The Native Star

This was an interesting fantasy novel set in a 19th Century America in which magic vies with technology to fuel the Industrial Revolution. A rural hedge-Witch finds that a mysterious blue gem has embedded itself in her hand after a mine explosion. The gem disrupts any magic it encounters, leading the witch to set out on a quest to have it removed. The book has a unique conception of magic, dividing it into three types: Sangrimancy (evil blood magic), Animancy (nature magic), and Credomancy (magic powered by the faith of others). There's an interesting plot and cast of characters, even if a romantic subplot gets a bit sappy at the end. Overall, not amazing but worth reading.