It all begins in a relatively unassuming way, but every chapter is stealthily setting the scene for something very, very clever.

While I warmed to Koli’s character, and others, I found their speech awkward to understand, at least at first. But they do reside in a back-to-basics kind of world and it’s one I was hugely intrigued by.

He and his fellow villagers operate a little like sheep accepting what they’re told, labouring in traditional professions, and honouring the law of the ‘Ramparts’. Basically, they are shepherded in their own insular world without interference or objection.

Looking at many of their traits you could think you were reading a historical novel. But instead of stepping into the past this story propels us into an uncertain future with some very selective people controlling the destinies of others, both inside and outside the Rampart walls.

It’s a place where every piece old technology / weaponry that ‘wakes’ for a user (switched on, to you and me) is revered, and those operating this ‘old tech’ sit at the top the fascinating societal hierarchy. Needless to say, anyone with knowledge is covetous of it, as the gifted ones make the laws, command the respect of others, and are entitled to a whole heap of privileges.

It goes without saying that young Koli would like a slice of that life for himself and his family, yet underestimates the consequences it entails. The contradiction between the primitive and the inventive gives rise to some fervent, yet highly plausible, behaviour along the way.

But the absolute highlight for me was the introduction of the AI with attitude. If “Monono Aware” possessed a heartbeat she would be a wise, sarcastic and hugely entertaining friend. With a hip-quip for every occasion, she makes references to things that seem familiar to the reader, but are radically different to anything Koli has ever experienced before.

I loved watching young Koli grow with each challenge, but I adored the AI’s animated, buoyant personality so much that I’d be happy if she had a spin-off book dedicated solely to her! Also the actual meaning of the AI’s name in Japanese is both significant and profound to the ‘evolution’ of the storyline - (Japanese translation: Mono no aware).

So having just finished this book I’m already looking forward to the next, as I understand this is the first of a three-parter featuring an unlikely hero in a hostile world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I did find the pattern of Koli speech difficult at first but that resolved with time, I will be purchasing this on Audible to see how it sounds, definitely want to read the rest of the trilogy, bring on book 2 please

3.5 stars

Spoilers

It took me a while to get into the rhythm of Koli's speech,but after I'd got there it ws all good.
Set who knows when,after who knows what happened,this story sets the base work very nicely for the trilogy.
It's fast,but it's also fun.
I laughed out loud when the stolen sacred tech turned out to be a media player... and then laughed some more when that player had attitude.

I'm definitely going to be reading book 2,to find out what Koli did next.