Cross Fantasy with Wild West in BELLA by Michael Conley

Can I interest you in an alternative history-steampunk-fantasy-western? With a Black main character? If so, I have the perfect book for you: Bella by Michael Conely. Alternative History and Fantasy Combined I have always been a fan of alternative history. Harry Turtledove introduced me to the genre via his Southern Victory series which re-imagines American history with the small caveat that The South wins the Civil War. After devouring that 11-book series and then finding my way over to George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards series I have remained a steadfast fan of the category. Alternative history is always an interesting sub-genre of the fantasy world, because we all know what’s supposed to happen. The trick is to make a small change that snowballs rather quickly. This creates a world that is now something strange yet familiar. I always found good alternative history to be like an unending feeling of déjà vu, a flavor that always remains on the tip of your tongue. In Bella, Conley takes this interesting and intricate sub-genre and adds in a steampunk and fantasy kicker. In short, he ups his degree of difficulty. When judging a stand-alone fantasy book or series, I’m interested in the traditional checklist: character development, pacing, story, setting, what have you. But additionally, I want to know about your magic system — is it explained? Is it new, interesting? What are the rules and regulations governing it? Is it logical and consistent? The magic system is in and of itself…