1993 novel by Harry Turtledove. This alternate world features the laws of magic rather than the laws of science, and stars an EPA (Environmental Perfection Agency) official hot on the trail of some (literally) bad juju. From the monastery of the Thomas Brothers to virtuous reality, the injokes and references are a scream.

The story begins with children being born without souls in the vicinity of a major magical toxic-waste containment facility. It takes the right kinds of noir twists, turns, and blind alleys, and explores quite thoroughly the idea of a modern civilization based on magic, including such things as carpet jams on the flyways, sylph-discipline and sylph-abuse, and the thecological implications of importing leprechauns to the Angels City basin.

A highly recommended romp. On the Eponymous sliding scale it gets 17/23 stars.

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