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Canon
“A scorchingly brilliant, wildly funny, and deeply moving epic.” —John Green, #1 globally bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
Two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God’s favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr!
Yara can’t comprehend why God has chosen them to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of Bad Guys. Cast out by their family and reeling from a destructive relationship, Yara has never felt weaker—but with nothing left to lose, they strike a deal. Abandoning their solitary days of embroidery and obsessive cleaning, Yara reluctantly embarks on a perilous odyssey designed to prepare them for the daunting mission ahead.
Meanwhile, Adrena, a disillusioned prophet with a terrifying secret power, is determined to become the hero of this story. Desperately seeking the glory of God’s approval and the promise of heaven, where she hopes to reunite with her beloved mother, Adrena must first persuade Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys, that her plan is God’s will.
As their journeys unfold in a series of unforgettable adventures, Yara and Adrena are propelled toward each other and transformative revelations about life, death, and destiny in this intensely captivating, irreverent epic from a singularly brilliant new voice in fiction.
Two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God’s favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr!
Yara can’t comprehend why God has chosen them to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of Bad Guys. Cast out by their family and reeling from a destructive relationship, Yara has never felt weaker—but with nothing left to lose, they strike a deal. Abandoning their solitary days of embroidery and obsessive cleaning, Yara reluctantly embarks on a perilous odyssey designed to prepare them for the daunting mission ahead.
Meanwhile, Adrena, a disillusioned prophet with a terrifying secret power, is determined to become the hero of this story. Desperately seeking the glory of God’s approval and the promise of heaven, where she hopes to reunite with her beloved mother, Adrena must first persuade Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys, that her plan is God’s will.
As their journeys unfold in a series of unforgettable adventures, Yara and Adrena are propelled toward each other and transformative revelations about life, death, and destiny in this intensely captivating, irreverent epic from a singularly brilliant new voice in fiction.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
Paige Lewis
9 books247 followersPaige Lewis is the author of Canon (Viking, 2026) and Space Struck (Sarabande Books, 2019).
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January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Do you love riotously original novels that make you feel like nothing will ever be the same after you read it? Then get ready to have your brains melted by this incredible debut. It's about Yara, who receives a message from God, telling them they need to slay one of the Earth's Bad Guys. Not one to question a missive from above for too long, Yara strikes a deal and sets off on their assignment. Meanwhile a downcast prophet with a hidden power is hoping to get in good with the man upstairs and carries out her own plan. So prepare yourself: Canon is a mind-bending adventure about life, death, and fate that will ruin your life, in the best way. —Liberty Hardy
Do you love riotously original novels that make you feel like nothing will ever be the same after you read it? Then get ready to have your brains melted by this incredible debut. It's about Yara, who receives a message from God, telling them they need to slay one of the Earth's Bad Guys. Not one to question a missive from above for too long, Yara strikes a deal and sets off on their assignment. Meanwhile a downcast prophet with a hidden power is hoping to get in good with the man upstairs and carries out her own plan. So prepare yourself: Canon is a mind-bending adventure about life, death, and fate that will ruin your life, in the best way. —Liberty Hardy
October 24, 2025
Wow. I absolutely loved this wacky wild book. LGBTQ+ rep? Commentary on how we are screwing up the oceans? Struggles with spirituality amd relationships with God? Yeah okay.
I loved the narration of this book, the way the chapters and separate books were written. I felt like it flowed organically and this epic story kept me wanting to read more. This book felt very Welcome to Night Vale but also Hitchhiker's Guide with it's own twist.
(Also, side note, I Loved that Yara's weapon was a tent peg. Jael and Sisera? That's crazy)
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
I loved the narration of this book, the way the chapters and separate books were written. I felt like it flowed organically and this epic story kept me wanting to read more. This book felt very Welcome to Night Vale but also Hitchhiker's Guide with it's own twist.
(Also, side note, I Loved that Yara's weapon was a tent peg. Jael and Sisera? That's crazy)
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
September 15, 2025
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!!!
I’m sincerely at a loss of words for how to describe this novel. It was so unique within formatting, dividing the entirety of the book into separate books all while shifting perspectives when needed. All the while you are being told the story, but from whose perspective? Who’s to say.
I enjoyed the chaotic energy this story exudes. One moment there is talk of prophets and God, then the next there are references to Jeopardy and going to the mall, and then you’re back to battle and death (and clearing the battle field for a dog!). I felt crazy whiplash in certain moments, but in a funny and captivating way. I could never quite get a grasp on the time this story takes place or exactly what kind of Earth this is, and I thought that to be perfect.
More spoiler-esc here:
I enjoyed that there wasn’t really a settled conclusion. Yara was sung out of existence, or really, sung into their own freedom. Their story felt complete, or more in the way that they are able to move and live for themself. However, with Adrena and Harpo, I found that their stories didn’t entirely conclude. Adrena is no longer a prophet, free to live her life and romance, but I didn’t feel that this concluded her story. Perhaps it is similar to Yara’s, this idea of being freed from God, but it wasn’t as conclusive I feel. And Harpo, poor Harpo. Still beckoning to God’s will and not yet finding his wife. Yet I found myself in love with each of their stories.
I also enjoyed the chaos of God. He is a figure of chaos throughout this novel, even revealing that Dominic wasn’t as evil as proposed to the Good Guys. I would enjoy this narrative from Dominic’s side as well.
A really fantastic book. I hope that this novel gets all of the praise and attention it deserves.
I’m sincerely at a loss of words for how to describe this novel. It was so unique within formatting, dividing the entirety of the book into separate books all while shifting perspectives when needed. All the while you are being told the story, but from whose perspective? Who’s to say.
I enjoyed the chaotic energy this story exudes. One moment there is talk of prophets and God, then the next there are references to Jeopardy and going to the mall, and then you’re back to battle and death (and clearing the battle field for a dog!). I felt crazy whiplash in certain moments, but in a funny and captivating way. I could never quite get a grasp on the time this story takes place or exactly what kind of Earth this is, and I thought that to be perfect.
More spoiler-esc here:
I enjoyed that there wasn’t really a settled conclusion. Yara was sung out of existence, or really, sung into their own freedom. Their story felt complete, or more in the way that they are able to move and live for themself. However, with Adrena and Harpo, I found that their stories didn’t entirely conclude. Adrena is no longer a prophet, free to live her life and romance, but I didn’t feel that this concluded her story. Perhaps it is similar to Yara’s, this idea of being freed from God, but it wasn’t as conclusive I feel. And Harpo, poor Harpo. Still beckoning to God’s will and not yet finding his wife. Yet I found myself in love with each of their stories.
I also enjoyed the chaos of God. He is a figure of chaos throughout this novel, even revealing that Dominic wasn’t as evil as proposed to the Good Guys. I would enjoy this narrative from Dominic’s side as well.
A really fantastic book. I hope that this novel gets all of the praise and attention it deserves.
March 1, 2026
What the heck did I just read.
It's fantastic. It's, wow, very different. Lyrical. Wildly irreverent. Not like anything else I can think of that I've ever read. The publisher's blurb references other books, but I'm not familiar with them and can't opine on how accurate the comparisons are.
In structure, in mind-feel, this is very like reading an epic poem. And that impression felt a little daunting when I first started reading, because I worried that might affect my ability to get into the story. Turns out there was no cause for concern--I got sucked in and had trouble putting it down.
I'm impressed and delighted that something as original and difficult to fit into a genre as this is being published.
All the chapter headings are asides from an omniscient 3rd party narrator to the reader, breaking the fourth wall. They're often hilarious. There is humor throughout, but it doesn't detract from the emotional weight of the book. The story takes place completely untethered to a set time and place: there are shopping malls and telephones, but the battle between Good Guys and Bad Guys takes place on horses and chariots, wielding spears and swords.
Since I was spared a religious upbringing, I'm sometimes left unmoved by stories that deal with the complications of faith and disillusionment. It's not an element of books I tend to gravitate to, but while there is a God and Catholicism and all the trappings of various forms of organized religion in this world, the questions and conflicts feel existential and universally human, so I wasn't put at a remove from the story by them.
The author wields absurdity with surgical precision in a way that can only remind me of Vonnegut, which is marvelous.
Readers who don't care for surrealism or for dreamlike elements in their fiction making the reality of the story feel slippery may be put off. Think Piranesi but (a lot) less self-serious. I loved that, but your mileage may vary. If the book has a weakness, it's that the ending felt a little bit anticlimactic.
I think this will be well worth rereading.
I got an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley, which doesn't affect my reviews, but I do put a finger on the scales by generally only requesting books I think I'm likely to enjoy. In this case, I had no idea whether I would like it, but I was intrigued by how very weird it sounded. It is weird--and brilliant--and I'm really glad I decided to give it a try.
It's fantastic. It's, wow, very different. Lyrical. Wildly irreverent. Not like anything else I can think of that I've ever read. The publisher's blurb references other books, but I'm not familiar with them and can't opine on how accurate the comparisons are.
In structure, in mind-feel, this is very like reading an epic poem. And that impression felt a little daunting when I first started reading, because I worried that might affect my ability to get into the story. Turns out there was no cause for concern--I got sucked in and had trouble putting it down.
I'm impressed and delighted that something as original and difficult to fit into a genre as this is being published.
All the chapter headings are asides from an omniscient 3rd party narrator to the reader, breaking the fourth wall. They're often hilarious. There is humor throughout, but it doesn't detract from the emotional weight of the book. The story takes place completely untethered to a set time and place: there are shopping malls and telephones, but the battle between Good Guys and Bad Guys takes place on horses and chariots, wielding spears and swords.
Since I was spared a religious upbringing, I'm sometimes left unmoved by stories that deal with the complications of faith and disillusionment. It's not an element of books I tend to gravitate to, but while there is a God and Catholicism and all the trappings of various forms of organized religion in this world, the questions and conflicts feel existential and universally human, so I wasn't put at a remove from the story by them.
The author wields absurdity with surgical precision in a way that can only remind me of Vonnegut, which is marvelous.
Readers who don't care for surrealism or for dreamlike elements in their fiction making the reality of the story feel slippery may be put off. Think Piranesi but (a lot) less self-serious. I loved that, but your mileage may vary. If the book has a weakness, it's that the ending felt a little bit anticlimactic.
I think this will be well worth rereading.
I got an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley, which doesn't affect my reviews, but I do put a finger on the scales by generally only requesting books I think I'm likely to enjoy. In this case, I had no idea whether I would like it, but I was intrigued by how very weird it sounded. It is weird--and brilliant--and I'm really glad I decided to give it a try.
May 21, 2026
| rating: 3.75 stars
Yara never expected to be chosen by God to slay Dominic, the leader of the Bad Guys. Kicked out by their family and trying to recover from a terrible relationship, Yara is not your typical hero. Yet, they make a deal with God and reluctantly go on a perilous journey to prepare for the dangerous mission ahead of them. Andrena is a prophet abandoned by God who is determined to be the one to defeat the Bad Guys. Desperate to have her own Assumption, like Mother Mary and her own mother, she joins forces with Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys to defeat Dominic in the Big Battle.
Canon’s literary structure reads almost like an epistolary work. The chapters are separated into books and these books are cut up into smaller mini-chapters. The result is this sort of disjointed narrative that is equal parts ridiculously hilarious but also incredibly dark and poignant. Canon is a reflection of modernity, seen in the eyes of marginalized narrators. The representation in this book is fantastic. Almost everyone is queer and neurodivergent, except for maybe Harpo, the poor guy who just wants his wife back.
The plot is fairly simple. There is a war going on between the Bad Guys (led by Dominic) and the Good Guys (led by Harpo), which started when the Bad Guys kidnapped Harpo’s wife. There is little world building for this book, but I didn’t mind because I could tell that this was meant to be social commentary/in-depth character study. All the characters were incredibly real (prophets, Chosen ones, and war aside) and their issues were real things that people go through.
I do think that the structure of this book hindered the actual content. Even though this book was nearly 500 pages, I felt like it was too short. The ending was fairly anticlimactic and I felt like there were a lot of loose ends.
Still a fairly great read! I really enjoyed myself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin Random House for the e-ARC!
Yara never expected to be chosen by God to slay Dominic, the leader of the Bad Guys. Kicked out by their family and trying to recover from a terrible relationship, Yara is not your typical hero. Yet, they make a deal with God and reluctantly go on a perilous journey to prepare for the dangerous mission ahead of them. Andrena is a prophet abandoned by God who is determined to be the one to defeat the Bad Guys. Desperate to have her own Assumption, like Mother Mary and her own mother, she joins forces with Harpo, the leader of the Good Guys to defeat Dominic in the Big Battle.
Canon’s literary structure reads almost like an epistolary work. The chapters are separated into books and these books are cut up into smaller mini-chapters. The result is this sort of disjointed narrative that is equal parts ridiculously hilarious but also incredibly dark and poignant. Canon is a reflection of modernity, seen in the eyes of marginalized narrators. The representation in this book is fantastic. Almost everyone is queer and neurodivergent, except for maybe Harpo, the poor guy who just wants his wife back.
The plot is fairly simple. There is a war going on between the Bad Guys (led by Dominic) and the Good Guys (led by Harpo), which started when the Bad Guys kidnapped Harpo’s wife. There is little world building for this book, but I didn’t mind because I could tell that this was meant to be social commentary/in-depth character study. All the characters were incredibly real (prophets, Chosen ones, and war aside) and their issues were real things that people go through.
I do think that the structure of this book hindered the actual content. Even though this book was nearly 500 pages, I felt like it was too short. The ending was fairly anticlimactic and I felt like there were a lot of loose ends.
Still a fairly great read! I really enjoyed myself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin Random House for the e-ARC!
August 25, 2025
Mayhaps my new favorite book of all time. Perfect for the weirdos who loved Welcome to Night Vale in their teens.
October 23, 2025
I have been wrestling with this review for days. I don’t know how to talk about this book, and I’m so afraid of doing it wrong or doing it poorly. But I suppose that’s a risk I’ll have to take.
Wonderfully weird. Unstuck in time. Canon reminds me a little of Vonnegut, a little of Pratchett, but it is also wholly unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read.
Yara, a non-binary 18-year-old with OCD, begrudgingly embarks on a quest given to them by God. The prophet Adrena is beside herself when she learns that Yara has been chosen for this mission instead of her and, desperate for bodily assumption into heaven, decides to take matters into her own hands.
Canon is so many things. It is uproariously funny, completely absurd, and pulsing with both hope and dread throughout. It’s an epic about two people grappling with meaning and purpose in a tremendously fucked up world. It’s exactly what I needed right now.
*Thank you to @NetGalley and @vikingbooks for the ARC!* Canon comes out on May 19, 2026, and is available for pre-order now. You should pre-order it, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Wonderfully weird. Unstuck in time. Canon reminds me a little of Vonnegut, a little of Pratchett, but it is also wholly unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read.
Yara, a non-binary 18-year-old with OCD, begrudgingly embarks on a quest given to them by God. The prophet Adrena is beside herself when she learns that Yara has been chosen for this mission instead of her and, desperate for bodily assumption into heaven, decides to take matters into her own hands.
Canon is so many things. It is uproariously funny, completely absurd, and pulsing with both hope and dread throughout. It’s an epic about two people grappling with meaning and purpose in a tremendously fucked up world. It’s exactly what I needed right now.
*Thank you to @NetGalley and @vikingbooks for the ARC!* Canon comes out on May 19, 2026, and is available for pre-order now. You should pre-order it, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
November 30, 2025
this book was very unique and intriguing. but I was left wanting so much more. I wanted more world building to understand the landscape - somewhere totally religious, with a business-like God, where soldiers do wheelies in their chariots, and where you go to the mall to find a soundtrack for your battle tomorrow. I also wanted more character development. I felt like I had too little time with the many colorful personalities and I didn't feel like any of the characters were 'wrapped up' by the end. so glad I read this, but I have lots of unanswered questions.
May 19, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Super weird but addictively hilarious! 😂
I had such a fun time reading this. Yara is asked by God to eliminate Dominic, a powerful leader of the Bad Guys, despite having no fighting experience. Adrena doesn’t believe Yara should be the hero, so she attempts to fight Dominic before Yara gets the chance.
The story is written in a way with a very prominent narrator, which took some getting used to. Also, this is an urban fantasy set in the 90s, so there are scenes that take place in a Sears and the characters watch TV, but they also ride horses, fight with swords, and use shields??!
On the other hand, this was just so funny and entertaining that the things I liked outweighed the rest. I was originally a little skeptical about how much religion played into the plot, but this was written in such a satirical way that it just worked.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Super weird but addictively hilarious! 😂
I had such a fun time reading this. Yara is asked by God to eliminate Dominic, a powerful leader of the Bad Guys, despite having no fighting experience. Adrena doesn’t believe Yara should be the hero, so she attempts to fight Dominic before Yara gets the chance.
The story is written in a way with a very prominent narrator, which took some getting used to. Also, this is an urban fantasy set in the 90s, so there are scenes that take place in a Sears and the characters watch TV, but they also ride horses, fight with swords, and use shields??!
On the other hand, this was just so funny and entertaining that the things I liked outweighed the rest. I was originally a little skeptical about how much religion played into the plot, but this was written in such a satirical way that it just worked.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2026
This was awesome. Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, it is truly an epic for the modern era.
October 4, 2025
This is my first time reading this author and I am shocked to report that I... really did not like this book. It was an incredibly neutral read until the last 10% of the story where my feelings skewed toward displeasure. I will probably be the minority on this, and like good art it did make me feel something.
That something was irritation.
There was no real payoff for any of the plotlines and the moments that I felt Lewis wanted to be impactful, weren't. The amount of references, both current and classical, were abundant and exhausting. This is told in a humorious style while trying to comment on big ideas of faith and belonging, similar in feel of Taika Waititi's work.
In the end, I was left exasperated.
Undeniably a unique book, but just not for me.
That something was irritation.
There was no real payoff for any of the plotlines and the moments that I felt Lewis wanted to be impactful, weren't. The amount of references, both current and classical, were abundant and exhausting. This is told in a humorious style while trying to comment on big ideas of faith and belonging, similar in feel of Taika Waititi's work.
In the end, I was left exasperated.
Undeniably a unique book, but just not for me.
September 22, 2025
Just so perfectly strange. I had consistent whiplash throughout this book- a Great War with a hero with a mission bestowed upon them by God in one chapter, a quick shopping trip- but you better avoid those kiosks- in the next.
Funny and strange and a super quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.
Funny and strange and a super quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2025
Truly the best book I’ve read in a long time.
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April 23, 2026This one's for those who love unique books. In Canon, two unlikely people are on a quest to win God's favor. The quest is to slay Dominic, the ruthless leader of the army of bad guys. (There's also an army of good guys, headed by Harpo). God has chosen an 18 yo non-binary person Yara—who loves cleaning and also has calming hobbies like embroidery—to accomplish this mission. Yara is reeling from a bad relationship when this mission is given to her. On the other side is the queer prophet Adrena who is disillusioned that she wasn't chosen for the mission and she hopes to convince the good guys that her plan in God's plan.
I am unsure how to describe this book. But here's what to expect:
- very fresh, very unique, original book
- think an adventurous quest like in the epics, but this is more chaotic with flawed humans and full of surprises.
- makes you think about spirituality, God, disillusionment with faith, connection with a spiritual being, destiny, purpose of life.
- extremely chaotic. there could be a looming battle for humanity and then the story will swerve to a mall scene. weird weapons (like a peg?). god could be copying from the judge on his right while judging a men's bodybuilding competition, (the chapter ends with "god took it upon himself to hand out the trophies, which was normally the job of bikini-clad women, and the men tried to hide their disappointment)and so on.
- this one's more plot driven than letting us know the characters deeply, but the problems that worry the characters (like faith, destiny) also affect us as readers. the title headings are kind of like a summary of the plot. (for eg the heading after 'yara meets lawrence' would be 'more about lawrence' and so on. quick bite sized snippets that tell the story and take the plot forward rather than a novel told in paragraphs and sectioned into long chapters.)
- the title headings are unique and sometimes funny—"on their way out of sears, our duo passes a row of pristinely made beds", "where is god? god is busy judging a men's bodybuilding competition", "honestly we should all be wary of skin care consultants". kind of reminded me of the percy jackson series which has incredible chapter headings
- kirkus reviews calls this book "a brash, informed, anti-epic".(link).
- the blurb compares this book to Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr!—Not convinced about that! All these books are different in their own way.
Overall, it is a book that'll surprise you. It is funny and surprising and you are always thinking how new unexpected twists enter the narrative. Would recommend this book to readers who have a sense of humor and who can appreciate a an experimental novel with meta references.
ALSO READ: Book List: Most Anticipated Books of 2026.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
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I am unsure how to describe this book. But here's what to expect:
- very fresh, very unique, original book
- think an adventurous quest like in the epics, but this is more chaotic with flawed humans and full of surprises.
- makes you think about spirituality, God, disillusionment with faith, connection with a spiritual being, destiny, purpose of life.
- extremely chaotic. there could be a looming battle for humanity and then the story will swerve to a mall scene. weird weapons (like a peg?). god could be copying from the judge on his right while judging a men's bodybuilding competition, (the chapter ends with "god took it upon himself to hand out the trophies, which was normally the job of bikini-clad women, and the men tried to hide their disappointment)and so on.
- this one's more plot driven than letting us know the characters deeply, but the problems that worry the characters (like faith, destiny) also affect us as readers. the title headings are kind of like a summary of the plot. (for eg the heading after 'yara meets lawrence' would be 'more about lawrence' and so on. quick bite sized snippets that tell the story and take the plot forward rather than a novel told in paragraphs and sectioned into long chapters.)
- the title headings are unique and sometimes funny—"on their way out of sears, our duo passes a row of pristinely made beds", "where is god? god is busy judging a men's bodybuilding competition", "honestly we should all be wary of skin care consultants". kind of reminded me of the percy jackson series which has incredible chapter headings
- kirkus reviews calls this book "a brash, informed, anti-epic".(link).
- the blurb compares this book to Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About This, and Martyr!—Not convinced about that! All these books are different in their own way.
Overall, it is a book that'll surprise you. It is funny and surprising and you are always thinking how new unexpected twists enter the narrative. Would recommend this book to readers who have a sense of humor and who can appreciate a an experimental novel with meta references.
ALSO READ: Book List: Most Anticipated Books of 2026.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Blog | Instagram | Threads | X (Twitter) | Newsletter
May 19, 2026
I often want to save 5 star reviews for books that changed my life, for amazing and deep books that really transcend. While this book didn't change my life I have no criticisms. It's just fun. It's wacky, laugh-out-loud funny, has deep themes of gender, right vs wrong, religion, etc. The writing is hilarious, punchy, and the plot moves quickly. There's a difference between a 5-star steak and a 5-star potato chip. This book is potato chips and it's delicious.
May 10, 2026
This was delightfully bizarre! HIGHLY enjoyed. Many contemplations on how humans are ruining the oceans and land as well as some deeply insightful commentary on martyrdom. I loved this!
May 7, 2026
A queer, non-binary epic?? Hell yeah!! Canon was weird in the best way possible. I have to admit, I was hesitant with the multiple POV, as I don't tend to love switching POV, but I absolutely adored this book. I loved the whimsical poetry-like prose, and the ending was quick to change my 4-star rating to a 5-star. Beautifully written. Beware of potential content warnings!!!
May 15, 2026
I went into this book expecting it to be one of my favorites of the year, but it was just exhausting because I personally didn’t care for the style. I wanted better world building (which wasn’t helped by my lack of nostalgia for the 1990s, so all the references just left me meh) and more time with the characters so I could care about them instead of flitting from one half-formed idea to the next. It was definitely entertaining in parts, and a quick read, but it was just overall a frustrating experience.
October 13, 2025
One of your next favorite queer reads and heroes. Yara is a regular person, but they have been chosen by God to slay the leader of the “Bad Guys.” They are first sent on a journey to train before arriving at the stage for them to fulfill their destiny. Every character is fully fleshed out and interesting in the context of the story, the setting is beautiful and terrible, and the dry, sardonic humor is unmatched to anything I’ve read in a long time. The journey is a little meandering and the big battle scene feels a little rushed for my personal taste, but otherwise I absolutely love this one. 4.5/5 ⭐️
February 26, 2026
it’s not that this book is bad. its maybe just not a book for me.
i like the format, the story is rather plain, the language is plain, and the characters are extremely shallow.
The whole book is half baked. . . quarter baked???
unspecific language and overly literal recounting has made modern writing so bad, it’s like authors are afraid to write. i’m confused.
The coolest part are the things on the cover and those are the LEAST talked about , least depth given parts.
i like the format, the story is rather plain, the language is plain, and the characters are extremely shallow.
The whole book is half baked. . . quarter baked???
unspecific language and overly literal recounting has made modern writing so bad, it’s like authors are afraid to write. i’m confused.
The coolest part are the things on the cover and those are the LEAST talked about , least depth given parts.
May 19, 2026
Hi there, friends! I’ll go ahead and it tell to you straight. This book is a doozy. But could it be your kind of wild and crazy dooziness? Perhaps. Here are several things to help you decide.
— The novel is an experimental, queer, funny, meta fantasy with religious themes.
— It isn’t as long as the page count makes it seem; some pages have only a sentence or two on them.
— It is an epic in the style of The Odyssey while also being absurd, satirical, and slapstick in a way that reminds me of Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. That’s high praise. There is also a feeling of being tethered to a reality with a time and place but floating just above it, sort of like Piranesi.
— It might challenge your view of gods and heroes.
— There are tons of quotable things that I can’t quote because this is a review of an advance copy. But the chapter titles alone make me want to be best friends with the author. We could just exchange emails and then totally hang out right now, together. (If you got that reference, I love you.)
— There’s a talking whale and a lie-detecting newt.
— It is friendly to women, queer people, and animals. It is unfriendly or downright hostile to other things, and it brings the receipts explaining why.
I loved it so very much. I’m pretty sure I’ll go into a slump now where nothing smells or tastes as good for a while. That’s just about the highest praise I can give. 5 stars, I would give 6 if I could.
Thanks to Viking, Paige Lewis (author), and Edelweiss for a digital review copy of Canon. Their generosity did not influence my review in any way.
— The novel is an experimental, queer, funny, meta fantasy with religious themes.
— It isn’t as long as the page count makes it seem; some pages have only a sentence or two on them.
— It is an epic in the style of The Odyssey while also being absurd, satirical, and slapstick in a way that reminds me of Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. That’s high praise. There is also a feeling of being tethered to a reality with a time and place but floating just above it, sort of like Piranesi.
— It might challenge your view of gods and heroes.
— There are tons of quotable things that I can’t quote because this is a review of an advance copy. But the chapter titles alone make me want to be best friends with the author. We could just exchange emails and then totally hang out right now, together. (If you got that reference, I love you.)
— There’s a talking whale and a lie-detecting newt.
— It is friendly to women, queer people, and animals. It is unfriendly or downright hostile to other things, and it brings the receipts explaining why.
I loved it so very much. I’m pretty sure I’ll go into a slump now where nothing smells or tastes as good for a while. That’s just about the highest praise I can give. 5 stars, I would give 6 if I could.
Thanks to Viking, Paige Lewis (author), and Edelweiss for a digital review copy of Canon. Their generosity did not influence my review in any way.
May 20, 2026
If the phrase “original thought” referred to an entire book, this story would most definitely be the representative novel.
Truly 1 of 1 through its format, plot and voice. A genuinely fun read (even despite some of its more serious subject matter/plot).
Surreal, whimsy and funny. Riveting commentary ranging from the critique of skin care consultants to our suffering environment. Refreshing integration of religion in a way that makes me want the bible to rerelease with this level of sassy candor. I may be exaggerating but… shall I go on? Read!
Quotes!
“It didn't matter whether they actually liked the new hair. People are inclined to compliment any change. Most compliments simply mean "I notice change."
“Listen, once a person becomes a hero, their past self retroactively becomes a hero, too. So Yara is technically already our hero.”
“Making Friends as an Adult Is Difficult and, Some Might Say, Not Worth the Trouble”
“It's exhausting to be shown things, to try to enjoy a movie while also giving a convincing pertormance of that enjoyment.”
Skin care consultant takes that put the cherry on top.
"A Skin Care Consultant is powerful, indiscriminate, and answers to no man, no king, no god. If you work on commission, you must be godless, or else you'll go broke."
"The Skin Care Consultant is like flypaper. Ideally, they're meant to target women who hate themselves, but the Skin Care Consultant wil take anyone they can get, holding a person in place, sometimes for days, until that person does hate themself, or their partner, or their daughter, enough to hand over their credit card."
Truly 1 of 1 through its format, plot and voice. A genuinely fun read (even despite some of its more serious subject matter/plot).
Surreal, whimsy and funny. Riveting commentary ranging from the critique of skin care consultants to our suffering environment. Refreshing integration of religion in a way that makes me want the bible to rerelease with this level of sassy candor. I may be exaggerating but… shall I go on? Read!
Quotes!
“It didn't matter whether they actually liked the new hair. People are inclined to compliment any change. Most compliments simply mean "I notice change."
“Listen, once a person becomes a hero, their past self retroactively becomes a hero, too. So Yara is technically already our hero.”
“Making Friends as an Adult Is Difficult and, Some Might Say, Not Worth the Trouble”
“It's exhausting to be shown things, to try to enjoy a movie while also giving a convincing pertormance of that enjoyment.”
Skin care consultant takes that put the cherry on top.
"A Skin Care Consultant is powerful, indiscriminate, and answers to no man, no king, no god. If you work on commission, you must be godless, or else you'll go broke."
"The Skin Care Consultant is like flypaper. Ideally, they're meant to target women who hate themselves, but the Skin Care Consultant wil take anyone they can get, holding a person in place, sometimes for days, until that person does hate themself, or their partner, or their daughter, enough to hand over their credit card."
May 18, 2026
Canon is one of those books that sounds completely ridiculous when you try to explain it, but somehow it all works.
You’ve got a whale named HOWBIG! who used to be Jacques Cousteau, prophets trying to earn God’s approval, armies called the Good Guys and Bad Guys, and a massive quest sitting underneath all of it. But beyond all the weirdness and humor, this book is really about purpose. About trying to understand what you’re meant to do with your life when the answers never feel clear.
What Paige Lewis managed to do very well was to show how human the characters felt underneath all the fantasy elements. Yara struggling with OCD while being asked to commit violence. Adrena spending her whole life preparing for something only to be told she’s no longer needed. People trying so hard to be “good” while also questioning whether pleasing an all-powerful God is even possible in the first place.
It’s messy, funny, painful, creative, and honestly unlike anything else I’ve read in a while.
I still don’t think I can fully explain why this book worked so well for me, only that it did. It left me thinking a lot about faith, purpose, and the idea that maybe we already have what we need to survive whatever life throws at us.
You’ve got a whale named HOWBIG! who used to be Jacques Cousteau, prophets trying to earn God’s approval, armies called the Good Guys and Bad Guys, and a massive quest sitting underneath all of it. But beyond all the weirdness and humor, this book is really about purpose. About trying to understand what you’re meant to do with your life when the answers never feel clear.
What Paige Lewis managed to do very well was to show how human the characters felt underneath all the fantasy elements. Yara struggling with OCD while being asked to commit violence. Adrena spending her whole life preparing for something only to be told she’s no longer needed. People trying so hard to be “good” while also questioning whether pleasing an all-powerful God is even possible in the first place.
It’s messy, funny, painful, creative, and honestly unlike anything else I’ve read in a while.
I still don’t think I can fully explain why this book worked so well for me, only that it did. It left me thinking a lot about faith, purpose, and the idea that maybe we already have what we need to survive whatever life throws at us.
Review of advance copy received from Book of the Month
★★★★★
This book is written in one of the most unique formats I have ever seen, it feels like a mix of poetry and literary fiction with each page. Similarly this book feels like you just sat on a bus, you see someone who catches your attention and you can’t help but to ask them to tell you a story. The narration is unreliable, sometimes you forget part of the story and have to backtrack, sometimes the most impactful parts are vague because who wants to relive them. This book is so perfectly human which ties in remarkably with it being a take on the complexity of religion. Every flaw was beautiful and every remark felt real.
The book is meant to be very satire but still implies the critical message that sometimes those who are the most kind or empathetic are not the most devoted or perfect individuals, they are sometimes even the most flawed ones. The book covers many additional things besides religion such as lesbian love, complex relations with gender identity, environmentalism, recognition and appreciation for every creature, and so many more. I truly recommend coming into this book with open arms, kindness, and the ability to find the beauty in the flawed.
(Read through physical copy)
This book is written in one of the most unique formats I have ever seen, it feels like a mix of poetry and literary fiction with each page. Similarly this book feels like you just sat on a bus, you see someone who catches your attention and you can’t help but to ask them to tell you a story. The narration is unreliable, sometimes you forget part of the story and have to backtrack, sometimes the most impactful parts are vague because who wants to relive them. This book is so perfectly human which ties in remarkably with it being a take on the complexity of religion. Every flaw was beautiful and every remark felt real.
The book is meant to be very satire but still implies the critical message that sometimes those who are the most kind or empathetic are not the most devoted or perfect individuals, they are sometimes even the most flawed ones. The book covers many additional things besides religion such as lesbian love, complex relations with gender identity, environmentalism, recognition and appreciation for every creature, and so many more. I truly recommend coming into this book with open arms, kindness, and the ability to find the beauty in the flawed.
(Read through physical copy)
May 24, 2026
omfg (pun def intended) this did not have any reason to be this good! you know me i love me some truly weird books and this was exactly MY kind of weird at the same time being hilarious af (as in lol-funny on the next level and more). feel blessed (ok i'll shut up now promise) to have found this. but srsly this was just perfect enough to be an instant fave and i kinda want to read it all over again (def reread material esp judging by how fast i ate it up the first time!!!!). go read this if this is up your alley thank me later
Want to Read
April 21, 2026i'm literally pissing myself with excitement to read this arc thank you netgalley love you mwah mwah mwah
May 23, 2026
Hi, I’m lowkey speechless after this one. I feel irrevocably changed tbh. Would love nothing more than to evaporate honestly.
March 25, 2026
Arc. Thank you NetGalley and Viking for an arc of this title in return for an honest review!
I am floored. Paige Lewis’s debut Canon asks the question what would you do to please God? We find out when Yara is chosen directly from God himself to slay the evil Dominic. Along this epic journey we meet a cast of characters unlike any other I’ve met. A sentient omnipotent whale????? A lie-detecting newt???? A lesbian prophet that can sing things into the void????????????????? Thought-provoking, charming, strange, WEIRD, heart-warming, and incredibly philosophical. Canon is unlike any other book I’ve read. It’s gorgeous prose creates a beautiful backdrop of a landscape or dread and heart ache and talks about the topics few authors dare to discuss. This was a powerful read.
I am floored. Paige Lewis’s debut Canon asks the question what would you do to please God? We find out when Yara is chosen directly from God himself to slay the evil Dominic. Along this epic journey we meet a cast of characters unlike any other I’ve met. A sentient omnipotent whale????? A lie-detecting newt???? A lesbian prophet that can sing things into the void????????????????? Thought-provoking, charming, strange, WEIRD, heart-warming, and incredibly philosophical. Canon is unlike any other book I’ve read. It’s gorgeous prose creates a beautiful backdrop of a landscape or dread and heart ache and talks about the topics few authors dare to discuss. This was a powerful read.
May 18, 2026
It started out quirky and fun, but by page 401, I wanted to throw it across the room. I tried to finish it, but the battle scenes were so fucking annoying. I hated every character in this book, except for the whale.
October 18, 2025
4.75⭐️
We follow Yara, a person chosen by God to slay Dominic(leader of the bad guys), and Adrena, a disillusioned prophet who is absolutely determined to be the hero of the story by convincing Harpo(leader of the good guys) that her plan is from God.
I feel that this book will not be for everyone simply based on how it is formatted. Separating the story into different “books” with alternating perspectives that are mostly the two main characters, though some are told from others perspectives.
This was such a fun read. It was as strange as it was funny, with a little sprinkle of existential crises throughout. The world is surreal but grounded in the recognizable. It is very chaotic, with talks of prophets of god to shopping mall commission kiosk workers. It makes for a very hard-to-grab idea of what kind of world it is, and I think that’s the point. It’s the kind of book that asks serious questions while not being too serious.
Thank you Net Galley for the eARC.
We follow Yara, a person chosen by God to slay Dominic(leader of the bad guys), and Adrena, a disillusioned prophet who is absolutely determined to be the hero of the story by convincing Harpo(leader of the good guys) that her plan is from God.
I feel that this book will not be for everyone simply based on how it is formatted. Separating the story into different “books” with alternating perspectives that are mostly the two main characters, though some are told from others perspectives.
This was such a fun read. It was as strange as it was funny, with a little sprinkle of existential crises throughout. The world is surreal but grounded in the recognizable. It is very chaotic, with talks of prophets of god to shopping mall commission kiosk workers. It makes for a very hard-to-grab idea of what kind of world it is, and I think that’s the point. It’s the kind of book that asks serious questions while not being too serious.
Thank you Net Galley for the eARC.
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