Riddle me this: When is a steampunk novel not a steampunk novel? That’s a trick question, because the answer is never. Like most genres, authors can bend it to their will, to tell the story they want to tell. Author BJ Sikes is the perfect example of how an author can do exactly that, as exemplified through The Archimedean Heart. While it includes many of the trappings that fans of the genre—myself included—love, the author has written a novel that, in many ways, feels more akin to straight historical fiction than steampunk.
While the above statement may alarm the steampunk faithful, it’s no cause for concern. The Archimedean Heart is a stronger book for feeling more like a classical historical fiction. While set in a steampunk world during the Victorian Era—although in France, an unexpected location that offers a distinct European flavour—Sikes presents a world and story that feels as though it’s rooted in history. While its France is filled with bland bread and technology far beyond what the history books tell us, the novel tells a grounded tale that absorbs the reader. This is a book about beauty, humanity and art. This book puts the punk in steampunk. With a story about working to overthrow a monarchy as it questions how far is too far to take technology, The Archimedean Heart resonates in ways that many of its contemporaries don’t.
Although a relatively short read at 240 pages in paperback (or an estimated 217 pages on your technological eReader), The Archimedean Heart fits so much story into those pages. No space is wasted as it tells the story of three main characters: half-brothers, artists John and Henri, and “Physician Scientist” Adelaide. Hired to paint a portrait of the Queen of France, John suspects she may be an automaton. A rebel group, the Underground, determined to overthrow the Queen, recruits Henri to their cause. And Adelaide works to create an automaton that will someday replace the ageing and failing Queen. The novel balances these story arcs wonderfully, with the three narratives converging into an intricate web.
Some readers will inevitably cry foul at the inclusion of a prologue, but The Archimedean Heart is the perfect example of how much value this device can add. It serves as a brief introduction to the world, separate to the major narrative threads, while also setting the scene for what’s to come. The remainder of the story builds slowly throughout the book, crafting a tale of intrigue. As the story progresses, The Archimedean Heart is expertly paced and will draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end. Given its length, it is entirely possible to read this novel in a single sitting, something I can attest to because I couldn’t put the book down. With plenty of twists and turns throughout it, I was never sure what to expect, and its pulse pounding finale had me gripped.
As gripping as its story is, a major reason The Archimedean Heart works so well is thanks to its characters and their interactions. Its main characters of John, Henri and Adelaide could easily have acted as its sole protagonist, and would have been a delight to follow. The closeness between John and Henri, half-brothers, sparring partners and best friends, resonates wonderfully. They are both artists; John is the more successful of the two, thanks to his insistence on only painting those he finds beautiful, presenting works that look as artificial as his augmented subjects. Henri, meanwhile, struggles financially as he paints the common people, resulting in works that capture their natural beauty. The two bicker, particularly over their artistic endeavours, in delightful ways, but their bond is wonderful. Adelaide, meanwhile, can also be considered an artist as she works to create a new automaton monarch. While she doesn’t share the same history as John and Henri and takes a comparative backseat compared to them, as her story intersects with theirs, it results in some wonderful shared moments. The Archimedean Heart is filled with characters who have a smaller role to play, but are no less delightful to follow. All these characters ensure this story is richly populated, and human.
The relationships in The Archimedean Heart are full of nuance. Whether characters are lovers, romantic interests (and these are not always linked), friends or enemies, these relationships underscore the book’s humanity. The book touches upon many themes, including what art captures about its subjects, at what point are people are no longer human if they continually augment themselves, the ways technology can disrupt the world, what the definition of beauty is, and the fight for a better world… or falling into extremism, depending on your viewpoint. At every turn, this humanity shines through the themes, ensuring they are all wonderfully resonant.
Sikes’ prose is clear throughout the book. The language used articulates everything it needs to without the use of flowery language. It concisely describes events, characters and their feelings, while also being evocative. It also regularly brought a smile to my face, thanks to some amusing asides and wordplay. I felt as though I was inside this alternate version of 1880 Paris, and the use of French words and spellings adds to the atmosphere. No words are wasted; it is tightly written and edited. The dialogue works just as well; each character has their own unique voice that flows wonderfully while sounding perfectly natural. While I did find a few typos in the book, these were rare, and didn’t pull me out of the story.
If you look at BJ Sikes’ works on Amazon and Goodreads, you may spot The Vitruvian Mask, which is billed on these sites and in its blurb as the second book in The Roboticist of Versailles story (neither book’s cover, nor this book’s listings, mention this), meaning The Archimedean Heart is the first book in the series. If you’re concerned about starting a series, this book stands entirely on its own, and no further reading is required. On the strength of this novel, though, I imagine anybody who reads it will want to read the sequel. While I haven’t read it yet at the time of writing this, I absolutely cannot wait to read it, and I’ll have a review for you tomorrow.
Despite the question I opened this review with, there is absolutely no denying that The Archimedean Heart is a steampunk novel, and fans of the genre will find so much to love. But it is also a book that transcends its genre, full of resonant themes and wonderful characters. And if you’re not a fan of steampunk stories, you can consider the book historical fiction and still find a lot to love.
