Another novel that I really recommend, which mixes fantasy with social critique and science in one very interesting way, is "Soldiers of Paradise" by Paul Park. Its description of a world with seasons which last for generations and a caste-bound theocratic society that blends magic and touches of the modern world has a certain stark beauty to it.
One of the most well-plotted time travel novels ever. The breadth of Powers’ creativity is a thing of wonder. There were ideas in that book which were just bits of throwaway color, which I still think about years after having read the book.
That being said, his other books were a slight let down after Anubis Gates.
Major agreement with you there, and glad i'm not the only one. After reading the incredibly rich, beautifully rendered world of The Anubis Gates, I expected more of the same from his other books, but no, not quite as good, oddly. That book however remains the single best time travel fantasy novel I've ever read to this day.
The blend of nearly phantasmagoric horror, fantasy and a touch of science fiction is unique too. If anyone knows of any similar novels from other authors, i'm all ears.
