Amberlough

Amberlough, by Lara Elena Donnelly, is set in a city inspired (but in many ways very different to) 1930's Berlin, where a conservative anti-democratic government is about to manipulate its way into victory and threaten the diverse communities which make Amberlough their home. An interesting cross between Cabaret and a spy thriller, we follow three characters: washed up agent Cyril; his boyfriend, the sharp and stunning cabaret performer (and smuggler) Aristide; and Cordelia, a woman who has come from nothing to secure a place working in the same cabaret. When Cyril's mission to a nearby state to watch the election goes terribly wrong, the three characters end up embroiled in machinations to protect the community they love against the rise of the One State Party - and, failing that, to protect each other. One can't help but feel this latter mission would have gone better if any two characters could ever have a straightforward conversation with each other, but the lack of trust even between these people who care very deeply for each other underlines the claustrophobia and desperation which Amberlough creates, presenting a very dark view of the effects of creeping fascism and noting that, by the time most of us notice we are in danger, it is already too late to escape. The audiobook, read by Mary Robinette Kowall, is particularly recommended.