Tasked by her priesthood and carrying a god-killing sword, Ruxindra makes a journey across the unforgiving desert sands to the holy city of Mahakalpe. There the devout await the return of their god in mortal form, the city crowded with clashing ideologies and ancient, arcane power. But as Rux infiltrates the ruling court, she discovers not all is as it seems. Whatever is awakening in the depths of Mahakalpe may shake its entire foundations—as well as her own.

Written by Z. Bennett Lorimer, SEVEN DAYS OF MERCY FOR THE APOSTATIC PRIEST packs a lot of story into its 200 pages. With sharp, evocative prose, the novel is as concise as it is elegant in its descriptive language. “The pleasant music of distant chatter and competing drums seasoned the air,” Ruxindra notes while observing the holy city. The dialogue’s poignance often borders on philosophical, yet also quick-witted in equal measure. “Time is a thoughtless steward of truth,” one character muses (a theme woven throughout the story).

Ruxindra’s dry sense of humor adds lots of levity, the banter exchanged with her mage and close friend Gerritt being a memorable highlight. “Just me and twenty-nine sprigs of virgin kindling,” Rux quips about her predicament and risky plan to see her mission to its end. Her nonchalance in the face of eldritch horrors and mounting danger is both hilarious and an interesting facet of her personality. She’s a strong protagonist—poised in her training and fighting style, bold, commanding, but also bearing an empathetic heart that’s well-hidden. Rux’s character arc is wonderfully written, nuanced, and complicated as her own beliefs are battle-tested time and again. In particular, her shifting relationship with the would-be god’s personal guard Kenver plays out in a captivating, unexpected way.

The book’s fully rendered world is as dense and vibrant as the bustling city of Mahakalpe. It is, however, a lot to digest at times; there are many new and fantastical names, titles, and hierarchies to learn. Keeping track of everything is a bit challenging, but the layers of detail at work certainly enrich the narrative. It’s also heartening that the misogynistic beliefs baked into the religion—a fatal flaw in the holy city that ultimately leads it toward near collapse—are called out at every turn. Especially by Ruxindra, who exists to challenge it with her own fury. SEVEN DAYS OF MERCY FOR THE APOSTATIC PRIEST has much to say about systems of power and the oppressive nature of zealots, with thought-provoking commentary artfully composed between world-building and character development. Ultimately, this novel lays the groundwork for an exciting epic fantasy series.

A compelling start to an epic fantasy series, Z. Bennett Lorimer’s SEVEN DAYS OF MERCY FOR THE APOSTATIC PRIEST introduces a world that’s dense with well-written characters, surprising twists, and a formidable protagonist.

~ Jessica Thomas for IndieReader