That's the cover of my version, but it has many covers - I like this one:


After hearing good things about George R. R. Martin I had high hopes when I picked this up on recommendation from a friend, it sounded like it had a good mix of things I want in books.

The book starts off in the 1850's with no-nonsense steamboat captain Abner Marsh, struggling with a financial crisis is made an offer by a mysterious man called Joshua York, an offer that sounds too good to turn down. Joshua is willing to pay for the construction of the grandest, and fastest steamboat Abner could possibly imagine, so long as Joshua can go about his business without question, no matter how odd it may seem. Other strange "friends" are picked up randomly along the river as the Fevre Dream (the name of the newly constructed steamboat) tries to make a name for itself along the river with hopes of fulfilling Abner's dream of one day beating the famous "Eclipse" steamboat in a race.

Caught between being a man of his word and a good captain, Abner confronts Joshua about his odd behaviour, the ship frequently has to wait for days as Joshua, who keeps to very strange hours, leaves the boat to attend business, returning with more strange friends each time with little or no explanation. Finally Joshua can not hide his secrets to everyone and at his insistence, Abner Marsh is brought into his world, whether he believes it to begin with or not.

I would not want to say much more about the plot through fear of giving anything away (so many reviews I have read since reading the book say too much) but this is a highly enjoyable book with plenty of mystery, suspense, plot-twists and lots of grey area between good and evil, not to mention it has some relatively gruesome scenes which I always find enjoyable! Martin writes in character a lot and you find yourself adopting the accents in your head subconsciously, a feat not all writers succeed in (in my experience). I was obviously not around American in the mid 19th century but I feel the atmosphere of that time is captured remarkably well while also dealing with issues of slavery that were prominent at the time is another part of how the book questions what exactly is good and evil, what is sane behaviour? The contrast in characters and their interaction with each other makes for a fascinating read.

At 350 pages long (paperback) it's a good length and one you can easily pick up when you're in the mood (I have been juggling between this and the God Delusion) but at the same time it's always on your mind and not something you'll forget about until you do finish it.

I'm sure if you look around you can find it for a bargain price, do you yourself a favour and give it a try :)

8.5/10

I read this myself not so long along. I think I bought it for a bargainous £2.50 (oslt) at Forbidden Planet. :)

It took a few chapters for me to get into it, but after that I was hooked, and as you say, I was constantly thinking about it and wanting to read how it all turned out. I definitely concur with this recommendation. :)

I will look out for it :)