Rise by Brian Guthrie
Rise by Brian Guthrie
Our story takes place in a world formed of scattered landmasses or ‘Shells’ that that are kept in gravitational rotation around the earth’s core by an ancient computer known as the Network. Protected from the unforgiving darkness of space by a water shield also supplied by the Network it’s as though the earth has become a mini cluster of planets, so when this omnipotent being recognises her own failing reasoning she tasks a seemingly ordinary man, but a man who sees things others miss, to go looking for answers.
The afore mentioned man is a scribe named Logwyn and he receives a visit from a Nomad with a note telling him that the Queen will soon summon him with a task. With very little justification or reasoning he is told to respond a certain way and show her the contents of a box that he himself must not even view. These two stipulations or orders are the first of many things this character must take on trust and also the first of many breadcrumbs readers must follow and it is only much later that their purpose comes into focus. The mission is vague other than to seek out three people, two of whom are lost to everyone but the third, but the way the reader is enveloped into this strange and wonderful world is inviting and bound to inspire their curiosity.
His first stop is Micaela with her story potentially leading him to Suyef and Quentin, the other major players. Here we learn how a father’s obsession with coding allowed him and his family to have a fighting chance when their water allocation starts disappearing and also the ramifications of getting inside the system and changing things to suits one’s needs. Micaela’s first and unique encounter with the Queen, where she alone is left unharmed after an attack, points to her being a person of some supernatural importance and from here things really start to amp up. To reveal any more of the story in terms of these three characters would push things into spoiler territory but each voice is distinctive, rich and also tragic in it’s own way.
There is something incredibly original and fantastical within these pages. The world building is second to none, the characters are relatable and inspire empathy and the story is unlike anything I’ve come across. What kept me enjoying Rise was that it’s an equally fulfilling blend of science fiction, gumshoe mystery and fantasy with the mechanicals of space being balanced by, and this is just a taste of the otherworldly magic, some people’s ability to manifest themselves into dragons. This is only the beginning of something much bigger and watching this world unfold further or even come apart altogether will be a real treat for readers.
4 Stars
Published by Inkshares
