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Also in Gloaming
Theogony wanted to be a research physicist, but at twenty-nine years old, she’s little more than a TA. Demoralized, she retreats to her grandmother’s house, where she grew up, hoping to rekindle her the passion she once had for her work. Instead, she has to plan a funeral.
When Gran dies after a series of bad omens, and Theogony discovers a set of journals suggesting their family were Ferriers of the Dead, Theogony begins to question her long-held belief that science can explain everything. There’s an underworld where the dead go, but sometimes, unlucky souls don’t make it across, and Gran was one of the unlucky ones. Only a Ferrier has any chance of finding her soul in the abyss between Life and Death.
Now, Theogony’s got to make a choice: leave Gran’s soul to an eternity in darkness, or take a risk on the irrational, and exchange her life for the chance to save a lost soul… while possibly losing her own in the process.
When Gran dies after a series of bad omens, and Theogony discovers a set of journals suggesting their family were Ferriers of the Dead, Theogony begins to question her long-held belief that science can explain everything. There’s an underworld where the dead go, but sometimes, unlucky souls don’t make it across, and Gran was one of the unlucky ones. Only a Ferrier has any chance of finding her soul in the abyss between Life and Death.
Now, Theogony’s got to make a choice: leave Gran’s soul to an eternity in darkness, or take a risk on the irrational, and exchange her life for the chance to save a lost soul… while possibly losing her own in the process.
331 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2018
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Holly Ostara
2 books6 followersHolly Ostara writes mythical contemporary fantasy and fantasy romances. She loves positing how magic works, and her stories always explore the workings of the universe in the real world, weaving theories and lore from quantum physics to magic to mythology—both real and imagined—in a brand uniquely her own. The landscape and magic often become the most important character, alongside her heroines and heroes.
In a former life, Holly was a project manager, but now prefers to spend her daylight hours hanging out with her awesome baby, writing, scrolling Instagram, chatting with her writer friends, and teaching other writers how to plot their novels. She lives in southern California with her Hufflepuff husband, her Virgo daughter, and two obnoxious cats. Sometimes, she makes it to yoga.
Subscribe to Holly’s mailing list for an exclusive prequel short story, occasional updates, and the chance to be part of the Ostara street team and get advanced copies of future releases!
Subscribe here: www.hollyostara.com
In a former life, Holly was a project manager, but now prefers to spend her daylight hours hanging out with her awesome baby, writing, scrolling Instagram, chatting with her writer friends, and teaching other writers how to plot their novels. She lives in southern California with her Hufflepuff husband, her Virgo daughter, and two obnoxious cats. Sometimes, she makes it to yoga.
Subscribe to Holly’s mailing list for an exclusive prequel short story, occasional updates, and the chance to be part of the Ostara street team and get advanced copies of future releases!
Subscribe here: www.hollyostara.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 22, 2019
An incredible first work by Holly Ostara, this book touches on so many philosophical topics including the greatest among them, what is the meaning of life? The depth of this story lingered with me long after the final page.
The main character Theogany is a scientific genius trying to discover the mysterious pattern of early deaths in her family. After this supposed curse has now taken her grandmother and possibly doomed her soul for eternity, Theogany must face this long-unsolved puzzle head-on. Inspired by mythological figures and stories, Theogany’s quest leads her to meet the Harbinger Clemence: a truly captivating and dimensional character that manages to simultaneously bring both aged wisdom and naivety.
We also meet the god-figure in Ostara’s tale, known simply as Alom. Depending on your religious views, the character of Alom is both intriguing and frustrating. True to it’s character, Alom lacks many of the more compassionate qualities some readers might hope from a character of such absolute power. However, I found that this dichotomy that the author created between Alom and the main character served the plot and ultimately, the primary theme.
One thing I would have liked to see is either a love interest or close friend of Theogany’s that remains an element of the story throughout. This way, we could have had more of an anchor to her actual life before the events of the first act take place. Without spoiling the plot, I will say that such an anchor would have helped me as the reader to deliberate and feel a bit more invested during events that take place later on in the story. This may be a strange personal preference, but I find that I hope for the more gut-wrenching scenes. Perhaps it is the emotional catharsis that comes in the aftermath.
All in all, the world created in this story provided an incredibly vivid and dimensional version of the afterlife. In terms of style, I would vaguely compare it to A Wrinkle in Time. I commend Ostara on the incredible amount of research she must have done on the subject of astrophysics. I also feel that the pacing was very well done, never felt like it was lagging and maintained the mystery and suspense throughout. Ostara keeps readers guessing until the very end.
The main character Theogany is a scientific genius trying to discover the mysterious pattern of early deaths in her family. After this supposed curse has now taken her grandmother and possibly doomed her soul for eternity, Theogany must face this long-unsolved puzzle head-on. Inspired by mythological figures and stories, Theogany’s quest leads her to meet the Harbinger Clemence: a truly captivating and dimensional character that manages to simultaneously bring both aged wisdom and naivety.
We also meet the god-figure in Ostara’s tale, known simply as Alom. Depending on your religious views, the character of Alom is both intriguing and frustrating. True to it’s character, Alom lacks many of the more compassionate qualities some readers might hope from a character of such absolute power. However, I found that this dichotomy that the author created between Alom and the main character served the plot and ultimately, the primary theme.
One thing I would have liked to see is either a love interest or close friend of Theogany’s that remains an element of the story throughout. This way, we could have had more of an anchor to her actual life before the events of the first act take place. Without spoiling the plot, I will say that such an anchor would have helped me as the reader to deliberate and feel a bit more invested during events that take place later on in the story. This may be a strange personal preference, but I find that I hope for the more gut-wrenching scenes. Perhaps it is the emotional catharsis that comes in the aftermath.
All in all, the world created in this story provided an incredibly vivid and dimensional version of the afterlife. In terms of style, I would vaguely compare it to A Wrinkle in Time. I commend Ostara on the incredible amount of research she must have done on the subject of astrophysics. I also feel that the pacing was very well done, never felt like it was lagging and maintained the mystery and suspense throughout. Ostara keeps readers guessing until the very end.
January 5, 2019
A truly beautiful first effort from Holly Ostara, that hits so many emotional highs and lows it sort of leaves you reeling after it's over. The good news is that I like that in a book, so I felt especially comfortable with this roller coaster ride!
There is something wonderful about Ostara's world building, and how she manages to weave the history of Theogony's family with different aspects of theology. The first part of the book especially enticed me, as we see Theo (I'm going to go with Theo because if I type Theogony a bunch I'm going to start messing it up in embarrassing ways) interact with her beloved grandmother who is clearly keeping a secret or two from her granddaughter. I also adored seeing her dive into her family's haunted past, trying to piece together all of the bits and bats that her grandfather left behind after his death.
Also, I won't even lie, I was dying to know who Theo's mother was! While I did like the things we learned about her father, the ending of the book was very satisfying in this regard. I felt so vindicated, and I love that about a book too. I like a satisfying ending, whether it's emotional uplifting or decimating, it just has to bring me satisfaction and this one did.
The relationships in this story were by and large wonderful and well crafted. Ostara makes her characters feel real, and easy to relate to even if they really sort of aren't at all. I felt that Theo was very real in her emotions, ranging from her grief to her sort of (as someone else said) bratty behavior at times, it never seems of the mark and she always redeems herself. She's a person who is chasing a loved one into the after life, and has to sacrifice in order to do what she thinks she has to do. It really was lovely, well thought out, and well written. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy, you'll be sorry if you don't!
There is something wonderful about Ostara's world building, and how she manages to weave the history of Theogony's family with different aspects of theology. The first part of the book especially enticed me, as we see Theo (I'm going to go with Theo because if I type Theogony a bunch I'm going to start messing it up in embarrassing ways) interact with her beloved grandmother who is clearly keeping a secret or two from her granddaughter. I also adored seeing her dive into her family's haunted past, trying to piece together all of the bits and bats that her grandfather left behind after his death.
Also, I won't even lie, I was dying to know who Theo's mother was! While I did like the things we learned about her father, the ending of the book was very satisfying in this regard. I felt so vindicated, and I love that about a book too. I like a satisfying ending, whether it's emotional uplifting or decimating, it just has to bring me satisfaction and this one did.
The relationships in this story were by and large wonderful and well crafted. Ostara makes her characters feel real, and easy to relate to even if they really sort of aren't at all. I felt that Theo was very real in her emotions, ranging from her grief to her sort of (as someone else said) bratty behavior at times, it never seems of the mark and she always redeems herself. She's a person who is chasing a loved one into the after life, and has to sacrifice in order to do what she thinks she has to do. It really was lovely, well thought out, and well written. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy, you'll be sorry if you don't!
December 2, 2018
Where do I even begin?! Also in Gloaming is such a captivating book beginning to end with a few twists and turns along the way. I really enjoy a good story that keeps me guessing and immersed in the plot. This book does just that and will keep you flipping back and forth to recall important details as this intricate story builds.
The author has done an amazing job with her characters where you can truly relate to them and see them grow throughout their journey in the story. The relationships between the characters at times are both dramatic and heartwarming. As any real relationship is in our own lives... I especially enjoyed Theogony and Clemence's dynamic relationship, and Theogony's emotional tie to Elliot. Though there is a point where Theogony almost becomes bratty, she does redeem herself later and it was clearly a growing pain for her character.
This story is a wonderful and creative work that attempts to answer the question, what is the true meaning of Life. The author explores both science and religion in a way that builds a cleverly-thought-out mythological world to answer this question. Huge props to her for the amount of research and time it must have taken to be able to riddle this story with concepts and theories of astrophysics, mathematics, and religion. She beautifully blends them in her story which creates such an enticing plot that keeps you engaged until the end.
I highly recommend picking up Also in Gloaming if you enjoy a story that weaves an elaborate and inviting world to immerse yourself in. It definitely will not disappoint!
The author has done an amazing job with her characters where you can truly relate to them and see them grow throughout their journey in the story. The relationships between the characters at times are both dramatic and heartwarming. As any real relationship is in our own lives... I especially enjoyed Theogony and Clemence's dynamic relationship, and Theogony's emotional tie to Elliot. Though there is a point where Theogony almost becomes bratty, she does redeem herself later and it was clearly a growing pain for her character.
This story is a wonderful and creative work that attempts to answer the question, what is the true meaning of Life. The author explores both science and religion in a way that builds a cleverly-thought-out mythological world to answer this question. Huge props to her for the amount of research and time it must have taken to be able to riddle this story with concepts and theories of astrophysics, mathematics, and religion. She beautifully blends them in her story which creates such an enticing plot that keeps you engaged until the end.
I highly recommend picking up Also in Gloaming if you enjoy a story that weaves an elaborate and inviting world to immerse yourself in. It definitely will not disappoint!
December 17, 2018
The scope of Theogony's quest—and of this book as a whole—could not be broader. What happens to our souls when we die? What is the nature of the universe? What is the nature of humanity and human empathy? How does rationality coexist with faith and uncertainty?
It's the story of a young woman who sets off on a quest with a very human-scale desire: to save her recently departed grandmother's soul. It's Theogony's real human desires that propel her into inhuman situations. Is it good or bad that she can feel emotion? Should she care more about her grandmother than the good of the world? These are the questions she has to face before the end of the book.
Ostara's writing is clear and compelling, leading the reader and Theogony through a whirlwind introduction into life beyond Life. Ostara's cast of secondary characters is strong—from Clemence, a young Harbinger whose fate echoes Theogony's, to Elliot Fisher, a dying man who seems to know more than he should, to Alom, the godlike being who holds the universe. Their characters, as well as Theogony's and her Gran's, will stay with you, as will the book's musings on life, death, grief, and what might save this world of ours.
I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it especially for fans of NK Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon.
It's the story of a young woman who sets off on a quest with a very human-scale desire: to save her recently departed grandmother's soul. It's Theogony's real human desires that propel her into inhuman situations. Is it good or bad that she can feel emotion? Should she care more about her grandmother than the good of the world? These are the questions she has to face before the end of the book.
Ostara's writing is clear and compelling, leading the reader and Theogony through a whirlwind introduction into life beyond Life. Ostara's cast of secondary characters is strong—from Clemence, a young Harbinger whose fate echoes Theogony's, to Elliot Fisher, a dying man who seems to know more than he should, to Alom, the godlike being who holds the universe. Their characters, as well as Theogony's and her Gran's, will stay with you, as will the book's musings on life, death, grief, and what might save this world of ours.
I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it especially for fans of NK Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon.
July 28, 2019
Ambitious Project for Complex Minds
Also in Gloaming is an ambitious novel that attempts to create a bridge between science, religion, and science fiction.
The first few chapters drew me in with the relationship between Theogony and Gran and the promos of mystery. Unfortunately, the mystery was explained early on and replaced with a task that carried us through the rest of the novel.
I consider myself a smart person, but I was overwhelmed by the technical and world building aspect of Also in Gloaming. I found great lengths of the book caused me to essentially zone out until I got back to the relational and human parts of the novel, which are what I look for in a story.
Also unfortunately, these complex parts of the novel were important to the story, so I was unable to connect with the story as a whole.
Let me say though, I do not believe this makes Also in Gloaming a bad story. I avoid much science fiction for this reason. I believe it was simply a mismarriage of book and reader. I believe this book could prove truly rewarding to someone more practiced in reading science fiction and therefore more used to understanding complex ideas.
TL;DR I personally did not connect well with Also in Gloaming but believe it’s due to my personal reading preferences.
Also in Gloaming is an ambitious novel that attempts to create a bridge between science, religion, and science fiction.
The first few chapters drew me in with the relationship between Theogony and Gran and the promos of mystery. Unfortunately, the mystery was explained early on and replaced with a task that carried us through the rest of the novel.
I consider myself a smart person, but I was overwhelmed by the technical and world building aspect of Also in Gloaming. I found great lengths of the book caused me to essentially zone out until I got back to the relational and human parts of the novel, which are what I look for in a story.
Also unfortunately, these complex parts of the novel were important to the story, so I was unable to connect with the story as a whole.
Let me say though, I do not believe this makes Also in Gloaming a bad story. I avoid much science fiction for this reason. I believe it was simply a mismarriage of book and reader. I believe this book could prove truly rewarding to someone more practiced in reading science fiction and therefore more used to understanding complex ideas.
TL;DR I personally did not connect well with Also in Gloaming but believe it’s due to my personal reading preferences.
August 6, 2019
You know those books that leave you feeling like you've grown into something new by the end of it? This is one of those.
The story itself weaves together an emotional, grief-ridden journey of catharsis (where Theogony struggles to save the soul of her late grandmother) and an exploration of the existential questions that have driven Theogony's life up until this point (as she enters the physical afterlife that forms part of the mysteries of the universe she has spent her life of study trying to prove). In doing so, it beautifully marries together the emotional and the intellectual, the felt sense of reality and the provable reality, in a complex ebb and flow that leaves the reader questioning what their own answers would be if they had to find them.
Ostara's prose is stunning, setting a quiet tone that makes Ostara's world feel very real, as though it's just around the corner if you can be still long enough to hear it. I was riveted by Theogony's journey, and eagre to consume more of the characters and world long after it had finished. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys philosophical fantasy that explores the emotional weight of grief.
The story itself weaves together an emotional, grief-ridden journey of catharsis (where Theogony struggles to save the soul of her late grandmother) and an exploration of the existential questions that have driven Theogony's life up until this point (as she enters the physical afterlife that forms part of the mysteries of the universe she has spent her life of study trying to prove). In doing so, it beautifully marries together the emotional and the intellectual, the felt sense of reality and the provable reality, in a complex ebb and flow that leaves the reader questioning what their own answers would be if they had to find them.
Ostara's prose is stunning, setting a quiet tone that makes Ostara's world feel very real, as though it's just around the corner if you can be still long enough to hear it. I was riveted by Theogony's journey, and eagre to consume more of the characters and world long after it had finished. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys philosophical fantasy that explores the emotional weight of grief.
March 28, 2019
I loved reading this first book of Holly Ostara’s! Also in Gloaming was full of twists and turns and kept me hooked the whole time. I loved the character development of Theogony and the relationship development between Theogony and Clemence.
I enjoyed the spiritual and mythological parts of the book where the author included astrology.
This story was captivating, exciting, heartwarming, saddening, and overall really entertaining.
I enjoyed the spiritual and mythological parts of the book where the author included astrology.
This story was captivating, exciting, heartwarming, saddening, and overall really entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews