Title: The Family Trade
Author: Charles Stross
First published December 1, 2004
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780765348210 (ISBN10: 0765348217)
Rating: 3.55
Overview
In The Family Trade, Charles Stross presents a thrilling fantasy tale reminiscent of the Chronicles of Amber. Miriam Beckstein, a journalist living in Boston, uncovers a money-laundering scheme that could be the story of the year.
But when she brings it to her editor, she’s fired on the spot and threatened by the criminals involved. To make matters worse, she receives a locket from her mother who was murdered when she was a baby.
The locket transports her to a parallel Earth where she discovers a family she never knew existed. The six families of the Clan control the kingdom of Gruinmarkt and have the power to walk between worlds, making them wealthy and dangerous.
As the heir to her mother’s fortune, Miriam becomes the countess Helge Thorold-Hjorth and gets caught up in a web of schemes and plots that threaten her life and everything she’s ever known. With unlikely allies, forbidden loves, and lethal contraband, Miriam must navigate this new world and uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder.
Full of deception and intricate lies, The Family Trade is a gripping epic that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Charlie Stross is a writer from Edinburgh, Scotland who has penned a diverse range of works spanning science fiction, Lovecraftian horror, and fantasy. He is often grouped with other British science fiction writers of his generation, such as Alastair Reynolds, Ken MacLeod, Liz Williams, and Richard Morgan, who are known for their focus on hard science fiction and space opera.
Stross’s contributions to the genre have earned him entries in the SF Encyclopedia and Wikipedia, as well as recognition from publications like Tor.
Editoral Review
Charles Stross’s The Family Trade is a thrilling novel that blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. This novel, which was first published on December 1, 2004, takes place in two parallel universes and follows the story of Miriam Beckstein, a journalist who discovers that she has the ability to travel between these parallel worlds.
As she navigates this new and dangerous reality, she must come to terms with her own family’s complicated past and make difficult decisions that could have far-reaching consequences. Stross is a master of genre-bending storytelling, and The Family Trade is no exception.
He seamlessly blends science fiction and fantasy to create a richly imagined world that is both familiar and utterly strange. The novel’s pacing is relentless, with plot twists and turns that will leave readers breathless.
The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the characters are complex and multi-dimensional. What sets The Family Trade apart from other books in its genre is its exploration of themes that are both universal and deeply rooted in contemporary issues.
Stross’s masterful blend of science fiction and fantasy allows him to explore topics such as power, corruption, and family dynamics in unique and thought-provoking ways. The novel also explores themes of climate change, resource depletion, and political instability, making it especially relevant to contemporary readers.
The world-building in The Family Trade is exceptional, and Stross’s attention to detail is impressive. He creates two parallel universes that are both vividly imagined and distinctly different from one another.
The novel also explores the intricacies of a secret family that has been pulling the strings of world events for centuries, and the power struggles that arise as the characters navigate this complex web of relationships. While The Family Trade is a compelling and entertaining read, it does have its flaws.
The novel’s pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections moving too quickly while others drag. Additionally, some of the characters feel underdeveloped, and their motivations are not always clear.
Despite these flaws, I highly recommend The Family Trade to fans of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. Stross is a gifted storyteller, and his ability to blend genres and explore complex themes makes this novel a captivating read.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, based on its solid writing, engaging plot, and well-developed characters.
