Books – The Crown Jewels

[a_cubed]

This is the first of (unfortunately only) three humorous SF novels by Walter Jon Williams. It introduces both a wonderful main character and a brilliantly absurd universe. At some point in the near future (but the far past from the book’s point of view) humanity is conquered by an alien race who are represented as the acceptable face of imperialism. After centuries or perhaps millennia in this empire, humanity stages the first successful rebellion ever and creates its own separate area called the Human Constellation. That was in the time of the main character Drake’s grandfather (more on him in book 3). Drake Maijstral would be a waistral but he prefers a more comfortable life and in this bizarre world one can be a registered thief. The rules are that the original owner must be able to afford the loss, the thief must do it themselves directly (henchmen can help but not enter the premises) and they must retain the stolen goods on their person or in their abode for 24 hours, after which they own them.

Amongst stealing to support his own lifestyle, Maijstral takes commissions and one such turns out to have major political ramifications and puts his wits to a severe test.

Artfully and archly written, this is a really funny tale, providing one can suspend disbelief far enough to let it run. Definitely recommended.

Current Mood:  tired

Current Music: Ghost in the Shell Soundtrack

Originally published at blog.a-cubed.info