This was an interesting read for a couple reasons. I had recently reviewed the last two books of Marshall Ryan Maresca’s ambitious urban fantasy/steampunk series, the Maradaine Saga. The Velocity of Revolution is nothing at all like that, except for being equally brilliant. It has a distinctive setting and unique magic that really makes it stand out. There’s an excerpt available on the author’s website if you want to take a peek. This review was originally published in the February 1, 2021 issue of Booklist.
Marshall Ryan Maresca engages in another round of delightful worldbuilding in this standalone fantasy novel, The Velocity of Revolution. Magic is generated from the land: a combination of mushrooms, creating a psychic link between people who consume them, and speed, generated by their vehicles. Ziaparr is a conquered city, paying debts incurred in the previous war and providing resources for the current one. Forced into a strict caste system based on foreign or native descent, the lower castes are rebelling against the foreign impositions and rediscovering their heritage with the now-illegal mushrooms. Nália Enapi, a skilled rider, is on her first mission, learning the connection between mushrooms and her cycle’s speed, when she is captured by civil patrol officer Wenthi Tungét. The government uses mushrooms to connect their minds, setting Wenthi on an infiltration mission with access to Nália’s imprisoned mind allowing him to fit into both the rebellion and a lower caste. Coupled with Nália’s ever-strengthening presence in his mind and revelations of reality for the lower castes, Wenthi is torn between justice and duty.
This innovative setting, coupled with unexpected and delightful twists, make this a must read novel for fantasy readers.