The Black Chamber: A Novel of an Alternate World War I
S. M. Stirling
Science fiction
S. M. Stirling usually provides reliable entertainment, but not this time. The Black Chamber is derivative, predictable, and almost completely without characterization. It's also marred by frequent intrusions that I can only describe as "thought balloons", where Stirling narrates a character's internal monologue--frequently in wince-worthy fashion. There are the inevitable infodumps, which aren't handled particularly well (though the combination of utopian and dystopian elements in the background was interesting). The dialogue is decidedly stilted.
Finally, the main character does not make any of the crucial decisions in the plot. Other people do, and she reacts. The other problems might be recoverable, but not this one. Give The Black Chamber a miss.
A better alternative-history adventure by the same author--particularly for fans of the inimitable "Flashman" novels--is The Peshawar Lancers.
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