March 11, 2024
Mooring’s inventive if sometimes chaotic debut science fantasy follows three young women and the dieties they worship. Goddesses Vermicula, Radiosa, and Furia have been entombed for thousands of years, but their worshipers are still blessed with goddess-granted powers. Korinna is part of the Order of Vermicula, possessed of Redsight, which alters the vision of those who have it while allowing them to manipulate the energy known as tactus. Red priestesses serve as navigators for the Galactic Imperium, powering the government’s warships. White priestesses of the Order of Radiosa serve as the Imperium’s conveyors of justice and knowledge and use tactus to feel out the truth. The Order of Furia was driven extinct by the other two orders centuries before the start of the book. After Korinna’s ship is attacked by the pirate Aster Haran, who reveals to Korinna the dark truth about the Imperium’s rule, the women band together—along with Sahar of the Order of Radiosa—to bring balance back to an unraveling galaxy. After a rushed beginning, magic and technology blend together to create an enthralling world. Fans of the Locked Tomb series should check this out. Agent: Ernie Chiara, Fuse Literary.