Glass Town by Steven Savile (ARC) - Review

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I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In the 1920s, Seth and Isaiah Lockwood both loved Eleanor Raines, a young actress from the East End of London. However, Eleanor mysteriously disappeared never to be seen again. Isaiah, Seth’s younger brother, couldn't accept that she was just gone. It's been over seventy years and both men are dead, but now their secret threatens to destroy London. Seth made a deal with an illusionist to make a life size version of Glass Town, his most famous trick, in the city. Glass Town is a prison out of sync with time where every one hundred years on the outside equals only one year inside. And now, Seth's trick is collapsing.

Glass Town by Steven Savile is a totally enthralling, gritty historical urban fantasy with a great core mystery and compelling characters. The premise caught my attention right away and for the most part it live up to my expectations. I love that the author blends the world of 1920s and modern London so well. His descriptions of the setting and obsession of the characters are all wonderfully atmospheric, almost noirish even. My favorite unexpected element is the connection between this fantasy and Alfred Hitchcock's real life unfinished silent movie titled Number 13. My only real issue with the story is getting characters mixed up and having to backtrack a bit to review who was speaking and when.

Overall, if you're looking for an intriguing new historical fantasy to sink your teeth into, Steven Savile's new release comes with high marks from me. There are so many elements to enjoy with everything from classic film, gangsters, and to magic. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a great combination to me. If you like Neil Gaiman, Tim Powers, and possibly even Peaky Blinders, you may also enjoy Glass Town.

Thanks again, NetGalley!


I read this ARC on December 2, 2017 and my review is also available on Goodreads.  This novel is being released today, December 5th, 2017.