The Creation Code

by Alexis Westmore

She thought the woman she loved was dead. Now, she has exactly one week to save her life.

Dr. Inessa De la Cour sacrificed her immortality to build a family from the ashes of her shattered heart. For seven years, she’s mourned Jia, the woman she loved and lost to a brutal Separatist experiment. But when a hunt for a war criminal brings her face-to-face with a ghost, Inessa realizes the past isn't dead.

Jia is gone. Now, she is Talon—a hardened, lethal survivor with a ticking clock on her DNA. In seven days, the genetic tampering that saved her will unravel, transforming her into a feral beast forever. She needs a cure, and she works alone. The last thing she wants is the return of the woman who abandoned her when she needed her most.

To survive, they must forge an uneasy alliance and hunt down the man who destroyed their lives. But as old sparks ignite into a scorching new fire, Talon and Inessa must confront their deepest secrets—including a daughter Talon never knew existed.

The Creation Code is a high-stakes, sapphic sci-fi romance packed with second chances, fierce protectors, and a love that defies the universe–perfect for the perceptive, emotionally intelligent reader.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2025

About the author

Alexis 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.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Inessa De la Cour has been in mourning for Jia, the woman she once loved. She lost Jia to the Separatists and now must go on her lonely way without her. However, while Jia is dead, Talon is about to resurface, essentially a completely different woman who has donned Jia’s face and body.

Inessa now only has a few days to save Jia, or Talon, before a trigger embedded in her DNA causes her to turn into a mindless beast. Inessa is convinced there’s not only a way to save her, but to cause her to remember who she once was. This sci-fi romance is clever, fast paced, and action packed. The strong sapphic overtones are a welcome element, and all women who love women will enjoy the love story that is at the beating heart of this thriller.

[Almiria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Creation Code by Alexis Westmore is a science fiction thriller with an interesting premise, but the execution needs work. I found the concept and the plot elements such as the DNA modifications interesting and was hoping for a cerebral sci fi thriller. Unfortunately, the world building and backstory are too complex and the author tries to pack in too much information too quickly, which left me feeling confused at times. This story has a lot of potential, but in my opinion it would benefit from being split into two or more books, with more time spent on developing the universe and delving into character development. I am giving this book three stars.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those that leaves the reader thinking long after they've finished reading it. In this story, we meet Inessa, a woman heartbroken because Jia, the woman she always loved, has been killed. Years later, she discovers that Jia isn't dead and does everything in her power to bring her back.
The plot is captivating and keeps the reader eager to know what happens in the next chapter. The characters navigate through various emotional states, and the reader is fortunate to witness the metamorphosis they undergo. I recommend this story to all science fiction lovers for being unique and having a modern plot.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly liked this story, and at the same time, it made me think a lot about the advancement of technology and science, and just how far humans are capable of going to achieve their goals. Can these two things be beneficial and yet have devastating effects at the same time?
This title has its strengths, such as character development, nonstop action, and a gripping narrative. However, in my opinion, it also has a weakness: some plot points aren’t fully resolved, leaving plenty of room for assumptions that contradict the intended ending.
In any case, it was a story that really drew me in, and I enjoyed reading it. I definitely recommend it!

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the amazing and awesome story received through Goodreads. With the death of Jia, Inessa went on with her life, gave up her immortality, and had a child, but seven years later, Inessa discovers Jia is alive, goes by the name of Talon, and has a week left of life unless a vial can be found to save her life. Read the highly recommended and. wonderfully written story.

[Melissa Schiller]

DNF @ 12% — I could maybe see myself getting into this if it were an audiobook on 1.25x speed but there was just too much awkward sentence construction/word choice, plus unexplained plot points where the author might have been going for mysterious but all I got was confusing/distracting. I appreciate the giveaway book but unfortunately couldn't get excited to keep reading!

[Lavender]

Placeholder.

I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.