It was a light fantasy novel until H.G. Wells' Martians landed.

Voidfarer is the story of a team of Wayfarer Constables, investigators for the Empress, literally since the Empress has abdicated and they are investigating her whereabouts when the story begins. The team includes Danolarian, the book's narrator, who has a secret past that makes him reluctant to command; Riellen, a revolutionary Marxist prone to making speeches urging the populace to revolt and form an electocracy; Roval, who has a drinking problem; and Wallas, a human who has been transformed into a cat. They find the Empress, but she escapes, after first informing Danolarian that the woman he loves was known for "amorous ambushes" with dozens of men.

(Source: Tor Books)