Tread of Angels by Rebecca RoanhorseMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
While we wait for further adventures in Roanhorse's established series (though The Sixth World is apparently on indefinite hiatus, and the final book of Between Earth and Sky has a title and release date for later this year, but no cover), she gives us an interesting little novella with a peculiar steampunk western fantasy vibe. This mountainous mining town with a sharp class divide, rooted in past angel-demon warfare and acting as a pointed allegory for race as well (the Elect build their riches on the backs of the Fallen who can see the Divinity as it is mined, and biracial protagonist Celeste has passing privilege which her sister Mariel lacks), feels like one of the most vibrant settings Roanhorse has given us yet, and that's saying something considering she's given us postapocalypse in the Desert Southwest and a pre-Columbian-inspired Meridian. Unfortunately, the actual characters don't stand out as much, feeling like they have less personality than the town of Goetia itself - Celeste's old flame Abraxas. But being a novella makes it very easy to devour the book in a single sitting, and maybe this'll be the first of a new series...but if not, that's cool too.
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