Continues the story begun to such good effect in The Mechanical, but I gave it only three stars (versus five for The Mechanical) because there was jus..Show More »t too much fighting. Two things saved it for me: first, that the battle chapters alternated with other scenes taking place elsewhere. Second, that the main character in the battle scenes, Captain Longchamp, was highly likeable and the best cusser I have ever encountered in literature. I mean that in the best possible way! if you don't believe me, check out the book's page on Goodreads, go to the quotes section, and read a few of them. Be sure you don't have any liquid in your mouth at the time or you may do a spit-take from laughter.

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I fell hard for the writing of Ian Tregillis with Bitter Seeds, the first book in the Milkweed Tryptich, so when The Mechanical (the first book in the..Show More » Alchemy Wars series) came out, my expectations were high. And met, thoroughly. Tregillis does a remarkable job blending alternate history, science fiction, dark fantasy & steampunk into his own unique form of genre. I would put Ian Tregillis in the same high tier as Paolo Bacigalupi for unique, trailblazing fiction.

The Liberation is a wonderful conclusion to the series; my only regret is that it's over. And I'm glad the publisher stayed with Kris Kayser as narrator throughout the series. He was fantastic in his own right, but anyone who can repeatedly say "The Sacred Guild of Horologists and Alchemists" multiple times throughout the series, so succinctly, as well as emulate mechanical characters in such a persuasive way that we can distinguish one from another...well, he deserves an Audie! Great combination of author and narrator.

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