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The Corsay Books are an as-yet uncompleted book series by Chris Braak. The first two novels, The Translated Man and Mr. Stitch, are set in the city of Trowth - an Alternate Universe version of Victorian London. They follow the adventures of Elijah Beckett, Elizabteth Skinner, and Valentine Vie-Gorgon. These three are members of the Coroners, a law enforcement group dedicated to fighting the dangerous and exotic sciences known as Heresies.
The overall aesthetic of the series can be described as Lovecraftian Steampunk, prominently featuring Body Horror, Eldritch Abomination, and fantastical technology made of brass. The world is closely realized, with intriguing details of Trowthi history and culture woven into the page-turner narrative.
A third novel, In Corsay is due sometime in 2011.
These books provides examples of:[]
- Alien Geometries: How The Excelsior was supposed to work. Also the cause of the titular translated man.
- Alternate Universe
- Black and Gray Morality: The Coroners' attitude of zero tolerance and summary execution is clearly oppressive, but may be justified given the dangerous nature of the Heretical Sciences.
- Blind Weaponmaster: Skinner
- Bunny Ears Lawyer: Valentine is quite eccentric by the standards of Trowthi society
- Determinator: Elijah Beckett, and - to a lesser extent - Elizabeth Skinner
- Disability Superpower: The Knockers are blinded to focus their abilities of auditory clairvoyance.
- Fantastic Racism
- Hallucinations: Induced by overdoses of the powerful narcotic Fang.
- Handicapped Badass: Skinner
- Hostile Weather: The city of Trowth has this in spades, ranging from a Second Winter cold enough to kill an exposed person in moments to psychestorms, which drive anyone not sheltered by copper-plating insane. This often proves an inconvenience.
- Judge, Jury, and Executioner: The Coroners' job description.
- Keep the Home Fires Burning: Skinner and Karine are only employed by the Coroners because most of the young men are away at war.
- Last-Name Basis: Fitting given the quasi-Edwardian setting. Beckett and Skinner are almost always referred to by their last names. Curiously, however, Valentine goes by his first.
- Mad Scientist
- Master Swordsman: Valentine, Skinner, and many members of the Trowthi aristocracy.
- Non-Idle Rich: Valentine Vie-Gorgon
- Sword Cane: Skinner has one
- Victorian London: Trowth is something of an Alternate Universe version, albiet with more malevolent weather.