Of Swords and Parasols

Set seven years after the war between the fae and the Promethean mages has ended, Whiskey and Water takes the attention somewhat away from the fae, ditching most of the Arthurian aspects, and refocuses some of it on the machination of hell and its denizens, as a poet comes from hell to claim vengeance for the death of his lover during the war, bringing with him the revelation of plots that threaten both sides of the divide between the Promethean mages, and threaten the new Queen.

It’s hard to explain why I love this series so much. Even though the books are set in the modern age, they’re deeply rooted in mythology and intricate plots in ways most urban fantasy can only dream of, and build up the modern aspect around them. The characters and relationships are complicated and messy in ways all across the board, yet they all work. In any other book, the Keith/Elaine/Whiskey triangle (with a side of Carel, though not in this book) would send me running. Here, I just want more. Ditto with the subplot involving a character sworn to celibacy who has to get rid of it, and it somehow not being skanky when parties of all varieties come forward to offer to help him with that.

Another thing that shows up in Whiskey and Water is the theme of belief shaping reality, that believing something exists causes it to exist, with grave consequences. At the end of the book, it’s hard to tell what in that world exists because of its own merits, and what exists because of human belief.

It did need more Elaine and Whiskey, though. As a sidenote, the cover for this book is amazing, with an angel  itting on a throne of horns, surrounded by angel and demon servers, facing the lone human in the piece, with everyone wearing Elizabethan dress, in an ancient serving hall.

Can anyone recommend other books by Bear? I’ve had her short story collections recommended to me, but that’s it.