RIVENNIA: A Game of Wagers

by Jaime Urencio

"An excellently plotted and paced SF tale that also engages the heart." Kirkus Reviews

“A must read… Riveting speculative fiction that blends political intrigue with character studies.” Discovery

EVOLUTION IS NO LONGER NATURAL - IT'S POLITICAL

When Gren Moritz is elected head of the global government of Rivennia, he is ridiculed and isolated by others in power for his stance against the rise in genetic engineering. Following his inauguration, Gren is lured into the dark shadows of the Liffdom Lodges, a covert gambling syndicate that controls Rivennia. The Lodgers promise political backing, but it comes at a price – Gren must partake in a macabre wager. His fellow players are anxious analyst Samuel Rosendale and sharp-tongued supermodel Primula Zhang. As the stakes rise and the Lodgers’ true motives come to light, the rivals form an unlikely alliance, forced to navigate a treacherous web of power. The future of civilisation hinges on the choices they make.

Genres: Science Fiction

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

Jaime Urencio was born in Mexico City and has long made London his home. His career has been in corporate finance, primarily in the biotechnology sector. Rivennia is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Chris L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivennia starts off feeling like political sci-fi, but by the halfway point it’s clear it’s exploring something deeper. It’s about what it means to be human when technology starts rewriting the rules, and how little or how much control we really have as individuals.

The world building is immersive without ever feeling like an info dump. Gren Moritz is a strong central figure, but I actually preferred reading Primula and Sam’s chapters. Primula Zhang is outwardly glamorous but broken inside. And Sam Rosendale… I just wanted to hug him.

The writing is concise and beautiful without being showy, which results in a good pace throughout the novel (although things speed up in the last 1/3 of the book).

By the end, I felt reflective and inspired. It’s rare for a book to be this unpretentious and still hit so personally. If you like original stories that stay with you and make you feel something, this is it.

My overall rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up. Four stars for the writing, but five stars for the complex themes and the characters.

Many thanks to Sunrise & Rooster Press for providing me with with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is February 14, 2026.

[David Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book, and very much enjoyed it. A delightful sci-fi thriller about gene manipulation, technological advancement, and humanity's future. The themes explored are extremely relevant for a modern context, so much so that I actually went on to do supplementary, non-fiction reading about some of the topics discussed, just to see what current science was saying (a very fruitful endeavor, I will add). The three main protagonists all go through vastly different paths throughout the story, showing you relevant sides of this futuristic world. While their paths do intersect at crucial points, there might not be as much interaction between them as one might hope. Nevertheless, the main story being told is a deeply engaging one, that will keep surprising you right up until the end. A definite recommend for those interested in the genres of speculative science fiction, or political-style thrillers.

[F C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best thing I’ve read this year.

Thanks to Sunrise & Rooster Press for the ARC.

[Kayinat Kashif · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying that Rivennia was one of the best sci-f I books I ever beta read. My favorite parts about Rivennia were the plot, word building and writing style. The writing was extremely smooth, clear and professional. I never once got confused or felt lost while reading. This is especially remarkable since Sci-Fi books are quite hard to comprehend especially in the first few chapters. But I had no problem like that whatsoever. The easy and smooth flow of the book made me want to read one chapter after the other. Not to forget the dialogues, they were spot on!

The worldbuilding was done wonderfully. At times, I almost forgot that I was reading because it genuinely felt like I was 'in' the book. It was the perfect ratio of sci-fi and thriller for me. I also ended up connecting with a lot of characters. Especially Lorelei, Gren and Sam. However, Primula and Gren's personality really stands out the most.

The book is really tense and engaging throughout, but the tension rises to another level as the story progresses towards the end. I was on the edge of my seat.

I would 100% recommend this book to sci fi and thriller fans.

-Kayinat Kashif
Beta reader/Developmental Editor

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read, captivating from start to finish!

[Maria Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivennia

Rivennia, a Game of Wagers, this gripping futuristic fiction book, engages the readers since the start.
Published by Sunrise & Rooster Press, the author Jaime Urencio, asks the question for the readers to answer, Is it moral, to engage in genetic modification?
Gren Moritz is elected Chief Minister of all nations in Rivennia, fighting ultra humanism, should people accept how they are made?
Some different strong characters united by the same goal, condemn genetic edits.
As Gren and his new wife Lorelei arrive at The Human Order Temple, Ivor Voychenko, the Supreme Leader, organises a private audience with Gren, in which he offers useful guidance where it was needed, and promised political backing.
And then, it was the beginning of a frightening game which united Wren, with his fellow players, Samuel Rosendale, a resource analyst, and super model, Primula Zhang, against
Voychenko and The Liffton Lodgers, a covert gambling syndicate that controls Rivennia.
A compelling read, one of the best books that I have read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read, thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down!

Speculative fiction at its best!

[Catalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivennia is a gripping political thriller set in a future where genetic manipulation is reshaping the world. The novel is told through multiple points of view, each adding a distinct and compelling perspective to the narrative. Gren Moritz, the newly appointed Chief Minister of all nations, holds firm and uncompromising views on genetic manipulation, and his first bill proves highly controversial, putting his leadership at risk. Primula, once a renowned top model, has fallen on difficult times due to personal circumstances. Samuel, an analyst working for the local council, uncovers information that alarms the leaders of a secretive society.

The three are subsequently summoned to a dinner at the Liffdom Lodges, where they are drawn into a sinister Game of Wagers. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this society is far darker than it initially appears.

This novel is exceptionally gripping and very well written. I read it in a single day and found it difficult to put down. The fast-paced structure, aided by short chapters, keeps the story moving at an engaging speed. The twists and turns are both unexpected and shocking, with one particular scene proving especially disturbing.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I would have appreciated more detailed world-building and greater complexity toward the conclusion, which felt somewhat rushed. Overall, Rivennia is a compelling and thought-provoking read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivennia follows Sam as he gets pushed into a situation way over his head, and the tension never really lets up. A lot of the story comes from him trying to figure out what people actually mean, because nobody in this world is straightforward and everyone seems to have an agenda.
The setting around engineered evolution and competing factions felt really different from what I usually read in sci-fi, and I liked how you learn things at the same pace Sam does, sometimes a little too late, which keeps the pressure high.
There are a few slower political stretches, but the atmosphere always has that quiet “something’s off” feeling, like something bigger is constantly happening under the surface.
By the end, what stuck with me most was how every choice seemed to come with a cost.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.

[Books with Bramble · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with most books that take you on a journey, the beginning was a bit slow going, HOWEVER do not let that put you off. This story is a bold undertaking of political intrigue, science fiction, morality and fighting in the shadows. I became immersed in this story and couldn’t wait to pick it up each time I had to put it down. The story is extremely dark in places, so I would caution reader discretion. There are moments of compassion and and overall success story/happy ever after (to a degree)
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, Rivennia appears to be just a political Sci-fi novel, but once you begin to read between the lines and make your way into the story a little, you realise it's something more than that, something deeper and more profound. It's about how humanity deals with the nuances of technology at a point where it becomes too powerful.

Set in a futuristic time, the world building is sweeping and immersive, with a great advanced technological feel.

The cast of characters are varied and interesting and the pace flows along nicely at a decent pace.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Harley Plane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.

I'm a big lover of sci-fi and dystopian worlds and this book has them both in good measure. Overall I enjoyed the narrative and the different perspectives of the three protagonists, however I found it to take some time to get into and the politician's chapters seemed to be longer and drawn out than I would've liked. It was a good read and I would recommend it to people, but unfortunately it didn't have the five star factor for me.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Aiming for the impossible doesn’t make you noble – it makes you impractical. In the real world, someone always pays the price.”

A radical politician. A forgotten supermodel. An analyst. What these three have in common is the opportunity to wield influence over society, whether through policies, fame, or knowledge.

Rivennia is a dystopia rife with controversial technological advancements in the form of gene editing, and with a secret society that manipulates everything from the shadows. When our three main characters get a chance to join them, we get to analyse the intricacies of this universe and learn that no part is left untouched by influence.

I loved this book a lot, and I'm sad that I can't properly explain why without spoiling a lot. I really liked seeing the contrasting factions of this universe, and how ideology and righteousness can affect your sense of morality. Secret societies are always fascinating, but I could never have anticipated where this story was going to go. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

One of my main issues with this novel is that it tries to address too many topics at the same time. Just off the top of my head, I can think of:

- Gene editing (duh)
- Eugenics
- Euthanasia
- Robots taking over people’s jobs
- Gender dysphoria
- Drug addiction
- Addiction to screens
- Cultural identity in the Deaf community
- Mentions of a secret island visited only by the most influential figures in the world

While these are all very interesting topics to explore, most of them only passing nods, somewhat cheapened their inclusion in my opinion. I won’t mention how Rivennia takes very clear inspirations from the most notable dystopian novels, since I truly believe it is impossible not to do so. We must build upon the foundations that were laid before us.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jaime Urencio, and Sunrise & Rooster Press for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.


I don’t usually include spoilers in my review, but I need to rant.

THE SCENE WITH GREN MEETING SAM IN THE SERVYDEN ANNOYS ME SO MUCH. WE COULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING BRILLIANT. When Gren gets down there and says he can’t allow all of the “mutations” to be released into the world, it was so perfect. Gren’s radicalist anti-ultrahuman views clashing with the morality of wanting to free those prisoners. It would have been so good to see him wrestle with his morals and his ideals, choosing between those real people suffering or the future generations of the human species. Instead, that is never addressed again, and he just gives Sam the codes.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub

I was really drawn to this book by the cover I don’t usually read the blurb and I didn’t for this either !!

I really wasn’t sure when I started this where it was gonna go. Like I felt like starter out kinda like a political sci fi but kinda deeper if that even makes sense like the world building was so good and was detailed but wasn’t in away that makes you feel overwhelmed and there was a lot of information in this book for sure but like I said it flowed and I was able to follow it really well.

Gren Moritz I really like this character strong solid. But for me I loved Primula Zhang glamours on the outside but broken inside. I really felt this character and really connected. I’m so broken inside. Legit. It’s bad. Sam I really just wanted to wrap him in a hug.

I loved this book and how smooth the writing really was this was especially because with sci fi books sometimes they get overwhelming and just hard to follow. Not this book though !!

This is an intense book and I really felt like I was in this book. I seriously couldn’t put this down.

Overall definitely a book to pick up even if you’ve never read sci fi. This would be a good one for sure !!! I need more by this author for sure and I really hope an audio book is going to be made !!!

[Pamela Godsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than I expected, but less than I would have hoped. Once the story line picked up, it was engaging. Most of the characters were well developed and multi dimensional. The ending was intriguing.

Things that I didn’t enjoy: the story began very slowly, and threw you into a world that felt very foreign without much explanation. While this might have been intentional, it took away from the enjoyment and pulled you out of the story a lot until you got your bearings. Some of the plot pieces just didn’t seem to fit, and certain characters got a disproportionate amount of focus when compared with how they played into the storyline. Meanwhile other characters who were essential seemed to get less focus than would’ve been expected.

Things I did enjoy: When scenes were being set the descriptions were just enough, not too much detail but also not too little. Characters felt like real people with real emotional reactions, there was a complexity to many of them that worked. The world building was well thought through, structures existed with intention rather than convenience. Once the momentum picked up, it was well maintained. The pacing of the story was initially sluggish, but once it got into the meat of things it kept going.

Overall, it was a fun read. I’m not disappointed to have read it, though it likely won’t be one I’ll return to again and again.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Rivennia’ is a fantastic read which embarks you on an epic sci-fi journey.

I was blown away with the amount of world building and backstory in this read, It took me a while to keep up with the multiple point of views however once I got used to it, I was completely drawn into the book. I found myself being delighted and constantly intrigued to know what happens next. I loved how obviously futuristic ‘Rivennia’ was with holograms, bots and the descriptive detailing of the fashion and the character appearances which really helped me visualise the kind of century it was based in.

I found the politics a bit freaky but also thrilling to read, I feel this is a foreseeable future on real life politics with the way everything’s going.
I admired the strength and determination each character had to battle for humanity and I liked how it wasn’t just their strengths highlighted, it was also their weaknesses. It normalises everybody having a weakness and a strength but the main part is they didn’t give up even when things got complex and gory which as a reader, puts you on the edge of your seat.

As a whole this is a phenomenal read, it really grips you and if you’re a sci-fi/dystopian reader and you like gory details then this is the book for you.

[Katherine Tricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely engrossed in this story from start to finish.
The politics was done well without it bringing the story down. The debate over gene modification and if it was now going too far or not in the world of Rivennia was really interesting and thought provoking.

It follows three POVs and the Game of Wagers they are made to play for a secret society. All of them have their own strengths and weaknesses and upon them finding out what's really going on, they all play a part in trying to bring it all down.

There were many points where I was holding my breath in shock at what was happening. One particular moment had me pulling some serious faces from the vivid details.

Overall this was perfectly paced building depth to the story while not losing the readers interest, and the ending - which I really couldn't decide how it was going to go - was brilliant.

I highly recommend giving this a read if you enjoy dystopian fiction and/or Sci-Fi.

[Peggy Rosina Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mix of politics, sci-fi and thriller all rolled into one immense story.

With thought provoking issues such as gene modification and the having the choice of "the right to die".

It follows three main characters in a futuristic world, Gren, Sam and Primula. They come from very different backgrounds but all end up in the same place, the Liffdom Lodges, a strange secret society. 

I found the subject matter of this book very apt for the current political climate, I really could see our world becoming very like Rivennia if humanity continues the way it is, which is very worrying to me.

While I felt that the narrative did take a while to get going, the story suddenly sped up and I could not put it down. I was engrossed in the lives of the three "players" in the the Game of Wagers as they came together to save humanity.

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book to read! I loved the story and the concept was strong. It was a pleasure to read. I liked the cover. The colours were good and the design was eye-catching. The writing was great and the story flowed really well. The descriptions were fantastic. The setting of Rivennia was excellent and Jaime's world-building was just beautiful. The characters were all great and played their part so well. I liked Gren. I did feel a little sorry for him, especially having to enter the tournament. I definitely recommend this and I look forward to more from Jaime in the future.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivennia is a very intriguing and interesting book! Atheism vs Theism, evolution, arranged marriages, eugenics, euthanasia, secret societies, and a game of wagers are all parts of this story. If that doesn’t sound interesting to you, then you’re missing out! I was invested from the get-go and had to keep reading until the very end. I look forward to reading more from Jaime Urencio. I rated Rivennia 5 of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Highly recommend!

[Rhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sunrise & Rooster Press for the DRC of this book. Opinions are my own.

I'll start by saying that this is a good first attempt at a novel and there are the bones of a great story in here, but it gets weighed down by some fairly major flaws.

I so badly wanted to love this book. The blurb was very intriguing, and while it did deliver on those promises, it did so at a pace that was breakneck in some places and glacial in others. In a novel that I thought was going to be full of political intrigue, the point of view characters ended up being dragged by the nose through the events of the book, and there were very few moments of them having any actual agency, despite one of them being the head of state of the entire country. The book seemed to me very confused about what it actually wanted to be and politically incoherent. The prose was a little stiff and clunky, and the dialogue sometimes felt like an alien was trying its best to fit in on earth. Gren in particular was completely insufferable for the first two thirds of the book, only becoming bearable once he'd been humbled. I wish we'd heard more from Lorelei - she was an interesting character, and her fish out of water perspective of Lacunfort could've helped readers to get a grip of both there and Varcega without it feeling like an exposition dump. It felt like she was being sidelined in favour of Gren, her far less interesting husband. Her brief appearances did help with understanding the world, but I think more could've been done. Along with that, for the first half of the book, the perspectives switched FAR too often for my tastes, and that made it difficult to want to continue reading in a session when every 5 pages I was in somebody else's head, never getting a chance to settle into one character. I noticed that many characters were introduced but were never described beyond hair colour and texture, or with very minor details such as the shape of their nose, and later their "features" were called back to, without readers knowing what those features are. I have some other minor nitpicks, such as Gren describing how Clara had to push him to reach for higher offices, but her later saying it wasn't like him to back down from a challenge, but they don't detract too much from the quality of the book.

However, despite my criticisms, the last third of the book was fantastic. Some of it came a touch out of left field, but I went from dreading picking the book up to finding ways to sneak a page here and there, and Primula really came into her own here. The intrigue and suspense I was after finally made it onto the page in that section and it was wonderful. I also truly loved seeing a transgender character being handled with genuine care and sincere understanding. The transphobia he experienced in some small places was a bit uncomfortable but unfortunately incredibly realistic.

Overall, I think I liked this book, but it's a fondness with several caveats. As this is Jaime Urencio's first book, I will be intrigued to see how his writing ability grows and what further literature we will see from him in the future.

[Cristina Álvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating from beginning to end. Great narrative!

[Matteo Calvano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not joking when I say that Rivennia A Game of Wager is maybe the best debut novel I have ever read. Jaime Urencio, this new appeared on scene author, has been capable of channeling his studies inside the biotechnological sector into a dystopian story asking us: is it right to modify our genetic library? Can we truly call it evolution?
A matter with which our three protagonists are going to struggle, focusing on very different positions but all united with a single objective: avoiding that the despair linked with these body changements could help the uprising of a new social class and race, superior to the human one and linked with secret cults around death wagers and hidden training camps for an army made only of empowered beings.
The thing with Rivennia A Game of Wagers is that it is actually surprising. The style of Urencio mixes the personal description of events, and the emotional connection with the feelings of the characters, with some chronicle moments in which the most gruesome and shocking moments are represented with a glacial recounting which is actually spine-chilling. I am a person who rarely becomes anxious while reading, but some of the heaviest passages of Rivennia made me breathless. Despite the consciousness you are going to read a type of dystopia made of class fights, disparity, political choices and situations, some body horror and gothic elements arrives as punches on your stomach, and the easiness with which the main characters can be manipulated, changed, and technologically chosen to be discarded from society has a surgical precision you would expect only from a legend of the medium. Rivennia proposes some little ingenuities, as for example the disappearance of some core figures in the last part of the book and an ending which maybe is a bit too open, requiring a sequel Jaime Urencio is already writing. In any case, you can pardon these little things when you are in front of a prodigy like this. Don’t miss Rivennia A Game of Wagers, on Amazon since 14th of February, and thanks a lot for the ARC in exchange for this honest review!


FINAL VERDICT: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a political thriller, to begin with, having tinges of science fiction with its gene mutation subplot and then plunging into straight-out dystopian in the last 1/3rd, which was a complete win for me. A potboiler of a story that kept me on my toes while reading it.

A debut by author Jaime Urencio, this was an unexpected delight that had bubbles of vulnerability just when I thought arrogance would be thrust onto me. And the credit for such writing went to the author completely for giving me space to immerse myself in this worldbuilding.


3 main characters - Gren with wife Lorelei, Primula who stole the show, Sam who was everything I ever wanted in a hero and then some - they played their parts brilliantly. Each brought an additional POV. True, there were many other characters, who deserved to have a powerful voice in this story, but I thought the author was playing the long game. He laid down the breadcrumbs in this so they could come into their own in the next one. That was clever.


If I could have favorite characters - (of course, I can. I am the reader and reviewer) - then I would say Sam and Primula stole my heart. Sam with his earnestness and honesty, (so need that in my real life,) and Primula the one who hid her softness so deep that when it unfurled, it left me in tears. Crying alongside her, understanding her so much better.

The villains too had their say in this book, how could they not have? No book was complete without them. They managed to worm their way into the lives of all 3 characters, showing me how nefarious they could get. I loved the helplessness the main characters faced because I knew that would make them get larger than life to face the antagonists and shut them out for good. (vis-à-vis the sequel)

Like any debut, Rivennia carried the visions of the author along with his characters, bringing them to life with the strokes of his pen. This book was both unique and unexpected, with the characters staying in one corner of my brain, long after I finished reading it.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting yet unrealized story with characters that felt flat but overall showed some nice promise on a story that started political thriller and ended with dystopian, almost horror vibes.

You would like this if:
- You prefer a fast-paced story that focuses more on moving the plot forward than character development
- You have an interest in how the future of human gene editing may influence politics (though this is a central theme, it isn't truly explored in-depth)
- You like a mixture of genres: fiction, politics, a mystery and a little bit of horror

What I struggled with:
- Character differentiation: sometimes I had to flip to the beginning of the chapter to figure out the POV of the character
- A particular relationship between characters that I felt was rushed and didn't fit the story
- One particular character that felt important in the beginning of the story but ended up not being very important to the story - a plot device

The book took a sharp turn about 2/3rds in, which I particularly enjoyed. This is where the author shined in his writing, with more world-building.

The ending felt a little rushed. I would have liked a little more time to breathe with the how and outcome.

Thank you to Sunrise & Rooster Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. This did not influence my written review opinions or star rating.

[Chanda Chitoshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
Rivennia sets out with such an intriguing premise and wasn't shy about its ambition. The world is thoughtfully constructed, layered with political tension, secretive power structures, and ethical questions that hint at a much larger story unfolding beneath the surface.

The start was a little slow for me I genuinely wasn’t sure where everything was heading. While the premise itself is compelling, the execution didn’t always land in the early chapters. The pacing I thought got good about 30% in. I appreciated the use of multiple POV's in bringing different story lines together for the plot, however at a point the frequent shifts in perspective also made it difficult at times to connect with the characters, and I occasionally had to double check whose POV I was reading. It kind of blended in (I think at the introduction of the dinner and the game of wagers)

Even so, it honestly was a good read with a lot to admire of Jaime Urencios' world. If you enjoy politically charged, genre blending fantasy with dystopian hints you will likely find a lot to appreciate. Rivennia shows a strong foundation and an author with interesting ideas, and I’ll be recommending it to my book club once it’s released as the premise alone makes for an interesting discussion.

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a genuinely interesting concept, and I appreciated how ambitious the worldbuilding was. The political tension, the genetic engineering angle, and the secretive Lodge system all created a setting that felt fresh and full of potential. I could tell there was a lot of thought behind the structure of this world, and some of the ideas really stood out to me.

That said, I struggled to fully connect with the story. Even though the premise was strong, I had a hard time getting into the flow of the narrative. The pacing felt uneven to me, and I never quite found myself sinking into the characters or the emotional stakes the way I hoped I would. I liked the setup, but something about the execution kept me at a bit of a distance.

Still, I think readers who enjoy political sci-fi and morally complicated worlds may have a completely different experience. There is definitely a solid story here, along with themes worth thinking about. It just didn’t pull me in as deeply as I wanted it to, even though I can see the appeal.

Overall, a good book with a lot of potential, even if it didn’t fully click for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[The Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rivenia: A Game of Wagers presents a visually stunning and deeply intriguing world, but ultimately, the high-stakes concept falls completely flat. The Lit Whisperer's take is that this book suffered from a fundamental disconnect between its ambitious premise and its narrative execution. The cover promises a sharp, tense, dystopian thriller, yet the "game" never manages to generate the promised tension or payoff. The rules of Rivenia and the wagers themselves felt vague, which left the narrative feeling frustratingly abstract. Furthermore, the characters were so focused on the mechanics of the world that they became emotionally distant, making it impossible to care about the outcomes of their risks. The author built an incredible-looking skyscraper, but the interior was empty. This was a hugely disappointing read that failed to deliver on its own promise of peril and sharp competition. I’m rating this a generous 1.5 stars because the cover is genuinely cool. Thanks Netgalley for this eArc

[Jason Monreo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a sci-fi story about the future, it’s about power, fear, and the quiet compromises people make to stay relevant. Gren Moritz’s rise to global leadership and his pull into the Liffdom Lodges is chilling because it’s so believable. The idea of political support being tied to a grotesque “game” is smart, dark, and deeply unsettling.

What I appreciated most is how character driven the story is. Gren, Samuel, and Primula don’t feel like symbols or archetypes; they feel huma flawed, wary, and slowly forced into trust. The political intrigue never overwhelms the emotional stakes, and the pacing keeps the tension steady throughout.

This is thoughtful speculative fiction that asks hard questions without preaching. It stays with you after you finish, which is exactly what great sci-fi should do.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivennia is a masterful work of speculative fiction that combines political intrigue, moral complexity, and deeply human character studies. Jaime Urencio brilliantly crafts a futuristic world where ethics, technology, and power collide, keeping readers riveted through alternating perspectives and a high-stakes narrative.

The philosophical questions around genetic enhancements, assisted death, and human agency are thoughtfully explored, while the richly detailed world from Lacunfort’s tower city to the secretive Liffdom Lodges feels immersive and alive. Each character’s voice is distinct, their struggles compelling, and the story’s tension escalates with each revelation. A must-read for fans of intelligent, character-driven sci-fi.