Everfair

by Nisi Shawl
Everfair cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Fantasy, Political, Military, Adventure
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Waterstones
Paperback • £16.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 5947
  • Added: 2025-10-27
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781466837843
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published: 2016-09-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Everfair is a brilliant alternate history that reimagines Belgium's colonization of the Congo. African American missionaries and British socialists purchase land from King Leopold II to create a safe haven called Everfair. This land becomes a melting pot of cultures, including dream-eyed Europeans, formerly enslaved people from America, and Chinese railroad builders. Using advanced technology like spying cats, nuclear dirigibles, and silent pistols, they strive to defeat Leopold II and build a better society. However, internal conflicts and the looming threat of a world war may jeopardize their utopian dreams. The book is a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and political intrigue, blending elements from four continents. It's a story of hope, resilience, and the struggle for a better world. With its unique blend of technology and culture, Everfair offers a fresh perspective on history and the power of collective effort.

Reviews
Reddit - Fantasy Book Club · 2022-07-01
critical 2.50

The book is critiqued for feeling like a loose collection of short stories rather than a cohesive novel. The constant stream of new characters is noted as a drawback.

In this Reddit discussion, several readers felt that Everfair lacked the cohesion of a traditional novel. They described it as feeling more like a collection of short stories, with a constant stream of new characters that made it difficult to connect with the narrative. While they appreciated the ambition and creativity of the book, they found the execution lacking in terms of plot and character development. The reviewers suggest that the book could have benefited from a more focused narrative to make it more engaging and cohesive.

Quick quotes

    This book really feels like a loose collection of short stories rather than a novel.

    The constant stream of new characters makes it hard to connect with the story.

    The worldbuilding is impressive, but the plot feels disjointed and unfocused.

Cannonball Read · auntadadoom · 2022-01-13
mixed 3.00

Everfair is described as sprawling and impressive but also oddly hollow. The reviewer was excited to read the book due to its accolades but found it lacking in certain areas.

The reviewer at Cannonball Read had high expectations for Everfair, given its numerous awards and nominations. They found the book to be sprawling and impressive, with a richly detailed world. However, they also felt that the novel was oddly hollow, lacking depth in some areas. The reviewer appreciates the ambition of the book but wishes it had delved deeper into certain aspects to make it more fulfilling. They note that while the book has its strengths, it ultimately falls short of their expectations.

Quick quotes

    Sprawling, impressive, and oddly hollow.

    Oh man, I was so excited to read Everfair. It won or was nominated for basically every major award.

    The worldbuilding is ambitious and stunning, but the plot and characterization feel weaker in comparison.

Alive and Narrating · 2016-10-10
thoughtful 3.00

This book is doing important things with the SFF/steampunk genre, history, and the historical record. It is a good book that re-centers the narrative.

This book is a standout in the SFF/steampunk genre, tackling important themes and re-centering the narrative in a meaningful way. It's a good book that does more than just entertain; it challenges and educates. The author's approach to history and the historical record is both thoughtful and innovative, making it a book that will appeal to readers looking for something a bit different. It's a book that will make you think, feel, and question, all while enjoying a well-crafted story.

Quick quotes

    Everfair is a good book that's doing important things with the SFF/steampunk genre, history and the historical record

    It is a good book that re-centers the narrative on important themes

    The author's approach to history and the historical record is both thoughtful and innovative

NPR · 2016-09-07
intriguing 3.50

The book is thorough in its descriptions of setting and mechanics, but it skims lightly over relationships. It's a complex and multifaceted story that delves into the darker aspects of steampunk.

This book is a complex and multifaceted story that delves into the darker aspects of steampunk. It's thorough in its descriptions of setting and mechanics, which adds a layer of richness to the story. However, it skims lightly over relationships, which might leave some readers wanting more. The book's exploration of the darker aspects of steampunk is both intriguing and thought-provoking, making it a book that will appeal to fans of the genre looking for something a bit deeper. It's a book that will make you think, feel, and question, all while enjoying a well-crafted story.

Quick quotes

    While 'Everfair' dwells very thoroughly in descriptions of setting, mechanics, dress, minutiae, it skims very lightly where relationships

    It's a complex and multifaceted story that delves into the darker aspects of steampunk

    The book's exploration of the darker aspects of steampunk is both intriguing and thought-provoking

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