I’m happy to finally present the review of this highly unusual book that I enjoyed thoroughly.
This story brings a remarkably alien world to life. And when I say ‘to life’ I mean relatable. acflory created an incredibly complex world in Vokhtah (The Suns of Vokhtah Book 1), from the creatures, to the language and manner of speaking, to the world and its mores.
The story is an exploration of a culture driven by extreme class division and expectation/dreary carrying out of duty within prescribed roles. The intrigue – and there is plenty – is supplied by how individuals within the various classes of creatures express their desires and ambitions, even under such tight restraint and controlled social conditions, and how this weaves through the lives of those who adhere to traditions and expectations. Ultimately, I found the story upheld the triumph of individual spirit against all odds.
The world of the Vokhtah is bleak, and the stilted style of storytelling fits and enhances this atmosphere. Yet as a reader I was never overwhelmed by the methodical misery that could have pervaded. World building is masterfully done on a ‘need to know’ basis as the story unfolds rather than an ‘info dump’ style at the beginning, and I enjoyed the emergence from shadow of the characters and their world as the story progressed.
acflory’s genius is in revealing the wholly alien characters and the dilemma’s of their lives in such meticulous clarity that it draws the reader in with total fascination. Somewhat like the best horror writing, yet somehow I believed there would be something better than the darkness of circumstance. A higher purpose. And it was delivered.
In this cold, duty-bound world – ruthless with lust and plays for power for the upper classes, and ultimately layered with integrity-to-death bargains for the lower classes – acflory manages a modicum of personal gratitude which grows into a type of love (from my perspective) and gives a level of ‘humanity’ and emotion to a few characters. This imbues the story with hope that surprises and enlivens the ‘hero’. And for me this gave hope to the harsh world of Vokhtah. Remarkable feat indeed.
I took quite a bit of time to read this story. It deserves attention. The breaks weren’t due to boredom – I can’t imagine putting the story aside forever – but to read it is to immerse oneself in this place of ‘other’ which I needed to be in the mood to do. I found it amazing that anytime I picked it up, it was as if I’d never left. Memorable to this reader that often forgets. It’s a remarkable story, indeed.
Highly recommended! Not the easiest read, but one of the best I’ve ever read.
Reality With a Twist ~ Books 