Five gods lie mysteriously sleeping above the city of Radezhda. Five gods who once bestowed great technologies and wisdom, each inspiring the devotion of their own sect. When the gods turned away from humanity, their followers built towers to the heavens to find out why. But when no answer was given, the collective grief of the sects turned to desperation, and eventually to war.
Zenya was a teenager when she ran away from home to join the mechanically modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people and city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Zenya became Winged Zemolai.
But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is disillusioned with her role as an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state. After one tragic act of mercy, she is cast out, and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai fights for her life, she begins to understand the true nature of her sect, her leader, and the gods themselves.
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On the night that the Winged Zemolai fell from grace, a cold wind was blowing from the east.- CHAPTER ONE
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(Tachyon Publications, 23 April 2024, e-galley, 336 pages, ARC from the publisher via NetGalley)
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This is a new author for me. I really enjoyed The Wings Upon Her Back. I really enjoyed the author's use of fantasy/science fiction with steampunk undertones. I loved the world building as well. This is one of the most original novels I've read in ages. I got so absorbed by Zenya/Zemolai's story I didn't want to stop reading and didn't want the book to end. This is well-written and engrossing. This is the author's debut novel and I can't wait to read what she does next. I'd recommend this.
