I'm not sure if I can reproduce the whole thing here, but I'll quote my favorite bits:
This lively and thought-provoking sequel to 2007's Mainspring expands Lake's alternate 19th-century world of baroque politics and gothic clockwork. ... Lake effectively anneals steampunk with geo-mechanical magic in an allegorical matrix of empire building and Victorian natural science.
(Thanks to arcaedia for the original tip, and thanks to another benefactor for forwarding the review itself.)