The Incrementalists

June 3, 2013
In this philosophical and inventive urban fantasy, Brust (the Vlad Taltos series) and White (In Dreams Begin) introduce the eponymous secret society, which has existed for millennia with a startlingly humble mission. The Incrementalists use their 40,000-year collective memories for “meddlework”—identifying people at turning points in history and manipulating them to try and make the world a little better. They’re responsible for the MP3 and helping to cure General Grant’s drinking problem during the Civil War, as well as spectacular blunders such as Cambodia’s Killing Fields. Each time an Incrementalist dies, a “stub” of their memories and personality is embedded in a successor chosen by the surviving members. This process goes disastrously wrong in Las Vegas in 2011, when Phil picks Renee as Celeste’s successor and discovers that, for 400 years, Celeste—the woman he loves—has been meddleworking him. Fans of cerebral fantasy will enjoy the layered mystery, innovative concept, and fast-moving plot, though some might be put off by the haphazard, inorganic characterization, which greatly undermines a romantic subplot between Phil and Renee. Agent: Kay McCauley, Pimlico Agency.

October 1, 2013

Brust (Tiassa) and White (In Dreams Begin) craft an engaging speculative fiction novel that is as much magical realism as urban fantasy. The Incrementalists are quasi-immortals who work behind the scenes, not to control the world but simply to make it better. They store information in a shared metaphorical construct called "the Garden, somewhat akin to a memory palace in which hundreds can partake. In order to ensure their continuation, they pass along memories from members who have died to new recruits. Phil has guided Ren through the ritual to accept the memories of Celeste, but, in an unprecedented move, Celeste has altered the process and hidden herself from Ren. Phil must summon other senior Incrementalists so that, together, they can search the Garden for Celeste and, if need be, counter whatever plans she has made. A gunshot rings out, someone is poisoned, and two people fall in love in the real world (i.e., Las Vegas) while much of the rest of the "action" takes place in metaphor. VERDICT Although there is no hint of the Hungarian folklore that plays a role in Brust's popular series about the assassin Vlad Taltos, the novel has many other qualities that will satisfy Brust's fans. Unusual but beautifully written and satisfying. [Previewed in Kristi Chadwick's Genre Spotlight feature, "New Worlds to Explore," LJ 8/13--Ed.]--Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids

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