JOSH & SEN SAVE THE MULTIVERSE

A Karmically linked human and former immortal join forces to save the world in Behling’s debut fantasy.

Immortal Senyak Marztanak, member of a powerful alien species, struggles to prevent a calamity. One nefarious being has been murdering iterations of a particular philanthropic woman within the multiverse; if he kills all of the iterations, the ripple effect will ensure that trillions of people will die, allowing the malefactor to consume their “Essence.” Sen gets assistance from an “anomaly”— Florida State University law professor Josh Tanner, who makes a rare appearance in one particular iteration. Sen, as a voice in Josh’s head, works with the professor to stop yet another murder. But Zenyak, Sen’s grandfather, deems this intervention an insufficient proof of Sen’s worthiness; he magically sends his grandson to Earth as a mortal who must prove himself by transcending to “the Immortal realms and beyond.” Josh joins Sen, now that Karma has tied them together, to battle various foes. In the process, they develop skills, amass necessary Essence (a material in the mortal soul), and obtain items of strength-enhancing “Earth Attunement.” As they grow stronger and more capable, the two may be able to save the multiverse, which is in danger of being destroyed by the advancing Oblivion, a “gray mire” intent upon devouring all in its path. Much of Behling’s story, as Josh himself points out, unfolds in the style of a video game; Josh and Sen, for example, face off against creatures for the sole purpose of gathering Essence and increasing their abilities, and monitoring interfaces, installed courtesy of Zenyak, just below their navels chime when they acquire a new skill or “item of power.” These lead characters are complicated: Sen isn’t sure he’s worthy of being a “second seeded heir” to a notable leader, while Josh undergoes a contentious divorce. Their initial interaction prompts a wonderfully tense elevator fight scene, but the duo’s subsequent journey feels disjointed, as there’s little cohesion in their various confrontations (with cannibalistic humanoids, undead warriors, and aliens straight from a popular film series). An unexpected turn near the end, however, adds an intriguing new element for a sequel to pick up.

Compelling dual leads elevate this uneven action-oriented multiverse tale.