The Grimnoir Chronicles, by Larry Corriea, is a noir fantasy trilogy set in 1930s America. In this alternate history, a source of “magic” appears in our world in the late 19th century. At first only a few individuals are able to use this magic. But as time goes on, more and more people are blessed, or cursed depending on your point of view, with the ability to manipulate this power.
This magic is wielded differently by each user, usually according to their personality and temperament. But, in general, the users tend to fall into certain categories: some users can manipulate mass by making objects, including themselves, lighter or heavier. Others can walk through solid objects. Still others can turn invisible, become healers, or teleport short distances.
At first, the timeline stays similar to ours. But when WWI breaks out, the military potential of this new power is realized. Berlin is completely destroyed and made uninhabitable. From there, the misuse of the power grows exponentially, threatening a possible Armagedón.
Eventually, the source of the power is discovered and with it comes a greater danger to the world than the humans, who are playing with a power they don’t understand, is revealed. It’s up to our plucky heroes to find a way to prevent the End Of The World.
The trilogy starts a little slow, but by book two I was fully immersed. Book three I finished in a day!
Excellent series, very entertaining, I highly recommend it!
————————–Interlude————————
————–Neil Gaiman’s personal library——————–
I really enjoy seeing pictures of other people’s personal libraries. It’s an added bonus if that personal library belongs to an author. If that library belongs to an author that I like read, that gives me a serious dopamine hit!
I guess part of my fascination with home libraries is that I can’t help but compare and contrast them with my own. I look at some with envy and longing: if only I had the money and space to create such a space! Other times I am left perplexed at the decision making that went into the design. While I may not love it, somebody obviously does, and that’s all that matters.
But I think a big part of my interest is that I would love to peruse the shelves just to see what makes this person tik. What interests do we have in common? Conversly, what tomes are on their shelves that I probably would never even think to crack open? You can learn quite a lot about people by the books they read.
I recently came across a link to science fiction author Neil Gaiman’s library. As you can see in the photo below, Mr. Gaiman has a lot of books:
If you look closely, you can see he has had to resort to double stacking his books. In other words, he has put tall books towards the back of the shelf, then put short books in front of them.
I will be forthright and admit that I don’t have near that many books on my shelves. Understand, I now own only a fraction of the books I have read in my lifetime. Had I kept all the books that I have ever laid eyes on, I too would have to double stack my shelves. However, there are a couple of reasons why I didn’t keep all my books. One, I have limited space for bookcases. We have books stashed in almost every room in the house. And two, I will be honest and admit that I have read more than my fair share of crap in my lifetime. Books unworthy of space on my limited shelves.
Anyhoo, here is a link if you want to view more of Neil Gaiman’s library: Neil Gaiman’s Library in Pictures | Current Literature (actualidadliteratura.com)
