Amazing Worldbuilding and Beautifully Flawed Characters

5 Stars

I’m going to try to keep this review spoilers free.

Trudie builds a world as unique as they come in my recent memory. She constructs the City of Chime, a central realm connected to the 12 God ruled realms via a gate near its central clock tower. Each domain, and its associated Deific ruler, share traits and unique abilities: from skin color and mannerisms, to magical abilities. I won’t detail them all, but I am particularly fond of the Diviner with their control of Time itself, and the Ember’s just general personality regarding taking pleasure in life – besides, who wouldn’t want to be able to throw fireballs.

The story centers around a Vesper named Kayl and her friends, the Godless, as they try to protect the downtrodden citizens of Chime’s underbelly from the wrath of their tithe demanding Gods. When the aether that powers Chime begins to fluctuate out of control. the Godless are dragged into something far bigger than they anticipated.

A richly detailed, unique world coupled with deep characters who are realistic in their strengths and weaknesses. This is the start of a great series and I’m definitely eager to for the next book to be released.