BOOK CLUB
Gnomon // Lost GodsW W W.SCI FI N OW.CO.U K
In a near-future society where
a system called the Witness has
eyes on everything, Inspector
Mielikki Neith has a problem.
When a dissident, Diana Hunter,
dies in custody, the inspector is
tasked with examining what’s
happened. She immerses herself
in the memories of Hunter, fi nding
other psyches which may hold
the key to what Hunter had been
hiding, though the consequences
may be far-reaching.
To read Gnomon is like
watching a jigsaw puzzle solve
itself in front of you. It is intricate
and involved, but it also has the
capacity to surprise. Likewise, the
narrative might be something that
feels like a classic trope within
futuristic noir, yet manages
to also be unpredictable as
everything slides into place.
There’s a real sense of the
meticulous to Nick Harkaway’sprose, whether he is writing
from one of Hunter’s psyches’
perspectives or following the
inspector herself. The Gnomon of
the title is a nebulous concept too,
one which evolves and transforms
depending on who is using the
word or where they have seen it.
Metafi ctional narratives can
sometimes cross the thin line
from intelligent to pretentious,
but Harkaway never feels close to
crossing it. He blends genres and
tropes, time periods and locations,
but it feels seamless. Gnomon is a
book that rewards the patience of
its reader and creates a stunning
overall picture at its close.
Becky LeaGNOMON
Listen
carefullyDetailsAuthor: Nick Harkaway Publisher: Windmill Price: £8.99
Released: Out nowMicah Yongo delivers a
strong debut with Lost Gods. This
fantasy takes familiar elements
and places them in a setting that
feels fresh and ensures there is
enough detail to immerse you in
his tale of betrayal and revenge.
Neythan is a young assassin
on the verge of taking his place
as one of the Shedaím, an
elite brotherhood of killers who
operate with deadly effi ciency
and absolute loyalty. He and his
fellows have been sent out into the
world with their orders for their
fi rst mission when he is betrayed
by his friend Arianna. Setting
aside his instructions, Neythan
sets out in pursuit of the turncoat
but the closer he gets, the more he
realises that the Shedaím may not
be everything they claim to be.
Meanwhile, his brotherhood
thinks he’s operating with Arianna
and puts every asset they have
into pursuing him. But what does
it all have to do with the imminentcoronation of a new king?
The African-inspired setting is
a breath of fresh air for this kind
of story and provides Yongo with
the opportunity to create a vivid
and complex world that could
help or hinder our hero. He also
makes sure that each of the main
characters has their own set of
troubles, from the killers wondering
if following orders unquestioningly
is the best way to live, to the young
king-in-waiting realising he may
not be as all-powerful as he has
been led to believe.
There are enough twists and
turns to make sure that for every
plot development you see coming
there’s one you didn’t. We can’t
wait to read more from Yongo.
Jonathan HatfullLOST GODS
Who do you answer to?DetailsAuthor: Micah Yongo Publisher: Angry Robot Price: £8.99 Released: Out now
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