BELLOSIO

In Shekleton’s fantasy / SF adventure, a princess finds herself at the center of a world in tumult.

This story begins on the planet Bellosio, where a young deity known as the Cognoscens Wayfarer (from whom the universal energy “Cog” derives its name) has overseen the development of three intelligent primate species (the Wati, the Crivien, and the Vidogs) before leaving them (in a pivotal period known as the “weaning”). After some millennia, the narrative shifts to follow Princess Danaba, who has become the heir to the Wati throne after her two brothers died ten years earlier in a skirmish with the Crivien. Due to the poor health of her father, Emperor Gazidja, she prepares for her upcoming role as empress and must choose a suitor that will serve her people, but this process is interrupted by an assassination attempt. Readers are then introduced to Portic, who leads theanti-Cog breakaway faction called the Inviate Abbey of Druman. He reflects on the news of the assassination attempt; political unrest could affect his plans to dismantle belief in the Cog and end imperial rule. Readers also learn about Sorofor, the son of Duke Natin and heir to Clan Candulo; Sorofor is both an ally and a romantic interest for Danaba. As things become more dangerous for her, Gazidja orders Danaba to flee to her family’s clan, the Libungu, where she gains their support. Meanwhile, Undiro, the abbot of Pitreya Abbey, prepares to secure the monastery from the growing threat of Jochar and the Crivien forces. All the while, Tantur (an initiate of the Cog) has been undergoing an intense ceremony that deepens his connection to the Cog, and he gains special powers. Count Selwin is an advisor to the emperor but secretly manipulates information about the assassination attempt to control the city’s denizens. Sorofor assists Danaba in a covert mission to attack Wati’s capital city of Zinzerod after it is taken over by the corrupt Count Selwin. The spiritual interventions by the Cog remain mysterious, but they influence key moments and hint at divine guidance as Bellosio heads toward an uncertain future. The book concludes on a note of transformation, with the various factions and characters poised at the threshold of change, reflecting the larger theme of the “weaning” of the Bellosian civilization.

Overall, Shekleton succeeds in creating a fully fleshed-out universe in which SF and fantasy themes pair beautifully with the political and dramatic plots. However, even with the appendices detailing the roles of principal, secondary, and tertiary characters, a glossary, and a geographical guide, readers may struggle to keep track of all the details. The narrative is sometimes mired in the worldbuilding, but the action scenes provide sufficient pacing, particularly in the opening assassination scenes; the battle in which Sorofor goes missing; the encounter between Emperor Gazidja, his guards the Gold Shields, Undiro, and Duke Natin; and Sorofod and Danaba’s joint efforts against Zinzerod’s defenses. Readers should be wary of the many overlapping timelines and actions of the large cast of characters, which, if not followed precisely, may leave them completely lost.

Shekleton’s worldbuilding is impressive and the ideal backdrop for further adventures.