Sure there are shark matadors and alchemical alcoholic fruits, not to mention the mysterious Elderglass, but these are more a backdrop rather than plot driving and all combine to make, subtle and intriguing read.

There is almost a sense of Oceans 11 meets venetian masquerade, blink and you’ll miss the sleight of hand! Fantasy is almost an afterthought in this novel and it is really about the character building and storytelling. Instead criminal gangs, corrupt officials and the high likelihood of being mugged in a back alley. No shining heroes and wistful princesses here. Scott Lynch builds a fascinating fantasy city with real detail and real grit. Renaissance Venice meets fantasy meets the twists and turns of a well crafted crime novel.