A review by se_wigget
Breath of Earth by Beth Cato

4.0

 

This alternative history/Steampunk novel is about the San Francisco earthquake in a different alternate reality—one involving geomancers and a union between the U. S. and Japan. It features a biracial heroine and a diverse cast. 

 

For a while I didn't feel in the mood for this novel. It's not easy for an anxiety-ridden mind to focus. 

40% into the book, I was finally really into it and thought: This is actually brilliant. It's original and a richly crafted world. It has a diverse cast and is quite feminist and even has a nonbinary character (but it's 1906 so without a label). I especially like the magical beings—or fantastics and Hidden Ones. 

 

And it sounds like the next book might be set in Portland, Oregon....