Master of Formalities by Scott Meyer is his first novel after his wonderfully geeky Magic 2.0 series (Off to be the Wizard, Spell or High Water, An Unwelcome Quest). I loved those novels, and they catapulted Scott Meyer into the realm of authors I will read on publication regardless of the novel they release. Master of Formalities takes us to the future and out into the galaxy, but the story within these pages is far from alien – it’s about as human as you can get. Add into this Meyer’s typical humourous writing style and it’s pretty easy to get drawn in and swept along for the ride.
From the publisher:
Even when finding oneself engaged in interstellar war, good form must be observed. Our story is set thousands of years after the Terran Exodus, where two powerful, planet-dominating families—the elegant House Jakabitus and the less refined Hahn Empire—have reached a critical point in their generations-long war. Master Hennik, the Hahn ruler’s only son, has been captured, and the disposition of his internment may represent a last and welcome chance for peace.
Enter Wollard, the impeccably distinguished and impossibly correct Master of Formalities for House Jakabitus. When he suggests that Master Hennik be taken in as a ward of the House, certain complications arise. Wollard believes utterly and devotedly in adhering to rules and good etiquette. But how does one inform the ruler of a planet that you are claiming his son as your own—and still create enough goodwill to deescalate an intergalactic war?
There is plenty going on in Master of Formalities despite it being set almost entirely on Apios. We follow House Jakabitus and its staff as they deal with the arrival of the heir to the Hahn Empire, a people that they have been at war with for countless years with no end in sight. However, the situation may now change with Master Hennik there, and it’s down to those running the household to do what they can to accommodate him. With centuries of traditions and many requirements, the staff of House Jakabitus have their hands full, and Wollard, their Master of Formalities, is the one in charge of them all, ensuring that etiquette is adhered to at all times.
Despite the fact that I really enjoyed Master of Formalities, there’s not much I really have to say about it. It’s funny and entertaining, but you often need to turn off your brain and simply enjoy what is presented for the fictitious story that it is. For example, the main (and only) sport on Apios is simply called ‘Sports’, and involves slapping, pushing, and de-panting. It’s not exactly sophisticated, but does make for some good jokes and plenty of fun, which is, ultimately, what Master of Formalities is about.
There is also the fact that despite this being set centuries in the future, it often doesn’t feel that way. The technology you’d expect present is most often used as a backdrop (and source of some jokes) rather than contributing to the story in any meaningful way. Despite this I couldn’t help but find the society and setting that Meyer presents interesting, even if it isn’t explored that deeply. Think Downton Abbey of the future, with the humour you could expect to see in Red Dwarf, and you wouldn’t be far wrong.
So, if you want to read something light and entertaining, you could do worse than checking out Master of Formalities. It’s not up to the same standard as Meyer’s Magic 2.0 series, but then that was always going to be tough to match. Still, recommended.
Publisher: http://www.apub.com/imprint-detail?imprint=5
Author: http://basicinstructions.net/
July 2015, 446 Pages
Paperback, ISBN: 9781477830918
Review copy received from the publisher
© 2015 Mark Chitty
