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Lancer: An Epic Sci-Fi Adventure
One young woman is on a mission to free humanity from the predation of the gods, seeking vengeance at any cost, in this science-fiction adventure.
Deicide is one-part public service, one-part revenge . . . or at least that’s why Lilith does it. An operative of the multiverse-spanning Eifni Organization, she travels to new worlds to clear out the local deities before they can eat everyone’s souls. It’s a tricky process, requiring advanced sociological science and an arsenal of tools weaponizing meaning itself. But a god once tried to eat her, and she’s not one to easily forgive.
When Lilith deploys to pre-industrial Theria, she finds their gods aren’t willing to go quietly. An ambush masterminded by the Therian goddess of destiny sees the Eifni forces routed. Now the success of the mission rests solely on Lilith’s team as she’s thrust into an unfamiliar world of political intrigue, shadowy cults, and the ever-present machinations of fate personified.
With the very future of the realm on her shoulders, Lilith will have to transcend any barrier that gets in her way—even if it’s her own destiny.
The first volume of the hit sci-fi adventure series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Deicide is one-part public service, one-part revenge . . . or at least that’s why Lilith does it. An operative of the multiverse-spanning Eifni Organization, she travels to new worlds to clear out the local deities before they can eat everyone’s souls. It’s a tricky process, requiring advanced sociological science and an arsenal of tools weaponizing meaning itself. But a god once tried to eat her, and she’s not one to easily forgive.
When Lilith deploys to pre-industrial Theria, she finds their gods aren’t willing to go quietly. An ambush masterminded by the Therian goddess of destiny sees the Eifni forces routed. Now the success of the mission rests solely on Lilith’s team as she’s thrust into an unfamiliar world of political intrigue, shadowy cults, and the ever-present machinations of fate personified.
With the very future of the realm on her shoulders, Lilith will have to transcend any barrier that gets in her way—even if it’s her own destiny.
The first volume of the hit sci-fi adventure series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 16, 2026
One of the biggest drawbacks to this book is Lilith, the main PoV character. She is both a problem for the world building and an unlikable character to have to spend time with. Her being unlikable is more subjective, she very much fits the mold of the cocky adventure novel protagonist who deep down is a ball of insecurity.
The problem she creates for the world building and the other characters is more of an issue. Lilith is severely lacking in both skill and experience for the role she's supposed to be filling for the team. The problem is this team is supposed to be part of an organization from some super advanced civilization. Lilith's ineptitude relative to all the other members of the team, who are all highly competent in their fields, constantly raises the question "why is she here?" Why is Lilith on this mission instead of getting more training or experience in a less high-stakes situation? Does Eifni not actually care about the face of the civilizations they go to and quite literally play god for? Why don't the other team members do anything about her flailing incompetence? Do they not care if she wrecks havoc on this civilization?
The fact that Lilith is seemingly from from somewhere very similar to Earth and that Eifni only recently eliminated all the gods from there also causes problems for the whole god setup. A modern Earth that looks mostly the same doesn't work well with a setting where gods are actually real and come in pantheons. Most of this isn't address directly so there's still room to wiggle out of the problems but it's an odd choice to introduce the problem in the first place. Lilith being from Earth in particular isn't overly relevant to any part of the story.
I did enjoy every character that wasn't Lilith a fair bit. They all felt mostly believable. I just would have preferred if one of the other Eifni team members was the PoV, although probably not the commander as she's too experience to make a good main PoV. Lilith and all the problems she causes cost this book 2 stars.
The problem she creates for the world building and the other characters is more of an issue. Lilith is severely lacking in both skill and experience for the role she's supposed to be filling for the team. The problem is this team is supposed to be part of an organization from some super advanced civilization. Lilith's ineptitude relative to all the other members of the team, who are all highly competent in their fields, constantly raises the question "why is she here?" Why is Lilith on this mission instead of getting more training or experience in a less high-stakes situation? Does Eifni not actually care about the face of the civilizations they go to and quite literally play god for? Why don't the other team members do anything about her flailing incompetence? Do they not care if she wrecks havoc on this civilization?
The fact that Lilith is seemingly from from somewhere very similar to Earth and that Eifni only recently eliminated all the gods from there also causes problems for the whole god setup. A modern Earth that looks mostly the same doesn't work well with a setting where gods are actually real and come in pantheons. Most of this isn't address directly so there's still room to wiggle out of the problems but it's an odd choice to introduce the problem in the first place. Lilith being from Earth in particular isn't overly relevant to any part of the story.
I did enjoy every character that wasn't Lilith a fair bit. They all felt mostly believable. I just would have preferred if one of the other Eifni team members was the PoV, although probably not the commander as she's too experience to make a good main PoV. Lilith and all the problems she causes cost this book 2 stars.
February 23, 2025
Inventive and original take on sci-fi, feels like a whole new genre. Would absolutely recommend. Can’t wait for the next book!
March 3, 2025
This was genius! I love the world building, the characters, everything! Can’t wait for book 2!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews