The Golden City

Skillful massing of surface details camouflages so-so basic materials in Cheney's debut historical fantasy, set in an alternative 20th-century Portugal. Although nonhumans are banned from the Golden City, Oriana Paredes has been living there for two years as a spy for the sereia, the mer-folk. After she's killed as part of a scheme to accumulate magical power, which would give Portugal dominance over her home islands, she becomes an uncomfortable ally to Duilio Ferreira, a half-selkie gentleman with a personal interest in thwarting the conspiracy. The fantastic elements are somewhat jerrybuilt, since the focal point is the clumsy struggle of two young people against their attraction for each other. However, the setting is so densely, convincingly detailed that readers are unlikely to notice weaknesses as they race toward a conclusion that screams for a sequel. (Nov.)