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Scarlet Odyssey #1
Scarlet Odyssey
Magic is women’s work; war is men’s. But in the coming battle, none of that will matter.
Men do not become mystics. They become warriors. But eighteen-year-old Salo has never been good at conforming to his tribe’s expectations. For as long as he can remember, he has loved books and magic in a culture where such things are considered unmanly. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo has worked on a magical device in secret that will awaken his latent magical powers. And when his village is attacked by a cruel enchantress, Salo knows that it is time to take action.
Salo’s queen is surprisingly accepting of his desire to be a mystic, but she will not allow him to stay in the tribe. Instead, she sends Salo on a quest. The quest will take him thousands of miles north to the Jungle City, the political heart of the continent. There he must gather information on a growing threat to his tribe.
On the way to the city, he is joined by three fellow outcasts: a shunned female warrior, a mysterious nomad, and a deadly assassin. But they’re being hunted by the same enchantress who attacked Salo’s village. She may hold the key to Salo’s awakening—and his redemption.
Men do not become mystics. They become warriors. But eighteen-year-old Salo has never been good at conforming to his tribe’s expectations. For as long as he can remember, he has loved books and magic in a culture where such things are considered unmanly. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo has worked on a magical device in secret that will awaken his latent magical powers. And when his village is attacked by a cruel enchantress, Salo knows that it is time to take action.
Salo’s queen is surprisingly accepting of his desire to be a mystic, but she will not allow him to stay in the tribe. Instead, she sends Salo on a quest. The quest will take him thousands of miles north to the Jungle City, the political heart of the continent. There he must gather information on a growing threat to his tribe.
On the way to the city, he is joined by three fellow outcasts: a shunned female warrior, a mysterious nomad, and a deadly assassin. But they’re being hunted by the same enchantress who attacked Salo’s village. She may hold the key to Salo’s awakening—and his redemption.
534 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2020
3036 people are currently reading
6576 people want to read
About the author
C.T. Rwizi
6 books343 followersC. T. Rwizi was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in Swaziland, finished high school in Costa Rica, and got a BA in government at Dartmouth College in the United States. He currently lives in South Africa with his family, and enjoys playing video games, taking long runs, and spending way too much time lurking on Reddit. He is a self-professed lover of synthwave.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
February 15, 2023
Was the story a little confusing at first? Sure. Was it 1000% worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
I’m honestly a little speechless. I can understand why the story seems confusing at first, but when it all starts to come together it’s truly amazing. To anyone who DNFs books early I’m begging you not to with this one, you would truly be missing out.
I really loved all of the characters, from naive but well-meaning Salo, to mischievous Tuk, to fierce Ilapara. All of them were so intricate and unique, made even more impressive by the many different perspectives the story takes. They were incredibly real, and there wasn’t a single one that made me go “ughhh” when the perspective switched. All of their seemingly unconnected stories came together beautifully.
Then there’s the writing style. Have you ever read a book that makes you forget you’re reading because everything starts playing out before your eyes instead? That’s how I felt with Scarlet Odyssey. Although on the longer side, it never felt bogged down with unnecessary detail. Everything flowed so well, and the setting/culture was absolutely mesmerizing.
Really, this has everything you could ask for. A compelling fantasy world? Check. Diverse characters? Yep. Heartbreak? For sure. And the list goes on.
I do wish there were a glossary for some of the magical terms, locations, and their connections. I saw another reviewer post one which was really helpful in keeping all of the tribe’s relationships straight, and the different arcane talents each possesses. The list of characters at the beginning was super helpful, and if there were something like that to reference for the abilities/tribe relations I would’ve been all set!
This truly felt like just the beginning of the story, as it ends when Salo’s journey to the city is complete. I’m very curious to see what happens now that all of the characters are together, and can’t wait for the next book!
Rating: 4.5./5 stars
Intended audience: adult
Content warnings: murder, torture, relationship between 17 and 21 year old, rape, gore (definitely very graphic/grim at times)
*Please note I do not in any way condone the relationship of a minor and adult
blog
*ARC received in exchange for honest review
I’m honestly a little speechless. I can understand why the story seems confusing at first, but when it all starts to come together it’s truly amazing. To anyone who DNFs books early I’m begging you not to with this one, you would truly be missing out.
I really loved all of the characters, from naive but well-meaning Salo, to mischievous Tuk, to fierce Ilapara. All of them were so intricate and unique, made even more impressive by the many different perspectives the story takes. They were incredibly real, and there wasn’t a single one that made me go “ughhh” when the perspective switched. All of their seemingly unconnected stories came together beautifully.
Then there’s the writing style. Have you ever read a book that makes you forget you’re reading because everything starts playing out before your eyes instead? That’s how I felt with Scarlet Odyssey. Although on the longer side, it never felt bogged down with unnecessary detail. Everything flowed so well, and the setting/culture was absolutely mesmerizing.
Really, this has everything you could ask for. A compelling fantasy world? Check. Diverse characters? Yep. Heartbreak? For sure. And the list goes on.
I do wish there were a glossary for some of the magical terms, locations, and their connections. I saw another reviewer post one which was really helpful in keeping all of the tribe’s relationships straight, and the different arcane talents each possesses. The list of characters at the beginning was super helpful, and if there were something like that to reference for the abilities/tribe relations I would’ve been all set!
This truly felt like just the beginning of the story, as it ends when Salo’s journey to the city is complete. I’m very curious to see what happens now that all of the characters are together, and can’t wait for the next book!
Rating: 4.5./5 stars
Intended audience: adult
Content warnings: murder, torture, relationship between 17 and 21 year old, rape, gore (definitely very graphic/grim at times)
*Please note I do not in any way condone the relationship of a minor and adult
blog
*ARC received in exchange for honest review
July 1, 2020
Scarlet Odyssey is a young adult epic fantasy set in Africa written by debut author, C.T. Rwizi, and I was here for it. I like to mix a fantasy book in every once in a while to keep things fresh.
Scarlet Odyssey is a journey- “odyssey” in the title is fitting. There is lots of world building, which was fantastic because I was able to live right among the group, I could see it all so well. There are interesting characters to get to know and lots of action. This was the first fantasy novel I’ve read that is set in Africa, and that made it even more fascinating for me to have a different location.
Scarlet Odyssey is filled with surprises, magic, and action, and though it took my full concentration to keep up, especially with the magic itself, I felt the storytelling and building were masterful, and I was grateful the cast of characters were introduced slowly, so I could savor the rich detail.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Scarlet Odyssey is a journey- “odyssey” in the title is fitting. There is lots of world building, which was fantastic because I was able to live right among the group, I could see it all so well. There are interesting characters to get to know and lots of action. This was the first fantasy novel I’ve read that is set in Africa, and that made it even more fascinating for me to have a different location.
Scarlet Odyssey is filled with surprises, magic, and action, and though it took my full concentration to keep up, especially with the magic itself, I felt the storytelling and building were masterful, and I was grateful the cast of characters were introduced slowly, so I could savor the rich detail.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
June 17, 2020
"I see. I'm a girl who wants to be a ranger, and you're a boy who wants to be a clan mystic, so let's be friends."
Finished. Done. Phew. Don't get me wrong: it was good. 3.5*s. It would have rated it higher had I been 100% sure of what was actually happening.
Salo, or Musalodi, is a chieftain's son who defies convention and works to become a clan mystic. And yet, despite the exceptional circumstances that lead him to be accepted for the role, his clan is not happy. Magic is the purview of women, after all. Yet Salo has discovered some extremely powerful magic and the Queen decides to use this to her advantage, sending Salo across the continent on a pilgrimage/spy mission. Along the way he meets Ilapara, a female warrior who also defied convention to become what she is, and Tuk, a mysterious traveller from foreign shores.
Set in an African-inspired setting, I enjoyed discovering kraals (traditional African hut villages surrounded by a fence), kitenges and kufis (traditional African garb). I can now also tell you that a Inkanyamba is a mythical African serpent, a kudu is an antelope, a zebroid is a zebra cross with an equine, and a kongamato is a made-up dragon-like creature. Success. It certainly made a refreshing change from the classic mediaeval Europe you see in a lot of fantasy books.
By far the best thing about Scarlet Odyssey was its characters. I might have stopped reading had I not like them as much as I did: Salo for doing what was right no matter convention; Ilapara for being able to do what's necessary without being blinded by it; and Tuk for searching for more, for searching to be more.
My problem with the book was two fold. Firstly, the plot. We had so many different sides playing out their grand schemes for one thing or another that I got lost. This ties to the second part of the problem: Rwizi's magic system. On the one hand I loved it. It was novel and I thought it's sci-fi undertones of computer coding were inventive. On the other hand, it was beyond complicated. Not only do we have sun magic and moon magic, but within moon magic we have six/seven different strands of magic. Each tribe then also has an ancestral talent that affects their interaction with magic. For example, one tribe can boost their magical abilities through geography, another can share their magical abilities with non-magical people. Each tribe also has magical tricks and trinkets such as Salo's talisman. Honest to god I had to make myself a glossary just to keep it all straight. I have included some of it below for those who need help.
TRIBAL MAGICAL ABILITIES
Yerezi Tribe (inc. Salo's)
- High mystic title: Queen
- Ancestral talent: the ability to share with the non-magical a portion of their magical power, giving them either mental or physical magical abilities.
- Tricks: talismans
Umadi Tribe (inc. Kelafelo's)
- High mystic title: War Lord
- Ancestral talent: their magical power grows with the size of territory under their control, and the more important their territory is perceived to be, the greater the power it provides.
- Tricks: soul charms
KiYonte Tribe (inc. Isa's)
- High mystic title: Gods on Earth/Faros of the Shirika
- Ancestral talent: the ability to share Axioms with other mystics - their acolytes - a process that makes them more powerful with every new recruit.
Faraswa Tribe
- Ancestral talent: have essence-rich blood, tensor appendages and eyes that can see magic.
Tuanu Tribe
- Ancestral talent: the ability for the non-magical to replicate magical spells.
Empire of Light
- Uses solar magic and forbids the use of lunar magic.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, though oddly felt it would have made a better board game. I'll keep an eye out for the sequel but won't be jumping up and down to buy it.
October 24, 2020
I rarely enjoy epic fantasy told from multiple points of view, but I loved this one. Scarlet Odyssey offers enough fresh ideas to make the story addictive. It blurs the line between sci-fi and fantasy and finds inspiration in African mythology and culture.
The story follows Salo, a young man whose affinity for magic puts him at odds with the rest of his tribe. As the first-born son of a chief, he should become a warrior, but he prefers to read and study arcane arts. His society perceives such interests as feminine and emasculating. As often seen in coming-of-age stories, circumstances force him to embrace who he is despite his people’s disapproval. There’s a quest ahead of him and an evil plan to stop. People to meet, creatures to kill, the power to unleash. We’ve all seen it, true. What makes it exciting is Rwizi’s knack for characterization, unique world-building, and engaging plot.
The narrative introduces a complex and intricate magical system, unlike anything I can think of, and connects stories from the past with the present storyline. It even explores different planes of existence (like the Void). The remaining protagonists include Ilapara, a female mercenary who goes against her tribe’s ideas of male and female roles; Kelafelo, a woman with tragic past who apprentices in sorcery to destroy those who destroyed her life; Isa, a young princess forced to rule her people. There are other POV characters, but I’ll allow you to discover them and their connections to the main cast by yourself. Secondary characters include Tuk, a mechanical man, and a techno magical cat wreaking havoc amongst those who want to harm Salo.
Rwizi’s characters feel complex and multi-faceted. They face convincing dilemmas, make mistakes, and learn along the way. I liked Salo’s and The maidservants’ chapters most. Salo’s story is most intimate whereas The maidservant’s one is most thought-provoking and painful. I applaud Rwizi’s skill in creating a three-dimensional antagonist, a monster you can’t help but understand and want to forgive. Even though I liked most characters, I feel the author introduced too much of them. Introductions of new players and tribes slowed down the narrative, and I’m not sure if all sublots were necessary.
The book has a distinct African feel. I applaud Rwizi’s ability to use characters to show the complexity of society - each tribe has its own customs, norms, and even architecture (dry-stone architecture versus straw huts, for example). We get the real diversity and color, the feel of a primeval land and its inhabitants. As far as I can tell, the magical creatures that appear in the book (the tikoloshe, grootslang, impundulu, the ilombo, the konggamota) have a source in African tribes folklore. But we also get tronic beasts. A fascinating mix of magical and technological.
The existence of magic makes this continent fraught with danger. Its people face the pestilences of tribalism and constant warfare. Things get violent and gory in places, and many characters stain their souls. As I went deeper into the story, I saw that not all was as it initially seemed. Starting with Salo’s and Ilapara’s struggles against their society’s strict gender roles, finishing with the direction of the plot, the author impressed me with his subtle touch and sound ideas.
Good ideas and rich world-building require time to introduce. As a result, the story gets going around halfway through, a bit late if you ask me. As stated above, some sublots added little to the narrative and slowed down the plot. Even though all point of view characters grew on me, I didn’t enjoy them equally and my enjoyment of the story followed a sinusoid where I cheered for some, and felt slightly bored by others. The sequel will prove if the author was too ambitious or if he knew where ha was going.
One more thing. The writing. It’s gorgeous and rich. But also dense and filled with vivid descriptions and long sentences. Some readers will need time to get used to it. I kinda loved it.
Scarlet Odyssey is the first book in the duology, and I can’t wait to put my hands on its sequel, Requiem Moon, due in Spring 2021. I found the book immersive, exciting, and difficult to put down. Try it.
The story follows Salo, a young man whose affinity for magic puts him at odds with the rest of his tribe. As the first-born son of a chief, he should become a warrior, but he prefers to read and study arcane arts. His society perceives such interests as feminine and emasculating. As often seen in coming-of-age stories, circumstances force him to embrace who he is despite his people’s disapproval. There’s a quest ahead of him and an evil plan to stop. People to meet, creatures to kill, the power to unleash. We’ve all seen it, true. What makes it exciting is Rwizi’s knack for characterization, unique world-building, and engaging plot.
The narrative introduces a complex and intricate magical system, unlike anything I can think of, and connects stories from the past with the present storyline. It even explores different planes of existence (like the Void). The remaining protagonists include Ilapara, a female mercenary who goes against her tribe’s ideas of male and female roles; Kelafelo, a woman with tragic past who apprentices in sorcery to destroy those who destroyed her life; Isa, a young princess forced to rule her people. There are other POV characters, but I’ll allow you to discover them and their connections to the main cast by yourself. Secondary characters include Tuk, a mechanical man, and a techno magical cat wreaking havoc amongst those who want to harm Salo.
Rwizi’s characters feel complex and multi-faceted. They face convincing dilemmas, make mistakes, and learn along the way. I liked Salo’s and The maidservants’ chapters most. Salo’s story is most intimate whereas The maidservant’s one is most thought-provoking and painful. I applaud Rwizi’s skill in creating a three-dimensional antagonist, a monster you can’t help but understand and want to forgive. Even though I liked most characters, I feel the author introduced too much of them. Introductions of new players and tribes slowed down the narrative, and I’m not sure if all sublots were necessary.
The book has a distinct African feel. I applaud Rwizi’s ability to use characters to show the complexity of society - each tribe has its own customs, norms, and even architecture (dry-stone architecture versus straw huts, for example). We get the real diversity and color, the feel of a primeval land and its inhabitants. As far as I can tell, the magical creatures that appear in the book (the tikoloshe, grootslang, impundulu, the ilombo, the konggamota) have a source in African tribes folklore. But we also get tronic beasts. A fascinating mix of magical and technological.
The existence of magic makes this continent fraught with danger. Its people face the pestilences of tribalism and constant warfare. Things get violent and gory in places, and many characters stain their souls. As I went deeper into the story, I saw that not all was as it initially seemed. Starting with Salo’s and Ilapara’s struggles against their society’s strict gender roles, finishing with the direction of the plot, the author impressed me with his subtle touch and sound ideas.
Good ideas and rich world-building require time to introduce. As a result, the story gets going around halfway through, a bit late if you ask me. As stated above, some sublots added little to the narrative and slowed down the plot. Even though all point of view characters grew on me, I didn’t enjoy them equally and my enjoyment of the story followed a sinusoid where I cheered for some, and felt slightly bored by others. The sequel will prove if the author was too ambitious or if he knew where ha was going.
One more thing. The writing. It’s gorgeous and rich. But also dense and filled with vivid descriptions and long sentences. Some readers will need time to get used to it. I kinda loved it.
Scarlet Odyssey is the first book in the duology, and I can’t wait to put my hands on its sequel, Requiem Moon, due in Spring 2021. I found the book immersive, exciting, and difficult to put down. Try it.
February 6, 2022
Couldn't get into it. Very confusing at first. I forced myself to finish the whole book. I understand why people could be interested in this, however, it did nothing for me. Lots of gore. Underage relationship with an adult. Just a whole mess dumpster fire playing out in real time.
February 24, 2020
(Review from a very early advance copy.)
This is a heroic quest story with a ragtag group of misfits, which is the best kind of misfit group.
It's the launch of a series by young African writer C. T. Rwizi, and the world here is inspired by cultures and myths of sub-saharan Africa (according to the book's PR information).
It's a thrilling, fanciful debut, crammed full of imaginative world-building and excellent dialogue. You can tell that the author had a very fun time writing the book; the imagination positively leaps off the page.
I look forward to seeing what's next. But in the meantime, this one is worth re-reading.
This is a heroic quest story with a ragtag group of misfits, which is the best kind of misfit group.
It's the launch of a series by young African writer C. T. Rwizi, and the world here is inspired by cultures and myths of sub-saharan Africa (according to the book's PR information).
It's a thrilling, fanciful debut, crammed full of imaginative world-building and excellent dialogue. You can tell that the author had a very fun time writing the book; the imagination positively leaps off the page.
I look forward to seeing what's next. But in the meantime, this one is worth re-reading.
November 17, 2020
Completely took me by surprise. Thought it was excellent. RTC.
dnf
May 24, 2020I am adding this to my “did not finish” pile. I appreciate the publisher sending me an early copy of the book.
In all honesty, I think this book could be really great - but unfortunately it’s just not hooking me.
There’s a lot of terminology used without much definition which throws my head for a spin - whether it’s nouns, or places, or groups of people. I find it hard to follow the storyline, as even more points of views are added on, and others dropped off.
I’m just not as gripped or engaged as I would have expected after about 120 pages, and if a 600 page book doesn’t grip me after that, I probably won’t enjoy the rest.
Nevertheless - I DO think this book could be someone’s next favorite, and I encourage readers to give it a try.
In all honesty, I think this book could be really great - but unfortunately it’s just not hooking me.
There’s a lot of terminology used without much definition which throws my head for a spin - whether it’s nouns, or places, or groups of people. I find it hard to follow the storyline, as even more points of views are added on, and others dropped off.
I’m just not as gripped or engaged as I would have expected after about 120 pages, and if a 600 page book doesn’t grip me after that, I probably won’t enjoy the rest.
Nevertheless - I DO think this book could be someone’s next favorite, and I encourage readers to give it a try.
July 18, 2020
This was such a great book. The characters are all written very well, the world building is done masterfully, and the story itself is soooo interesting. I would definitely recommend this book to all of my friends. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.
July 13, 2021
I liked this book and didn’t like it. So much violence. And cruelty. Also quite original, interesting, and well written with good world development, good plotting, and good characters.
Some reviews have mentioned difficulty with the names or words, but that didn’t bother me. I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy and am used to having to learn new worlds and systems for labeling things and to reading names that look and sound foreign to me. And it was fun to have a tale drawing from non-European folklore. I found myself wondering how I would relate to this story differently if I were familiar with the mythology and folklore of the African countries the author has lived in. Sometimes I would imagine parts of this book as if they were myths or fables or faerie tales being handed down through generations. I also reminded myself that the originals of European faerie tales and most myths I am familiar with are far more cruel and violent than the watered down, sometimes Disney-fied versions we feed our children now. Another reviewer noted the acceptance of pain as part of life is part of African culture and is reflected in this book. I don’t disagree, though I’m hardly an expert on African cultures...I just found myself wondering if that quality used to be common in European cultures as well and was lost over time, or if there has always been a difference. Or if both are true. And part of me wishes it didn’t bother me-the violence and pain and cruelty and acceptance of all these things. I want to be open to other cultures and all the gifts and beauty and valuable life lessons they have to offer. It did bother me, though. I was anxious about getting too attached to any of the characters. Both because I never knew what might befall them, and possibly worse... I was never certain what they might do, or be capable of doing, themselves.
And, the book doesn’t really have an ending. It just stops. I’ve read books that don’t have sequels and don’t have endings before. I’m not sure why some authors make that choice, and they’re not my favorite books to read. But I guess, now that I’m thinking about it, I respect those authors and that choice more than I respect authors who are writing sequels who don’t bother to bring their books to some sort of conclusion. Even there it doesn’t bother me too much if the next book is already out and I can dive straight into it, provided I want to read the next book. I think it’s bothering me now because I’m not sure I want to read any more of this tale. It’s well written and original enough that what’s going to happen next tugs at me a bit, but wow, the violence and the cruelty...these make it intermittently difficult to read.
Some reviews have mentioned difficulty with the names or words, but that didn’t bother me. I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy and am used to having to learn new worlds and systems for labeling things and to reading names that look and sound foreign to me. And it was fun to have a tale drawing from non-European folklore. I found myself wondering how I would relate to this story differently if I were familiar with the mythology and folklore of the African countries the author has lived in. Sometimes I would imagine parts of this book as if they were myths or fables or faerie tales being handed down through generations. I also reminded myself that the originals of European faerie tales and most myths I am familiar with are far more cruel and violent than the watered down, sometimes Disney-fied versions we feed our children now. Another reviewer noted the acceptance of pain as part of life is part of African culture and is reflected in this book. I don’t disagree, though I’m hardly an expert on African cultures...I just found myself wondering if that quality used to be common in European cultures as well and was lost over time, or if there has always been a difference. Or if both are true. And part of me wishes it didn’t bother me-the violence and pain and cruelty and acceptance of all these things. I want to be open to other cultures and all the gifts and beauty and valuable life lessons they have to offer. It did bother me, though. I was anxious about getting too attached to any of the characters. Both because I never knew what might befall them, and possibly worse... I was never certain what they might do, or be capable of doing, themselves.
And, the book doesn’t really have an ending. It just stops. I’ve read books that don’t have sequels and don’t have endings before. I’m not sure why some authors make that choice, and they’re not my favorite books to read. But I guess, now that I’m thinking about it, I respect those authors and that choice more than I respect authors who are writing sequels who don’t bother to bring their books to some sort of conclusion. Even there it doesn’t bother me too much if the next book is already out and I can dive straight into it, provided I want to read the next book. I think it’s bothering me now because I’m not sure I want to read any more of this tale. It’s well written and original enough that what’s going to happen next tugs at me a bit, but wow, the violence and the cruelty...these make it intermittently difficult to read.
July 18, 2023
Holy wow, what a hell of a debut!! I was only 30% of the way through when I bought the next 2 books in the trilogy. Absolutely, utterly immersive, great world-building, I'm super into the characters, I even like the (incredibly winding, labyrinthine) political intrigue... Seriously, phenomenal job: no notes. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I can't even muster a small grudge over that. I think the Steerswoman books were the last time I was this excited by a series from an author I was previously totally unfamiliar with.
June 18, 2020
'Scarlet Odyssey', a debut novel by C. T. Rwizi, scheduled for publication on 1st July, is an epic fantasy that twists the classic quest trope into something new and exciting. C. T Rwizi, who comes from Zimbabwe originally is another exciting writer adding to the growing body of African Science Fiction (think 'Rosewater' and 'Binti').
'Scarlet Odyssey' is an epic fantasy with world-building on a huge scale, spectacular new magic systems, warlords who use black magic that feeds off human sacrifice and complex political and tribal systems that are under covert attack from external forces who are fomenting division and violence.
C. T. Rwizi manages to keep all this spinning and still have a story that is mostly character-driven and which is fast-paced enough that the 559 pages flew by and left me wanting more.
The plot folds five main storylines together, each focused on a character who have in common only that they face challenges that require them to reshape themselves, often in painful ways. The paths of these fives stories spiral in towards one another as the plot unfolds.
The dominant story is about Salo who comes from a tribe where men are fierce warriors and women become magic-wielding mystics. As a chief's son, he should be a warrior but he has failed to pass the necessary tests of courage. He is also secretly practising magic and, when the tribe is in danger, risks becoming an outcast by going through a ritual to become a mystic. Salo is then immediately sent on a quest to the Kingdom of the Yontai, the political centre of their region, that provides the frame for the rest of the novel.
Then we get the story of Ilapara, a young woman from Salo's tribe who has left their land to pursue a career as a mercenary in the neighbouring, warlord-ridden Umadiland. Being a mercenary is not what she hoped it might be and she sometimes finds herself doing things she does not think are right so when she meets Salo in Umadiland she accepts a post as his 'muscle' for the rest of his journey.
The third story tells of The Maidservant a powerful mystic who is a lieutenant (known as Disciples) to the most powerful Warlord in Umadiland and who pursues and attacks Silo on his quest. The Maidservant's story is told in the current timeline, intercut with scenes that show why and how she came into her power and the heavy price she paid for it.
In the Kingdom of the Yontai, we follow the story of Isa Andaiye Saire, a young princess in the ruling clan who is about to have her life torn apart and find herself with responsibilities that she has not been trained for.
The external attempt to destabilise the tribes is being driven by the fifth character, a mysterious woman known as The Enchantress. We only get parts of her backstory but her view on the world is very different from any of the other characters.
Although 'Scarlet Odyssey' takes place on an alien world with two suns and seems to be in the far future, it has a distinctly African feel to it that distinguishes it from all those kinda-sorta Medieval Europe only with magic fantasy books that I've seen so many of. It's not just that all the clothes and names and some of the tribal systems and symbols are African, it's in the mindset that accepts that pain is inevitable, that we all fail, and the world is often cruel and or indifferent. All of the characters in the five main storylines carry scars and all are trying to force transformations that are likely to require sacrifice.
At one point Salo and The Maidservant clash and in the process learn a great deal about one another. In a more Anglo book, one of them would be good and the other would be evil. In this book, they both discover that they have done terrible things in their past, unforgivable things, to get them the power they now have. I liked that, instead of discussing guilt, or shame or atonement, Salo says that the only freedom they have is to choose a different future.
I also liked what happened when Salo is confronted with the reality of slavery. Ilapara, who has grown used to having the stench of slavery in her nostrils, initially thinks Salo's response is dangerous, naive and ultimately futile. All of which is probably true. Yet Ilapara recognises that Salo has brought more change in a day than she has seen in years.
I don't know how many books there will be in this series but I hope they keep coming at a pace. By the end of the book, all five characters are in the Kingdom of the Yontai and the stage is set for major change. I'm engaged with the characters. I can't see a simple way forward. I know there are many things I don't yet understand about this world. So I need the next book as soon as possible, please.
'Scarlet Odyssey' is an epic fantasy with world-building on a huge scale, spectacular new magic systems, warlords who use black magic that feeds off human sacrifice and complex political and tribal systems that are under covert attack from external forces who are fomenting division and violence.
C. T. Rwizi manages to keep all this spinning and still have a story that is mostly character-driven and which is fast-paced enough that the 559 pages flew by and left me wanting more.
The plot folds five main storylines together, each focused on a character who have in common only that they face challenges that require them to reshape themselves, often in painful ways. The paths of these fives stories spiral in towards one another as the plot unfolds.
The dominant story is about Salo who comes from a tribe where men are fierce warriors and women become magic-wielding mystics. As a chief's son, he should be a warrior but he has failed to pass the necessary tests of courage. He is also secretly practising magic and, when the tribe is in danger, risks becoming an outcast by going through a ritual to become a mystic. Salo is then immediately sent on a quest to the Kingdom of the Yontai, the political centre of their region, that provides the frame for the rest of the novel.
Then we get the story of Ilapara, a young woman from Salo's tribe who has left their land to pursue a career as a mercenary in the neighbouring, warlord-ridden Umadiland. Being a mercenary is not what she hoped it might be and she sometimes finds herself doing things she does not think are right so when she meets Salo in Umadiland she accepts a post as his 'muscle' for the rest of his journey.
The third story tells of The Maidservant a powerful mystic who is a lieutenant (known as Disciples) to the most powerful Warlord in Umadiland and who pursues and attacks Silo on his quest. The Maidservant's story is told in the current timeline, intercut with scenes that show why and how she came into her power and the heavy price she paid for it.
In the Kingdom of the Yontai, we follow the story of Isa Andaiye Saire, a young princess in the ruling clan who is about to have her life torn apart and find herself with responsibilities that she has not been trained for.
The external attempt to destabilise the tribes is being driven by the fifth character, a mysterious woman known as The Enchantress. We only get parts of her backstory but her view on the world is very different from any of the other characters.
Although 'Scarlet Odyssey' takes place on an alien world with two suns and seems to be in the far future, it has a distinctly African feel to it that distinguishes it from all those kinda-sorta Medieval Europe only with magic fantasy books that I've seen so many of. It's not just that all the clothes and names and some of the tribal systems and symbols are African, it's in the mindset that accepts that pain is inevitable, that we all fail, and the world is often cruel and or indifferent. All of the characters in the five main storylines carry scars and all are trying to force transformations that are likely to require sacrifice.
At one point Salo and The Maidservant clash and in the process learn a great deal about one another. In a more Anglo book, one of them would be good and the other would be evil. In this book, they both discover that they have done terrible things in their past, unforgivable things, to get them the power they now have. I liked that, instead of discussing guilt, or shame or atonement, Salo says that the only freedom they have is to choose a different future.
I also liked what happened when Salo is confronted with the reality of slavery. Ilapara, who has grown used to having the stench of slavery in her nostrils, initially thinks Salo's response is dangerous, naive and ultimately futile. All of which is probably true. Yet Ilapara recognises that Salo has brought more change in a day than she has seen in years.
I don't know how many books there will be in this series but I hope they keep coming at a pace. By the end of the book, all five characters are in the Kingdom of the Yontai and the stage is set for major change. I'm engaged with the characters. I can't see a simple way forward. I know there are many things I don't yet understand about this world. So I need the next book as soon as possible, please.
June 7, 2020
Its fantasy, but broadly African fantasy (and there are enough hints in here that "it was Earth all along might be on the cards), but this is aiming high. A broad multicharacter canvas where the lead character comes of age, steps into his power and then is sent on a journey - the Odyssey of the title is earned.
This has no pretence of being a done in one from the beginning (though I believe the author is only looking at two books in the set), and therefore takes its time as it jumps around its characters. This means that it takes a while to gather momentum, the journey itself only really starts halfway through and the party only comes together in the last quarter. This does allow for a lot of mythology and world building to be done, with an interesting blend of technology and magic (the comparisons on some of that to Jemisin Broken Earth books is not unfavourable - though the appearance of Tronic as a clear shortening of electronic for the metallic beasties was a groaner). And whilst it deals with a lot of fantasy staples, there are flavours of twists on them - not least two central gender rule breakers and an attempt to soften and understand the villain of this piece without undermining her power and evil. But moving around five or six central characters means it takes a while to coalesce. I would recommend sticking with it however, as once it all comes together it earns its almost breathless last passages, whilst setting up palace intrigue, hidden agendas and a lead who might accidentally destroy the world. I'll read on.
This has no pretence of being a done in one from the beginning (though I believe the author is only looking at two books in the set), and therefore takes its time as it jumps around its characters. This means that it takes a while to gather momentum, the journey itself only really starts halfway through and the party only comes together in the last quarter. This does allow for a lot of mythology and world building to be done, with an interesting blend of technology and magic (the comparisons on some of that to Jemisin Broken Earth books is not unfavourable - though the appearance of Tronic as a clear shortening of electronic for the metallic beasties was a groaner). And whilst it deals with a lot of fantasy staples, there are flavours of twists on them - not least two central gender rule breakers and an attempt to soften and understand the villain of this piece without undermining her power and evil. But moving around five or six central characters means it takes a while to coalesce. I would recommend sticking with it however, as once it all comes together it earns its almost breathless last passages, whilst setting up palace intrigue, hidden agendas and a lead who might accidentally destroy the world. I'll read on.
July 1, 2022
There’s one very simple and shallow reason I picked up this book: I wanted antelope familiars, pets, or mounts in my fantasy (mostly thanks to a certain livecam I’ve been enjoying this year). This sounded the best out of the few recs I got, it works for the Set in Africa Bingo square and as a bonus, the antelopes mentioned were kudu. Unfortunately, even though it really is a pretty good book and definitely one fans of epic fantasy would enjoy a lot, I didn’t count on my inability to handle big multi-POV epics.
Magic is considered women’s work and fighting men’s, but Salo wants nothing more than to become a mystic despite the stigma. When his wish comes true, he is sent on a journey north to gather information for his queen. His story is entwined with that of Ilapara, a female warrior looking for work, and Isa, a young princess.
If you like epic fantasy, especially the kind with magic systems, Scarlet Odyssey will be just up your alley. It has quite a few of the standard elements – a boy with a secret talent, a bunch of misfits on a quest, scheming antagonists who want to send the world to war (maybe?) – with a somewhat darker, bloodier twist, especially to the magic. Not overly so, the protagonists remain very sympathetic so far, but there’s a lot of fairly brutal deaths and likely more to come.
The main star of the book and what I was really interested in is definitely the worldbuilding. It’s strongly southern African-inspired, which I absolutely loved, with magical technology and people riding half-animal half-metal antelopes (sable antelope is mentioned in addition to kudu, if anyone else but me cares) or okapi or zebroids instead of horses. Even if there wasn’t quite enough of the antelopes for my taste until fairly late in the book, I’m glad that they were there at all (and I know that’s my obsession-du-jour talking but fantasy should have more of that – did you know that unicorns may be based on oryx?). There are also hints of a larger world outside of the region the book takes place in and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by that too.
The magic is one of those types that are kind of like programming. If you like magic systems, there you go. The strength of each magic user depends on the kind of supernatural-approved IDE, so to speak, they manage to build when they start out (Salo, of course, has the best one there is), but it was mercifully light enough on technical descriptions of what’s going on and retained enough of the mystery to keep me from being bored and annoyed.
However: I have a really hard time with epic fantasy currently and this was no exception. I was struggling, I never felt emotionally connected to the story or the characters, and it took me a lot longer than it should. There are a lot of POVs and it takes a long time for Salo to leave his village, and even more for all the POVs to become relevant to each other. And since all the antagonists and other higher powers like Salo’s queen are all being quite cryptic and our protagonists aren’t aware of anything except what’s right in front of their noses, the stakes and the overall plot of the series also aren’t clear, even by the end.
Despite all of that, I still kind of want to read the sequels. I’m not sure when will I manage and I know I’ll struggle too, but I still want more of the world, still want to see where the story goes. So take this however you will.
Enjoyment: 3/5
Execution: 4/5
Recommended to: epic fantasy fans, those who like magic systems, anyone looking for good worldbuilding and African SFF
Not recommended to: those bothered by slow pacing with lots of POVs or violence
Content warnings: some gruesome torture, deaths of children, overall rather gory
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
Magic is considered women’s work and fighting men’s, but Salo wants nothing more than to become a mystic despite the stigma. When his wish comes true, he is sent on a journey north to gather information for his queen. His story is entwined with that of Ilapara, a female warrior looking for work, and Isa, a young princess.
If you like epic fantasy, especially the kind with magic systems, Scarlet Odyssey will be just up your alley. It has quite a few of the standard elements – a boy with a secret talent, a bunch of misfits on a quest, scheming antagonists who want to send the world to war (maybe?) – with a somewhat darker, bloodier twist, especially to the magic. Not overly so, the protagonists remain very sympathetic so far, but there’s a lot of fairly brutal deaths and likely more to come.
The main star of the book and what I was really interested in is definitely the worldbuilding. It’s strongly southern African-inspired, which I absolutely loved, with magical technology and people riding half-animal half-metal antelopes (sable antelope is mentioned in addition to kudu, if anyone else but me cares) or okapi or zebroids instead of horses. Even if there wasn’t quite enough of the antelopes for my taste until fairly late in the book, I’m glad that they were there at all (and I know that’s my obsession-du-jour talking but fantasy should have more of that – did you know that unicorns may be based on oryx?). There are also hints of a larger world outside of the region the book takes place in and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by that too.
The magic is one of those types that are kind of like programming. If you like magic systems, there you go. The strength of each magic user depends on the kind of supernatural-approved IDE, so to speak, they manage to build when they start out (Salo, of course, has the best one there is), but it was mercifully light enough on technical descriptions of what’s going on and retained enough of the mystery to keep me from being bored and annoyed.
However: I have a really hard time with epic fantasy currently and this was no exception. I was struggling, I never felt emotionally connected to the story or the characters, and it took me a lot longer than it should. There are a lot of POVs and it takes a long time for Salo to leave his village, and even more for all the POVs to become relevant to each other. And since all the antagonists and other higher powers like Salo’s queen are all being quite cryptic and our protagonists aren’t aware of anything except what’s right in front of their noses, the stakes and the overall plot of the series also aren’t clear, even by the end.
Despite all of that, I still kind of want to read the sequels. I’m not sure when will I manage and I know I’ll struggle too, but I still want more of the world, still want to see where the story goes. So take this however you will.
Enjoyment: 3/5
Execution: 4/5
Recommended to: epic fantasy fans, those who like magic systems, anyone looking for good worldbuilding and African SFF
Not recommended to: those bothered by slow pacing with lots of POVs or violence
Content warnings: some gruesome torture, deaths of children, overall rather gory
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
June 13, 2020
Initial thoughts: like a 3.5. Phew, this was A JOURNEY. it was ling but also really interesting but also a little confusing but in a good ish way?
July 30, 2020
Check out the full review on my website. CLICK HERE
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FR REVIEW:
Thank you, Netgalley and 47th North for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Scarlet Odyssey is an epic fantasy debut from the first-time author C.T.Rwizi. The book is an African inspired fantasy filled with a vibrant world and a rich magic system. The story follows young Salo who has learned magic deeply without his tribe's permission. Men of his trib are not supposed to be practicing magic. Their job is to be warriors and training should be what Salo should be spending his time on. A certain mystic attacks his tribe murdering fellow clans people urging Salo to come forward and request permission from the Queen to be a clan mystic for his tribe. While the Queen accepts his proposal he is sent away on a secret mission to a different city to gather information regarding the growing threats and tensions that are spreading gradually to the other tribes as well. We follow Salo, an extremely skilled female warrior, and a mysterious explorer on their journey. The story is filled with adventure and action taking the readers on an exquisite journey through a marvelous world with unique cultural identities. When I saw the number of pages, I was a little anxious, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story was captivating and engaging from beginning to end. I was blown away by the world-building that took us through the different tribes and cities with its own customs and traditions and unique magic system in place. The different tribes and places were beautifully portrayed. The culturally rich and vivid portrayal of the world and its inhabitants both human and non-human were exquisite. The story was original with its setting weaving mythology and African lore seamlessly to the plot. The magic system rooted in the land mainly was elemental magic with few additional threads of magic thrown in. The clever blend of sci-fi elements and the cipher programming of magic into a source was really awesome. The story is a strong debut and I had a lot of fun with it. I was fully invested in the book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend checking it out if you love the African inspired setting of the world with an excellent blending of sci-fi and fantasy. I gave the book 5 stars and I really want to read the next book soon.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL : YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
FR REVIEW:
Thank you, Netgalley and 47th North for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Scarlet Odyssey is an epic fantasy debut from the first-time author C.T.Rwizi. The book is an African inspired fantasy filled with a vibrant world and a rich magic system. The story follows young Salo who has learned magic deeply without his tribe's permission. Men of his trib are not supposed to be practicing magic. Their job is to be warriors and training should be what Salo should be spending his time on. A certain mystic attacks his tribe murdering fellow clans people urging Salo to come forward and request permission from the Queen to be a clan mystic for his tribe. While the Queen accepts his proposal he is sent away on a secret mission to a different city to gather information regarding the growing threats and tensions that are spreading gradually to the other tribes as well. We follow Salo, an extremely skilled female warrior, and a mysterious explorer on their journey. The story is filled with adventure and action taking the readers on an exquisite journey through a marvelous world with unique cultural identities. When I saw the number of pages, I was a little anxious, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story was captivating and engaging from beginning to end. I was blown away by the world-building that took us through the different tribes and cities with its own customs and traditions and unique magic system in place. The different tribes and places were beautifully portrayed. The culturally rich and vivid portrayal of the world and its inhabitants both human and non-human were exquisite. The story was original with its setting weaving mythology and African lore seamlessly to the plot. The magic system rooted in the land mainly was elemental magic with few additional threads of magic thrown in. The clever blend of sci-fi elements and the cipher programming of magic into a source was really awesome. The story is a strong debut and I had a lot of fun with it. I was fully invested in the book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend checking it out if you love the African inspired setting of the world with an excellent blending of sci-fi and fantasy. I gave the book 5 stars and I really want to read the next book soon.
July 6, 2020
I...really wanted to like this book. I want to support first time authors, particularly first time authors of color. And I want to support fantasy novels that aren't full of white people. So I was looking forward to this book. But I have to confess that I really didn't understand it at all. I was confused the entire way through it. I think for me, it lacked one central compelling character that I could care about. It took on too many different viewpoints and needed to hone in on just one of them. It would have made the story easier to follow.
I liked Rwizi's writing style. And I hope they have a successful career in the future. I hope this goes on to be a huge best seller. So that we can get more books like it out there. It just wasn't for me. I'm sad about that but also need to be honest about it.
I liked Rwizi's writing style. And I hope they have a successful career in the future. I hope this goes on to be a huge best seller. So that we can get more books like it out there. It just wasn't for me. I'm sad about that but also need to be honest about it.
July 7, 2020
I picked this book up from Amazon's First Reads program on a whim and I am so so very glad I did. This is one of the best books I've read all year, and certainly the best fantasy I've read in quite awhile. It is unique, complex, dark, funny...so many adjectives, y'all. It's beautiful.
The first thing that grabbed me was how the entire world building is based on an African mythos. Since almost all the fantasy literature out there is built upon a Euro-centric setting, this immediately made it feel fresh and interesting. Instead of knights and horses and the usual crap, there are plains and jungles and leopards (really really cool leopards). The people live in tribes with deep familial loyalties and traditions. The author manages to build this world with so much color and detail, it's ultimately as interesting as the plot itself.
There are many themes going on, it's very complex for a first book. One that jumped out to me that it comes back to over and over again is gender. From the get go we are taught that men become warriors and women become mystics and never the twain shall meet. And yet, that's exactly what happens. Salo, the main character, is a man drawn to magic. The way this unfolds feels very modern, very timely, and is exciting to read in high fantasy.
I can't write a review of a fantasy novel without talking about magic. If you're like me and enjoy when the magic is defined and structured and treated almost as engineering...you're going to like this one. I love how everyone who wields magic has to study and do what sounds an awful lot like fluid dynamics homework to make it work. I like how various tribes channel magic differently and have different ancestral gifts. Like everything I've said before, the magic in this universe is unique and it was a lot of fun figuring it out.
The author pulls from Tolkien quite a bit in structure and themes. The way that the story unfolds from different angles, both good and evil, feels reminiscent of Robert Jordan. Some scenes, though, are straight up George R.R. Martin. Ultimately, though, this is something completely unique and can't be compared fairly to any of those guys.
My husband said it best, so I'll just quote him. He said it sounds like this book felt brand new, while still being thoroughly recognizable as fantasy. That's it. I'm excited about the series to come because I have never read anything like this before. Also, the reader's bio makes him sound like a total nerd who I would love hanging out with.
The first thing that grabbed me was how the entire world building is based on an African mythos. Since almost all the fantasy literature out there is built upon a Euro-centric setting, this immediately made it feel fresh and interesting. Instead of knights and horses and the usual crap, there are plains and jungles and leopards (really really cool leopards). The people live in tribes with deep familial loyalties and traditions. The author manages to build this world with so much color and detail, it's ultimately as interesting as the plot itself.
There are many themes going on, it's very complex for a first book. One that jumped out to me that it comes back to over and over again is gender. From the get go we are taught that men become warriors and women become mystics and never the twain shall meet. And yet, that's exactly what happens. Salo, the main character, is a man drawn to magic. The way this unfolds feels very modern, very timely, and is exciting to read in high fantasy.
I can't write a review of a fantasy novel without talking about magic. If you're like me and enjoy when the magic is defined and structured and treated almost as engineering...you're going to like this one. I love how everyone who wields magic has to study and do what sounds an awful lot like fluid dynamics homework to make it work. I like how various tribes channel magic differently and have different ancestral gifts. Like everything I've said before, the magic in this universe is unique and it was a lot of fun figuring it out.
The author pulls from Tolkien quite a bit in structure and themes. The way that the story unfolds from different angles, both good and evil, feels reminiscent of Robert Jordan. Some scenes, though, are straight up George R.R. Martin. Ultimately, though, this is something completely unique and can't be compared fairly to any of those guys.
My husband said it best, so I'll just quote him. He said it sounds like this book felt brand new, while still being thoroughly recognizable as fantasy. That's it. I'm excited about the series to come because I have never read anything like this before. Also, the reader's bio makes him sound like a total nerd who I would love hanging out with.
July 4, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Magic is women’s work, while fighting is men’s – those are the ideals that govern eighteen-year old Salo’s life. But he’s never been very good at conforming to his tribe’s ideals, and despite the tribe not having a fully developed mystic of its own which often leads to difficulties, the jabbed words and hostile glances make Salo feel as if he’s a pariah within his own society. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo continues to hone his craft, his only friends a mystic in training and a boy named Monti. When their village is attacked under an enchantress, resulting in the death of many, Salo has to come to terms with his shortcomings and his passivity, and decide once and for all if he’s going to take action.
Scarlet Odyssey is an epic in every sense of the word. Almost 600-pages of tightly woven plot, world-building that keeps expanding with every chapter, a wide cast of characters and an intricate magic system, this African-inspired fantasy has something in it for everyone. Had I not been in The Mother of All Slumps, I would have devoured this in a couple of days.
Rwizi writes seemingly effortlessly, making an otherwise complex story quite easy to digest, one that is propelled forward by its characters. The book follows several different perspective characters in different areas of this world. Even so, it’s obvious that Salo is our main focus, and he is given the most attention and the most time to grow. His conflict is informed by both a past trauma that he has repressed, one that you slowly piece together as the story goes along, as well as the internalized and external marginalization he faces for practicing magic in a society where men basically exist to be physical fighters. There is no romance in this book, but Salo is also queer and has feelings for a renowned general in his tribe’s army, feelings that he feels are unrequited. I thought Salo was a very easy-to-love character, despite his flaws. He felt incredibly real, and his development followed a logical, gradual path that only makes you enjoy him more.
On the flip side, we have Ilapara who was my favorite character. She is a female sell-sword of sorts, selling her skills and services far from her home tribe. Although she is also a character going against the grain of societal gender roles, she doesn’t grapple with them quite like Salo does, which I thought was interesting commentary on toxic masculinity where traditionally “female” roles are seen as inferior and emasculating. Ilapara is fierce and funny and strong-willed, even though she grapples with doing the right thing despite being such a survivalist… and I loved her to death. I wish we’d gotten to see more of her.
Aside from Ilapara, this book is full of complex, well-developed female characters who all have POV chapters. Primarily of these, there is Kelafelo, a woman whose family and village was destroyed by a warlord’s army, and so she embarks on a quest of revenge. There’s Isa, a princess whose family is wiped out and is then forced to step into the shoes of a ruler, and there’s the Maidservant, an extremely powerful mystic working for a warlord who commands her to destroy towns and villages.
I thought Isa’s character was the weakest, as was her storyline. I found it confusing at times, and I think I would have to re-read in order to grasp her role in the larger story, but I was very attached to all the other characters, even the ones who were introduced much later in the story (I’m looking at you, Tuk!)
The one place I struggled was the magic system and the world-building. And this is probably going to be just me, let me preface. Both of these elements were well thought-out and you could tell that Rwizi spent so much time and passion developing them. But I have never been a reader particularly interested in the machinations of magic in a fantasy, and this book is heavy on the magic. It’s an interesting, intricate, unique system that I could appreciate 100%, but because it was so complex, a lot of time is spent detailing it, so I found myself distracted sometimes and lost the other times. In the sequel, I hope this is dialed back, because it did disrupt the flow for me. However, I know many other fantasy readers love this focus on magic systems, so again, this was subjective.
As for the world-building… I just needed a map to supplement my experience! That’s it! Unfortunately, my ARC didn’t have one but the finished copy does, so that should enhance other people’s experience.
Conversations about how the world and its magic would apply outside the gender binary can also be had, but I think there’s enough room for Rwizi to explore more of these nuances in the future books.
Overall, I think this is such an incredible, solid debut that completely took me by surprise with how invested I immediately became. I cannot recommend this book enough, and I sincerely hope that anyone reading this will look into it, and give it the chance it so deserves. Can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!
Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death of children, torture, slavery.
Magic is women’s work, while fighting is men’s – those are the ideals that govern eighteen-year old Salo’s life. But he’s never been very good at conforming to his tribe’s ideals, and despite the tribe not having a fully developed mystic of its own which often leads to difficulties, the jabbed words and hostile glances make Salo feel as if he’s a pariah within his own society. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo continues to hone his craft, his only friends a mystic in training and a boy named Monti. When their village is attacked under an enchantress, resulting in the death of many, Salo has to come to terms with his shortcomings and his passivity, and decide once and for all if he’s going to take action.
Scarlet Odyssey is an epic in every sense of the word. Almost 600-pages of tightly woven plot, world-building that keeps expanding with every chapter, a wide cast of characters and an intricate magic system, this African-inspired fantasy has something in it for everyone. Had I not been in The Mother of All Slumps, I would have devoured this in a couple of days.
Rwizi writes seemingly effortlessly, making an otherwise complex story quite easy to digest, one that is propelled forward by its characters. The book follows several different perspective characters in different areas of this world. Even so, it’s obvious that Salo is our main focus, and he is given the most attention and the most time to grow. His conflict is informed by both a past trauma that he has repressed, one that you slowly piece together as the story goes along, as well as the internalized and external marginalization he faces for practicing magic in a society where men basically exist to be physical fighters. There is no romance in this book, but Salo is also queer and has feelings for a renowned general in his tribe’s army, feelings that he feels are unrequited. I thought Salo was a very easy-to-love character, despite his flaws. He felt incredibly real, and his development followed a logical, gradual path that only makes you enjoy him more.
On the flip side, we have Ilapara who was my favorite character. She is a female sell-sword of sorts, selling her skills and services far from her home tribe. Although she is also a character going against the grain of societal gender roles, she doesn’t grapple with them quite like Salo does, which I thought was interesting commentary on toxic masculinity where traditionally “female” roles are seen as inferior and emasculating. Ilapara is fierce and funny and strong-willed, even though she grapples with doing the right thing despite being such a survivalist… and I loved her to death. I wish we’d gotten to see more of her.
Aside from Ilapara, this book is full of complex, well-developed female characters who all have POV chapters. Primarily of these, there is Kelafelo, a woman whose family and village was destroyed by a warlord’s army, and so she embarks on a quest of revenge. There’s Isa, a princess whose family is wiped out and is then forced to step into the shoes of a ruler, and there’s the Maidservant, an extremely powerful mystic working for a warlord who commands her to destroy towns and villages.
I thought Isa’s character was the weakest, as was her storyline. I found it confusing at times, and I think I would have to re-read in order to grasp her role in the larger story, but I was very attached to all the other characters, even the ones who were introduced much later in the story (I’m looking at you, Tuk!)
The one place I struggled was the magic system and the world-building. And this is probably going to be just me, let me preface. Both of these elements were well thought-out and you could tell that Rwizi spent so much time and passion developing them. But I have never been a reader particularly interested in the machinations of magic in a fantasy, and this book is heavy on the magic. It’s an interesting, intricate, unique system that I could appreciate 100%, but because it was so complex, a lot of time is spent detailing it, so I found myself distracted sometimes and lost the other times. In the sequel, I hope this is dialed back, because it did disrupt the flow for me. However, I know many other fantasy readers love this focus on magic systems, so again, this was subjective.
As for the world-building… I just needed a map to supplement my experience! That’s it! Unfortunately, my ARC didn’t have one but the finished copy does, so that should enhance other people’s experience.
Conversations about how the world and its magic would apply outside the gender binary can also be had, but I think there’s enough room for Rwizi to explore more of these nuances in the future books.
Overall, I think this is such an incredible, solid debut that completely took me by surprise with how invested I immediately became. I cannot recommend this book enough, and I sincerely hope that anyone reading this will look into it, and give it the chance it so deserves. Can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!
Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death of children, torture, slavery.
March 31, 2023
Salo is the first-born son of his clan's chief. There are expectations placed upon him from birth. Unfortunately for the clan and their expectations, Salo's interests are in the arcane and magical - the domain of women - and not in being a warrior - the domain of men. As a result, Salo is tolerated, at best, within his tribe and held in disdain by many. But, when Salo's village is savagely attacked by an unknown mystic, he sees a path forward and petitions the queen to allow him to awaken his mystic power.
Surprising everyone, she does so. But she does has plans for Salo, and she sends him on a quest to the city at the political heart of the Red Lands. Part pilgrimage and part quest, Salo begins the journey alone before gaining three different companions along the way.
This book is the first of a series and does a lot of worldbuilding through the various tales it weaves in parallel to set the stage. As the story comes to a close, you begin to see how those tales will weave together, but the tapestry is clearly just getting started, and there are many loose threads yet to be woven. Even still, Rwizi sets a beautiful stage rich with history and color, and the many characters are complex and alive.
One thing I loved about this book was how well everything flowed together. At no point did I feel bogged down by needless words or info dumps, and even with the length of this book, every piece felt necessary and important. Though this book ends in what is clearly still an ongoing story, it does so at a natural breaking point, and I look forward to continuing the series to see what happens to and around Salo and his companions.
While reading this book, I swapped back and forth between reading it and listening to it, and sometimes I would even listen whilst I followed along. The narrators - Janina Edwards, Korey Jackson, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, and Susan Dalian - did a wonderful job, and I look forward to listening to them again in the next book.
Surprising everyone, she does so. But she does has plans for Salo, and she sends him on a quest to the city at the political heart of the Red Lands. Part pilgrimage and part quest, Salo begins the journey alone before gaining three different companions along the way.
This book is the first of a series and does a lot of worldbuilding through the various tales it weaves in parallel to set the stage. As the story comes to a close, you begin to see how those tales will weave together, but the tapestry is clearly just getting started, and there are many loose threads yet to be woven. Even still, Rwizi sets a beautiful stage rich with history and color, and the many characters are complex and alive.
One thing I loved about this book was how well everything flowed together. At no point did I feel bogged down by needless words or info dumps, and even with the length of this book, every piece felt necessary and important. Though this book ends in what is clearly still an ongoing story, it does so at a natural breaking point, and I look forward to continuing the series to see what happens to and around Salo and his companions.
While reading this book, I swapped back and forth between reading it and listening to it, and sometimes I would even listen whilst I followed along. The narrators - Janina Edwards, Korey Jackson, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, and Susan Dalian - did a wonderful job, and I look forward to listening to them again in the next book.
July 4, 2020
I REALLY liked this book! There is a LOT going on with numerous characters introduced throughout the book (all of them with their own, not-always-obvious agendas) and a unique technologically-infused system of magic, but once you get acquainted it all comes together in a beautifully written and immersive world. So many fantasy books seem to have only minor variations of the same general plot lines, so I loved that this book was definitely something different. I can’t wait for the sequel!
June 18, 2022
DNF, just couldn't get into it.
July 30, 2020
I'm just not sure what to think about this book. In many ways it's a pretty standard fantasy story--the chosen one sets off on a quest and collects a group of misfits who are nonetheless all super powerful. Powerful forces want to help them, for their own purposes, and powerful forces want stop them. As with many modern fantasy stories, the world is a pretty terrible place with all societies being different levels of awful. Racisim/tribalism is prevalent and particularly virulent. Not only is slavery is widely practiced, but human sacrifice is a way to gain power and protection, especially if the human sacrificed happens to be of one particular race. The techno-magic system is interesting, if a little too convoluted. For the most part, though, it's not too bad.
But there are some things I really don't like about this book. I've said it before and I'll say it again, withholding information that the reader should have access to to build suspense is simply a cheap parlor trick. And C.T. Rwizi does this multiple times.
[spoiler]I really hate having two timelines going simultaneously for Kelafelo and the Maidservant, even if it was pretty obvious early on the Kelafelo was either the Maidservant or the Enchantress. And because we get multiple chapters from her point of view, we should know who the Enchantress is by now, not just have to guess (not to mention wonder why her backstory is so close to the Maidservant's, with never wanting to be a helpless puppet again).[/spoiler]
And if you need closure and don't want to wait for a sequel, this isn't the book for you. The ending is more like the beginning of the middle than an actual ending.
But there are some things I really don't like about this book. I've said it before and I'll say it again, withholding information that the reader should have access to to build suspense is simply a cheap parlor trick. And C.T. Rwizi does this multiple times.
[spoiler]I really hate having two timelines going simultaneously for Kelafelo and the Maidservant, even if it was pretty obvious early on the Kelafelo was either the Maidservant or the Enchantress. And because we get multiple chapters from her point of view, we should know who the Enchantress is by now, not just have to guess (not to mention wonder why her backstory is so close to the Maidservant's, with never wanting to be a helpless puppet again).[/spoiler]
And if you need closure and don't want to wait for a sequel, this isn't the book for you. The ending is more like the beginning of the middle than an actual ending.
June 10, 2020
I chose this for my Kindle First Reads book this month, but I regret the choice.
I expected it to be more about gender-bending, but instead it was about a weird type of magic which I never really understood. The premise is that in the society where the main character grows up only women can perform magic, but when the book switches to multiple viewpoints and multiple societies that is no longer the case.
A lot of people are killed, some very graphically, so I have shelved this as horror as well as fantasy.
1.5 stars rounded up to two because I kept reading and wondered how the story would resolve. Unfortunately, the story didn't resolve.
I expected it to be more about gender-bending, but instead it was about a weird type of magic which I never really understood. The premise is that in the society where the main character grows up only women can perform magic, but when the book switches to multiple viewpoints and multiple societies that is no longer the case.
A lot of people are killed, some very graphically, so I have shelved this as horror as well as fantasy.
1.5 stars rounded up to two because I kept reading and wondered how the story would resolve. Unfortunately, the story didn't resolve.
June 30, 2020
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
Scarlet Odyssey (2020) is the debut novel by C.T. Rwizi and the beginning of a new series, RED PLAINS. It’s an epic fantasy set in a world based on sub-Saharan Africa, featuring a group of young people who might have the chance to stop an evil plan — or might unwittingly put it in motion instead.
The central point-of-view characters are Musalodi (“Salo”), a young man who wants to learn magic even though his people forbid that study to men; Ilapara, a young woman who rebelled in the inverse way, by becoming a female warrior, and starts the novel working as a mercenary; Kelafelo, a woman whose village is destroyed by a brutal warlord, and who apprentices in sorcery in the hopes of taking vengeance on him; and Isa, a spoiled princess who will have responsibility thrust upon her unexpectedly. Also among the POVs are several shadowy characters who go only by titles rather than names, and about whom we learn more as the novel progresses.
The easy comparison here is to George R.R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series, which similarly alternates among multiple third-person narrators, each of whom has their own character arc while also giving the reader a look at what’s going on in their part of the map. (Rwizi also employs a Martinesque level of violence, so … you have been warned.)
The magic is interesting and has a futuristic bent to it. Some aspects of the system seem like straight-up magic, while others appear to be more like computer programming, and there are “tronic” animals that are part machine, whose origin hasn’t been explained yet.
The multiple POVs and the magical terminology are a lot to take in at first, especially since the POVs don’t intersect until later and the connection between them is not immediately apparent. There’s a learning curve to it, and it can be confusing in the early going, but ultimately rewarding. And some of the things that seem mysterious are that way on purpose. There were a few plot points I was sure I just “didn’t get,” and was pleasantly surprised when twists and reveals late in the book made them fall into place.
There’s a fair amount of setup at the beginning — which is probably for the best, considering all the info that’s coming at you — but once Salo is sent on a journey and leaves home, Scarlet Odyssey becomes difficult to put down. Danger is everywhere, and Salo will need to learn more about himself and his magic on the fly.
The main plot is left to be resolved in a future book or books, but Scarlet Odyssey finishes strong nonetheless, with a couple of big “Wow!” moments that make the end satisfying even though it’s not the end. I will definitely be reading the sequel. RED PLAINS is a promising new series by a promising new author.
Scarlet Odyssey (2020) is the debut novel by C.T. Rwizi and the beginning of a new series, RED PLAINS. It’s an epic fantasy set in a world based on sub-Saharan Africa, featuring a group of young people who might have the chance to stop an evil plan — or might unwittingly put it in motion instead.
The central point-of-view characters are Musalodi (“Salo”), a young man who wants to learn magic even though his people forbid that study to men; Ilapara, a young woman who rebelled in the inverse way, by becoming a female warrior, and starts the novel working as a mercenary; Kelafelo, a woman whose village is destroyed by a brutal warlord, and who apprentices in sorcery in the hopes of taking vengeance on him; and Isa, a spoiled princess who will have responsibility thrust upon her unexpectedly. Also among the POVs are several shadowy characters who go only by titles rather than names, and about whom we learn more as the novel progresses.
The easy comparison here is to George R.R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series, which similarly alternates among multiple third-person narrators, each of whom has their own character arc while also giving the reader a look at what’s going on in their part of the map. (Rwizi also employs a Martinesque level of violence, so … you have been warned.)
The magic is interesting and has a futuristic bent to it. Some aspects of the system seem like straight-up magic, while others appear to be more like computer programming, and there are “tronic” animals that are part machine, whose origin hasn’t been explained yet.
The multiple POVs and the magical terminology are a lot to take in at first, especially since the POVs don’t intersect until later and the connection between them is not immediately apparent. There’s a learning curve to it, and it can be confusing in the early going, but ultimately rewarding. And some of the things that seem mysterious are that way on purpose. There were a few plot points I was sure I just “didn’t get,” and was pleasantly surprised when twists and reveals late in the book made them fall into place.
There’s a fair amount of setup at the beginning — which is probably for the best, considering all the info that’s coming at you — but once Salo is sent on a journey and leaves home, Scarlet Odyssey becomes difficult to put down. Danger is everywhere, and Salo will need to learn more about himself and his magic on the fly.
The main plot is left to be resolved in a future book or books, but Scarlet Odyssey finishes strong nonetheless, with a couple of big “Wow!” moments that make the end satisfying even though it’s not the end. I will definitely be reading the sequel. RED PLAINS is a promising new series by a promising new author.
Want to read
May 1, 2020group of misfits on a quest??? ermmm GIMME
December 31, 2022
An impressive debut which I reviewed for the Fantasy-Hive.
In Scarlet Odyssey, Rwizi has given us a rich and immersive world resonant of Africa with its equatorial jungles, huge navigable lakes and broad sweeping plains. Rwizi steps magnificently beyond the medieval-european paradigm of fantasy fiction that has been more than fulsomely explored in the decades since Lord of the Rings. This is not a short debut, but the story is still an opening salvo in what promises to be an enjoyable series. The book ends with an epilogue that hints for our protagonists, the best (or worst) is yet to come, so the reader had best buckle up for an absorbing ride.
However, it is to the author’s credit, that throughout 500+ pages, the prose and the plot still feel lean and well-paced. We follow several different points of view as they coalesce around the central strand of Musalodi (Salo’s) perspective.
In its creative world building and thought provoking themes, Scarlet Odyssey put me in mind of both N.K.Jemsin’s The Fifth Season and Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor.
The prologue introduces us to Salo in a moment of fearful cowardice that sets him apart from the spear wielding ass-kicking warrior of much traditional fantasy we’re used to. Instead we find a thinker, a technocrat, an artisan, a young man still struggling under the weight of his own past and his people’s ongoing disdain – though that does not stop them depending on his skills.
The warrior role sits instead with Ilapara, a young woman trying to carve out a future as a mercenary far away from the homeland she shared with Salo, a place where her gender excluded her from such martial arts.
The third main character (who we do not meet until page 183) is Isa, the northern princess thrust by circumstance into a politically pivotal role in a nation where old certainties are not so much crumbling as being crushed.
The story gradually braids their three stories together, while a cloud of minor characters orbit them with threats and support.
You can read my full review here
In Scarlet Odyssey, Rwizi has given us a rich and immersive world resonant of Africa with its equatorial jungles, huge navigable lakes and broad sweeping plains. Rwizi steps magnificently beyond the medieval-european paradigm of fantasy fiction that has been more than fulsomely explored in the decades since Lord of the Rings. This is not a short debut, but the story is still an opening salvo in what promises to be an enjoyable series. The book ends with an epilogue that hints for our protagonists, the best (or worst) is yet to come, so the reader had best buckle up for an absorbing ride.
However, it is to the author’s credit, that throughout 500+ pages, the prose and the plot still feel lean and well-paced. We follow several different points of view as they coalesce around the central strand of Musalodi (Salo’s) perspective.
In its creative world building and thought provoking themes, Scarlet Odyssey put me in mind of both N.K.Jemsin’s The Fifth Season and Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor.
The prologue introduces us to Salo in a moment of fearful cowardice that sets him apart from the spear wielding ass-kicking warrior of much traditional fantasy we’re used to. Instead we find a thinker, a technocrat, an artisan, a young man still struggling under the weight of his own past and his people’s ongoing disdain – though that does not stop them depending on his skills.
The warrior role sits instead with Ilapara, a young woman trying to carve out a future as a mercenary far away from the homeland she shared with Salo, a place where her gender excluded her from such martial arts.
The third main character (who we do not meet until page 183) is Isa, the northern princess thrust by circumstance into a politically pivotal role in a nation where old certainties are not so much crumbling as being crushed.
The story gradually braids their three stories together, while a cloud of minor characters orbit them with threats and support.
You can read my full review here
December 24, 2020
Disappointing, though the African worldview and imagery are a welcome change. After 547 pages, it ends at the threshold of the confrontation the plot had been laboriously building to. Its a lot of work for the reader, with little payback. Maybe it is book one of a trilogy, but there is no way to know yet if the trilogy will be worth all that effort. The underlying mythos is terribly dark with people who have suffered unspeakable evil driven to perpetrate unspeakable evil in revenge with few good people playing any part while untold numbers of innocents suffer in an unspeakably corrupt culture. It reminded me of one of C. S. Lewis' later adult novels where he obsessed metaphorically about the devil--but if you enjoyed Dante's Inferno, this book is an imaginative new entry with all new African scenery. If the sequel evolves the theme towards fighting for redemption, then the series will look more like C. S. Lewis. If in the series the king allows herself to be killed to save her people, then the C. S. Lewis parallel will become unavoidable. If the author turns out to be less a fan of C. S. Lewis and more a fan of Heraclitus (who wrote, "The road up and the road down is one and the same."), then this may be a novel novel after all. It is possible the new author will deserve credit for aiming high, but there is no way yet to tell from this book. Just don't expect an easy or uplifting read.
June 12, 2020
Majestic - Read This
An imaginative, sprawling and intriguing work of high fantasy. It will likely be compared to Game of Thrones in scope and violence; but the conventions of fantasy here have been masterfully reimagined into an African setting and blended with an almost sci-fi mystery. The world building is vivid. The plot lays the foundations for epic sequels, but just enough questions are answered in this first novel for it to feel complete. Our hero’s journey and companions are deftly created; well-rounded; believable. Again comparisons must be drawn to Game of Thrones as the antagonists are not so clear-cut. I especially enjoyed the idea that magic is drawn from agony and the notion of that agony as not being inherently evil. Ideas of evil here are different to what we in the West are used to; and it is this greyness around power that makes the magic system so interesting. Other reviews here have claimed that they did not understand the terminology; patience and it will be defined. Exposition is masterfully interwoven with plot, with something revealed only when absolutely required. (Dare I suggest that being put off by made-up words in a fantasy novel just because they echo African languages is...racist? If you can stomach expelliarmus you can stomach this.) I can’t wait for the sequel; in the meantime I’ll be lending it to everyone I know.
An imaginative, sprawling and intriguing work of high fantasy. It will likely be compared to Game of Thrones in scope and violence; but the conventions of fantasy here have been masterfully reimagined into an African setting and blended with an almost sci-fi mystery. The world building is vivid. The plot lays the foundations for epic sequels, but just enough questions are answered in this first novel for it to feel complete. Our hero’s journey and companions are deftly created; well-rounded; believable. Again comparisons must be drawn to Game of Thrones as the antagonists are not so clear-cut. I especially enjoyed the idea that magic is drawn from agony and the notion of that agony as not being inherently evil. Ideas of evil here are different to what we in the West are used to; and it is this greyness around power that makes the magic system so interesting. Other reviews here have claimed that they did not understand the terminology; patience and it will be defined. Exposition is masterfully interwoven with plot, with something revealed only when absolutely required. (Dare I suggest that being put off by made-up words in a fantasy novel just because they echo African languages is...racist? If you can stomach expelliarmus you can stomach this.) I can’t wait for the sequel; in the meantime I’ll be lending it to everyone I know.
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