Galen Beckett concludes his three-book series set in an alternate Victorian England with “The Master of Heathcrest Hall” (Bantam Spectra, $19, 718 pages), and it’s a worthy ending to an entertaining trilogy. Beckett does a better job than most of tying up loose ends, justifying the villains and delivering a satisfying conclusion, so those who don’t mind the conventions of 19th century novels should start with “The Magicians and Mrs. Quent.”Then again, Beckett’s Altania is significantly different than England for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the presence of 12 planets and days and nights that can differ wildly in length. There’s also a fair bit of magic, but the limited opportunities for women in our history are in full force – including the persecution of those seen as witches.One warning: Those expecting steampunk, and a reprise of a book like Mieville’s “Perdido Street Station” will be disappointed. This series is much closer to Jane Austen than China Mieville in tone and voice. The third installment in the trilogy brings us back to our three major characters. Ivy is living on Durrow Street with her two sisters and her beloved husband, Mr. Quent, and still trying to puzzle out messages left her by her father. Rafferdy has become fully involved in the Assembly, as well as a clandestine group of magicians, working to protect the Wyrdwood. Eldyn is performing as an illusionist, and learning how to make impressions (a kind of magical photo). All their lives are going along pretty well…but there are political rumblings, a revolutionary army on the march, and a red planet coming ever closer and bringing with it the Ashen, terrifying enemies set to destroy all life in their path.All these bigger issues were largely in the background in the second book, which worked surprisingly well. I was hoping they would become more central in the third book and (eventually) they did. Beckett does very nicely gradually building up to the larger crises, while somehow never losing the feel of ordinary people who (mostly) are trying to go about ordinary lives.I also hoped for more of Mr. Quent (he is, after all, the title character) but only partially got that. There was a bit of a facepalm moment when, at the very beginning of the book, we find out Mr. Quent is out of town. Again. As usual. He was perpetually out of town or working late in the second book. He actually does end up being in this one a bit more, and I just love it whenever he and Ivy are together. There’s such a Bronte feel to the two of them. Bronte actually gives us those sweet conversations Austen likes to skim past.These books are all around 700 pages each, so by the end of the third, I had spent a lot of time with our three main characters. I loved how they grew and developed.There’s a love triangle in here that I really liked, because it felt like a genuine conflict (though I guessed how it would ultimately resolve) while at the same time all three were so honorable, and respectful of everyone else involved. It struck me as such a contradiction to the (false) idea that you can’t write a book about genuinely good people.As noted, this is a long book and, considering it’s written in an Austenish style, it’s not usually in much of a hurry. It works though–don’t expect fast paced action (except now and then) but there is a very satisfying slow unrolling of events and revealing of mysteries. Without getting into spoiler specifics, I’ll also mention that, in the end, everything ties up happily, in a way that’s almost too convenient. I know that bugs some people, so be aware…although personally, I like neatly happy endings.I’ve been recommending this one to all of my friends who like Austen and fantasy. I think you really do have to like both, but if you do, this trilogy is one not to be missed!
Do You like book The Master Of Heathcrest Hall (2012)?
A good conclusion to a really interesting series.
—talinha95
Review copy won on Goodreads.com on 2-29-12.
—esha
