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In the “extras�� section at the end of the novel, the author answers some questions. She provides a fairly succinct description of the book:

Why, in the dedication, do you call The Spiritwalker Trilogy a “mash-up��?
�� A mash-up involves taking songs, or video clips, or bits of disparate media from different sources and “mashing�� them up together to make a song of video of program or other content that is a new whole based on a bunch of different parts. So when I call Cold Magic an “Afro-Celtic post-Roman icepunk Regency novel with airships, Phoenician spies, and the intelligent descendants of troödons�� (which were a small, intelligent, and agile species of dinosaur), I’m thinking of the novel as a mash-up of disparate elements. Since I happen to really enjoy mash-ups, it made sense for me to try one.

(For all your real mash-up needs, head over to !)

The map in the front shows a Europe recognizable in its general outlines, although the continuing ice age results in a lower sea level, thus England, er, Brigantia?, is attached to the continent via a land bridge. Which is where the action takes place, oddly enough. And many of the peoples of Europe are kinda represented, including the remnants of the Roman Empire. But apparently North America is occupied by those intelligent dinosaur descendants, and “salt ghouls�� have overrun parts of Africa.

Anyway, this is an alternate-universe/alternate-history fantasy story, with a huge helping of romance novel. Elliott alludes to this with the “Regency novel�� bit, but Jane Austen never got quite this melodramatic. So, what makes it a romance novel, you ask? Well, couples that are clearly purr-fect for each other start off hating one another as the result of an epic misunderstanding. And then their pride keeps them apart even though both recognize that they’re stupid with lust for the other. Oh, and everybody is beautiful. Well, everybody that matters, that is. There are some dowdy servants, but they don’t count, do they? Okay, not a bodice-ripper �� we’re probably still Rated G, with only hints of PG-13 in the occasional deep longing for the touch of his lips...

But don’t get me wrong! Unless you really dislike the foregoing, then this is a delightful romp. Not life changing, but Elliott might get this made into a Sci-Fi Channel series (although they’d ruin it, of course).

Oh, the other problem: yet another darn series. Some of the story arcs are just a little bit resolved in this first installment, but most are left dangling big-time. Getting kinda tired of this series shtick. Doesn’t anyone known how to write a standalone novel anymore?

This is the fantasy selection for the ŷ������ SciFi and Fantasy Book Club for the month of February 2011. Visit this link to see all of the discussions, group member reviews, etc.