination of those things and more, and the sum of those parts is a fun, engaging novel.
Our first narrative focuses on Lt. Shaila Jain, commander of a partnership between the military and a powerful corporation stationed at McAuliffe base on Mars trying to keep her crew alive amidst inexplicable earthquakes and the inherit conflict between corporation and military. When those aforementioned Earth … rather, Mars-quakes begin is also where her story begins and the source of those quakes is a mystery that carries much of the “future” narrative. This seems a fairly standard science fiction scenario, interplanetary exploration with all the science involved that makes such experiences manageable only to discover something that ‘shouldn’t be there or happen’ appear or happen. The other narrative features the Royal Navy in conflict with other vessels and other nations; however, these sailing vessels traverse the Void between the planets of our Solar System through alchemical means.
The cast of characters in 1779 prove to be more interesting than the characters on Mars, there is a wider variety of people, the setting as far more fascinating, with those two elements intertwining so well. In short, while, Martinez’s writing is strong in both parallel worlds, his imagination is on much greater display in the alternate 1779. The point character here is Lieutenant Thomas Weatherby, his alchemically-powered ship the HMS Daedalus, and his journeys across the Solar System (or “the Known Worlds” as the novel calls it), as he encounters characters from history of the time. Weatherby is joined by an alchemist named Finch and it is their mission to find the mad scientist / alchemist who is hopping from planet to planet securing the ‘essence’ of each planet which will allow him access to great power that could severely alter the balance of power in the solar system. (Historical names not included so the reader can have that “a-ha” moment themselves).
Some of the most fascinating elements of the novel involved the world-building: how the parallel world Weatherby inhabits came to be, how magic works, and where history diverges from our own. Not only are sailing vessels traversing the Solar System (the Void), but like the Science Fiction of the late 19th and early 20th Century, the planets of the Solar System where Earth resides are or were inhabited. Weatherby and his men visit Mercury, which is populated by a strange alien species. Their journey also takes Weatherby, Finch, and crew to the Jovian System, Ganymede in particular. The cosmology here suggests humanity, though advanced, is a much younger species than those who live in the “solar neighborhood.” Prefacing most of the chapters in the 1779 narrative are snippets from Weatherby’s journey. This is a clever trick and as the novel progresses at a great pace, Martinez uses the journal in a very clever fashion.
Of course when an author or story present two storylines that are seemingly separated by hundreds of years or vast distances, those two storylines almost always find themselves converging. Martinez made the revelation, or rather the road to the revelation, of how these storylines converged together a very addictive reading experience. It was an engaging mystery overlaid on a science fiction story running parallel with a steampunkish alternate history (and another flavor of genre infused near the end) that kept me turning the pages rather frantically.
In many ways, this book reminded me a great deal of an overlooked series from about a decade ago – J. Gregory / Greg Keyes’ criminally under-read Age of Unreason four-book series, which begins with Newton’s Cannon. There’s the same mix of important historical figures as characters in the story, a supernatural injection into a relatively familiar time period, and a solid story at the core.
A little bit of history about this book – it was caught up a bit in the unfortunate quagmire of Night Shade Books’s financial problems. Where some authors decided to amicably part ways with Night Shade (and have had success), it seems Martinez’s decision to stay with Night Shade worked out well for him. When Skyhorse Books took over Night Shade’s title list, The Daedalus Incident worked out to be the launch / lead title for the relaunch of the imprint. Since then, Mike has finished the trilogy with the final book, The Venusan Gambit having recently published. All told, I’m very pleased Michael Martinez’s work weathered the Night Shade turbulence because The Daedalus Incident is a clear indication of a writer with an interesting and fun story to tell who possesses writing and storytelling skill. All three books have been well-received and I very much look forward to finishing my journey along with Weatherby and Jain through the Solar System in both (maybe more?) universes.
Recommended
© 2015 Rob H. Bedford
Published by Night Shade Books / Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1597-80472-1
August 2013 / 400 Pages
http://michaeljmartinez.net/
Excerpt: http://io9.com/an-18th-century-frigate-does-battle-in-orbit-around-1139553736
Review copy purchased
