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The Creation Code
The perfect storm of change and secrets will take Inessa and Talon through a labyrinth of
themselves, science, and the world they thought they knew. But a twist of fate may bring love in
just long enough to lose it again.
Dr. Inessa De La Cour is a broken Immortal whose research helps infertile couples create
families while she carefully holds her shattered heart together with a secret. She may never love
again, but when a call from an old colleague in DC indicates the Separatists are using science to
destroy lives again, she has a second chance to bring the man who killed Jia—the woman she
loved—to justice, and she won’t fail this time. She’s been on the Tokoleh’s flagship Discovery for
almost seven years, running from her last mistake. It’s time to go home.
The war of 2050 is long in the past, but the devastation to Washington, DC, even after
sixty years, lingers despite efforts at rebuilding. Talon is committed to surviving, but all of her
skills may not be enough. The tinkering the Separatists did with her Griffon DNA means her life
has an early expiration date. Now, Dr. Inessa De La Cour, the woman who left her life-
companion for dead, has returned to the Hall of Justice, claiming she wants to help. Talon may
be a different version of herself now, but she knows Dr. De La Cour is not a woman she can
trust—even if she has to work with her to save her own life.
themselves, science, and the world they thought they knew. But a twist of fate may bring love in
just long enough to lose it again.
Dr. Inessa De La Cour is a broken Immortal whose research helps infertile couples create
families while she carefully holds her shattered heart together with a secret. She may never love
again, but when a call from an old colleague in DC indicates the Separatists are using science to
destroy lives again, she has a second chance to bring the man who killed Jia—the woman she
loved—to justice, and she won’t fail this time. She’s been on the Tokoleh’s flagship Discovery for
almost seven years, running from her last mistake. It’s time to go home.
The war of 2050 is long in the past, but the devastation to Washington, DC, even after
sixty years, lingers despite efforts at rebuilding. Talon is committed to surviving, but all of her
skills may not be enough. The tinkering the Separatists did with her Griffon DNA means her life
has an early expiration date. Now, Dr. Inessa De La Cour, the woman who left her life-
companion for dead, has returned to the Hall of Justice, claiming she wants to help. Talon may
be a different version of herself now, but she knows Dr. De La Cour is not a woman she can
trust—even if she has to work with her to save her own life.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2025
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4 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Westmore
4 books7 followersAlexis Westmore is an author of literary fiction who resides in the Washington DC region. She is a women's literature and diversity advocate who is devoted to science and happy ever after. She is eager to see the beauty of diverse community presented broadly. She writes across genres of high fantasy, urban fantasy, epic science fiction, and romance.
Alexis is a plant lover, wine admirer, and ice cream devotee.
Alexis is a plant lover, wine admirer, and ice cream devotee.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The main story is about Inessa and her actions after she is told they have found the man that killed her lover Jia seven years ago, Inessa tried to save her but failed. When looking for this man she finds out that Jia is alive, now as Talon, and she thinks Inessa just left her. Talon is not the woman Inessa knew, and she is also slowly dying unless she gets hold of a special injection. Inessa is of course there prepared to help Talon, risk everything to do so, but can Talon trust her and let her in again, the woman that left her when she needed her the most.
The idea of the book was not bad but to start right in the middle of things without any backstory about the past war that changed the world nor explaining the important technical advancements done regarding the human DNA really threw me off. I really tried to get into the story, I am usually into sci-fi, but here I never managed to feel invested since all was so superficially explained. With a proper prologue the book would have been vastly improved but I doubt even that would have helped a lot since I did not like the writing.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
The idea of the book was not bad but to start right in the middle of things without any backstory about the past war that changed the world nor explaining the important technical advancements done regarding the human DNA really threw me off. I really tried to get into the story, I am usually into sci-fi, but here I never managed to feel invested since all was so superficially explained. With a proper prologue the book would have been vastly improved but I doubt even that would have helped a lot since I did not like the writing.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Creation Code by Alexis Westmore is a sapphic sci-fi novel that delves into the science and ethics of manipulating shifter and human DNA. At the heart of the story is a second chance at a love long thought lost.
I love the premise, and I didn't hate the novel, but I did have a hard time connecting with the characters on an emotional level. It was also a bit challenging for me to keep up with the National Treasure-like hunt focused on solving science puzzles. Admittedly, science isn't my strongest subject, so perhaps that's on me, but it did make it hard for me to feel invested.
The author explores extreme trauma and healing. I appreciate the insight into those challenges for both main characters.
The spice was very nice, as well.
I did want to know how it all worked out, so I felt compelled to finish, though I considered a DNF at about 1/3 in.
I want to say that this one just wasn't for me. I would read more by the author, but I would be more selective about the subject matter.
PS I love the cover art.
#science #genetics #shifters #futuristic #postwar #HFN #sapphic #steamy
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
I love the premise, and I didn't hate the novel, but I did have a hard time connecting with the characters on an emotional level. It was also a bit challenging for me to keep up with the National Treasure-like hunt focused on solving science puzzles. Admittedly, science isn't my strongest subject, so perhaps that's on me, but it did make it hard for me to feel invested.
The author explores extreme trauma and healing. I appreciate the insight into those challenges for both main characters.
The spice was very nice, as well.
I did want to know how it all worked out, so I felt compelled to finish, though I considered a DNF at about 1/3 in.
I want to say that this one just wasn't for me. I would read more by the author, but I would be more selective about the subject matter.
PS I love the cover art.
#science #genetics #shifters #futuristic #postwar #HFN #sapphic #steamy
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews