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Compendium
On the heavily forested planet of Lumin, the Network has slept, dormant, for over six hundred cycles. Only a select few remember that it resides beneath the crust of the planet, waiting, and for those who remember, the battle for Lumin’s future has raged in the shadows.
When Mia Jayne’s path crosses with a mysterious volume in the Archives of the Order of Vis Firmitas, this ancient battle moves from the shadows into the light. Compendium opens up a world of knowledge, and, for the first time since arriving at the Order, Mia has the key to reclaim the freedom she has lost. To do so, she must choose between her conscience and her heart. Conceived against an ailing world of fantastical beauty where long-lost technology tips the balance between extinction and survival, Mia must remember that there is always a choice, and that makes all the difference.
When Mia Jayne’s path crosses with a mysterious volume in the Archives of the Order of Vis Firmitas, this ancient battle moves from the shadows into the light. Compendium opens up a world of knowledge, and, for the first time since arriving at the Order, Mia has the key to reclaim the freedom she has lost. To do so, she must choose between her conscience and her heart. Conceived against an ailing world of fantastical beauty where long-lost technology tips the balance between extinction and survival, Mia must remember that there is always a choice, and that makes all the difference.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
87 people are currently reading
3406 people want to read
About the author
Alia Luria
5 books83 followersAlia Luria is an award-winning author. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Tampa, Florida.
She attended Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa. She was a voracious reader from the time she was little, graduating quickly from books like Chronicles of Narnia and The Phantom Tollbooth to the likes of Stephen King. She began writing young, including poetry and short stories, some of which were published in her school's literary magazines.
Ms. Luria attended the University of Florida in 1995, but left school without her degree to become a full-time web designer and developer. After working for start-up companies and freelancing on projects, she returned to school and received her B.S. in Economics from the University of Central Florida with honors in the major. Her undergraduate thesis was published by VDM Verlag and remains for sale.
From there, she attended the University of Florida (again) and received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 2009. She received an LL.M. in taxation from New York University in 2012. She received her MFA in Fiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018.
Compendium won the National Indie Excellence Award in Fantasy, the Readers' Favorite Silver Medal in Fantasy, an IPBA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award, an eLit Gold Medal, and was a finalist in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year in three categories.
Her essay "You Might Eat Organic, but You're Still Full of Baloney" was a finalist for the Malahat Review Open Season Awards in Creative Nonfiction.
Her first full-length book of personal essays. Geri o Shimasu: Adventures of a Baka Gaijin, about living abroad in Japan releases August 12, 2025 from Unsolicited Press. Preorder from Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Unsolicited Press. Geri o Shimasu has already received a Spotlyts Story Book Award, the Atlas of Stories Book Award, a Literary Titan Silver Award, a Firebird Book Award, two Independent Author Awards, and won the memoir category in the Great Southeast Book Festival and the general nonfiction category of the London Book Festival. Learn more about Geri o Shimasu or read early praise and author interviews at gerioshimasu.com.
Alia currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her amazing partner and their managerie of pets.
You can visit her website at alialuria.com and her blog at Still Not a Robot.
Her next novel, Ocularum, is forthcoming in 2026, and her next collection of personal essays, Preposterous Bloodshed, is coming in 2027 from Unsolicited Press.
She attended Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa. She was a voracious reader from the time she was little, graduating quickly from books like Chronicles of Narnia and The Phantom Tollbooth to the likes of Stephen King. She began writing young, including poetry and short stories, some of which were published in her school's literary magazines.
Ms. Luria attended the University of Florida in 1995, but left school without her degree to become a full-time web designer and developer. After working for start-up companies and freelancing on projects, she returned to school and received her B.S. in Economics from the University of Central Florida with honors in the major. Her undergraduate thesis was published by VDM Verlag and remains for sale.
From there, she attended the University of Florida (again) and received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 2009. She received an LL.M. in taxation from New York University in 2012. She received her MFA in Fiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018.
Compendium won the National Indie Excellence Award in Fantasy, the Readers' Favorite Silver Medal in Fantasy, an IPBA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award, an eLit Gold Medal, and was a finalist in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year in three categories.
Her essay "You Might Eat Organic, but You're Still Full of Baloney" was a finalist for the Malahat Review Open Season Awards in Creative Nonfiction.
Her first full-length book of personal essays. Geri o Shimasu: Adventures of a Baka Gaijin, about living abroad in Japan releases August 12, 2025 from Unsolicited Press. Preorder from Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Unsolicited Press. Geri o Shimasu has already received a Spotlyts Story Book Award, the Atlas of Stories Book Award, a Literary Titan Silver Award, a Firebird Book Award, two Independent Author Awards, and won the memoir category in the Great Southeast Book Festival and the general nonfiction category of the London Book Festival. Learn more about Geri o Shimasu or read early praise and author interviews at gerioshimasu.com.
Alia currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her amazing partner and their managerie of pets.
You can visit her website at alialuria.com and her blog at Still Not a Robot.
Her next novel, Ocularum, is forthcoming in 2026, and her next collection of personal essays, Preposterous Bloodshed, is coming in 2027 from Unsolicited Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 4, 2016
"It was a smallish brown leather volume with an intricate leafy design in faded gold on its binding and across the cover. Centred on the front was a large golden medallion of an open lotus flower with an owl crouched in the centre, wings spread as if to take flight."
Compendium, a new fantasy release from debut author Alia Luria, can only be described as a beautiful and compelling, memorable experience. Intricately described scenes and locations; fascinating bold characters and a vivid new world that is fresh and full of nature (combined with some exquisite cover art that cleverly links in with the story) make this a book worth picking up.
My expectations were fairly high from the start, but both the characters and writing style of the story were of a much higher standard than I had expected. The story was always moving forwards to explore more of the fascinating, botanical world of Lumin, which I absolutely loved. And the main character, Mia Jayne, was strong, likeable and she constantly questioned herself and others around her in her attempts to seek out the truth. She was a very curious and unique character that, I found, was easy to connect to and sympathise with.
Luria confidently plants the roots of her story into the soil with this book and I have every hope that this story will continue to grow upwards and could bloom into something absolutely magnificent.
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
Compendium, a new fantasy release from debut author Alia Luria, can only be described as a beautiful and compelling, memorable experience. Intricately described scenes and locations; fascinating bold characters and a vivid new world that is fresh and full of nature (combined with some exquisite cover art that cleverly links in with the story) make this a book worth picking up.
My expectations were fairly high from the start, but both the characters and writing style of the story were of a much higher standard than I had expected. The story was always moving forwards to explore more of the fascinating, botanical world of Lumin, which I absolutely loved. And the main character, Mia Jayne, was strong, likeable and she constantly questioned herself and others around her in her attempts to seek out the truth. She was a very curious and unique character that, I found, was easy to connect to and sympathise with.
Luria confidently plants the roots of her story into the soil with this book and I have every hope that this story will continue to grow upwards and could bloom into something absolutely magnificent.
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
May 6, 2015
What I liked: This book is fantastic in the way it explores the possibilities of melding science fiction and fantasy into a world. The types of gourds this story introduces and the way that the story explains them is so fascinating and (for me) easy to understand. I think it was so interesting to see how the gourds were used and the different types there were, and not to mention you could still eat them afterwards! It was an amazing concept and I love how the trees were used as well in this story. How they could be harvested in minor ways to benefit the people of Lumin, how they could shape themselves and not only power places and provide heat and warmth where a hearth was, and it was all so complex and fascinating. It was worldbuilding that was different and intriguing and made me wonder how everything worked and kept my attention closely to find out more! I also love the first several chapters, how it switched between two characters to give a glimpse of what was happening in the past, and the present with out main character, Mia. Mia is a girl who I could understand in the way she goes about solving her problems (although they may have not exactly been the best choices at the time I did understand). She's also slow to trust, and I think that's going to be an even bigger part of this series after the matters that went down in this book. I liked the other characters, although I feel like Brother SainClair was made out to be a bad person in this book and it felt a little off with how aggressive he was all the time towards Mia without any real explanation. I adored Brother Cornelius though, he was very quirky in his own manner and the passion he showed about the work he does is so apparent that it was amazing to see!
What I didn't like: This story starts off so quickly without much introduction into the world I had just stepped into. While for some books that works, this one made me read the first chapter of the story a couple of times to understand everything that was happening. It took a little putting together but I did manage to understand it and what was happening after a couple of passes.
Overall Review: Despite a slightly confusing and fast paced beginning, the novel is a bit slower after that as the world is introduced in bits and pieces that are fun and interesting afterwards. The characters were fun to learn and the world they live in is fascinating with its ecosystem and how it operates. While the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and there was a part that basically laid out exactly who Mia was (which, was really obvious in the first few lines that it was being told, I'm not even sure why Mia didn't pick up on it as he was saying it), I really do look forward to what the second book, Ocularum, brings to the series and where everything is going to go after what happened in this book. I can't wait to see how it goes!
Recommend?: Yes definitely! If you can take the book slow where it needs to be, you'll definitely find that this book is worth the read!
What I didn't like: This story starts off so quickly without much introduction into the world I had just stepped into. While for some books that works, this one made me read the first chapter of the story a couple of times to understand everything that was happening. It took a little putting together but I did manage to understand it and what was happening after a couple of passes.
Overall Review: Despite a slightly confusing and fast paced beginning, the novel is a bit slower after that as the world is introduced in bits and pieces that are fun and interesting afterwards. The characters were fun to learn and the world they live in is fascinating with its ecosystem and how it operates. While the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and there was a part that basically laid out exactly who Mia was (which, was really obvious in the first few lines that it was being told, I'm not even sure why Mia didn't pick up on it as he was saying it), I really do look forward to what the second book, Ocularum, brings to the series and where everything is going to go after what happened in this book. I can't wait to see how it goes!
Recommend?: Yes definitely! If you can take the book slow where it needs to be, you'll definitely find that this book is worth the read!
March 20, 2016
"One always has a choice."
Those 5 words sum up Compendium by Alia Luria, the first book in the new Artifacts of Lumin series. They also drive the plot as we follow Mia through a discovery of self and culture.
Chapter 1 drew me into the story. A conflict within the ruling body of Lumin forces the hand of one of the top leaders and the world is thrown backwards in time as the society looses access to the source that powers a quite sophisticated set of technology. I saw hints regarding similar conflicts within our world related to climate change and power sources. Is what is best for the planet best for the people that inhabit it? Is what is best for the people best for the planet on which they reside? A tough choice is made and the remainder of the book touches on the rippling effects of that choice.
The remainder of the novel follows Mia, a tough independent young lady whose father gives her over to one of the holy orders that is dedicated to preserving and discovering the history and technology of Lumin. The order reminds me a bit of a monastery, commune and university rolled into one. Mia struggles to fit in as she feels she is very different from everyone she encounters. And perhaps she is, but maybe not in the overt ways that appear on the surface.
Mia is the reason I kept reading the book—her and Compendium, the unique piece of technology she acquires which becomes her guide (think Siri without a voice). After the opening chapters, the book slows down a bit as Mia finds her footing with the Order, discovers allies and of course, conflict. I do wish the story had moved a bit faster. It seemed to drag in parts as I started to put the pieces of the who Mia was and her connection to the Order together. I wanted to find out quicker if my assumptions were correct. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, sometimes I get a bit impatient when I read and there is a mystery involved!
I'm still wrestling with the ending. It's not a cliffhanger, but there isn't complete resolution either. I didn't dislike the ending, but I didn't love it either. While the mystery of Mia is resolved, not much in the greater context of how everything fits into Lumin as it is now is put to rest. Perhaps I was hoping for more of a resolution on those plot points and a different conflict to be the jumping off point into book 2.
Overall, I did enjoy Compendium. The world of Lumin is beautifully drawn, Mia's strong personality is one I identified with and there were the right amount of breadcrumbs driving me to forward to the end. I would recommend Compendium to others who enjoy books featuring characters striving to discover who they are and how they fit into the greater context of the world in which they live.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
Those 5 words sum up Compendium by Alia Luria, the first book in the new Artifacts of Lumin series. They also drive the plot as we follow Mia through a discovery of self and culture.
Chapter 1 drew me into the story. A conflict within the ruling body of Lumin forces the hand of one of the top leaders and the world is thrown backwards in time as the society looses access to the source that powers a quite sophisticated set of technology. I saw hints regarding similar conflicts within our world related to climate change and power sources. Is what is best for the planet best for the people that inhabit it? Is what is best for the people best for the planet on which they reside? A tough choice is made and the remainder of the book touches on the rippling effects of that choice.
The remainder of the novel follows Mia, a tough independent young lady whose father gives her over to one of the holy orders that is dedicated to preserving and discovering the history and technology of Lumin. The order reminds me a bit of a monastery, commune and university rolled into one. Mia struggles to fit in as she feels she is very different from everyone she encounters. And perhaps she is, but maybe not in the overt ways that appear on the surface.
Mia is the reason I kept reading the book—her and Compendium, the unique piece of technology she acquires which becomes her guide (think Siri without a voice). After the opening chapters, the book slows down a bit as Mia finds her footing with the Order, discovers allies and of course, conflict. I do wish the story had moved a bit faster. It seemed to drag in parts as I started to put the pieces of the who Mia was and her connection to the Order together. I wanted to find out quicker if my assumptions were correct. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, sometimes I get a bit impatient when I read and there is a mystery involved!
I'm still wrestling with the ending. It's not a cliffhanger, but there isn't complete resolution either. I didn't dislike the ending, but I didn't love it either. While the mystery of Mia is resolved, not much in the greater context of how everything fits into Lumin as it is now is put to rest. Perhaps I was hoping for more of a resolution on those plot points and a different conflict to be the jumping off point into book 2.
Overall, I did enjoy Compendium. The world of Lumin is beautifully drawn, Mia's strong personality is one I identified with and there were the right amount of breadcrumbs driving me to forward to the end. I would recommend Compendium to others who enjoy books featuring characters striving to discover who they are and how they fit into the greater context of the world in which they live.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
April 22, 2015
Note: I received this book free as an ARC
This was my first giveaway that I won and was very excited to receive it. In fact, I had the book in my hands before I realized I had won as the Publisher and I live in the same city.
Compendium started out very slow and somewhat confusing. After the first ten or twenty pages I could have sworn I missed a prologue or maybe this was actually the second book of a series. Making sure I didn't miss anything, I continued reading assuming things would be explained. The explanations never really came, but it didn't matter too much. As I said before, the book was slow to start and took around 170 pages (I think) before anything really happened. But once I got around that hump, I couldn't put Compendium down. I finished the next 300 pages in three days, and I believe I had an exam one of those days.
I enjoyed the book very much and wish the second book of the series, Ocularum, was already out. Unfortunately, I believe the ending of the book was rushed with the amount of buildup that took place. The book wasn't left on too big of a cliffhanger, but I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
This was my first giveaway that I won and was very excited to receive it. In fact, I had the book in my hands before I realized I had won as the Publisher and I live in the same city.
Compendium started out very slow and somewhat confusing. After the first ten or twenty pages I could have sworn I missed a prologue or maybe this was actually the second book of a series. Making sure I didn't miss anything, I continued reading assuming things would be explained. The explanations never really came, but it didn't matter too much. As I said before, the book was slow to start and took around 170 pages (I think) before anything really happened. But once I got around that hump, I couldn't put Compendium down. I finished the next 300 pages in three days, and I believe I had an exam one of those days.
I enjoyed the book very much and wish the second book of the series, Ocularum, was already out. Unfortunately, I believe the ending of the book was rushed with the amount of buildup that took place. The book wasn't left on too big of a cliffhanger, but I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
May 19, 2015
I found this to be a very easy book to get into, and an enjoyable, well-written one, at that. From beginning to end, I couldn't put it down. I enjoy finding authors I've not read before and adding great ones to my list of must-reads. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Luria in this series. Her writing style is very descriptive and the book is chock full of suspense and intrigue, which I like very much. And there's nothing I love more than a story that spans long periods of time, with mystery and hidden relics. I couldn't wait to get through the monotony of my days and finally be able to delve into the land of Lumin in the evenings. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this ebook for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this ebook for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
June 8, 2019
I received this as an e-book ARC. I was quite pleased to find it was very good. Not pleased that it's the first in a series, apparently, because I'd really like to read more. The story was interesting and it was well-written.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/compendium-cle...
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/compendium-cle...
May 29, 2015
Compendium is a book... about a book. When Mia finds herself traded by her father into a secret 'Order' to get him some special healing, she finds herself confused, frustrated, and mistreated. While doing her assigned labor she discovers a book, Compendium that can help her learn what she needs to know to get her freedom and see the open skies and forests again. Sounds really cool!
Compendium is an interesting book to start out a series. I can definitely say the author's style was good, it kept me engaged. The world she created was well developed and the descriptions were vivid. She also did a great job developing the three main characters of the book, Mia, Cedar and Taryn. There were also some twists in the plot that were unexpected, so that was very refreshing.
Although there were definitely some good things about this book, it was missing some of the things I really want to see in a fantasy story.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
When Mia is in the underground caves of the Order, we follow her to the library, mess hall, and her bedroom. We see all the daily life of her being there, but then she finds her way to a large underground tree in a forbidden part of their base. Sneaking through the caves, dodging the clerics and finally discovering the secret entrance to the tree would have been an exciting chapter. But it was not there. It just starts a chapter and says something like, 'she was in this really cool place that she came almost every night...' That's the kind of thing I want to read about. There were other times in the book when there were large time lapses of things that could have been exciting, and some mundane things, or internal monologues seemed to be dragged out.
From the beginning of the book to the end of the book I felt like nothing changed. When I was about halfway through I still didn't know what the point of the book was, then that feeling continued until the end. There wasn't a clear quest or purpose.
Characters motivation was not always rational. The 'uncle' was crazy angry and secretive, then did a 180 and was suddenly her biggest supporter. That was abrupt and not normal.
The Clerics seemed to be complete morons! They were able to track how she used Compendium but they didn't stop her from stealing the magic traveling stick. They knew who she was, but they didn't mention it to her. They knew what was in the letter from her 'father', but they kept it from her. They saw her getting into trouble and struggling, and they had all the answers to ease her suffering but instead they sat back and let her risk all their lives for pretty much nothing. In the end losing what might have been one of their greatest assets. In this way I felt like the plot was unnecessarily forced.
While I liked the writing style and there were some good things about the book that made me keep reading. It does not set up the beginning of a series that I want to read.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Compendium is an interesting book to start out a series. I can definitely say the author's style was good, it kept me engaged. The world she created was well developed and the descriptions were vivid. She also did a great job developing the three main characters of the book, Mia, Cedar and Taryn. There were also some twists in the plot that were unexpected, so that was very refreshing.
Although there were definitely some good things about this book, it was missing some of the things I really want to see in a fantasy story.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
When Mia is in the underground caves of the Order, we follow her to the library, mess hall, and her bedroom. We see all the daily life of her being there, but then she finds her way to a large underground tree in a forbidden part of their base. Sneaking through the caves, dodging the clerics and finally discovering the secret entrance to the tree would have been an exciting chapter. But it was not there. It just starts a chapter and says something like, 'she was in this really cool place that she came almost every night...' That's the kind of thing I want to read about. There were other times in the book when there were large time lapses of things that could have been exciting, and some mundane things, or internal monologues seemed to be dragged out.
From the beginning of the book to the end of the book I felt like nothing changed. When I was about halfway through I still didn't know what the point of the book was, then that feeling continued until the end. There wasn't a clear quest or purpose.
Characters motivation was not always rational. The 'uncle' was crazy angry and secretive, then did a 180 and was suddenly her biggest supporter. That was abrupt and not normal.
The Clerics seemed to be complete morons! They were able to track how she used Compendium but they didn't stop her from stealing the magic traveling stick. They knew who she was, but they didn't mention it to her. They knew what was in the letter from her 'father', but they kept it from her. They saw her getting into trouble and struggling, and they had all the answers to ease her suffering but instead they sat back and let her risk all their lives for pretty much nothing. In the end losing what might have been one of their greatest assets. In this way I felt like the plot was unnecessarily forced.
While I liked the writing style and there were some good things about the book that made me keep reading. It does not set up the beginning of a series that I want to read.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
July 26, 2015
I'm not going to summerise the plot because I could inadvertently spoil something, so I'll get right to the review.
Plot wise, Compendium was unique and fast paced. I loved the idea of the interactive book!!! We start with the world Lumin at the brink of destruction. The worlds resources are in trouble and the council decide to shut down The Network for a long time. All the details are saved to the Compendium in the hopes that when the planets resources replenish, the knowledge will be there. The book can only be opened properly by a select few and to all others, looks like a normal book. When Mia finds it she thinks she is going crazy when she hears it talk to her, but as she learns what it can do, she is amazed. Just what is this thing and why did it open for her?
Character wise, I really liked Mia, though I did find it confusing with her name at first because it's so similar to another character in the book! Mia lives with her father and when he gets sick, she goes to The Order to get help, but unbeknownst to her, her father has offered her up as an apprentice to The Order. Mia is confused because her father has always told her of his hatred for them! Mia has a lot to do to try to gain her freedom. All she wants is to get her father help and get back to him. She was strong, tenacious and brave, though she did make some silly decisions.
Anyway, overall Compendium was well written and developed. The world building was amazing and descriptive and I flew through the story. There are some surprising secrets revealed, which will leave you wanting more and with it's fascinating and intriguing plot, Compendium is a must read. I, for one, am looking forward to the next book!
Plot wise, Compendium was unique and fast paced. I loved the idea of the interactive book!!! We start with the world Lumin at the brink of destruction. The worlds resources are in trouble and the council decide to shut down The Network for a long time. All the details are saved to the Compendium in the hopes that when the planets resources replenish, the knowledge will be there. The book can only be opened properly by a select few and to all others, looks like a normal book. When Mia finds it she thinks she is going crazy when she hears it talk to her, but as she learns what it can do, she is amazed. Just what is this thing and why did it open for her?
Character wise, I really liked Mia, though I did find it confusing with her name at first because it's so similar to another character in the book! Mia lives with her father and when he gets sick, she goes to The Order to get help, but unbeknownst to her, her father has offered her up as an apprentice to The Order. Mia is confused because her father has always told her of his hatred for them! Mia has a lot to do to try to gain her freedom. All she wants is to get her father help and get back to him. She was strong, tenacious and brave, though she did make some silly decisions.
Anyway, overall Compendium was well written and developed. The world building was amazing and descriptive and I flew through the story. There are some surprising secrets revealed, which will leave you wanting more and with it's fascinating and intriguing plot, Compendium is a must read. I, for one, am looking forward to the next book!
May 5, 2015
When I first started reading ‘Compendium’ I was a little confused. This book starts immediately without a prologue or an introduction and I really felt like I was kind of stupid because I felt like I was missing things. Throughout the first few chapters, I kept feeling like I missed some important information and it was a little too slow for me. Fortunately for me, this book became more interesting, easier to read and I felt myself being more and more intrigued how farther I got.
Half way through this book I became hooked to the story. I loved the post-apocalyptic background and the way the characters came to life for me. The world of Lumin became more real and I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to know what would happen next. I also really liked the character Mia, the way she coped with things and how she interacted with people.
Although this book had a very slow start I really did like it. So how will I rate this book? The beginning didn’t work for me and I honestly think it will make some readers stop reading.. But I would recommend to keep on reading because I promise this book will get better and you won’t regret reading it. It’s definitely a four star read for me.
Half way through this book I became hooked to the story. I loved the post-apocalyptic background and the way the characters came to life for me. The world of Lumin became more real and I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to know what would happen next. I also really liked the character Mia, the way she coped with things and how she interacted with people.
Although this book had a very slow start I really did like it. So how will I rate this book? The beginning didn’t work for me and I honestly think it will make some readers stop reading.. But I would recommend to keep on reading because I promise this book will get better and you won’t regret reading it. It’s definitely a four star read for me.
December 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
THIS DOESN'T HAVE A SECOND BOOK? HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT? SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY NO SECOND BOOK? HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?
READ MY FULL REVIEW ON NERDYCHAMPAGNE
NOTE: THERE IS A SECOND BOOK
OVERALL, Compendium is a wonderfully magical world that will suck you in right by the first page. The characters are all wonderful, lovable, and amazing. The writing makes the world even more fascinating. This book has enough of it all, and even heartbreaking. Well, it broke my heart so your argument is invalid. For me, it was like a really futuristic POV of Earth – maybe in like, a few ten thousands of years from now. You know that theory, that the Earth will eventually heal itself back to be able to sustain life once again? Yeah, that. But here, the people took the measures to shut down all their technology to help Lumin. In the end, it says that we are who makes our planet. What it was, what it is, and what it will be. If you’re into sci-fi and classical books, you really need to read this. Like, RIGHT NOW.
THIS DOESN'T HAVE A SECOND BOOK? HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT? SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY NO SECOND BOOK? HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?
READ MY FULL REVIEW ON NERDYCHAMPAGNE
NOTE: THERE IS A SECOND BOOK
OVERALL, Compendium is a wonderfully magical world that will suck you in right by the first page. The characters are all wonderful, lovable, and amazing. The writing makes the world even more fascinating. This book has enough of it all, and even heartbreaking. Well, it broke my heart so your argument is invalid. For me, it was like a really futuristic POV of Earth – maybe in like, a few ten thousands of years from now. You know that theory, that the Earth will eventually heal itself back to be able to sustain life once again? Yeah, that. But here, the people took the measures to shut down all their technology to help Lumin. In the end, it says that we are who makes our planet. What it was, what it is, and what it will be. If you’re into sci-fi and classical books, you really need to read this. Like, RIGHT NOW.
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August 12, 2020Hi everyone! The author, here. I know it’s been a long time, but I’m finally preparing to release the follow-up to Compendium, Ocularum. I have a limited time left on my pre-order campaign located at Publishizer: https://www.publishizer.com/ocularum
Please check it out and support my campaign by pre-ordering a copy of Ocularum and check out my fun bonuses for ordering multiple copies! This campaign will let me:
1. Hire Angela Brown (my editor) to edit Ocularum (GOAL REACHED!)
2. Hire an artist to update the cover (GOAL REACHED!)
3. Hire amazing voice actress Shiromi Arserio to voice the novel (Please help!)
4. Format the book for hardcover release (Please help!)
5. Market the book to additional publishing opportunities (Please help!)
Thank you!
Please check it out and support my campaign by pre-ordering a copy of Ocularum and check out my fun bonuses for ordering multiple copies! This campaign will let me:
1. Hire Angela Brown (my editor) to edit Ocularum (GOAL REACHED!)
2. Hire an artist to update the cover (GOAL REACHED!)
3. Hire amazing voice actress Shiromi Arserio to voice the novel (Please help!)
4. Format the book for hardcover release (Please help!)
5. Market the book to additional publishing opportunities (Please help!)
Thank you!
June 20, 2015
Note: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set in Lumin, a fascinating world in which energy is drawn from plants and two rival factions debate the best way to protect and progress society. At the start of the story, the ruling counsel implements Gamma Protocol, which involves deliberately shutting down their main energy source, the Core, because current usage was damaging their world. This also means that with no power source, all advanced technology can no longer be used, and this loss throws the world into unrest. (Imagine our world with no electricity! Horror!) The rest of the book focuses on a much later period of time, after Gamma Protocol should have ended, but for some reason has not. The main character, Mia, enters the Order, a faction dedicated to safe guarding the 'artifacts' so that at some future date society can be put to right. Mia doesn't acclimate well to this new way of life, but along the way she discovers an old book in the archives that she felt drawn to for some reason. She sneezes on the book, and suddenly the book begins to change and communicate with her. It is Compendium, a depository of vast stores of knowledge about society before the Fall, the Order, and even about Mia herself. With the help of Compendium, Mia sets off a chain of events that has the power to change their civilization forever.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the world of Lumin and the importance of plants as a source of energy. I'll never look at a gourd the same again. Mia's ability to repair roots and feel their energy was very interesting. The plot moved along nicely, and the characters were engaging and sometimes complex.
I did have a few challenges with the book. The beginning of the tale jumps back and forth between timelines: the beginning of the Fall and the present day storyline. However, it only does this for four or five transitions before setting into the main timelines 650 Lumin cycles after the Gamma Protocol was initiated. It would have been a bit easier to follow if all the historical storyline was consecutive and then the jump was made to the present day. There wasn't a great deal of context provided at the start of the novel, which seems quite important for the reader since the world of Lumin is unique in several ways. Some background information on technology, society, and politics would have been helpful. I also never quite understood what a Lumin cycle was...similar to a month? A year? Toward the start of the book, I thought it was a kin to a year, and that made a 500 Lumin cycle shut down of the Core seem extremely intense. However, by the time I was nearing the end of the book, I realized it was definitely not a year. For one, the term 'year' was used a few times in the book to mean a different time period then a Lumin cycle. The other big indication was when some of the familial relationships between characters in both timelines were revealed. Clearly, it was not a time period of 650 years that had past. Perhaps more like 65 years? The confusion about the meaning of a Lumin cycle meant that I misunderstood a few key elements explained at the beginning of the story, which changed my perception of events as they unfolded during the remaining tale.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
This book is set in Lumin, a fascinating world in which energy is drawn from plants and two rival factions debate the best way to protect and progress society. At the start of the story, the ruling counsel implements Gamma Protocol, which involves deliberately shutting down their main energy source, the Core, because current usage was damaging their world. This also means that with no power source, all advanced technology can no longer be used, and this loss throws the world into unrest. (Imagine our world with no electricity! Horror!) The rest of the book focuses on a much later period of time, after Gamma Protocol should have ended, but for some reason has not. The main character, Mia, enters the Order, a faction dedicated to safe guarding the 'artifacts' so that at some future date society can be put to right. Mia doesn't acclimate well to this new way of life, but along the way she discovers an old book in the archives that she felt drawn to for some reason. She sneezes on the book, and suddenly the book begins to change and communicate with her. It is Compendium, a depository of vast stores of knowledge about society before the Fall, the Order, and even about Mia herself. With the help of Compendium, Mia sets off a chain of events that has the power to change their civilization forever.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the world of Lumin and the importance of plants as a source of energy. I'll never look at a gourd the same again. Mia's ability to repair roots and feel their energy was very interesting. The plot moved along nicely, and the characters were engaging and sometimes complex.
I did have a few challenges with the book. The beginning of the tale jumps back and forth between timelines: the beginning of the Fall and the present day storyline. However, it only does this for four or five transitions before setting into the main timelines 650 Lumin cycles after the Gamma Protocol was initiated. It would have been a bit easier to follow if all the historical storyline was consecutive and then the jump was made to the present day. There wasn't a great deal of context provided at the start of the novel, which seems quite important for the reader since the world of Lumin is unique in several ways. Some background information on technology, society, and politics would have been helpful. I also never quite understood what a Lumin cycle was...similar to a month? A year? Toward the start of the book, I thought it was a kin to a year, and that made a 500 Lumin cycle shut down of the Core seem extremely intense. However, by the time I was nearing the end of the book, I realized it was definitely not a year. For one, the term 'year' was used a few times in the book to mean a different time period then a Lumin cycle. The other big indication was when some of the familial relationships between characters in both timelines were revealed. Clearly, it was not a time period of 650 years that had past. Perhaps more like 65 years? The confusion about the meaning of a Lumin cycle meant that I misunderstood a few key elements explained at the beginning of the story, which changed my perception of events as they unfolded during the remaining tale.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
August 11, 2015
A planet is overwhelmed by the depletion of its resources, and is shutting down. Sound familiar?
The Compendium (the book, as opposed in this case to Compendium, the novel) is a unique text. It is a record of a planet and its people. It can answer questions and extrapolate answers. In the right hands, it is a valuable tool. In the wrong hands ... probably doesn't bear thinking about.
The novel starts out in Lumin Cycle (think year or stardate) 9498. The leaders of Central Counsel have instituted Gamma Protocol, which shuts down power on a planetary level, in order to give the source of the power a chance to heal. Effective, but scary. And long lasting. Gamma Protocol will last for 500 cycles.
I have to admit, I was a little confused at the beginning of Compendium, but then I do not read a lot of fantasy genre novels. And seeing as it is the first novel in a series, there will be a ton of exposition; not just for the characters, but for the world of Lumin - social, political, scientific, etc.
Between the first and second chapters, there is a 650 cycle jump, and at first none of the same characters either appear or are mentioned. So for a while I was at a loss as to how everything connected. Truth be told, there was one connection between characters I did not understand until after I had read the entire novel and went back to scan through it again.
Compendium (the novel) has several things going for it. 1) Some of the characters have difficulty communicating, either due to mistrust or outright subterfuge. This creates a lot of problems. 2) I like the respect for nature element, as in when Mia harvests parts of roots and the like, it is always with an eye to preserving the integrity of the parent plant. 3) Compendium (the book in the novel) is almost a character unto itself, and it has snark. (And I LOVE snark.)
As Compendium races towards its conclusion, I found myself more and more engaged in the story. I (silently) shouted encouragement to Mia and her team on their assignment to retrieve an old relic.
As I eagerly await being able to read the follow-up chapters in the "Artifacts of Lumin" series, I hold out hope for Compendium. Those who have read the novel will perhaps recognize a double entendre in that statement. Those who haven't read the novel ... read it and then we'll talk. ;)
The Compendium (the book, as opposed in this case to Compendium, the novel) is a unique text. It is a record of a planet and its people. It can answer questions and extrapolate answers. In the right hands, it is a valuable tool. In the wrong hands ... probably doesn't bear thinking about.
The novel starts out in Lumin Cycle (think year or stardate) 9498. The leaders of Central Counsel have instituted Gamma Protocol, which shuts down power on a planetary level, in order to give the source of the power a chance to heal. Effective, but scary. And long lasting. Gamma Protocol will last for 500 cycles.
I have to admit, I was a little confused at the beginning of Compendium, but then I do not read a lot of fantasy genre novels. And seeing as it is the first novel in a series, there will be a ton of exposition; not just for the characters, but for the world of Lumin - social, political, scientific, etc.
Between the first and second chapters, there is a 650 cycle jump, and at first none of the same characters either appear or are mentioned. So for a while I was at a loss as to how everything connected. Truth be told, there was one connection between characters I did not understand until after I had read the entire novel and went back to scan through it again.
Compendium (the novel) has several things going for it. 1) Some of the characters have difficulty communicating, either due to mistrust or outright subterfuge. This creates a lot of problems. 2) I like the respect for nature element, as in when Mia harvests parts of roots and the like, it is always with an eye to preserving the integrity of the parent plant. 3) Compendium (the book in the novel) is almost a character unto itself, and it has snark. (And I LOVE snark.)
As Compendium races towards its conclusion, I found myself more and more engaged in the story. I (silently) shouted encouragement to Mia and her team on their assignment to retrieve an old relic.
As I eagerly await being able to read the follow-up chapters in the "Artifacts of Lumin" series, I hold out hope for Compendium. Those who have read the novel will perhaps recognize a double entendre in that statement. Those who haven't read the novel ... read it and then we'll talk. ;)
September 23, 2015
This book had so much potential, but it fell short for me. The beginning was really slow so it took me a long time to read it. I put it aside for other books that held my interest more. The names of the characters were so similar or identical in the past and the future scenes of the story that I had a hard time figuring out who was who. The story was so confusing at the beginning. It seemed that information was left out and the story was so disjointed. Finally around chapter 10 the story began to make sense and move a long more swiftly. I was starting to enjoy the story, and then around 65% through, it took a turn again for me and not in a good way. When Mia and Taryn snuck into the Catacombs and then Mia was thrown in the dungeon, I was angry. The cleric's blamed Mia for everything that occurred and never took responsibility for their part in it. If they had been honest with Mia in the first place, chances are she wouldn't have tried to escape. Granted she shouldn't have tried to steal a precious artifact, but she wouldn't have tried if they had told her why she was there and who she from the minute she stepped into the Compound. She was supposed to dedicate her life and herself to a cause she had no idea about? Nikola just kept everything to himself, never answering any of her questions and she was supposed to trust them with her life and her secrets? It didn't ring true to me that she should take full responsibility for all that occurred and could have mostly been avoided if the Order hadn't been so secretive where she was concerned. That is the main reason I gave this one a 3.
There were a few typos. It was clean, for which I was glad. But toward the end, a couple swear words were thrown in and they seemed just that: thrown in. With the almost archaic way the characters had of speaking throughout the book, it seemed incongruous to have those swear words thrown in at the end. What for? Sorry to say I won't be reading the rest in the series. The characters were likeable. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Mia and Father Cornelius. The ideas and worlds the author created were amazing and descriptive. It blows my mind that people can dream these things up. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were a few typos. It was clean, for which I was glad. But toward the end, a couple swear words were thrown in and they seemed just that: thrown in. With the almost archaic way the characters had of speaking throughout the book, it seemed incongruous to have those swear words thrown in at the end. What for? Sorry to say I won't be reading the rest in the series. The characters were likeable. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Mia and Father Cornelius. The ideas and worlds the author created were amazing and descriptive. It blows my mind that people can dream these things up. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2015
Compendium: Book 1 of the Artifacts of Lumin series by Alia Luria
I was torn between 3 stars and 4 stars for this book.
If I could I would give it 3.5 stars.
It was good; easily with the potential to be great.
But it failed to be great because it was inarguably rushed...
This book started out well with much promise. Then there was a horrible rush through some very pivotal occurrences in the latter chapters which left a very sour taste for me. It felt like Luria was rushing to meet a deadline rather than letting her story unfold and letting her characters develop the way they should. It had so much potential - and so much was lost in the rush!
"Earthy alchemy with a tech twist" is the best way I can describe Compendium. I was really excited by the developing story as it has a fresh appeal - I haven't read anything quite like it. I was struck by a very Patrick Rothfuss-like feel within the story:
- time spent in Archives,
- curious and explorative main character who is endearing yet flawed in a sincere and human way,
- halls, staircases, hidden rooms and corridors,
- a gypsy element
These aspects definitely made me think of Rothfuss. In fact I looked up the author to see if she had cited Rothfuss as an inspiration - I was surprised he wasn't listed.
The history interspersed in the early chapters led well to the adventures the main character later faced. When I started reading it I had to read and re-skimmed the first 3 chapters to get my bearings with the story. After that I was completely drawn into the world of Lumin and its people.
I found Compendium to be well written and initially I was looking forward to reading the continuance of the story in future books. Now I'm not sure if I will follow the series or not. Hopefully the next book in the series can provide redemption for the tragic rush of events within this first book.
I was torn between 3 stars and 4 stars for this book.
If I could I would give it 3.5 stars.
It was good; easily with the potential to be great.
But it failed to be great because it was inarguably rushed...
This book started out well with much promise. Then there was a horrible rush through some very pivotal occurrences in the latter chapters which left a very sour taste for me. It felt like Luria was rushing to meet a deadline rather than letting her story unfold and letting her characters develop the way they should. It had so much potential - and so much was lost in the rush!
"Earthy alchemy with a tech twist" is the best way I can describe Compendium. I was really excited by the developing story as it has a fresh appeal - I haven't read anything quite like it. I was struck by a very Patrick Rothfuss-like feel within the story:
- time spent in Archives,
- curious and explorative main character who is endearing yet flawed in a sincere and human way,
- halls, staircases, hidden rooms and corridors,
- a gypsy element
These aspects definitely made me think of Rothfuss. In fact I looked up the author to see if she had cited Rothfuss as an inspiration - I was surprised he wasn't listed.
The history interspersed in the early chapters led well to the adventures the main character later faced. When I started reading it I had to read and re-skimmed the first 3 chapters to get my bearings with the story. After that I was completely drawn into the world of Lumin and its people.
I found Compendium to be well written and initially I was looking forward to reading the continuance of the story in future books. Now I'm not sure if I will follow the series or not. Hopefully the next book in the series can provide redemption for the tragic rush of events within this first book.
July 14, 2015
There is an ancient battle being waged between the Order and the Druids in Lumin and Mia Jayne has stumbled into the middle of it. After becoming an unwilling acolyte at the Order, she comes across an ancient book, Compendium, with seemingly unending knowledge that it is willing to tell her. Compendium brings her directly into the battle where she learns that her decisions have great impact.
This fantasy novel is the first of the Artifacts of Lumin series. The book opens centuries prior to the main storyline and switches between the older story and the newer story for the first part of the novel. It is difficult to connect the two at first and somewhat hard to follow, but as the novel goes on, it gets much easier to understand how the older storyline fits into the overall story.
There is one aspect of the story that I found fairly predictable but I won’t explain it further since it will give away part of the ending.
I don’t think that this book was perfect, but it was still fun to read. I also want to read the rest of the series when it comes out.
The world that Alia Luria created in this novel is great. I love fantasy novels, but I have never read one with a similar world. It’s fun to try to imagine every setting that she describes. Luria’s imagery is beautiful: “The jagged walls of rock slipped into obscurity as they rose steeply in the air, framed by the trees. Green mixed with brown and gray, and curling tendrils of vines caressed the large hole in the mountain toward which they trudged, inviting them to explore.”
I recommend reading this book. It’s a fun read!
Book Review by Keegan Brewster for The Bookish Blog
This fantasy novel is the first of the Artifacts of Lumin series. The book opens centuries prior to the main storyline and switches between the older story and the newer story for the first part of the novel. It is difficult to connect the two at first and somewhat hard to follow, but as the novel goes on, it gets much easier to understand how the older storyline fits into the overall story.
There is one aspect of the story that I found fairly predictable but I won’t explain it further since it will give away part of the ending.
I don’t think that this book was perfect, but it was still fun to read. I also want to read the rest of the series when it comes out.
The world that Alia Luria created in this novel is great. I love fantasy novels, but I have never read one with a similar world. It’s fun to try to imagine every setting that she describes. Luria’s imagery is beautiful: “The jagged walls of rock slipped into obscurity as they rose steeply in the air, framed by the trees. Green mixed with brown and gray, and curling tendrils of vines caressed the large hole in the mountain toward which they trudged, inviting them to explore.”
I recommend reading this book. It’s a fun read!
Book Review by Keegan Brewster for The Bookish Blog
June 7, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
---
Compendium had a rough start. The first several chapters left me confused and made me wonder if this was either a sequel or if I missed several chapters of information. The start was slow and it was about halfway through the book that I realized that no explanation would come and that I was left to fend for myself. The introduction to the book was sluggish and the important plot points flashed by. I wish more time was spent explaining the world of Lumin and the culture of the people on this planet. Overall I liked the concept of this book, not to mention I loved the cover of Compendium itself. I believe that it would make a glorious hardback novel.
After reading the first book I would be interested in reading the second, although hopefully it will continue the story at a faster pace compared to the first book in the series.
---
Compendium had a rough start. The first several chapters left me confused and made me wonder if this was either a sequel or if I missed several chapters of information. The start was slow and it was about halfway through the book that I realized that no explanation would come and that I was left to fend for myself. The introduction to the book was sluggish and the important plot points flashed by. I wish more time was spent explaining the world of Lumin and the culture of the people on this planet. Overall I liked the concept of this book, not to mention I loved the cover of Compendium itself. I believe that it would make a glorious hardback novel.
After reading the first book I would be interested in reading the second, although hopefully it will continue the story at a faster pace compared to the first book in the series.
August 23, 2025
Dear fellow readers who haven't yet discovered the life-changing, possibly-tree-worshipping experience that is Alia Luria's "Compendium," prepare yourselves. Put down that sad, treeless fantasy novel you're currently reading (I'm looking at you, desert-based epics with their suspicious lack of chlorophyll). Tell your houseplants you'll be busy for a while – they'll understand once you explain you're reading about their cooler, more magical cousins.
The World-Building: When Mother Nature Gets a PhD in Engineering
Lumin isn't just a world with trees, oh no. That would be too simple, too pedestrian for our dear Alia Luria. This is a world where trees have apparently attended engineering school, graduated summa cum laude, and decided to show off by becoming the entire infrastructure of civilization. We're talking about buildings carved out of living trees (take that, IKEA), bridges made of roots that presumably gossiped with each other while growing into perfectly engineered spans, and ships with their own botanical crews sprouting through the deck like the world's most functional garden party.
I found myself genuinely concerned about the carbon footprint of this civilization before remembering that, wait, THE ENTIRE CIVILIZATION IS MADE OF CARBON-ABSORBING TREES.
These people probably have negative carbon emissions. They're probably single-handedly reversing climate change just by existing. I felt personally attacked by their environmental superiority.
The cover art, by the way, is so gorgeous it should come with a warning label: "May cause spontaneous trips to garden centers." I'm not saying I bought seventeen succulents after seeing it, but I'm also not saying I didn't.
The Characters: Mia Jayne and the Fellowship of the Photosynthesis
Our protagonist, Mia Jayne, is the kind of heroine who makes you question your life choices. While I'm over here killing my houseplants through aggressive overwatering (apparently "love" and "daily drowning" are not the same thing), Mia can literally feel the pulse of tree energy and repair damaged plant life with her bare hands. She's basically a tree whisperer, a botanical superhero, a chlorophyll-powered wonder woman.
But here's what I love about her: she's not some insufferably perfect plant goddess floating around in a crown of daisies. No, she's constantly questioning everything – herself, her situation, the people around her, probably the nutritional value of tree bark. She's been essentially traded to a religious order by her father in exchange for medical treatment, which sounds like the beginning of either a very dark fairy tale or a very concerning family therapy session.
The supporting cast includes Brother Cornelius, an elderly monk who's basically the plant version of a mad scientist, breeding new strains of vegetation like he's running a magical agricultural laboratory. I want to be Brother Cornelius when I grow up. Actually, scratch that – I want Brother Cornelius to adopt me and teach me his ways. I have questions about those heat-producing gourds that definitely aren't related to my heating bills.
Then there's the Compendium itself – yes, the book is a character, because apparently regular books weren't magical enough for this story. This ancient tome can communicate with Mia, which means it's basically the world's first AI, except instead of trying to take over the world, it just wants to have arguments about historical accuracy. Honestly, as artificial intelligences go, this seems like the most reasonable option.
The Plot: Ancient Mysteries and the Art of Keeping Secrets for Dramatically Inconvenient Lengths of Time
The story kicks off when Mia discovers that pretty much everything she's been told about her life is a lie, which is either a coming-of-age rite of passage or evidence that the adults in this world have a serious problem with communication skills. There's an ancient battle, a mysterious organization, and enough secrets to stock a conspiracy theorist's dream journal.
Now, I have to address the elephant in the room – or should I say, the wilting houseplant in the room? The plot does suffer from what I like to call "Frustrating Adult Syndrome," where crucial information is withheld for no good reason except to make the protagonist want to shake everyone involved and demand they just TALK TO EACH OTHER.
The writing can also get wonderfully excessive at times – we're talking about prose that's been fertilized with enthusiasm and possibly watered with liquid poetry. Sometimes I wondered if Luria was getting paid by the adjective, but honestly? In a world where most fantasy feels obligated to be grim, her exuberant celebration of growing things was refreshing.
The Verdict: A Root-to-Leaf Masterpiece
This book planted itself in my reading consciousness and has been growing steadily ever since. Despite a few plot hiccups and occasional prose overflow, it's a delightfully fresh debut that won the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award in Fantasy – probably because the judges were as charmed by the botanical wonderland as I was.
If you're looking for a fantasy novel that will make you want to research sustainable architecture and possibly talk to your houseplants, "Compendium" is your book. Fair warning: side effects may include sudden interest in gardening and the inexplicable urge to live in a tree house.
The World-Building: When Mother Nature Gets a PhD in Engineering
Lumin isn't just a world with trees, oh no. That would be too simple, too pedestrian for our dear Alia Luria. This is a world where trees have apparently attended engineering school, graduated summa cum laude, and decided to show off by becoming the entire infrastructure of civilization. We're talking about buildings carved out of living trees (take that, IKEA), bridges made of roots that presumably gossiped with each other while growing into perfectly engineered spans, and ships with their own botanical crews sprouting through the deck like the world's most functional garden party.
I found myself genuinely concerned about the carbon footprint of this civilization before remembering that, wait, THE ENTIRE CIVILIZATION IS MADE OF CARBON-ABSORBING TREES.
These people probably have negative carbon emissions. They're probably single-handedly reversing climate change just by existing. I felt personally attacked by their environmental superiority.
The cover art, by the way, is so gorgeous it should come with a warning label: "May cause spontaneous trips to garden centers." I'm not saying I bought seventeen succulents after seeing it, but I'm also not saying I didn't.
The Characters: Mia Jayne and the Fellowship of the Photosynthesis
Our protagonist, Mia Jayne, is the kind of heroine who makes you question your life choices. While I'm over here killing my houseplants through aggressive overwatering (apparently "love" and "daily drowning" are not the same thing), Mia can literally feel the pulse of tree energy and repair damaged plant life with her bare hands. She's basically a tree whisperer, a botanical superhero, a chlorophyll-powered wonder woman.
But here's what I love about her: she's not some insufferably perfect plant goddess floating around in a crown of daisies. No, she's constantly questioning everything – herself, her situation, the people around her, probably the nutritional value of tree bark. She's been essentially traded to a religious order by her father in exchange for medical treatment, which sounds like the beginning of either a very dark fairy tale or a very concerning family therapy session.
The supporting cast includes Brother Cornelius, an elderly monk who's basically the plant version of a mad scientist, breeding new strains of vegetation like he's running a magical agricultural laboratory. I want to be Brother Cornelius when I grow up. Actually, scratch that – I want Brother Cornelius to adopt me and teach me his ways. I have questions about those heat-producing gourds that definitely aren't related to my heating bills.
Then there's the Compendium itself – yes, the book is a character, because apparently regular books weren't magical enough for this story. This ancient tome can communicate with Mia, which means it's basically the world's first AI, except instead of trying to take over the world, it just wants to have arguments about historical accuracy. Honestly, as artificial intelligences go, this seems like the most reasonable option.
The Plot: Ancient Mysteries and the Art of Keeping Secrets for Dramatically Inconvenient Lengths of Time
The story kicks off when Mia discovers that pretty much everything she's been told about her life is a lie, which is either a coming-of-age rite of passage or evidence that the adults in this world have a serious problem with communication skills. There's an ancient battle, a mysterious organization, and enough secrets to stock a conspiracy theorist's dream journal.
Now, I have to address the elephant in the room – or should I say, the wilting houseplant in the room? The plot does suffer from what I like to call "Frustrating Adult Syndrome," where crucial information is withheld for no good reason except to make the protagonist want to shake everyone involved and demand they just TALK TO EACH OTHER.
The writing can also get wonderfully excessive at times – we're talking about prose that's been fertilized with enthusiasm and possibly watered with liquid poetry. Sometimes I wondered if Luria was getting paid by the adjective, but honestly? In a world where most fantasy feels obligated to be grim, her exuberant celebration of growing things was refreshing.
The Verdict: A Root-to-Leaf Masterpiece
This book planted itself in my reading consciousness and has been growing steadily ever since. Despite a few plot hiccups and occasional prose overflow, it's a delightfully fresh debut that won the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award in Fantasy – probably because the judges were as charmed by the botanical wonderland as I was.
If you're looking for a fantasy novel that will make you want to research sustainable architecture and possibly talk to your houseplants, "Compendium" is your book. Fair warning: side effects may include sudden interest in gardening and the inexplicable urge to live in a tree house.
August 7, 2016
I found this book really interesting and descriptive of Lumin and its history, which was very well thought out by Alia. The story was always moving and didn't go slowly at any point. I really liked Compendium and I can't wait for the next book to come out.
May 28, 2015
Compendium is a pretty amazing book if i had not received this book from a goodreads giveaway I'm 100% certain I would have picked it up from amazon. Cant wait for book 2.
April 12, 2025
Mia loves her life roaming the forests, but when her father contracts a slow but deadly disease, her world begins to unravel. He sends her to the Order of Vis Firmitas for help, of which all she knows is that he's always despised it. Worse, on her arrival, she finds that he bargained for her to stay as an acolyte, immured in the deep, rocky catacombs where she feels shut in and unwelcome. But when she discovers a book that is a secret source of immense knowledge, she lands herself unwittingly at the centre of an ancient conflict she doesn't know exists. Faced with a choice of seeming betrayals, will she choose to follow her head or her heart?
While not a complete cliffhanger, the ending definitely left me wanting more. It also left me with lots of questions about what it's all about and what the two sides of the war are actually each fighting for. Despite that, though, it held my attention far too late into the night, not so much for the world-building, though that was definitely interesting, but for Mia. She goes through a lot and has to make some hard decisions, often with insufficient data. Yes, she's pretty self-centred, particularly at the start, but in her defence she isn't exactly welcomed. Of course, I can also see the other side - why the things they were dealing with were too important for potentially untrustworthy people to be told. And the final lesson, that there's _always_ a choice, is a good one to remember - because even if one choice is unthinkable, it's still a choice you need to make and will be held responsible for. As far as the audio is concerned, I found it flowed well and was good to listen to, though the accent occasionally took me by surprise. I'm looking forward to the next book already! 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While not a complete cliffhanger, the ending definitely left me wanting more. It also left me with lots of questions about what it's all about and what the two sides of the war are actually each fighting for. Despite that, though, it held my attention far too late into the night, not so much for the world-building, though that was definitely interesting, but for Mia. She goes through a lot and has to make some hard decisions, often with insufficient data. Yes, she's pretty self-centred, particularly at the start, but in her defence she isn't exactly welcomed. Of course, I can also see the other side - why the things they were dealing with were too important for potentially untrustworthy people to be told. And the final lesson, that there's _always_ a choice, is a good one to remember - because even if one choice is unthinkable, it's still a choice you need to make and will be held responsible for. As far as the audio is concerned, I found it flowed well and was good to listen to, though the accent occasionally took me by surprise. I'm looking forward to the next book already! 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2022
Review of Compendium, by Alia Luria
Compendium is a Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy story. It’s very engaging: I wanted to sit and read instead of doing my chores and stayed up too late two nights reading. I entered a world recovering from the Fall, a world that lost its advanced technology and the records from the pre-Fall era. As they tried to figure out how the remaining technologies worked they developed a rich biotechnology.
Mia travelled to the Order seeking help for her sick father. When she got there Mia discovered that her father had betrayed her, and traded her for the help he needed. In shock, she is forced to enter the Order as an Acolyte. She is aware of the whispers of other acolytes and stares when she enters a room. And one of the head clerics hates her. She definitely does not belong in the Order but cannot escape. She is a prisoner, unable to find out how her father is doing, forced to live as an Acolyte against her will.
At least that’s what Mia thinks. And, unbeknown to her, she has skills that the Order needs in their fight to prevent another apocalypse and their race’s extinction.
You’ll have to read the book for the rest of the story. If you enjoy stories like Hunger Games you’ll probably enjoy Compendium. It’s a great story and the writing is excellent. Action and character development are perfect and there is nothing in the writing to distract you from fully entering Mia’s world. I liked Compendium a lot. Now I
am going to find and read the sequel, Ocularum.
Compendium is a Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy story. It’s very engaging: I wanted to sit and read instead of doing my chores and stayed up too late two nights reading. I entered a world recovering from the Fall, a world that lost its advanced technology and the records from the pre-Fall era. As they tried to figure out how the remaining technologies worked they developed a rich biotechnology.
Mia travelled to the Order seeking help for her sick father. When she got there Mia discovered that her father had betrayed her, and traded her for the help he needed. In shock, she is forced to enter the Order as an Acolyte. She is aware of the whispers of other acolytes and stares when she enters a room. And one of the head clerics hates her. She definitely does not belong in the Order but cannot escape. She is a prisoner, unable to find out how her father is doing, forced to live as an Acolyte against her will.
At least that’s what Mia thinks. And, unbeknown to her, she has skills that the Order needs in their fight to prevent another apocalypse and their race’s extinction.
You’ll have to read the book for the rest of the story. If you enjoy stories like Hunger Games you’ll probably enjoy Compendium. It’s a great story and the writing is excellent. Action and character development are perfect and there is nothing in the writing to distract you from fully entering Mia’s world. I liked Compendium a lot. Now I
am going to find and read the sequel, Ocularum.
March 16, 2017
For a first book (I'm fairly sure that this is) the author is "in the game" and probably to stay.
Left to my own devices (what, really, does THAT mean?) I might easily just read fantasy and sci-fi to the exclusion of everything else. This book is somewhat unique in the 'fantasy' category -- and if space-faring humans encounter LUMIN, who know, could be Sci-Fi as well (think "Avatar" and Pandora).
Yes, the planet is a lot like Pandora -- seems the planet is interlaced with an energy/power network contiguous with the trees and plant life. And at the book's beginning, the people are quite aware of this and to some degree, aligned with that aspect. Then, SOMETHING HAPPENS. The proverbial fall from grace ... hundreds of years go by, and
I often forget a lot of the details shortly after reading, but, as hinted before, the author has created a unique and very intriguing world. Her main character (heroine) more-or-less appears from the shadows and gradually becomes a factor in the nexus of the seat of power -- with, of course, many struggles along the way.
What annoyed me was the frequent 'clunkiness' of the writing. Economy would abet the flow of the story in numerous places. Simply switching the end of a sentence with the beginning would help sometimes. (The author has said (so a source claims) that her editor had "successfully edited hundreds of books" -- and perhaps that's a minor problem -- with "hundreds" on my desk, all I'd probably be able to do is a cursory review.)
Never-the-less, at least one of the readers in our house will acquire subsequent volumes of this series as they are written. I will probably read the next book, too. (Especially if, somehow, I can duplicate the setting of where I read the initial book -- feet up, in a hammock, smoking a decent cigar, sipping racilla, looking out at the ocean, in Sayulita Mexico. Ah ... )
Left to my own devices (what, really, does THAT mean?) I might easily just read fantasy and sci-fi to the exclusion of everything else. This book is somewhat unique in the 'fantasy' category -- and if space-faring humans encounter LUMIN, who know, could be Sci-Fi as well (think "Avatar" and Pandora).
Yes, the planet is a lot like Pandora -- seems the planet is interlaced with an energy/power network contiguous with the trees and plant life. And at the book's beginning, the people are quite aware of this and to some degree, aligned with that aspect. Then, SOMETHING HAPPENS. The proverbial fall from grace ... hundreds of years go by, and
I often forget a lot of the details shortly after reading, but, as hinted before, the author has created a unique and very intriguing world. Her main character (heroine) more-or-less appears from the shadows and gradually becomes a factor in the nexus of the seat of power -- with, of course, many struggles along the way.
What annoyed me was the frequent 'clunkiness' of the writing. Economy would abet the flow of the story in numerous places. Simply switching the end of a sentence with the beginning would help sometimes. (The author has said (so a source claims) that her editor had "successfully edited hundreds of books" -- and perhaps that's a minor problem -- with "hundreds" on my desk, all I'd probably be able to do is a cursory review.)
Never-the-less, at least one of the readers in our house will acquire subsequent volumes of this series as they are written. I will probably read the next book, too. (Especially if, somehow, I can duplicate the setting of where I read the initial book -- feet up, in a hammock, smoking a decent cigar, sipping racilla, looking out at the ocean, in Sayulita Mexico. Ah ... )
November 26, 2025
Compendium is everything and even more you can expect from a high fantasy and sci fi story.
I listened to the audiobook. It’s being told in the 3rd person.
Both the story and the captivating, enthousiastic voice from the narrator had my full attention. 😌
The first part, with the 2 times zones, alternating, was perhaps a little bit confusing, but soon the story became very clear.
The characters are consistent and I could easily connect with them. In this story, everything falls perfectly into place.
The author brought beautiful sceneries to life. I was really caught up in this wonderful story.
This first part of the series is a very promising one!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I listened to the audiobook. It’s being told in the 3rd person.
Both the story and the captivating, enthousiastic voice from the narrator had my full attention. 😌
The first part, with the 2 times zones, alternating, was perhaps a little bit confusing, but soon the story became very clear.
The characters are consistent and I could easily connect with them. In this story, everything falls perfectly into place.
The author brought beautiful sceneries to life. I was really caught up in this wonderful story.
This first part of the series is a very promising one!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2025
Compendium: Artifacts of Lumin by Alia Luria is an excellent Sci-Fi Fantasy. Shiromi Arserio did an excellent job with the narration. The story is interesting, entertaining, engaging, enjoyable, heartfelt, and more. I like how the story blends together nature and technology.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this audiobook. It kept me captivated from the beginning of the book to the end. I must definitely recommend this book. I love the characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 19, 2017
Loved the originality and characters - looking for book 2 !
July 13, 2017
Compendium
Ah, to be sent away for one thing then find you are to become a part of an order of strangers. To be unjustly considered a pretender. Our plucky hero strives to become.
Ah, to be sent away for one thing then find you are to become a part of an order of strangers. To be unjustly considered a pretender. Our plucky hero strives to become.
August 28, 2020
Great story line.
The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because it ended too soon. I wanted more of the story.
The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because it ended too soon. I wanted more of the story.
August 29, 2020
Excellent plotting and world building, but I thought Mia was not a credible or engaging character. She often seems to do things simply to make the plot move in a certain direction.
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