Author C.T Phipps-
4/5 stars
Genesis reminds me of the original Wheel of Time novel, The Eye of the World, in that it opens with a collection of references and description of a strange new world full of ideas as well as concepts which the reader is dumped head first into. It's a fascinating but frequently distracting tale which exists halfway between sci-fi and high fantasy. This is not going to be a book for everyone but I, personally, enjoyed it once I managed to immerse myself fully into the world. The beginning is a bit rough, though, I will state the perspective changes a few too many times. The breadth of the author's imagination is fascinating, though, and I'm envious as an author.

The character of Jak seems like a typical farmboy protagonist in an unusual world which combines Bronze Age city-states with supernatural phenomenon and technology. After a series of events push him from his home, he is joined by a cast of intriguing characters in the brainy Leia and Evangeline as well as the roguish Ruddiger. Events propel them forward on a road trip which takes them against a post-apocalypse world of science and religion gone wrong with mysteries and bizarre locales. The story follows their multiple perspectives on events and we get a sense of the alien far-future humanity has degenerated into. It can be a little overwhelming but very satisfying once it gets going.

I suggest readers stick with it until at least the Jak chapters to enjoy.