The Universal Mirror
By Gwen Perkins
Any one on the island of Cercia with the ability to do magic is forbidden under penalty of death or hands removed not to commit Heresy. Quentin is married to a woman he actually loves but is treated by her as if he is unworthy to wipe her shoes. He has earned this in her eyes by always being gone late and appears to be flitting around with her family money. Little does she know the loving task he has set himself in learning a new way to use his magic. He must keep it secret for he is sure the council would brand it a Heresy.
The story moves along at a fare pace and has a flavor not unlike that of stories by Kevin J. Anderson and Brandon Sanderson. It is fantasy but if I had to come up with one label to describe it I would go with “Pre-Steampunk”. Any way, I enjoyed it and it gets five satisfaction units.