Amid the incomprehensible void between the stars, humanity discovered the key to the intangible preponderance of the cosmos.
Runa has lived her life aboard her family’s small ship, on a shallow sea, upon an insignificant planet, wholly ignorant of life beyond her flotilla. Her only hint of a grander scope lay among the pages of the books and the legends of her people. She was destined to live an unremarkable life maintaining the flotilla’s vessels, until the day something inside her awakened. Whether this awakening was a blessing or a curse, and where it will lead has yet to be seen.
Praxiats possess gifts. Often awakening early in life, individuals who possess such talents are brought up in groups of ‘foundling houses’ where they practice and hone their skills before proving themselves capable and passing a test tailored specifically to the individual. Success or failure determines their future.
Runa has spent her life in the flotilla, working as a shipmaiden. However, as she inspects the damage to, and departs, the Takma she experiences sensations upon skin-to-skin contact with the shipfather’s daughter. This sensation is so strong it forces her to break apart contact, violently retching and turning her world dark. This awakening, albeit late in life, forces her to make a decision, hide her gift or leave the only place she’s called home with this stranger, Adanon.
Author Eric Miltner paints in such vivid detail as Runa departs the flotilla, cast away as she embarks on her new fate. Soon after their arrival she is thrust into her new reality, unlocking her abilities and proving herself worthy. Having loved books such as “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” and “Matched” I quickly found myself enjoying Miltner’s debut “Accretion.” Quickly enamoring readers to Runa, this series kick off sets the tone for action, intrigue, and villains we love to hate.
With our strong female lead and themes of race, ability, and socio-economic status, “Accretion” layers in realistic character and plot development throughout its science fiction and fantastical realms. Miltner excels in captivating readers as Runa’s future collides with the council and fate of The Federation. Ending in epic fashion, “Accretion” leaves us yearning for more.
I didn’t expect to get pulled into this story so quickly, but wow Runa’s journey hooked me from the first chapter. Reading about her simple life on the flotilla and then watching something inside her suddenly awaken felt so real and emotional. I loved how the author balanced the small, quiet world she grew up in with the huge, mysterious universe waiting beyond it.
Every time Runa questioned her purpose, I felt that. The writing made the whole universe feel bigger and deeper, like I was discovering it right alongside her