This was a strange read, couldn't quite get into it. Bit too long and quite abstract, so I couldn't connect with it.

I started reading this on my phone, as the only way for me to access it is through the NetGalley app. My initial thoughts are that I'm really excited for it and it seems intriguing. However there are just so many characters introduced and not in a way I feel like I could remember them. I feel like there needs to be more story before there is so much lore thrown at you. I am DNF'ing it for now, but maybe its something I'd pick up if it was in a more easily accessible format to read.
Thank you however, to the author, for giving me the opportunity to read their work, I wish you all the best.

Read about 25% plus jumped to the ending. Great world building, and very thoughtful and insightful perspectives on how religion and history intertwine. I definitely have an easier time reading stories where any given chapter or scene focuses on one MC, rather than dropping scattered paragraphs of internal dialogue / context for varying characters in the mix, but others may be fine with that style of presenting a large cast of characters. What bothered me about the story as a whole was the way it often seemed caught in habits of the very flawed movements in history that the story was criticizing. For example, the in-world explanation for colonization is a fantastic counter-narrative to the old way of viewing Indigenous nations as primitive; the story describes the main inner circle as sort of transcending the usual ideas of race; but then we have a story which is very fixated on bloodlines and genetic purity and even has the MC’s background named “Aryan” (yikes). Similarly we have a secret society who has one female member, who wants to push back against how misogynistic that structure is, and yet that also leaves us with only one notable woman in the story’s main cast who then ends up slotted into some very typical het-male-centric story roles as primarily the object of the men’s desire (or potential bearer of a child).

I would strongly recommend getting (paid) sensitivity readers who are PoC, queer, etc and see what they suggest. In a story about secret societies controlling the world, readers will find it hard not to make connections to the kinds of really racist secret society conspiracy theories that permeate Western culture. If you don’t want that association you’re going to have to tread carefully.

Reading this book is akin to taking a deep dive into a richly-fabricated speculative world, filled with interesting and intricate creatures, ideas and characters, and defined by an entirely new language. (Note: the author includes a very helpful glossary).

Touching on many philosophical ideas and a whole host of mindful offshoots (a plus, for this reader, but not, perhaps, for all ) this is not a quick read, or one without challenges, but in the view of this reviewer, is a read worth every minute.

The world as described is urban, and initially not perceived as all that different from our own, but is quickly revealed to be guided, under the covers, by a collective (really a sort of secret society) of "Saints", - human members of the ancient Ohm ce Alfa, who are responsible for the governance of morality, religion, and the related behaviour of humankind.

The collective operates with the help of multiple species of vivid and strange genetically-engineered creatures (generally known as d'oren) and other centuries-old technologies and tools (all of which are beautifully rendered, visually rich, and inventive).

Without giving the plot away (and what a multilayered and fantastical world this is), the story follows several young potential heirs to the Ohm ce Alfa - considering their options as they step up to assume responsibility for individual family lines covering global human innovation, knowledge, nature, trade, communication, and war.

Touching on existential and philosophical themes including: what makes us human; God vs religion; female disparity and power; bigotry; 'rightness' vs morality; and the oppressive reach of responsibility - the author builds a world as thoughtful as it is immersive.

With a twisty ending (amidst some still unanswered questions), this book is the first in a new series that is destined to be a treat for lovers of urban fantasy, science and literary fiction.

A great big thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

***This book will be published Feb 27, 2024

Four and a half shiny stars