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Sancta Femina
The distant future. Hella Nazari’s heart aches. Heading to Earth after completing her cadet training on Titan, the twenty-one-year-old orphan has honed the piloting and combat skills needed to protect those she loves. But when a nuclear blast annihilates much of the planet, the devastated young soldier regains consciousness on a strange, frozen world.
Struggling to survive the frigid tundra, she discovers a lone observatory only to realize its occupant is the terrorist behind the deadly attack. Her reality shifts when the eccentric scientist claims she’s the genetic clone of a long-dead religious icon, destined to serve as his pawn in eradicating more factions of the surviving population.
As a new empire rises from the ashes of humanity, Hella must navigate fractured alliances, buried histories, and the unsettling truth of her creation. Her struggle becomes not only a fight for survival, but a search for agency in a universe determined to script her fate.
Lyrical and thought-provoking, Sancta Femina is a story of identity, power, and the enduring human longing for autonomy in the face of overwhelming control.
"Chic tech and a skilled, extraordinary hero fuel this diverting interplanetary adventure."—Kirkus Reviews
"Gripping sci-fi series starter of survival, humanity, prophecy, and bold surprises."—Publishers Weekly
Struggling to survive the frigid tundra, she discovers a lone observatory only to realize its occupant is the terrorist behind the deadly attack. Her reality shifts when the eccentric scientist claims she’s the genetic clone of a long-dead religious icon, destined to serve as his pawn in eradicating more factions of the surviving population.
As a new empire rises from the ashes of humanity, Hella must navigate fractured alliances, buried histories, and the unsettling truth of her creation. Her struggle becomes not only a fight for survival, but a search for agency in a universe determined to script her fate.
Lyrical and thought-provoking, Sancta Femina is a story of identity, power, and the enduring human longing for autonomy in the face of overwhelming control.
"Chic tech and a skilled, extraordinary hero fuel this diverting interplanetary adventure."—Kirkus Reviews
"Gripping sci-fi series starter of survival, humanity, prophecy, and bold surprises."—Publishers Weekly
- GenresScience Fiction
522 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2025
7 people are currently reading
5567 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Combs
1 book24 followersKathryn Combs is a speculative-fiction author whose work merges myth, psychology, and dark futurism. She writes about identity, power, and the sacred feminine. She lives in Virginia with her husband and Labrador retriever. Connect with Kathryn on social media, where she shares updates on projects and events.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 24, 2025
Sancta Femina is a dark tale about science, truth and how one woman’s genetic heritage leads to an all-out war.
After completing her cadet training on Titan, Hella Nazari is heading back to Earth when a nuclear blast annihilates much of the planet. Without her scheduled destination, the 21-year-old orphan regains consciousness in an unfamiliar territory.
Her immediate relief upon discovering a lone laboratory after barely surviving the new and frigid atmosphere quickly dissipates when she realizes it belongs to the monster who destroyed her planet. From bad to worse, Hella faces new worries when the scientist claims she’s the genetic clone of a long-dead religious figure. Hella is destined to serve as his pawn in eliminating survivors unless she makes a grand escape from a seemingly impossible situation.
Sancta Femina is not for the faint-hearted. It has a deeply intricate storyline that revolves around dark plots and challenging concepts. With a fearless heroine heading the tale, this story will captivate readers from page one. The first part of the story provides an in-depth background on the catastrophe that has taken place and the reasoning. It provides the necessary details to connect with the main character and understand her actions and emotions—a great setup to keep the reader hooked and wanting more. In the first half, the characters are some of the strongest elements of this story. Not only is it easy to connect with the main character, but the side characters are also interesting and dealing with complex challenges themselves, making the story compelling. A special mention to Ramses, a robotic companion who will win over anybody’s heart within an instant.
Following the setup of the story and the excitement of Hella’s challenging situation, there was a section of the story that felt like it was dragging on. There’s a lot of action and explanation in the first bit, which makes a bit of the second part feel underwhelming. As the story progresses, there’s still much to learn, including jaw-dropping information. However, it felt a bit slow. As the story ends, there’s some expectation of a dramatic ending, but there wasn’t much to hook the reader fully. However, the ending does have its excitement and brings about a craving for the next book.
This extraordinary science fiction story had a central conflict, complications, climactic events and a resolution. This is a recommended read for all those who love an in-depth science fiction story.
I received an Advanced Review Copy on Reedsy Discovery.
After completing her cadet training on Titan, Hella Nazari is heading back to Earth when a nuclear blast annihilates much of the planet. Without her scheduled destination, the 21-year-old orphan regains consciousness in an unfamiliar territory.
Her immediate relief upon discovering a lone laboratory after barely surviving the new and frigid atmosphere quickly dissipates when she realizes it belongs to the monster who destroyed her planet. From bad to worse, Hella faces new worries when the scientist claims she’s the genetic clone of a long-dead religious figure. Hella is destined to serve as his pawn in eliminating survivors unless she makes a grand escape from a seemingly impossible situation.
Sancta Femina is not for the faint-hearted. It has a deeply intricate storyline that revolves around dark plots and challenging concepts. With a fearless heroine heading the tale, this story will captivate readers from page one. The first part of the story provides an in-depth background on the catastrophe that has taken place and the reasoning. It provides the necessary details to connect with the main character and understand her actions and emotions—a great setup to keep the reader hooked and wanting more. In the first half, the characters are some of the strongest elements of this story. Not only is it easy to connect with the main character, but the side characters are also interesting and dealing with complex challenges themselves, making the story compelling. A special mention to Ramses, a robotic companion who will win over anybody’s heart within an instant.
Following the setup of the story and the excitement of Hella’s challenging situation, there was a section of the story that felt like it was dragging on. There’s a lot of action and explanation in the first bit, which makes a bit of the second part feel underwhelming. As the story progresses, there’s still much to learn, including jaw-dropping information. However, it felt a bit slow. As the story ends, there’s some expectation of a dramatic ending, but there wasn’t much to hook the reader fully. However, the ending does have its excitement and brings about a craving for the next book.
This extraordinary science fiction story had a central conflict, complications, climactic events and a resolution. This is a recommended read for all those who love an in-depth science fiction story.
I received an Advanced Review Copy on Reedsy Discovery.
dnf
June 18, 2025Thank you to NetGalley and Amadeus publishing for providing me with an arc of this. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately I did not vibe with the writing style, it felt very monotonous and without feeling. Couldn’t connect to the main character either as they felt very passive as with the writing style. The info dumping in the beginning didn’t help either.
Unfortunately I did not vibe with the writing style, it felt very monotonous and without feeling. Couldn’t connect to the main character either as they felt very passive as with the writing style. The info dumping in the beginning didn’t help either.
April 19, 2025
Sancta Femina is an incredibly thought-provoking and imaginative story. Although set in a sci-fi future, the book examines weighty themes that resonate today: the line between faith and madness, personal agency, the destructiveness of religious fanaticism, and the manipulation of information for political gain.
May 7, 2025
It’s Game of Thrones meets Dune meets The Hunger Games. I loved it!
May 6, 2025
A lot is going on in Sancta Femina, which smashes up a post-apocalyptic humanity tale, with future war, the discovery of faster-than-light travel, the cost of longevity treatments and religious terrorism all as distinct plot points around a lead character with auspicious genetics. I wonder if this has gone through a lot of iterations, because it feels like the religious stuff is supposed to be more important than it ends up being, the religion of the post-apocalyptic sect is unclear, and while it takes on bits of Christianity, it isn't a direct line from Catholicism. In many ways, this aspect of the plot seems taken from a bunch of seventies religious horrors where science meets religion for nefarious reasons, and this has the flaws of those (how can you prove what has happened, would people really care).
Nevertheless, the packed nature of Sancta Femina means there's something for everyone here. It is at its best at the start, when our protagonist Hella Nazari wakes up in an escape pod and has to trek across an alien world to safety. She's an engaging lead and the alone time sets her backstory and the world building up well. Once she reaches the near-deserted base, she reconnects with her brother who is in the thrall of the religious terrorist who has, in the twenty years she's been in cryosleep, been responsible for a nuclear attack on Earth. He is also responsible for her birth, which does beg the question why she was left for twenty years. There are a few connective plot issues like this in the book, which you have to roll with as the plot moves on, but does make it less satisfying.
Sancta Femina is a solid bit of sci-fi adventuring which never quite hits the highs its complex set-up wants it to. It never gets better than its initial base escape segment, and its final section feels rushed (though I was happy that it had a definite denouement). An enjoyable if messy read, it never quite justifies its central plot reveal.
Nevertheless, the packed nature of Sancta Femina means there's something for everyone here. It is at its best at the start, when our protagonist Hella Nazari wakes up in an escape pod and has to trek across an alien world to safety. She's an engaging lead and the alone time sets her backstory and the world building up well. Once she reaches the near-deserted base, she reconnects with her brother who is in the thrall of the religious terrorist who has, in the twenty years she's been in cryosleep, been responsible for a nuclear attack on Earth. He is also responsible for her birth, which does beg the question why she was left for twenty years. There are a few connective plot issues like this in the book, which you have to roll with as the plot moves on, but does make it less satisfying.
Sancta Femina is a solid bit of sci-fi adventuring which never quite hits the highs its complex set-up wants it to. It never gets better than its initial base escape segment, and its final section feels rushed (though I was happy that it had a definite denouement). An enjoyable if messy read, it never quite justifies its central plot reveal.
April 17, 2025
Had I wanted to read religious propaganda mixed with the real-life downfall of our current civilization, I would have picked a better method than this book. Had I known that this is what makes up 80% of the story I wouldn't have even considered reading it. But alas I stuck around for the 20% of the book, which was actual sci-fi and only regret it mostly. As an extremely avid reader of fiction, I look forward to an escape from real life just for a few hours, not to have it pushed down my throat for the entirety of 434 pages. I would have been much more impressed with the writing if there was any original thought given to the societal issues written about, instead of just copying and pasting from sources given at the end of the book. If there was so much thought given to these subjects, I'm not sure why a nonfiction book was not written instead, as that is exactly what this felt like to me.
If you are able to push past that major surprise (as it's literally not noted anywhere that this is a HIGHLY religious book), there is actually some well-done science fiction which shocked me. I found myself enjoying the twists and turns we were presented with, as well as the non-boring technical language used and descriptions of such. I find that science fiction can sometimes feel too much like a manual, but this did not read like that in the slightest. I wish I could say I was excited for the rest of the series, but I am just glad to be finished with this book.
If you are able to push past that major surprise (as it's literally not noted anywhere that this is a HIGHLY religious book), there is actually some well-done science fiction which shocked me. I found myself enjoying the twists and turns we were presented with, as well as the non-boring technical language used and descriptions of such. I find that science fiction can sometimes feel too much like a manual, but this did not read like that in the slightest. I wish I could say I was excited for the rest of the series, but I am just glad to be finished with this book.
August 17, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a digital copy of this book to review.
This book is Sci-fi so it’s not amongst the usual genre of fiction that I read, so I did struggle a little to begin with to get into the story but once I did I was hooked. I started this book around 7pm and it’s nearly 1pm as I have just finished it. This is a dystopian novel set in the future after humanity has nearly ruined the Earth and all the continents have merged as one. The book is told from one point of view, Hella is a solider and has just watched her planet and ship be distroyed. Hella finds herself at the whim of a mad scientist who has mysterious plans for her.
While I did enjoy this book parts of it where a bit far fetched but as I said earlier sci-fi isn’t really my genre, if sci-fi is its your thing than this book is for you. There is a tiny bit of romance in this book and it’s only a small part of the book, I really did want more of Hella and Xavier on the book. I’m hoping that in future books they will be more? If so I will definitely pick up the next book.
This book is Sci-fi so it’s not amongst the usual genre of fiction that I read, so I did struggle a little to begin with to get into the story but once I did I was hooked. I started this book around 7pm and it’s nearly 1pm as I have just finished it. This is a dystopian novel set in the future after humanity has nearly ruined the Earth and all the continents have merged as one. The book is told from one point of view, Hella is a solider and has just watched her planet and ship be distroyed. Hella finds herself at the whim of a mad scientist who has mysterious plans for her.
While I did enjoy this book parts of it where a bit far fetched but as I said earlier sci-fi isn’t really my genre, if sci-fi is its your thing than this book is for you. There is a tiny bit of romance in this book and it’s only a small part of the book, I really did want more of Hella and Xavier on the book. I’m hoping that in future books they will be more? If so I will definitely pick up the next book.
August 20, 2025
Kathryn Combs is a fantastic and thought-provoking writer!
The first book in the Legend of Asteria series sets up a richly complex and engaging environment spanning our Solar System and the Alpha Centauri System—particularly Proxima-B. The characters are multi-layered, and in some cases, deliciously diabolical.
What makes this book stand out is the scientific accuracy woven into the story. The astronomical details are correct, allowing readers to recall—or discover—fascinating facts. The science itself feels both current and forward-looking: some concepts are already in development or even in advanced use today. Even the mention of head transplants, which have been attempted (albeit with short-term success) on dogs and monkeys, underscores the boldness of the themes explored.
In short, Sancta Femina is an intense, gripping, and intellectually stimulating read.
I highly recommend it—and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
The first book in the Legend of Asteria series sets up a richly complex and engaging environment spanning our Solar System and the Alpha Centauri System—particularly Proxima-B. The characters are multi-layered, and in some cases, deliciously diabolical.
What makes this book stand out is the scientific accuracy woven into the story. The astronomical details are correct, allowing readers to recall—or discover—fascinating facts. The science itself feels both current and forward-looking: some concepts are already in development or even in advanced use today. Even the mention of head transplants, which have been attempted (albeit with short-term success) on dogs and monkeys, underscores the boldness of the themes explored.
In short, Sancta Femina is an intense, gripping, and intellectually stimulating read.
I highly recommend it—and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
May 6, 2025
Sancta Femina is an incredible novel, filled with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat! I don't typically read sci-fi, but I must say I absolutely loved this book so much and I am so excited for the next part of the series! Kathryn Combs is a fantastic and engaging writer, and the story kept me hooked. The twists along the way were very exciting and will truly make your jaw DROP!! Overall, Sancta Femina was a thrilling read, and I’m so excited to see what happens next with Hella.
April 18, 2025
Starts with a bang and keeps up the pace throughout. Strong underlying themes. Detailed action scenes and large scale set-pieces. Space backdrop adds to the epic feel. Hella is an original protagonist you will root for who has strong convictions, no fear and high intelligence and ingenuity. Dimensional supporting characters you care for and a diabolical but credible antagonist, huge battle scenes and shocking twists/reveals. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2025
The author successfully creates a universe where the remnants of humanity grapple with the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, questioning the morality of their existence and the forces that shape their future. Quite intense, I'd say, because the novel challenges the boundaries between science, religion, and free will. It also forces readers to confront the nature of moral absolutism. Fans of deep, cerebral world-building and morally complex characters will find themselves utterly enthralled.
June 11, 2025
It was a little different than the genres I usually read, but I liked it.
Hella was a very interesting character and I really wanted more romance and more of Xavier, since I am used to reading romantasies.
The book had a very religion lean to it which was also interesting to read. I liked the world-building, the sci-fi setting of the book. And since I love dark plots, plot twists, challenging concepts and suspence, I read it fast.
It felt slow a little at times, the story dragging.
Hella was a very interesting character and I really wanted more romance and more of Xavier, since I am used to reading romantasies.
The book had a very religion lean to it which was also interesting to read. I liked the world-building, the sci-fi setting of the book. And since I love dark plots, plot twists, challenging concepts and suspence, I read it fast.
It felt slow a little at times, the story dragging.
May 6, 2025
As someone completely new to sci-fi, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Sancta Femina, but within the first few pages, I was absolutely hooked. Kathryn Combs has crafted an incredibly immersive, intelligent, and emotionally charged story. The story weaving is masterful, gradually pulling you deeper into a universe that feels both foreig, yet familiar.
July 7, 2025
Thanks to Netgally and Kathryn Combs for letting me read this one early.
This was an awesome sci-fi adventure. Compelling from start to finish. The world building and lore felt full and well rounded and really made this an easy to grasp and delve into sci fi adventure. Can’t wait to read more of Kathryn Combs work!
This was an awesome sci-fi adventure. Compelling from start to finish. The world building and lore felt full and well rounded and really made this an easy to grasp and delve into sci fi adventure. Can’t wait to read more of Kathryn Combs work!
August 3, 2025
I loved the fact that this reminded me of Dune! My husband and I love that series. And being a woman, a strong female character is always interesting to see in a book. Coming from a traumatizing religious background, I did feel a bit out of my depth with that storyline - otherwise, the writer is a great writer and I’m curious to see this world continued.
August 7, 2025
Sancta Femina is philosophical and neither promotes nor refutes organized religion. Thematically, it poses questions about genetic determinism, the perils of technology, and the misuse of religion. With elements such as head transplants, robotic dogs, and life-extending bio-drugs-gone-wrong, the story evokes the dark, speculative tone of Ridley Scott's Prometheus and the horror of Netflix's Black Mirror. It will also resonate with fans of Isaac Asimov's trilogy Foundation.
Kathryn Combs's exploration of how religious iconography can be weaponized feels particularly relevant to our times. The novel depicts the malignity of religious manipulation used for political gain, which is personified by the villain Abramovich's actions and belief system. While these themes are undoubtedly heavy, the story also inspires hope and resiliency in the face of darkness.
Although Sancta Femina is set far in the future, the narrator, Hella Nazari, speaks with the voice of a close friend. She witnesses the nuclear attack on Earth from her military transport ship above the surface. The vessel is lost, but her escape pod lands her on a strange planet and into the hands of the evil genius who perpetrated the attack on Earth. Hella must escape from his domination and initiate the challenging journey to save her people back on Earth. Combs continues Hella's story with mind-bending episodes that take Hella across the galaxy and directly into conflict at home. New characters abound, complicating the purpose of her journey. The author's creative insight holds your attention to the last thrilling page.
Kathryn Combs's exploration of how religious iconography can be weaponized feels particularly relevant to our times. The novel depicts the malignity of religious manipulation used for political gain, which is personified by the villain Abramovich's actions and belief system. While these themes are undoubtedly heavy, the story also inspires hope and resiliency in the face of darkness.
Although Sancta Femina is set far in the future, the narrator, Hella Nazari, speaks with the voice of a close friend. She witnesses the nuclear attack on Earth from her military transport ship above the surface. The vessel is lost, but her escape pod lands her on a strange planet and into the hands of the evil genius who perpetrated the attack on Earth. Hella must escape from his domination and initiate the challenging journey to save her people back on Earth. Combs continues Hella's story with mind-bending episodes that take Hella across the galaxy and directly into conflict at home. New characters abound, complicating the purpose of her journey. The author's creative insight holds your attention to the last thrilling page.
September 8, 2025
La verdad es que no me enganché con la forma de narrar; se me hizo plana y sin emoción. Tampoco logré conectar con el protagonista, que me resultó demasiado pasivo, igual que la escritura. Además, la cantidad de información al comienzo hizo todavía más difícil entrar en la historia.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews