The Family Trade by Charles Stross

"The Family Trade" by Charles Stross is the first novel in the Merchant Princes series.  It tells the story of Miriam Beckstein, a journalist who loses her job in the opening pages of the story. This act sets her on a path where she discovers her true family on an alternate version of earth, with a surprise- they have the ability to move between the worlds and as a result are wealthy in both worlds and are part of the ruling class in the alternate world. Add in intrigue, court politics and that her arrival could disrupt the balance of power, and you have set the stage for a story full of possibilities. 

Stross delivers the goods here. The depiction of Miriam slowly coming to grips with her new reality is artfully done, and the intrigues are we'll designed. 

The story was good enough that I've decided to continue with the series. 

Rating. 8/10