Theatre of the Gods

Brash, sly, and very enjoyable, this big novel plays with all the tropes of space opera and high fantasy that it can grab. In a far-future (or at least far different) universe where humans casually replace body parts with metal substitutes, inventor and explorer M. Francisco Fabrigas is noted for two things: his bushy beard and his wild claim to be able to travel between dimensions. What he most wants is rest, but the queen of the Holy Neon Empire sends Fabrigas off to explore other universes in “a rancid former pirate ship staffed by children and criminals and spies and captained by an angry teenager.” He’s unknowingly accompanied by two extremely dangerous stowaways: a tiny green girl known as the Vengeance, and a deaf boy who holds knowledge that could expose a monstrous plot. Naturally, the monstrous plotters will do anything to destroy Fabrigas and his companions. Also, of course, the explorers encounter ambushes, cannibal tribes, mutiny, palace intrigue—in short, every variety of wonderment, all slathered on with chutzpah and strained through droll wit. This is a remarkable, cheerfully sustained performance. (Dec.)