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Caligation
2nd Place for Urban Fantasy in Virtual FantasyCon Awards 2017.
A city of the bizarre and the unfamiliar, inhabited by monstrous beasts and people with unnatural gifts. A city of tall glass spires mingling with old gothic architecture, where wild animals roam alongside the populace.
This is where Ripley Mason finds himself.
University dropout, casual drinker, and newly fledged hitchhiker, Ripley is tired of the daily grind of study, drink, repeat. Only halfway done with a degree he never chose, Ripley heads north to see if life won’t throw him something less monotonous.
Early into his journey, Ripley suffers a brutal car accident and awakens in a rundown hospital. Nervous, he ventures into dark, unfamiliar streets and comes face to face with horrific beasts. Thrown into a world of supernatural fantasy, Ripley fights to discover where he is, how he came to be here and, most importantly, if he can even get home.
All he knows of this place is a single word: C A L I G A T I O N
A city of the bizarre and the unfamiliar, inhabited by monstrous beasts and people with unnatural gifts. A city of tall glass spires mingling with old gothic architecture, where wild animals roam alongside the populace.
This is where Ripley Mason finds himself.
University dropout, casual drinker, and newly fledged hitchhiker, Ripley is tired of the daily grind of study, drink, repeat. Only halfway done with a degree he never chose, Ripley heads north to see if life won’t throw him something less monotonous.
Early into his journey, Ripley suffers a brutal car accident and awakens in a rundown hospital. Nervous, he ventures into dark, unfamiliar streets and comes face to face with horrific beasts. Thrown into a world of supernatural fantasy, Ripley fights to discover where he is, how he came to be here and, most importantly, if he can even get home.
All he knows of this place is a single word: C A L I G A T I O N
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
386 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2017
6 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Brhi Stokes
4 books33 followersBrhi has been writing ever since they could put pen to paper and daydreaming in every spare second. They adore fantasy of all kinds but has a special love for urban fantasy with a dark edge.
Their fascination with different places and cultures has seen them living overseas for several years, though they currently reside in Australia. This time abroad has strongly influenced their writing, much of which focuses on strange new places.
In their spare time, Brhi enjoys reading, video games, tabletop RPGs, going for long, solitary jogs and music. They can be contacted on Facebook or at brhistokesauthor@gmail.com.
Their fascination with different places and cultures has seen them living overseas for several years, though they currently reside in Australia. This time abroad has strongly influenced their writing, much of which focuses on strange new places.
In their spare time, Brhi enjoys reading, video games, tabletop RPGs, going for long, solitary jogs and music. They can be contacted on Facebook or at brhistokesauthor@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 1, 2018
Book Reviewed by Julie on www.whisperingstories.com
‘Caligation’ is a dystopian urban fantasy by Australian-based author, Brhi Stokes. We join the tale as university drop-out, Ripley Mason, hitches a ride with Laura. After a road traffic accident, he wakes to find himself in a run-down hospital with no sign of his travelling companion. After discharging himself, he discovers he is in a place he doesn’t recognise.
The author has taken the tried and trusted theme of dropping her main character into an alternative world after a trauma and then allowing her vivid imagination to create a multitude of supernatural dangers for him to contend with.
Against this backdrop, Ripley meets all manner of strange people with bizarre abilities, mutations, dialects, dress and customs. It seems everyone is inseparable from their effigia, which takes the form a telepathic creature with whom they have a special bond. In Ripley’s case, his effigia is an owl named Athena. His lonely existence is enhanced as she becomes the foil he needs as he discovers a little more about the various species that inhabit the city of Caligation.
This is not the usual run-of-the-mill good versus evil scenario, as Ripley isn’t particularly likeable and isn’t on any sort of crusade for the greater good, he just wants to steer clear of trouble long enough to find his way home.
We see the action mainly from Ripley’s perspective but intermittently spend time with some of the other characters. There is a reasonable balance between dialogue and description, although at times it isn’t always clear who is speaking. Nonetheless, the story moves along at pace and concludes with all loose ends neatly tied together.
In common with a lot of fantasy novels, there were shape-shifters and sorcery but beneath this, there is a fairly interesting story encompassing corruption and intimidation within the basic framework of survival of the fittest.
I struggled with this book in the early stages because I found it hard to engage with a tale that had no foundation in reality. Had I not been asked for a review, it is doubtful I would have read beyond the second chapter. My perseverance was rewarded by some nice touches of humour and banter between Ripley and his owl which gave a bit of counterbalance to what was otherwise a dark and depressing tale.
There was an inspired twist at the end and I have no doubt within its target audience, ‘Caligation’ will be a hit. Although it wasn’t my kind of book, it was quite a clever idea and objectively, I award four stars.
‘Caligation’ is a dystopian urban fantasy by Australian-based author, Brhi Stokes. We join the tale as university drop-out, Ripley Mason, hitches a ride with Laura. After a road traffic accident, he wakes to find himself in a run-down hospital with no sign of his travelling companion. After discharging himself, he discovers he is in a place he doesn’t recognise.
The author has taken the tried and trusted theme of dropping her main character into an alternative world after a trauma and then allowing her vivid imagination to create a multitude of supernatural dangers for him to contend with.
Against this backdrop, Ripley meets all manner of strange people with bizarre abilities, mutations, dialects, dress and customs. It seems everyone is inseparable from their effigia, which takes the form a telepathic creature with whom they have a special bond. In Ripley’s case, his effigia is an owl named Athena. His lonely existence is enhanced as she becomes the foil he needs as he discovers a little more about the various species that inhabit the city of Caligation.
This is not the usual run-of-the-mill good versus evil scenario, as Ripley isn’t particularly likeable and isn’t on any sort of crusade for the greater good, he just wants to steer clear of trouble long enough to find his way home.
We see the action mainly from Ripley’s perspective but intermittently spend time with some of the other characters. There is a reasonable balance between dialogue and description, although at times it isn’t always clear who is speaking. Nonetheless, the story moves along at pace and concludes with all loose ends neatly tied together.
In common with a lot of fantasy novels, there were shape-shifters and sorcery but beneath this, there is a fairly interesting story encompassing corruption and intimidation within the basic framework of survival of the fittest.
I struggled with this book in the early stages because I found it hard to engage with a tale that had no foundation in reality. Had I not been asked for a review, it is doubtful I would have read beyond the second chapter. My perseverance was rewarded by some nice touches of humour and banter between Ripley and his owl which gave a bit of counterbalance to what was otherwise a dark and depressing tale.
There was an inspired twist at the end and I have no doubt within its target audience, ‘Caligation’ will be a hit. Although it wasn’t my kind of book, it was quite a clever idea and objectively, I award four stars.
October 26, 2017
Brhi Stokes’s Caligation uses a common trope that one of my all-time favorite fiction series uses: suddenly waking up in different reality. It immediately made me think of Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy (Black, the first book, is in my top 5 reads). Of course, poor Ripley doesn’t have the luxury of returning to the real world every time he sleeps. He awakens in some kind of alternate reality and things keep going from bad to worse as he tries to make sense of it all.
There’s a fair amount of mystery going on that unravels as Ripley’s life unravels, and the characters are memorable (partly due to the interesting descriptions and names that help them really stick, like Zero Demon) and an added dimension of culture with some of the dialects and accents (made me think of the gypsy boxers in Snatch) as Ripley meets Aspectors, Sanguinars, and Feranthropes. This is definitely an Urban Fantasy, but one that is wholly original and with a mobster twist.
I did have mixed feelings about the ending—but don’t want to drop any spoilers. Everything is buttoned up neatly… I just didn’t get the ending that I wanted—which is great, actually! Too many stories are predictable and begin with such obvious outcomes that they are almost not worth readying, so Stokes’ ability to keep you surprised is a strength of her writing.
If you are looking for an original Urban Fantasy with a hint of darkness and paranormal (but without all the glittery vampires and tired, rehashed genre elements,) then this could be your next great read!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review at Inside the Inkwell Blog.
There’s a fair amount of mystery going on that unravels as Ripley’s life unravels, and the characters are memorable (partly due to the interesting descriptions and names that help them really stick, like Zero Demon) and an added dimension of culture with some of the dialects and accents (made me think of the gypsy boxers in Snatch) as Ripley meets Aspectors, Sanguinars, and Feranthropes. This is definitely an Urban Fantasy, but one that is wholly original and with a mobster twist.
I did have mixed feelings about the ending—but don’t want to drop any spoilers. Everything is buttoned up neatly… I just didn’t get the ending that I wanted—which is great, actually! Too many stories are predictable and begin with such obvious outcomes that they are almost not worth readying, so Stokes’ ability to keep you surprised is a strength of her writing.
If you are looking for an original Urban Fantasy with a hint of darkness and paranormal (but without all the glittery vampires and tired, rehashed genre elements,) then this could be your next great read!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review at Inside the Inkwell Blog.
November 7, 2017
The main character, Ripley, believes himself to be in a dream. The reader needs to buy-in as the focus shifts towards the dream being a new reality; a very strange one, but reality nevertheless. This either works for one, or it doesn’t. I am reasonably good at suspending belief, however, this story lost a good deal of its ‘believability’ for me. The book has some excellent reviews, so probably I am unusual. From the point at which I felt obliged to see the story as more than the telling of a dream I could no longer make any sense of the animal effigias attached to every semi-human. For me, fantasy needs to at least hold a thin string to scientific and/or philosophical plausibility. The buy-in isn’t helped by some serious structural problem with the book. The constant and insufficiently marked point of view changes, head-hopping, is very distracting. Often all we get is a line-break between the thinking and actions of varied changing characters, which often flicks to different locations and time frames. Then on top of that we have the confusion of the characters twinned animals communicating telephonically, with the warning of italics, but again without clear point of view direction. There are quite a few ungrammatical links between phrases, which sometimes jolted my progress. They didn’t distract me for more than a moment, as the story’s buzz was so good. However, the liaison between sentences doesn’t always bear up well under scrutiny.
The book could be improved dramatically by simply employing different typeface for different species, so helping one with the shifting scenes and characters. Changes in physical script would have also helped to give a greater variety of voice. Okay- this sort of typeface manipulation is frowned on by many literary purists, as of course traditional standards of grammar and sentence construction can make any point of view shift perfectly clear, but I think that this book is a case in point for the use of such devices. There is such a complexity of ‘communication’ between the characters, and a such a strong requirement in the writing style to shift focus quickly, that I think a mix of unorthodox cues for the reader is entirely justifiable.
So why then am I actually very positive, able to report that I enjoyed the book so much? Well, clearly it could be a lot better with a comprehensive rewrite. However, this is great entertainment. I had no trouble in finishing the book, when usually with so many structural faults I would have abandoned it very early on. Stokes’s writing draws very clear pictures and plenty of colour. I got a very strong sense of what her strange creation looks and feels like. The story and the speculative thinking behind the book is strong, bringing together many mythological ideas and rebuilding them in an intriguing way. With comprehensive editing this could become a really good fantasy novel rather than just a really good story. The ending is very thought provoking. I liked that very much.
The book could be improved dramatically by simply employing different typeface for different species, so helping one with the shifting scenes and characters. Changes in physical script would have also helped to give a greater variety of voice. Okay- this sort of typeface manipulation is frowned on by many literary purists, as of course traditional standards of grammar and sentence construction can make any point of view shift perfectly clear, but I think that this book is a case in point for the use of such devices. There is such a complexity of ‘communication’ between the characters, and a such a strong requirement in the writing style to shift focus quickly, that I think a mix of unorthodox cues for the reader is entirely justifiable.
So why then am I actually very positive, able to report that I enjoyed the book so much? Well, clearly it could be a lot better with a comprehensive rewrite. However, this is great entertainment. I had no trouble in finishing the book, when usually with so many structural faults I would have abandoned it very early on. Stokes’s writing draws very clear pictures and plenty of colour. I got a very strong sense of what her strange creation looks and feels like. The story and the speculative thinking behind the book is strong, bringing together many mythological ideas and rebuilding them in an intriguing way. With comprehensive editing this could become a really good fantasy novel rather than just a really good story. The ending is very thought provoking. I liked that very much.
November 26, 2017
This book was different in a good way. Supernatural fantasy in a new way for me. I was lost in this book and I enjoyed it very much. I was lost in this "new" world with the characters. I was drawn into this book from the beginning. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
March 22, 2018
Couldn't put it down
It reminds me of "His Dark Materials", "Keys to the Kingdom", "Neverware" and the "World of Darkness" roleplay game.
A great book, especially for the price. I loved all the characters and the story managed to keep me constantly engaged and excited for what was coming next.
I think what I really loved about this book was that it was easy to read without sacrificing any of the stories intellect. There was just enough characters for me to wonder about the people offscreen without having to constantly remind myself who people were. It was sexy without being smutty, brutal without being gratuitous and knew when to laugh at it's own conceits and tropes and knew when to take itself seriously.
I had to reread the last two chapters a couple times to decide on my opinion of it. The conclusion I finally came to was that I was hungry for more of the story given in the reveal, but satisfied that it was left as vague as it had to.
It reminds me of "His Dark Materials", "Keys to the Kingdom", "Neverware" and the "World of Darkness" roleplay game.
A great book, especially for the price. I loved all the characters and the story managed to keep me constantly engaged and excited for what was coming next.
I think what I really loved about this book was that it was easy to read without sacrificing any of the stories intellect. There was just enough characters for me to wonder about the people offscreen without having to constantly remind myself who people were. It was sexy without being smutty, brutal without being gratuitous and knew when to laugh at it's own conceits and tropes and knew when to take itself seriously.
I had to reread the last two chapters a couple times to decide on my opinion of it. The conclusion I finally came to was that I was hungry for more of the story given in the reveal, but satisfied that it was left as vague as it had to.
May 31, 2018
Ripley Mason is a college drop-out, hitch-hiking his way to adventure on the roads of the US, when a car accident catapults him into an existence where nothing is quite as it should be. The city of Caligation, surrounded by impassable fog, is home to shape-shifters, vampires, and people able to manipulate elements - and there appears to be no highway back to normal. When Ripley gets desperate enough to take the only job on offer, with the local Mob, he doesn't realise the level of trouble he's about to embroil himself in.
Caligation is a gritty urban fantasy read, featuring a moderately clueless human dropped into a world where almost everyone can kill him and a fair number of them want to. With a strong focus on the main character, this book gives a close-up of the cycle of denial, despair, and acceptance in a city where nothing is quite as it seems. The furred, scaled, and feathered alter egos of the story stole the show, to my mind, especially Nyx the crow who alternately thinks she's a cat or a badger and loves head-scratches. While I found that the story started slowly, it gathered depth and momentum as it headed into a thought-provoking ending. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a read a little left of normal; it’s technically strong and the plot and characters will pull you in.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
Caligation is a gritty urban fantasy read, featuring a moderately clueless human dropped into a world where almost everyone can kill him and a fair number of them want to. With a strong focus on the main character, this book gives a close-up of the cycle of denial, despair, and acceptance in a city where nothing is quite as it seems. The furred, scaled, and feathered alter egos of the story stole the show, to my mind, especially Nyx the crow who alternately thinks she's a cat or a badger and loves head-scratches. While I found that the story started slowly, it gathered depth and momentum as it headed into a thought-provoking ending. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a read a little left of normal; it’s technically strong and the plot and characters will pull you in.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
August 12, 2017
I found Caligation to be an intriguing read. I mean, how scary would that be if you entered a place you didn't know, and there was no way out. The fog is the barrier keeping you in. It's a bit like a 'Wayward Pines' scenario, whereas you can enter, but you can't leave...or Purgatory, even.
There are some great characters supporting our main guy, Ripley, and some rather strange individuals. Zero was a good, but strange allie to have. I love the whole 'part animal, part human' side. People with tails and jagged teeth, walking along looking at you as if you're the strange one.
The story was well thought out, and dialogue was easy flowing. I can't wait to read more of this author's work. A good first novel, if I do say so myself. And I recommend it to those of you who like, what I would call an 'Urban Fantasy'. Although, some may disagree.
4.5 stars given.
There are some great characters supporting our main guy, Ripley, and some rather strange individuals. Zero was a good, but strange allie to have. I love the whole 'part animal, part human' side. People with tails and jagged teeth, walking along looking at you as if you're the strange one.
The story was well thought out, and dialogue was easy flowing. I can't wait to read more of this author's work. A good first novel, if I do say so myself. And I recommend it to those of you who like, what I would call an 'Urban Fantasy'. Although, some may disagree.
4.5 stars given.
November 24, 2018
What a ride! Caligation is the name of the town—city? Let’s go with city—that Ripley Mason, our MC, finds himself mysteriously in after a terrible car accident. Struggling to understand how he got there and how to leave, Ripley starts wandering deeper into the city where he finds everyone has an effigia—think animal familiar—and some of the people are very much like vampires, while others are pretty much shapeshifters, and then others can manipulate a certain natural element, while others are just boring humans, but with the animal, of course. Everything is new and strange, and unfamiliar to Ripley who just wants to LEAVE, but can’t figure out HOW, and neither can anyone else he encounters in this strange place. Which lands Ripley in a metric ton of trouble as he inadvertently gets himself mixed up with the underground gangs in his quest to figure out what’s going on, and how he can get out of Caligation before it kills him.
I thought the premise of this book was fascinating. I loved the different races, the prejudices they held against one another, and that everyone has an animal familiar that they can talk to telepathically. Stokes did a wonderful job world building “Caligation” and figuring out the rules and systems each of these groups would need to follow, and how that would impact others, which made all the new systems that the reader learns alongside Ripley relatively easy to pick up on. All the characters felt fleshed out; Ripley and Ajax’s interactions were just lovely, as were Zero and Archer’s. The flow and pace of the book meant that, even with very long chapters, nothing felt like a slog to get through. For anyone who likes urban fantasy, this was a pleasure to read! But there were a few things that I found to be a bit less than stellar.
For as robust as the world and creatures are, you don’t necessarily see a lot of all the different types. This is especially true for the Aspectors (people who can manipulate elements like fire and stone). So while this group is pivotal, you don’t get to see much of them or what their plight might be in Caligation compared to the other races. The gang wars become so central to everything that Ripley is involved with, that it can feel over powering when compared to the mystery that Ripley finds himself in. Additionally, there were some continuity issues I found to be pretty glaring, especially towards the end.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll try to be vague here. But when the central question of “how did Ripley get to Caligation and why can’t he leave”, gets resolved, it felt like a cop-out once I actually got there. Which wasn’t until the 90% mark, give or take, mind you. When we get those answers, it made me kind of scratch my head in regards to Ripley’s familiar, for he does have one in Caligation! But as things get explained, how Ripley and his familiar come together gets a bit wobbly. Plus, considering how the whole book was meant to be about how Ripley got to this strange new place, that when we finally get to the point where answers are nigh, it takes up maybe a few pages of explanation and then it’s just… over? It felt disproportional to the action and drama of the rest of the book with Ripley getting involved with mobsters and fighting shapeshifters… It was just unfortunate because of how exciting the rest of the story was, is all I’m saying.
Honestly, this book was awesome and I did really enjoy it. The dialogue, characters, and the world itself were all very well crafted. So if you like gritty urban fantasy with flavors of old-school mobsters and turf wars, you WILL like this book, especially if you enjoy some really creative fantasy elements with the different creatures. But I am a stickler for plot holes and continuity issues like the ones I mentioned… I’m really let down by that stuff because everything else was just so good! So I’ve been teetering between a 3.5 and 4 star on this one just because Stokes is clearly an amazing writer, but the problem with the ending is a real problem in my opinion… But you know what? I did enjoy this, so we’ll round up to 4 stars. Never underestimate the power of an entertaining read, my friends! And thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review!
I thought the premise of this book was fascinating. I loved the different races, the prejudices they held against one another, and that everyone has an animal familiar that they can talk to telepathically. Stokes did a wonderful job world building “Caligation” and figuring out the rules and systems each of these groups would need to follow, and how that would impact others, which made all the new systems that the reader learns alongside Ripley relatively easy to pick up on. All the characters felt fleshed out; Ripley and Ajax’s interactions were just lovely, as were Zero and Archer’s. The flow and pace of the book meant that, even with very long chapters, nothing felt like a slog to get through. For anyone who likes urban fantasy, this was a pleasure to read! But there were a few things that I found to be a bit less than stellar.
For as robust as the world and creatures are, you don’t necessarily see a lot of all the different types. This is especially true for the Aspectors (people who can manipulate elements like fire and stone). So while this group is pivotal, you don’t get to see much of them or what their plight might be in Caligation compared to the other races. The gang wars become so central to everything that Ripley is involved with, that it can feel over powering when compared to the mystery that Ripley finds himself in. Additionally, there were some continuity issues I found to be pretty glaring, especially towards the end.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll try to be vague here. But when the central question of “how did Ripley get to Caligation and why can’t he leave”, gets resolved, it felt like a cop-out once I actually got there. Which wasn’t until the 90% mark, give or take, mind you. When we get those answers, it made me kind of scratch my head in regards to Ripley’s familiar, for he does have one in Caligation! But as things get explained, how Ripley and his familiar come together gets a bit wobbly. Plus, considering how the whole book was meant to be about how Ripley got to this strange new place, that when we finally get to the point where answers are nigh, it takes up maybe a few pages of explanation and then it’s just… over? It felt disproportional to the action and drama of the rest of the book with Ripley getting involved with mobsters and fighting shapeshifters… It was just unfortunate because of how exciting the rest of the story was, is all I’m saying.
Honestly, this book was awesome and I did really enjoy it. The dialogue, characters, and the world itself were all very well crafted. So if you like gritty urban fantasy with flavors of old-school mobsters and turf wars, you WILL like this book, especially if you enjoy some really creative fantasy elements with the different creatures. But I am a stickler for plot holes and continuity issues like the ones I mentioned… I’m really let down by that stuff because everything else was just so good! So I’ve been teetering between a 3.5 and 4 star on this one just because Stokes is clearly an amazing writer, but the problem with the ending is a real problem in my opinion… But you know what? I did enjoy this, so we’ll round up to 4 stars. Never underestimate the power of an entertaining read, my friends! And thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review!
August 8, 2017
Caligation is an unusual story set in an even more unusual city. A stunning cross between dark urban fantasy and supernatural thriller, Caligation features a broad cast of memorable, interesting characters and a plot that never failed to keep me interested. From beginning to end, Caligation immerses the reader into an ever darkening and twisting story, culminating in an ending that left me thinking for hours afterward.
The world of Caligation feels vibrant and alive, a difficult task given the grey tones and gothic atmosphere of the city. Every character introduced feels like they have their own life and their own story, they are not just a set piece to help the MC along his way.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I urge anyone who enjoys dark, urban fantasy to pick it up and give it a read.
The world of Caligation feels vibrant and alive, a difficult task given the grey tones and gothic atmosphere of the city. Every character introduced feels like they have their own life and their own story, they are not just a set piece to help the MC along his way.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I urge anyone who enjoys dark, urban fantasy to pick it up and give it a read.
March 13, 2018
High impact action is the hallmark of this thrilling, danger-riddled, paranormal dystopian mystery reminiscent of the “Golden Compass”, but geared toward mature teens and young adults. Stokes’ imagination seems boundless as she introduces the denizens of Caligation—both the title of her book and the name of the city/world where this story takes place—to her main protagonist, Riley, a stranger a new world. Imagine experiencing a severe car accident, blacking out, and awakening fearful and disoriented in some unknown hospital, escaping to the outside, and being chased by creatures the likes of which have only appeared to you in your worst nightmares. Indeed, Caligation is a different world than ours—And what a strange and unusual world it is.
There is no single word to describe Caligation—a place teeming with vampires, animal/human hybrids, and humans gifted with paranormal abilities. It is a Mecca of the weird and wonderful, where characters differ vastly in temperament and talent as they live life to the extreme and eke out their individual places in this bizarre society. Like “The Golden Compass”, the author endows her odd cast of characters with “effigias”—animal sidekicks that act as a being’s personal companion and spiritual guide. She further strengthens this relationship by determining that whatever happens to an individual also affects their effigia, and vice verse, making the bond between the pair, in essence, a matter of life and death.
Little else, however, is borrowed from “The Golden Compass”. The storyline itself is completely original and Stokes packs plenty of action into her plotline. The result is a real page-turner that Sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal fans will find difficult to put down—even for the briefest moment. The novelty of Stokes’ characters, and the mind-boggling scenarios she exposes them to, shows this author has a deep understanding of the dynamics of the mind, and as she compels her characters to find their way through a world fraught with rival gangs, hit-men, and monsters as she causes them to act and react to these situations in unpredictable ways.
With constant danger and life-threatening situations lurking around every corner and clutching at every soul, and a provocative and compelling mystery that bears solving, “Caligation” is a movie-worthy, pulse-pounding thrill-ride that no hard-core Sci-fi enthusiast can afford to miss.
There is no single word to describe Caligation—a place teeming with vampires, animal/human hybrids, and humans gifted with paranormal abilities. It is a Mecca of the weird and wonderful, where characters differ vastly in temperament and talent as they live life to the extreme and eke out their individual places in this bizarre society. Like “The Golden Compass”, the author endows her odd cast of characters with “effigias”—animal sidekicks that act as a being’s personal companion and spiritual guide. She further strengthens this relationship by determining that whatever happens to an individual also affects their effigia, and vice verse, making the bond between the pair, in essence, a matter of life and death.
Little else, however, is borrowed from “The Golden Compass”. The storyline itself is completely original and Stokes packs plenty of action into her plotline. The result is a real page-turner that Sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal fans will find difficult to put down—even for the briefest moment. The novelty of Stokes’ characters, and the mind-boggling scenarios she exposes them to, shows this author has a deep understanding of the dynamics of the mind, and as she compels her characters to find their way through a world fraught with rival gangs, hit-men, and monsters as she causes them to act and react to these situations in unpredictable ways.
With constant danger and life-threatening situations lurking around every corner and clutching at every soul, and a provocative and compelling mystery that bears solving, “Caligation” is a movie-worthy, pulse-pounding thrill-ride that no hard-core Sci-fi enthusiast can afford to miss.
August 29, 2018
Ripley awakens in a hospital bed following a car accident. Only this is like no other hospital he's been in before - it's silent, dirty and appears to be neglected and abandoned. In a panic he flees, but what awaits on the outside is even more nightmarish than the inside - savage creatures are roaming the darkened streets.
Ripley discovers he's in a city called Caligation, where the architecture is a strange combination of old and modern. Even the people are unfamiliar; dressed in a style not unlike Gothic or Victorian. But even more peculiar are the animals, or 'effigia', that follow the inhabitants around - one animal for each person. Fearing he's somehow entered another dimension, Ripley desperately tries to figure out a way back home.
Brhi Stokes has written a wonderfully original and creative book. Not being a huge Science Fiction or Fantasy reader (I dip sporadically in and out), I thought I may be in for an uphill slog, but on the contrary, I was very pleasantly surprised. I was impressed by how imaginative and descriptive this book is. Caligation and its eclectic mix of bizarre residents felt very real, which for me is essential with a novel in this genre. I often state that I struggle with the 'world building' element associated with Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but this book had just the right balance between quantity and quality.
I do think the book could benefit from some sort of speech differentiation between Caligation's citizens and their effigias (or animals). Yes, the animals in this book are very chatty! It got a bit confusing at times. Other than that, I really enjoyed Ripley's adventures and his quest to return home.
*My thanks to author Brhi Stokes for providing me with a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2Pd1YLu
Ripley discovers he's in a city called Caligation, where the architecture is a strange combination of old and modern. Even the people are unfamiliar; dressed in a style not unlike Gothic or Victorian. But even more peculiar are the animals, or 'effigia', that follow the inhabitants around - one animal for each person. Fearing he's somehow entered another dimension, Ripley desperately tries to figure out a way back home.
Brhi Stokes has written a wonderfully original and creative book. Not being a huge Science Fiction or Fantasy reader (I dip sporadically in and out), I thought I may be in for an uphill slog, but on the contrary, I was very pleasantly surprised. I was impressed by how imaginative and descriptive this book is. Caligation and its eclectic mix of bizarre residents felt very real, which for me is essential with a novel in this genre. I often state that I struggle with the 'world building' element associated with Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but this book had just the right balance between quantity and quality.
I do think the book could benefit from some sort of speech differentiation between Caligation's citizens and their effigias (or animals). Yes, the animals in this book are very chatty! It got a bit confusing at times. Other than that, I really enjoyed Ripley's adventures and his quest to return home.
*My thanks to author Brhi Stokes for providing me with a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2Pd1YLu
October 14, 2017
This is a well-written, exciting book full of tension and surprises. The author has created a kaleidoscope of characters, some natural and some unnatural, and placed them within a harsh environment in which survival is difficult, to say the least.
Caligation opens with a car crash. The main character awakens from that and is immediately thrust into a nightmarish world where he is under attack. His vulnerability is endearing as he seeks safety and the truth about his environment, only to go from one bewildering scenario to another while discovering unfamiliar creatures such as Sanguinars, Feranthropes, Aspectors and effigias among the relatively few humans. The author has woven them together in a tale of rivalry, lust for power and vicious in-fighting with many twists and turns along the way. The ending was a surprise twist that made sense even though it came as a shock.
I don’t want to say too much about the story because it would spoil the surprises for other readers. I was gripped by Caligation from the beginning. The characters are drawn beautifully, the plot holds together from start to finish and the writing is excellent. The reader is drawn into the tale effortlessly and at the end I felt thankful this fantasy world was taken only from the author’s powerful imagination, because at times it felt frighteningly real.
I liked the main character, Ripley Mason, in particular. He is by far the most sympathetic of them. We see the story unfold through his eyes and the only downturn in pace occurred when the viewpoint first switched to another person, Ajax, whom I liked less. However, within a couple of pages we were back with Ripley and the pace picked up again. After that first switch of viewpoint, when it happened again the pace didn’t falter and as the other characters grew stronger in depiction, the story broadened and became more intriguing.
I was blown away by this book and I think many, many other readers will be, as well. Highly recommended as an excellent fantasy book.
Caligation opens with a car crash. The main character awakens from that and is immediately thrust into a nightmarish world where he is under attack. His vulnerability is endearing as he seeks safety and the truth about his environment, only to go from one bewildering scenario to another while discovering unfamiliar creatures such as Sanguinars, Feranthropes, Aspectors and effigias among the relatively few humans. The author has woven them together in a tale of rivalry, lust for power and vicious in-fighting with many twists and turns along the way. The ending was a surprise twist that made sense even though it came as a shock.
I don’t want to say too much about the story because it would spoil the surprises for other readers. I was gripped by Caligation from the beginning. The characters are drawn beautifully, the plot holds together from start to finish and the writing is excellent. The reader is drawn into the tale effortlessly and at the end I felt thankful this fantasy world was taken only from the author’s powerful imagination, because at times it felt frighteningly real.
I liked the main character, Ripley Mason, in particular. He is by far the most sympathetic of them. We see the story unfold through his eyes and the only downturn in pace occurred when the viewpoint first switched to another person, Ajax, whom I liked less. However, within a couple of pages we were back with Ripley and the pace picked up again. After that first switch of viewpoint, when it happened again the pace didn’t falter and as the other characters grew stronger in depiction, the story broadened and became more intriguing.
I was blown away by this book and I think many, many other readers will be, as well. Highly recommended as an excellent fantasy book.
September 2, 2017
Like a number of very good books, “Caligation” by Bhri Stokes is a little slow to begin. It gathers pace steadily, but once the fantasy setting is established and the characters and their affiliations are sorted out, the narrative takes on a remarkable energy and interest.
All the characters are strong and very well drawn, and the changing points of view enhance the depth of the narrative. Of particular interest is the use of talking animal spirits, reminiscent of Philip Pullman’s dæmons. These apparently unavoidable attachments, which tend to become personalities in their own right, help the reader to understand the characters’ motives and explain their behaviour.
As well as completely believable world building in the novel, there is plenty of action. In fact, there is a great deal of action and violence, accompanied by an often gritty dialogue. But it is through this the author establishes the fact that life in this very strange city, is fundamentally harsh. If it is a fantasy, it is not a pleasant one, but the author draws the reader in with a very firm hand.
The protagonist of the novel, a naïve young man, does his best to make sense out of the incomprehensible surroundings he finds himself in and to accept and work with the other characters, some of whom are very strange indeed.
The strongest thread holding the narrative together, is the tension which gradually builds around the main character as the action progresses. The fact that the full revelation of his significance is held until the very final moments, demonstrates the author’s high level of technical skill.
Because a number of subsidiary storylines are used, there sometimes is a certain confusion in the narrative, but the author’s richness of imagination and accomplished writing style results in an excellent and enjoyable reading experience.
Highly recommended to readers within and beyond the Fantasy genre.
All the characters are strong and very well drawn, and the changing points of view enhance the depth of the narrative. Of particular interest is the use of talking animal spirits, reminiscent of Philip Pullman’s dæmons. These apparently unavoidable attachments, which tend to become personalities in their own right, help the reader to understand the characters’ motives and explain their behaviour.
As well as completely believable world building in the novel, there is plenty of action. In fact, there is a great deal of action and violence, accompanied by an often gritty dialogue. But it is through this the author establishes the fact that life in this very strange city, is fundamentally harsh. If it is a fantasy, it is not a pleasant one, but the author draws the reader in with a very firm hand.
The protagonist of the novel, a naïve young man, does his best to make sense out of the incomprehensible surroundings he finds himself in and to accept and work with the other characters, some of whom are very strange indeed.
The strongest thread holding the narrative together, is the tension which gradually builds around the main character as the action progresses. The fact that the full revelation of his significance is held until the very final moments, demonstrates the author’s high level of technical skill.
Because a number of subsidiary storylines are used, there sometimes is a certain confusion in the narrative, but the author’s richness of imagination and accomplished writing style results in an excellent and enjoyable reading experience.
Highly recommended to readers within and beyond the Fantasy genre.
September 13, 2017
Ripley told college he’s through, missed a bus head home, and met a woman with a tail. Then things started getting real weird. He awoke in Caligation, a town he can’t seem to escape. Before he can get the lay of the land he is coerced into working for the mob and entangled in a four way war between the police, the mob, normal humans, and people with animal strengths. Will Ripley live long enough to learn the secret of Caligation? Read for yourself, this book rocks!
I like theme of asking what it means to be a person. It’s something I like to visit in my own stories. Stokes does a great job getting you into both sides of that question as the inhabitants of this secluded city fight it out.
I was given a free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself at LARC-SciFi(dot)com.
As I sat in my jeep, trembling slightly from 4:30 gridlock on the George Washington Bridge on the bleak side of the Big Apple at rush hour, I imagined Caligation playing out with a bit of fog, in sepia colors. The story looks great that way (in my head of course), made greater looking by the abyss of Friday afternoon commuters. I’m not crazy, I was listening to the GPS lady read the book to me with eReader Prestigio app.
Read this book if you liked the Adams Family, urban fantasy, books with vampires, the Goon comic books, Halloween, or that eighties movie Monster Squad. Or just because I suggested it.
I like theme of asking what it means to be a person. It’s something I like to visit in my own stories. Stokes does a great job getting you into both sides of that question as the inhabitants of this secluded city fight it out.
I was given a free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself at LARC-SciFi(dot)com.
As I sat in my jeep, trembling slightly from 4:30 gridlock on the George Washington Bridge on the bleak side of the Big Apple at rush hour, I imagined Caligation playing out with a bit of fog, in sepia colors. The story looks great that way (in my head of course), made greater looking by the abyss of Friday afternoon commuters. I’m not crazy, I was listening to the GPS lady read the book to me with eReader Prestigio app.
Read this book if you liked the Adams Family, urban fantasy, books with vampires, the Goon comic books, Halloween, or that eighties movie Monster Squad. Or just because I suggested it.
May 1, 2018
Ripley is unsatisfied with where his life is heading and decides to leave school behind and make his way north when he gets into a terrible car accident and wakes up… elsewhere. The hospital is totally foreign and so are some of the people he encounters. Somehow he ended up stranded in Caligation, a whole different parallel universe where everyone has an animal totem or effigia. His is a wise owl he names Athena, who helps him navigate the new world he is trapped in.
Along the way, Ripley is recruited into a crime syndicate run by a species called Sanguinars. He also has to hide from a street gang of Feranthropes. He does make some new friends also, a band member, Ajax, who is human but also a magic-user called an Aspector, along with a friendly feranthrope named Zero. This hugely creative adventure is full of hard-hitting action, intrigue, and wonderful well-drawn characters—both human and non. A beautifully crafted realm filled with vicious, blood-thirsty action. Highly Recommended!
Along the way, Ripley is recruited into a crime syndicate run by a species called Sanguinars. He also has to hide from a street gang of Feranthropes. He does make some new friends also, a band member, Ajax, who is human but also a magic-user called an Aspector, along with a friendly feranthrope named Zero. This hugely creative adventure is full of hard-hitting action, intrigue, and wonderful well-drawn characters—both human and non. A beautifully crafted realm filled with vicious, blood-thirsty action. Highly Recommended!
February 17, 2018
This book was a pleasant surprise as I am not normally a sci-fi fan. Ripley, ready to leave his life and take some time to find himself, ends up in a car accident which plunges him into an entirely new world, Caligation.
Here he is faced with Feranthropes, Sanguinars, and Aspectors. He meets few he can trust and more often than not, he finds himself in danger. Unable to leave Caligation because of a mysterious fog, Ripley must learn to navigate the new world he is in while trying to find the answers he so desperately seeks. Caligation is a really well-written, fast-paced supernatural novel that brings the impossible as close to possible with excellent storytelling.
Here he is faced with Feranthropes, Sanguinars, and Aspectors. He meets few he can trust and more often than not, he finds himself in danger. Unable to leave Caligation because of a mysterious fog, Ripley must learn to navigate the new world he is in while trying to find the answers he so desperately seeks. Caligation is a really well-written, fast-paced supernatural novel that brings the impossible as close to possible with excellent storytelling.
August 9, 2017
This isn't the sort of book I would pick up from the shelf and say yep this is my type of book. However I know the author and was interested to see what it would be like. Well the only problem was I couldn't put it down (not very often I find a book that intrigues me this much)! Whenever I had a spare 10 minutes I would be picking it up, I was enthralled and couldn't wait to find out what happened at the end. A fantastic fantasy read and congratulations to Brhi on her first published book, hopefully the first of many.
March 16, 2018
Strange
Just a very weird and confusing book.
Has a lot of good reviews, I think this is purely to taste though.
Just a very weird and confusing book.
Has a lot of good reviews, I think this is purely to taste though.
April 6, 2018
From the first chapter you're given a whirlwind tour of a young man lost in a world that is more mystery than familiar. Buckle in and enjoy that ride because answers come slower than the next twist or mystery. Yet by the finale almost all of your questions will be answered.
December 9, 2017
(Disclaimer – I received a copy from the Author. This does not affect my review in anyway.)
Review: Where to start? This book took me on a ride through a very unique if not messed up world. Where 4 different species coexist in a big city. Most people hate each other, most people fight each other. Leads to a lot of confrontations and ‘gangster’ like situations. Everyone has their own effigias (animals) as a ‘partner’ of sorts. Would have loved to see more of this side. Also enjoyed how every side pretty much had a dark group, didn’t matter what species.
I liked the fact it showed you the world and let you blunder you way through it. The main character is confused and has no clue, which = the same for you. I liked that you learnt at his pace, even though at times you were going what the hell? Em who is that? What? The world was build amazing well, I couldn’t put my finger on anything that was missed.
I found myself not rushing with this book, I just took my time and enjoyed it. Which is a pleasant change. I normally find myself in a rush to finish the book in order to get to a new one.
(Spoiler/Kind of, not really.)
That mind twist of an ending. Did not see that coming.
Review: Where to start? This book took me on a ride through a very unique if not messed up world. Where 4 different species coexist in a big city. Most people hate each other, most people fight each other. Leads to a lot of confrontations and ‘gangster’ like situations. Everyone has their own effigias (animals) as a ‘partner’ of sorts. Would have loved to see more of this side. Also enjoyed how every side pretty much had a dark group, didn’t matter what species.
I liked the fact it showed you the world and let you blunder you way through it. The main character is confused and has no clue, which = the same for you. I liked that you learnt at his pace, even though at times you were going what the hell? Em who is that? What? The world was build amazing well, I couldn’t put my finger on anything that was missed.
I found myself not rushing with this book, I just took my time and enjoyed it. Which is a pleasant change. I normally find myself in a rush to finish the book in order to get to a new one.
(Spoiler/Kind of, not really.)
That mind twist of an ending. Did not see that coming.
December 2, 2017
Imagine waking up and finding yourself in the most improbably city you can imagine—filled with Feranthropes, Sanguinars, Aspectors, and Humans (who all have efigia - personal animals who speak to your mind)–and being unable to get out. That’s the world of CALIGATION by Brhi Stokes.
Ripley believes himself a disaffected college student, until a horrible accident changes his life. When he wakes up in a mysterious city, knowing no one, not understanding the culture—not even the money—he takes the first job offered (which starts him off on the wrong side of the tracks). He discovers friends, enemies, and a four-way turf war he isn’t prepared for. And he may, just may, have powers of his own.
Every character (and their efigia) is memorable, feisty, and fully engaged in their world. The city is richly imagined in gritty detail. The interplay between the efigia and the characters is fascinating. The mysterious boat from the other reality floating through this complex world ties us to Ripley’s past and present (and the inability of the present friends to connect with that). A fascinating read!
Ripley believes himself a disaffected college student, until a horrible accident changes his life. When he wakes up in a mysterious city, knowing no one, not understanding the culture—not even the money—he takes the first job offered (which starts him off on the wrong side of the tracks). He discovers friends, enemies, and a four-way turf war he isn’t prepared for. And he may, just may, have powers of his own.
Every character (and their efigia) is memorable, feisty, and fully engaged in their world. The city is richly imagined in gritty detail. The interplay between the efigia and the characters is fascinating. The mysterious boat from the other reality floating through this complex world ties us to Ripley’s past and present (and the inability of the present friends to connect with that). A fascinating read!
November 27, 2017
Wow, what a fascinating world Brhi Stokes has conceived
Fascinating world full of great characters. Ripley's adventures and search for the truth make for action-filled scenes. I highly recommend the story.
Fascinating world full of great characters. Ripley's adventures and search for the truth make for action-filled scenes. I highly recommend the story.
October 15, 2018
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Caligation
Author: Brhi Stokes
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 18 readers:
18 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
16 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘I do enjoy urban fantasy, and this is urban fantasy at its very best. Dark, compelling stuff. Loved it.’ Male reader, aged 44
‘Dark, scary in parts, with a strong mystery element. What is CALIGATION? Fab!!!’ Female reader, aged 38
‘Ripley is an interesting characters. He shoulders the responsibility of being the central character well. Plenty of twists. This is a dark thriller, with strong dystopian elements.’ Male reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A darkly-written urban thriller of monsters and mayhem. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Caligation
Author: Brhi Stokes
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 18 readers:
18 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
16 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘I do enjoy urban fantasy, and this is urban fantasy at its very best. Dark, compelling stuff. Loved it.’ Male reader, aged 44
‘Dark, scary in parts, with a strong mystery element. What is CALIGATION? Fab!!!’ Female reader, aged 38
‘Ripley is an interesting characters. He shoulders the responsibility of being the central character well. Plenty of twists. This is a dark thriller, with strong dystopian elements.’ Male reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A darkly-written urban thriller of monsters and mayhem. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 3, 2018
I recently reviewed this novel as part of the Whispering Stories Review Team. To read my review please follow the link below:
https://whisperingstories.com/caligat...
I awarded 4 stars.
https://whisperingstories.com/caligat...
I awarded 4 stars.
March 26, 2018
We are proud to announce that CALIGATION by Brhi Stokes is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
June 17, 2020
*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
When university dropout Ripley hitches a ride, he is involved in a serious car accident. Upon waking in hospital he finds that he has somehow been transported to the city Caligation. A city filled with supernatural beings and a reality that Ripley does not believe can be real. As he navigates his new surroundings, Ripley finds himself reluctantly drawn into a world that he is trying to leave.
Caligation is an extremely imaginative and clever urban fantasy novel. The author creates a dark and complex world full of shifters, vampires and other supernatural beings. The characters are paired with an animal that they can talk with telepathically and I very much enjoyed the banter that Ripley had with his owl, Athena. Each different supernatural species has their own politics and agendas, and Ripley finds himself put in the middle of all of this as he is trying to find his way home. I really liked the character of Ripley. He’s not a bad person, but he never set himself up to be a hero either. He does his best with the situations that he finds himself in.
The writing style is quite heavy and I had to read it in smaller chunks so not to miss what was happening. Whilst the style suited the novel and the tone perfectly, it was something that I did struggle with at times, but not enough that it detracted anything from my enjoyment of the novel.
I enjoyed reading Caligation, and whilst I had my ideas about what the place really was for Ripley, I never saw the end coming.
When university dropout Ripley hitches a ride, he is involved in a serious car accident. Upon waking in hospital he finds that he has somehow been transported to the city Caligation. A city filled with supernatural beings and a reality that Ripley does not believe can be real. As he navigates his new surroundings, Ripley finds himself reluctantly drawn into a world that he is trying to leave.
Caligation is an extremely imaginative and clever urban fantasy novel. The author creates a dark and complex world full of shifters, vampires and other supernatural beings. The characters are paired with an animal that they can talk with telepathically and I very much enjoyed the banter that Ripley had with his owl, Athena. Each different supernatural species has their own politics and agendas, and Ripley finds himself put in the middle of all of this as he is trying to find his way home. I really liked the character of Ripley. He’s not a bad person, but he never set himself up to be a hero either. He does his best with the situations that he finds himself in.
The writing style is quite heavy and I had to read it in smaller chunks so not to miss what was happening. Whilst the style suited the novel and the tone perfectly, it was something that I did struggle with at times, but not enough that it detracted anything from my enjoyment of the novel.
I enjoyed reading Caligation, and whilst I had my ideas about what the place really was for Ripley, I never saw the end coming.
August 7, 2017
I adored this book. Just enough mystery and allure to keep you reading without being confusing. The setting is wonderful and elaborate and I'd love to hear much more about the city and the people who inhabit it. Definitely a solid read, a wonderful story and great debut... would certainly recommend to anybody interested in fantasy, sci-fi, or even just a good old-fashion urban mystery.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews