Book Review

Aestus Book 1: The City
S.Z. Attwell
Genre: Sci-fi

Attwell’s captivating science fiction series follows unforgettable characters through a post-apocalyptic world where society must live underground to escape the scorching heat. The protagonist, Jossey, is a solar engineer leading her team through the dark tunnels of an underground city when they are attacked by Onlar, nightmare creatures known for their ability to see in the dark and their sharp claws. They are a threat to Jossey’s mission.

From beginning to end, the suspense of escaping the Onlar, navigating the darkness, and surviving in an uninhabitable world keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The plot twists lead Jossey from a simple engineer to the savior of her city when she uncovers the truth about the Onlar and communities beyond her own world.

The book’s clear reference to Islam adds an epic element, from the use of well-known Muslim phrases to the incorporation of Islamic practices in the lives of some of the characters, and the theme of discrimination. This representation and presentation are both thrilling and thought-provoking.

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Aestus Book 2: The Colony
S.Z. Attwell
Genre: Sci-fi

The sequel to Aestus delves deeper into the nature of the Onlar, as Jossey is kidnapped from her city and uncovers the truth about a colony of people outside the underground world she grew up in. Former enemies become friends, and trusted allies become untrustworthy. Jossey must reevaluate where her loyalties lie and even stop her own family from spreading more corruption.

This captivating story is just as hard to put down as the first, with mysteries and romance woven throughout. While I would have liked to see more romantic development between characters, I was pleased with the satisfying ending. MashaAllah. I’m eagerly anticipating more from Attwell and I hope she continues this series because it ended too soon!