Rating: 4 out of 5.

Wow. Just, wow. I don’t even know what I just read. It’s fantasy, it’s horror, it’s supernatural, it’s steampunk, it’s insanely, scarily, good. I don’t even like the horror genre and typically can’t read it because I’m a big scaredy cat, but Swan lulls me into a wonderful fantasy haze and then BAM. Horror. Lots and lots of horror. Not gonna lie. Scared the crap outta me. And yet. I can’t stop reading.

I don’t even know how to describe this book. I think you kind of need to go in blind to fully experience it for yourself. The worldbuilding develops slowly and the book is dense. You need to pay attention to fully grasp all the moving parts. Underneath the supernatural and steampunk elements are elements of colonialism, religious fervor, and scientific experimentation. The world the author develops is original and imaginative. I mean, the inside of his head must be a total trip. The characters are flawed but determined. They persevere and slowly find confidence in themselves. The mystery is intriguing and creepy. The reader must follow the bits and pieces of it that are interspersed throughout, making you guess and discard multiple theories as you read.

The story begins with two heretic monks bringing word to the Empress that they’ve lost contact with the spirits of the afterlife. The monks believe this is the start of an ancient prophecy heralding the end of days—the Great Silence. Few people practice the arcane arts and low-ranking ambassador Ranata Ranier is tasked with going south to meet with the vicious race of mermen to get answers to the monk’s message. The road south is beset by war and the entire Empire is falling apart.

The book is told from three main POVs. Peter, von Oldenburg and Renata. The story unfolds as we see how world is collapsing through what the characters are experiencing. In the south there is a plague and the north is on the brink of collapse with people from villages disappearing at an alarming rate. There are characters to like, despise, be suspicious of, and fear. You will experience a whole rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve started the second book and let me tell you, the author doesn’t take his foot off the pedal. I can’t wait to read what’s in store next.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Orbit and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.