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Fragile Gods #1
Immortal Progeny
For generations the world of Rahvas has been awash in holy war between its many temples.
Priests and priestesses have built towering monsters to destroy one another and prove their deity the One True God.
But those temples also made two mistakes. When three little girls came out of the void where Gods are born, they mistake them for humans and let them live.
Separated, Rowan, Vervain and Amaranth have lived out very different lives. One lived as a temple acolyte, another as meat for the creation of progeny, while the third learns the magic of the atheists.
As the sisters' power unfolds and they learn the truth of who they are, the temples and all those that fight for them will find a new war on their doorstep. Rahvas will become the battleground between gods and monsters.
Priests and priestesses have built towering monsters to destroy one another and prove their deity the One True God.
But those temples also made two mistakes. When three little girls came out of the void where Gods are born, they mistake them for humans and let them live.
Separated, Rowan, Vervain and Amaranth have lived out very different lives. One lived as a temple acolyte, another as meat for the creation of progeny, while the third learns the magic of the atheists.
As the sisters' power unfolds and they learn the truth of who they are, the temples and all those that fight for them will find a new war on their doorstep. Rahvas will become the battleground between gods and monsters.
- GenresFantasy
ebook
First published June 24, 2017
8 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Ballantine
70 books1,031 followersBorn and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa is a writer and podcaster of fantasy fiction.
Immersed in books from an early age, she moved onto to become a librarian. She'd been dreaming of being a writer since a teenager, but in the last ten years she's devoted herself to it.
She's the author of the Books of the Order series from Ace Books. Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth (2012) and Harbinger (2013).
Also, with Pyr books the Shifted World series, Hunter and Fox (2012) and Born and Made (2013)
Philippa is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Phoenix Rising and the Janus Affair (2012)
Philippa currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband and co-writer Tee Morris, their daughter and a clowder of five cats who keep them all in line.
Awards
2011 Goodreads Short Listed for Best Science Fiction
2011 Airship Award winner for best written work (with Tee Morris)
2011 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2010 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2010 Sir Julius Vogel Award finalist for Best fan production
2009 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award winner for Best fan production
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2007 Parsec Award finalist for Best Writing Podcast
2006 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel
Immersed in books from an early age, she moved onto to become a librarian. She'd been dreaming of being a writer since a teenager, but in the last ten years she's devoted herself to it.
She's the author of the Books of the Order series from Ace Books. Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth (2012) and Harbinger (2013).
Also, with Pyr books the Shifted World series, Hunter and Fox (2012) and Born and Made (2013)
Philippa is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Phoenix Rising and the Janus Affair (2012)
Philippa currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband and co-writer Tee Morris, their daughter and a clowder of five cats who keep them all in line.
Awards
2011 Goodreads Short Listed for Best Science Fiction
2011 Airship Award winner for best written work (with Tee Morris)
2011 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2010 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2010 Sir Julius Vogel Award finalist for Best fan production
2009 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award winner for Best fan production
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2007 Parsec Award finalist for Best Writing Podcast
2006 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 2, 2022
Over the years, there's been a lot of people who have put down self-published books. Vanity presses and people trying to sell the hundred copies they printed up of their books that just weren't good enough to sell to an actual publisher.
But in the era of ebooks, while there is still a lot of books that sink to the level of just not worth the time. But there is also another level of self-published author: the professionally published author who has written something that is too far outside the normal, or wants to experiment with the mixed publishing; mix of pro- and self-published.
Philippa Ballantine falls into the second category. She has had three series (one co-written with her husband, Tee Morris) for three different publishers. The co-written series did will with two different publishers, but due to issues, had gone to self-published for the end of the series. She has also self-published a historical fantasy novel set in post-WWI New Zealand that was rejected by publishers because the New Zealand setting was considered too exotic for US readers.
Immortal Progeny, though, falls into the category of books that I'm not sure that a regular publisher would know what to do with. The world-building and magic system were something I've never seen before.
In this world, the gods came through a portal called the God Void. Churches and priesthoods built up around them in the North. The priests build creatures called the Progeny by sewing together pieces of people and animals, and set them to attack other temples. The goal, of course, is to become the only surviving church, controlling the world. This is called the Melding. There are also a small group of possibly insane people called Chimera, who instead of sewing other creatures together, sew parts of other creatures to themselves in order to give themselves new abilities. And there are the atheists in the south, who do not believe in these gods, and learn to control magic on their own; a slower and more varied magic than the creature building magic of the priests.
At the start of the book, though, there is a new emergence from the Void during the annual gathering of representatives from all the currently surviving churches. Three little girls, shabbily dressed, instead of a glorious being accompanied by fanfares. The assembled priests start squabbling about how best to dismember and use the children. One of the children gets 'adopted' by a priest who plans to see how she can use her as she grows up. One is thrown into the pits of despair, where body parts are harvested for the progeny. And one is snatched up by a priest who wants to save her, but ends up falling into a river, apparently killing them both.
My only complaint about this book is that it stops at the end of what would normally be the first act of a book. 250 pages are spent getting all the pieces in place to really start the story. I want the next book, and as soon as possible. The characters are all intriguing, even the ones who are too unpleasant to be liked. We've got an idea of the shape of the story to come, but are left hanging.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to read from NetGalley. However, I plan to buy a copy when it is published in June
But in the era of ebooks, while there is still a lot of books that sink to the level of just not worth the time. But there is also another level of self-published author: the professionally published author who has written something that is too far outside the normal, or wants to experiment with the mixed publishing; mix of pro- and self-published.
Philippa Ballantine falls into the second category. She has had three series (one co-written with her husband, Tee Morris) for three different publishers. The co-written series did will with two different publishers, but due to issues, had gone to self-published for the end of the series. She has also self-published a historical fantasy novel set in post-WWI New Zealand that was rejected by publishers because the New Zealand setting was considered too exotic for US readers.
Immortal Progeny, though, falls into the category of books that I'm not sure that a regular publisher would know what to do with. The world-building and magic system were something I've never seen before.
In this world, the gods came through a portal called the God Void. Churches and priesthoods built up around them in the North. The priests build creatures called the Progeny by sewing together pieces of people and animals, and set them to attack other temples. The goal, of course, is to become the only surviving church, controlling the world. This is called the Melding. There are also a small group of possibly insane people called Chimera, who instead of sewing other creatures together, sew parts of other creatures to themselves in order to give themselves new abilities. And there are the atheists in the south, who do not believe in these gods, and learn to control magic on their own; a slower and more varied magic than the creature building magic of the priests.
At the start of the book, though, there is a new emergence from the Void during the annual gathering of representatives from all the currently surviving churches. Three little girls, shabbily dressed, instead of a glorious being accompanied by fanfares. The assembled priests start squabbling about how best to dismember and use the children. One of the children gets 'adopted' by a priest who plans to see how she can use her as she grows up. One is thrown into the pits of despair, where body parts are harvested for the progeny. And one is snatched up by a priest who wants to save her, but ends up falling into a river, apparently killing them both.
My only complaint about this book is that it stops at the end of what would normally be the first act of a book. 250 pages are spent getting all the pieces in place to really start the story. I want the next book, and as soon as possible. The characters are all intriguing, even the ones who are too unpleasant to be liked. We've got an idea of the shape of the story to come, but are left hanging.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to read from NetGalley. However, I plan to buy a copy when it is published in June
August 21, 2017
This book is a brilliant start to a series surrounding three sisters in a world of competing temples and abominations. It follows each of the sisters and their different paths.
This dark fantasy was better than I expected and proves that you should not judge a book by its cover, especially one that after reading through I don't understand how it relates to the book.
Looking forward to the next books.
This dark fantasy was better than I expected and proves that you should not judge a book by its cover, especially one that after reading through I don't understand how it relates to the book.
Looking forward to the next books.
December 7, 2017
3.5/5 stars.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you Philippa Ballantine and Goodreads. Sorry it took so long to finish. I misplaced the book for a couple of months..
I enjoyed the book. It hooked me in but not completely. With multiple character perspective books, there's always one character I love following. Although I enjoyed all three sisters, I did enjoy Amaranth parts the best. She stayed likeable throughout.
Probably should warn readers that this book is quite gory. Not disgustingly so but it is prominent. So I'd be wary or it if you dislike gore.
I think the plot was a bit lacking. It was more an introduction to all the characters to set you up for the next books than a fully fleshed out story. And even then some the characters aren't fully understood, maybe an attempt at mystery? But it still left me with questions. I found Vervain's change in character quite alarming. She was the more confident and rational one and then she went a bit delusional. I guess it's an interesting twist but it just seemed odd for that character.
The world was built fairly well, though I am still confused over how the gods fit in this? Like I don't fully understand how the society works. Maybe I just didn't pick it up, maybe it will be fleshed out more in the next one. The atheist group just confused me more. Like are there gods or are they just more powerful magicians? No idea. Also, I don't get how the homunculus were made. How were they given life? Did the gods give them life through the priests/priestesses or is it the priests powers?
This review is a little harsh but I did still enjoy the book. It's an interesting concept and I always quite enjoy the fantasy religion type books. I thought this book did a pretty good job. Unsure if I'll continue the series but it's a possibility.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you Philippa Ballantine and Goodreads. Sorry it took so long to finish. I misplaced the book for a couple of months..
I enjoyed the book. It hooked me in but not completely. With multiple character perspective books, there's always one character I love following. Although I enjoyed all three sisters, I did enjoy Amaranth parts the best. She stayed likeable throughout.
Probably should warn readers that this book is quite gory. Not disgustingly so but it is prominent. So I'd be wary or it if you dislike gore.
I think the plot was a bit lacking. It was more an introduction to all the characters to set you up for the next books than a fully fleshed out story. And even then some the characters aren't fully understood, maybe an attempt at mystery? But it still left me with questions. I found Vervain's change in character quite alarming. She was the more confident and rational one and then she went a bit delusional. I guess it's an interesting twist but it just seemed odd for that character.
The world was built fairly well, though I am still confused over how the gods fit in this? Like I don't fully understand how the society works. Maybe I just didn't pick it up, maybe it will be fleshed out more in the next one. The atheist group just confused me more. Like are there gods or are they just more powerful magicians? No idea. Also, I don't get how the homunculus were made. How were they given life? Did the gods give them life through the priests/priestesses or is it the priests powers?
This review is a little harsh but I did still enjoy the book. It's an interesting concept and I always quite enjoy the fantasy religion type books. I thought this book did a pretty good job. Unsure if I'll continue the series but it's a possibility.
September 4, 2017
I was lucky to win a copy of Immortal Progeny as a Goodreads giveaway - thank you!
What a dark and terrible world for three little girls to find themselves in, a world of warring temples, Frankenstein progeny and chimera - humans who would make themselves divine through surgery, before they are torn apart from each other.
Three sisters, three paths....one temple raised, another among the atheist Zoekers and the third sent to the pits to be used as parts.
The lives of Amaranth, Rowan and Vervain are vastly different and while two sisters do meet briefly they are quickly split again each to follow their own path and i look forward to finding out where their paths lead
What a dark and terrible world for three little girls to find themselves in, a world of warring temples, Frankenstein progeny and chimera - humans who would make themselves divine through surgery, before they are torn apart from each other.
Three sisters, three paths....one temple raised, another among the atheist Zoekers and the third sent to the pits to be used as parts.
The lives of Amaranth, Rowan and Vervain are vastly different and while two sisters do meet briefly they are quickly split again each to follow their own path and i look forward to finding out where their paths lead
November 14, 2017
This did take me a little while to get into, but once I was about a third of the way through I started enjoying it a lot more. Very interesting and original premise, and overall a good read.
My only criticisms would be the numerous spelling and grammar errors (things like teaming instead of teeming, praying instead of preying - these mistakes annoy me!), and also the excessive use of the word 'progeny'!
I know this is in the title of the book, but it seemed like the author was overusing it - I counted the word 7 times on one page alone, and the occasional synonym would have made it read better...
My only criticisms would be the numerous spelling and grammar errors (things like teaming instead of teeming, praying instead of preying - these mistakes annoy me!), and also the excessive use of the word 'progeny'!
I know this is in the title of the book, but it seemed like the author was overusing it - I counted the word 7 times on one page alone, and the occasional synonym would have made it read better...
May 30, 2017
Anyone who thinks women can't write dark, grim fantasy needs to look into this author.
Here is a world of many gods and their fanatic followers. Each warring with the other to become the One God leaving human misery and a gutted world in their wake. Their armies are build from "meat;" the animated constructs of human and animal parts, thus creating a market for humanity as "parts."
The injustices perpetrated by believers plays a dark role in the development of three sisters with god like powers. They take the first steps to righting the evils of this world in this first book.
Here is a world of many gods and their fanatic followers. Each warring with the other to become the One God leaving human misery and a gutted world in their wake. Their armies are build from "meat;" the animated constructs of human and animal parts, thus creating a market for humanity as "parts."
The injustices perpetrated by believers plays a dark role in the development of three sisters with god like powers. They take the first steps to righting the evils of this world in this first book.
November 2, 2018
The book was slow in the beginning but the book grew on me. I was wondering when the next one comes out
Currently reading
March 27, 2017* eArc provided by publisher via Netgalley *
March 28, 2017
Ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
Read
July 24, 2017As much as I love this author, this particular novel just wasn't in my wheelhouse.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews