A refreshingly non-Eurocentric fantasy from the author of my beloved Murderbot Diaries. Maskelle, the main character, is a middle-aged woman, which made me so happy. We get a lot of gender and skin color diversity in fantasy, but not so much age diversity. Maskelle proves that women kick butt at any age (and can get hunky boyfriends to boot). The age difference would absolutely send the perpetually online folks calling said differences "grooming," which tickles me to no end.

This is being republished at the end of the year, so if you missed it the first time around, don't hesitate to snap it up this winter.

I received an ARC of this book via Edelweiss.

I’m a big fan of the Murderbot Diaries. I’m not the only fan; the series has proved so popular that Wells has been updating and revising some of her older works. Wheel of the Infinite, originally published in 2000, is one of those works.

I had never read before. It is fantasy rather than science fiction like the Murderbot Diaries. I enjoyed it a lot. The main character, Maskelle, used to be the Voice of a god, but she no longer hears from the Adversary. Most people don’t realize who she is, thinking she is merely a travelling nun. But bad forces know who she is and are after her at all times. Maskelle is middle-aged and powerful, tired but still opinionated and fighting. And very dangerous. (“If anyone is going to make trouble,” she says, “it will be me. Really. I’m the most dangerous person here.” (p. 128))

Maskelle hangs out with a fun troupe of actors who provide her with community and of whom she is genuinely fond. While looking for an herb to treat a sick girl, she comes across a prisoner – tall, rangy, handsome – and ten years younger than Maskelle. She helps him escape, sword in hand, and he soon becomes her partner, her protector, and her lover.

There’s serious trouble ahead as the troupe, the Voice, and the swordsman move toward the City and the Hundred Year Rite. There’s also an evil cursed puppet that knocks on its box to be let out and a fair amount of snark. I never doubted that Maskelle would handle whatever came her way.

This was a fun standalone novel, although I would not object to a sequel. My only complaint is about all the R names – Rian, Rastim, Raith. I had a bit of a time getting them straight. But Wheel of the Infinite would make an awesome move!

I read an advance reader copy of the updated and revised Wheel of the Infinite from Netgalley.

I have come to consider the fantasy worlds spun by Martha Wells as old friends. They feel both familiar - as if forgotten history, or plausible future - and otherworldly. The main characters feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, and yet the carry on. Doggedly taking one more step, and then another, as they confront their futures. Futures they often do not want to be saddled with but accept anyway. "Long-suffering sigh" is the phrase that often comes to mind when I first meet a Martha Wells hero or heroine. They don't want the job given to them, but know that if they don't do it, it is very likely no one else will. Or can.

In Wheel of the Infinite, the world evokes images of jungles, cities that sprawl, and inhabitants that live in a time and place that are aware of higher beings and speaking with "gods," but also no longer realize just how much those in charge are tasked with doing to keep everything from collapse. Until something arrives that upsets the balance.

Following Maskelle and Rian, we are brought through canals, roads, and buildings (and curses and distrust) to discover what is upsetting the balance of the Infinite. The journey is measured but never feels slow. It builds the tension between Maskelle and her former life, and what she feels was a failure and now must reconcile with new visions and voices. If anything, this story is one that highlights the disconnect between "church and state" if you will. For those that hear the voices of the Infinite hold so much more power than anyone might think. And even then, they are not infallible. The story of The Advocate also brings to mind that of Christianity, or at least the idea that a "god" may better lead their flock if they have the experiences of being human, rather than just an Infinite being. Something to muse over, perhaps.

I read an ARC of the upcoming revised edition of the book. All opinions are my own.