What do you think?
Rate this book
S.E.T. The Earth on Fire
It’s the summer of 3129, one thousand years after meteors destroyed most of life on Earth. The city of Akhet endures in the barren desert landscape of what remains. Ethos, an artist living in poverty within the gilded city, renders commission work for the families of missing girls. When his best friend reveals she and the vanishing citizens are all witches, they discover the horrifying link between the disappearances and a godlike elite named Ra. Their investigation abruptly ends in the tragic death of a beloved friend, which forces Ethos into the lawless wasteland beyond the city after escaping with his life.
As Ethos traverses the desolate and dangerous outskirts, a fateful interaction leaves an alien ghost bound to his body and consciousness. They must work together if either is to survive and accomplish their conflicting, yet closely connected goal. After discovering powers forged in his bond with the ghost, Ethos vows vengeance against Ra and the rulers of Akhet, including Set, an android and self-proclaimed god. But an unseen threat stirs within the bowels of the Earth, one with an even greater thirst for revenge against Set. An ancient darkness more menacing than any god. With the fate of the world on the line, Ethos must choose between his revenge or salvaging what’s left of his crumbling humanity to fight the dark forces both outside and within him.
As Ethos traverses the desolate and dangerous outskirts, a fateful interaction leaves an alien ghost bound to his body and consciousness. They must work together if either is to survive and accomplish their conflicting, yet closely connected goal. After discovering powers forged in his bond with the ghost, Ethos vows vengeance against Ra and the rulers of Akhet, including Set, an android and self-proclaimed god. But an unseen threat stirs within the bowels of the Earth, one with an even greater thirst for revenge against Set. An ancient darkness more menacing than any god. With the fate of the world on the line, Ethos must choose between his revenge or salvaging what’s left of his crumbling humanity to fight the dark forces both outside and within him.
- GenresScience Fiction
500 pages, Paperback
Published November 20, 2021
21 people are currently reading
1153 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Noland
1 book18 followersI’m the director of marketing and design for a multi-franchise corporate office during the day and an avid writer, reader, and digital artist at night. I have a BFA in visual communications, graduate of 2011. S.E.T. is my debut novel, but I already have many more in the works. As a gay writer, I want to add LGBTQ+ representation to my books in a way that's often not done well, or at all. I'm a huge sci-fi fantasy and action-adventure fan, which is why I write in the genre. Write the book you want to read, right? Well, I do just that. I'm relentless in my goals and overbearingly positive even in the worst of times. I never give up, even when all the odds are stacked against me. It's been a tough journey, in life and on the road to discovering my second lifelong dream career (author), but my passion and love for creativity will always get me through anything.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 25, 2021
4.5⭐
First I need to point out how much I love the drawn pictures of the characters in the beginning! I really don't see that ever (unless they are on the cover) and it really helped to picture them the way Noland did. It was such a cool feature!! And of course, I love any books with maps so you have a better understanding of the world and places they are in.
This is a mix of dystopian and fantasy and I'm such a big fan of those genres as a whole so I was ultimately stoked for this book! You've got it all, man. Gods, humans, witches, robots, etc!
There are a lot of characters you follow and I'm normally not a fan of that but somehow it worked for this book. It could have a lot to do with HOW he did it. You have Ethos and Aargo as the two main characters and you mostly follow them but with others sprinkled in. It was actually nice knowing what was going on with others and I don't think the book would have turned out as well if we didn't.
Ethos is a gay character and admittedly I don't read a lot of stories with gay characters. Not because I don't want to but mainly because they don't happen to be in a book I pick up (mostly thriller reader here). I loved him! I'm specifically pointing him out for those looking for books with an LGBTQ+ member in them. 🏳️🌈
I originally thought when making notes for this book review that I was going to list some characters I liked and hated. I can't seem to really do that though because I loved every character for who they were supposed to be (hero/villain)! That's incredibly unusual. There is almost always a character I can find a flaw in and hate. Lol. Not here.
This is Kyle Nolands's debut novel and it was a fabulous one! My slight issue is that I wish it was broken up into multiple books. I can't stand books over 400 pages. It's one reason I'm not a fan of Stephen King. I tend to lose interest half way through. That actually didn't happen with this book though! I wanted to keep going and at times it was hard for me to put down! But I think this would have made a killer series and he could have done more with the story and character development.
This book is great and I definitely recommend it for my fantasy lovers out there! All I can think about is how this was his DEBUT. We're in for a wild ride with this author and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
I was incredibly lucky to get an ARC and all opinions are mine and mine alone. Book comes out tomorrow! Get yourself a copy! 🖤
First I need to point out how much I love the drawn pictures of the characters in the beginning! I really don't see that ever (unless they are on the cover) and it really helped to picture them the way Noland did. It was such a cool feature!! And of course, I love any books with maps so you have a better understanding of the world and places they are in.
This is a mix of dystopian and fantasy and I'm such a big fan of those genres as a whole so I was ultimately stoked for this book! You've got it all, man. Gods, humans, witches, robots, etc!
There are a lot of characters you follow and I'm normally not a fan of that but somehow it worked for this book. It could have a lot to do with HOW he did it. You have Ethos and Aargo as the two main characters and you mostly follow them but with others sprinkled in. It was actually nice knowing what was going on with others and I don't think the book would have turned out as well if we didn't.
Ethos is a gay character and admittedly I don't read a lot of stories with gay characters. Not because I don't want to but mainly because they don't happen to be in a book I pick up (mostly thriller reader here). I loved him! I'm specifically pointing him out for those looking for books with an LGBTQ+ member in them. 🏳️🌈
I originally thought when making notes for this book review that I was going to list some characters I liked and hated. I can't seem to really do that though because I loved every character for who they were supposed to be (hero/villain)! That's incredibly unusual. There is almost always a character I can find a flaw in and hate. Lol. Not here.
This is Kyle Nolands's debut novel and it was a fabulous one! My slight issue is that I wish it was broken up into multiple books. I can't stand books over 400 pages. It's one reason I'm not a fan of Stephen King. I tend to lose interest half way through. That actually didn't happen with this book though! I wanted to keep going and at times it was hard for me to put down! But I think this would have made a killer series and he could have done more with the story and character development.
This book is great and I definitely recommend it for my fantasy lovers out there! All I can think about is how this was his DEBUT. We're in for a wild ride with this author and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
I was incredibly lucky to get an ARC and all opinions are mine and mine alone. Book comes out tomorrow! Get yourself a copy! 🖤
February 22, 2022
S.E.T. The Earth On Fire by Author Kye Noland is a highly creative and extremely original book. While it’s mainly a dystopian, fantasy and post-apocalyptic themed as far as genre, it also dark and contains elements of horror, science fiction, romance, action and adventure. The prologue cleverly frames the story for the events that are going to take place and puts things in the proper perspective. It’s the year 3129 and a thousand years have passed since a devastating barrage of meteors have destroyed the earth. The main characters, Ethos and Aargo band together to fight diabolical forces in order to save their friends, neighbors and city. The author created an entire world and it springs to life thanks to the vivid descriptions throughout the book. There are many unexpected twists involving betrayals and alliances. The plot is fantastic and it is obvious the author put a great deal of thought into the storyline. Each character was described well. I enjoyed and understood all of them since each was given an opportunity to tell the story from their individual perspective. The action scenes were great and I kept wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen. The drawings of the characters were also a unique touch that served to set this book apart from others I’ve read. All in all, this is an excellent novel that is well written and immensely enjoyable.
November 24, 2021
To start, this is Mr. Noland's debut so I wasn't sure what to expect. This isn't really my genre but I received a free arc in exchange for a honest review so I figured I'd give it a shot. Now I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this dark fantasy.
A few cons to get them out of the way.
1. At 500 pages, it's longer than the books I normally read, and it took much longer to finish it with my busy schedule.
2. One of my favorite characters dies very early on in the book. This character was really fun to read and I wish they got more time to spend with the rest of the large cast. I understand why this event had to occur, but it still didn't make it any easier to lose such an interesting character.
3. In one of the longer chapters, several new characters (demons, gods) were introduced at once, and it was a bit harder for me to follow until I got further into the book and understood the characters and their place in the story.
Now, the pros:
1. The action scenes were my favorite part. They were interesting and fun to read, with stakes that seemed to climb higher and higher with every scene. One scene in particular was my absolute favorite and has the main protagonist out in the desert surrounded by cannibals and fighting for their life. There was another situation going on at the same time, but without spoiling anything, I simply found the dynamic very gripping and unique.
2. The characters, especially the ghosts, demons, and gods. Wormwood is my favorite character. He's just so darn interesting and funny. his bluntness doesn't add much levity, but it is amusing nonetheless. Speaking of levity, Victor and his demon were also true gems of the story. One scene, the pair argue over how to handle a traitor, and it's just so much fun to read such a different side of the story from the doom and gloom of some of the other storylines. Victor really grew on me. At first I hated him because of his involvement in some dark dealings in the story, but then his arc evolved and he quickly became one of my favorites. Honorable mentions are Ethos, Aargo, Charlie, Thalia, Andromeda, Pesh... so many great characters to choose from, it's great to read such a diverse cast of characters.
3. I never knew what was going to happen next. Nothing in the story is predictable, but in a really great and exciting way. I liked the way it ended because it wrapped up the main and sub plots and builds up for the next book.
This is an action-packed adventure with bonds of friendship and unexpected new romances that are hard not to care about. I can't wait to read what happens next and who survives and what this series will evolve into.
A few cons to get them out of the way.
1. At 500 pages, it's longer than the books I normally read, and it took much longer to finish it with my busy schedule.
2. One of my favorite characters dies very early on in the book. This character was really fun to read and I wish they got more time to spend with the rest of the large cast. I understand why this event had to occur, but it still didn't make it any easier to lose such an interesting character.
3. In one of the longer chapters, several new characters (demons, gods) were introduced at once, and it was a bit harder for me to follow until I got further into the book and understood the characters and their place in the story.
Now, the pros:
1. The action scenes were my favorite part. They were interesting and fun to read, with stakes that seemed to climb higher and higher with every scene. One scene in particular was my absolute favorite and has the main protagonist out in the desert surrounded by cannibals and fighting for their life. There was another situation going on at the same time, but without spoiling anything, I simply found the dynamic very gripping and unique.
2. The characters, especially the ghosts, demons, and gods. Wormwood is my favorite character. He's just so darn interesting and funny. his bluntness doesn't add much levity, but it is amusing nonetheless. Speaking of levity, Victor and his demon were also true gems of the story. One scene, the pair argue over how to handle a traitor, and it's just so much fun to read such a different side of the story from the doom and gloom of some of the other storylines. Victor really grew on me. At first I hated him because of his involvement in some dark dealings in the story, but then his arc evolved and he quickly became one of my favorites. Honorable mentions are Ethos, Aargo, Charlie, Thalia, Andromeda, Pesh... so many great characters to choose from, it's great to read such a diverse cast of characters.
3. I never knew what was going to happen next. Nothing in the story is predictable, but in a really great and exciting way. I liked the way it ended because it wrapped up the main and sub plots and builds up for the next book.
This is an action-packed adventure with bonds of friendship and unexpected new romances that are hard not to care about. I can't wait to read what happens next and who survives and what this series will evolve into.
November 11, 2021
'S.E.T.' is Kyle Noland's debut novel and it is quite the ambitious undertaking. It is a post-apocalyptic action-packed struggle of cosmic proportions set among a cast of mortal characters who do their best to survive the cataclysmic altercations of the gods.
Pros: 1. Variety of cast, most feel well-established and differentiated from one another. Relationships between characters are believable and organic. A balanced approach to representing different orientations is a big part of the characterization here.
2. Egyptian mythology a personal plus. Many characters and abilities reference these historical staples and I'm always a sucker for them.
3. Setting descriptions are quite strong, giving a vivid mental picture of environments without being overly wordy.
4. Action sequences are the most satisfying part of the book. Much like the setting descriptions, the choreography of the fight scenes is done in a way that gives you clear sequences of movement. The violence is bloody, brutal, and visceral. Exciting stuff for the action enthusiast.
5. The narrative is expansive with several moving parts. They are not all completely explained, which opens up plenty of storytelling room in a sequel. There's a good amount of lore and worldbuilding to convey a sense of real history.
6. Plenty of betrayal, unlikely alliances, and personal growth nestled within the primary theme of unending tenacity. "Never give up" is this novel's mantra and it's something everyone could use as a source of encouragement when real life deals you a rough hand.
7. The rules surrounding magic use were particularly creative, with much of it adhering to laws of physics in a way I'd never thought of before; it's rare that suspension of disbelief is done so well in a fantasy novel.
Cons: 1. Some characters have similar speech patterns and word choice, making certain scenes feel slightly disjointed when the characters in question are debating opposite points.
2. The rest of the world isn't established as well as the primary city the majority of the book takes place in. Towards the end, the narrative scope expands to include neighboring locations that the reader has no connection to; it ends up feeling like reading names on a map with no definite context.
Overall, 'S.E.T.' is an engaging narrative with excellent action and a pace that goes at a solid clip. There weren't any parts that felt like they dragged the story down. I hope the second installment helps the reader get as invested in the rest of this fictional world as it does with the central hub that is the city of Akhet. Certainly an impressive showing for a debut and I'm looking forward to more.
-- Written using an advanced review copy
Pros: 1. Variety of cast, most feel well-established and differentiated from one another. Relationships between characters are believable and organic. A balanced approach to representing different orientations is a big part of the characterization here.
2. Egyptian mythology a personal plus. Many characters and abilities reference these historical staples and I'm always a sucker for them.
3. Setting descriptions are quite strong, giving a vivid mental picture of environments without being overly wordy.
4. Action sequences are the most satisfying part of the book. Much like the setting descriptions, the choreography of the fight scenes is done in a way that gives you clear sequences of movement. The violence is bloody, brutal, and visceral. Exciting stuff for the action enthusiast.
5. The narrative is expansive with several moving parts. They are not all completely explained, which opens up plenty of storytelling room in a sequel. There's a good amount of lore and worldbuilding to convey a sense of real history.
6. Plenty of betrayal, unlikely alliances, and personal growth nestled within the primary theme of unending tenacity. "Never give up" is this novel's mantra and it's something everyone could use as a source of encouragement when real life deals you a rough hand.
7. The rules surrounding magic use were particularly creative, with much of it adhering to laws of physics in a way I'd never thought of before; it's rare that suspension of disbelief is done so well in a fantasy novel.
Cons: 1. Some characters have similar speech patterns and word choice, making certain scenes feel slightly disjointed when the characters in question are debating opposite points.
2. The rest of the world isn't established as well as the primary city the majority of the book takes place in. Towards the end, the narrative scope expands to include neighboring locations that the reader has no connection to; it ends up feeling like reading names on a map with no definite context.
Overall, 'S.E.T.' is an engaging narrative with excellent action and a pace that goes at a solid clip. There weren't any parts that felt like they dragged the story down. I hope the second installment helps the reader get as invested in the rest of this fictional world as it does with the central hub that is the city of Akhet. Certainly an impressive showing for a debut and I'm looking forward to more.
-- Written using an advanced review copy
November 20, 2021
Who doesn't love a good underdog story? I love how this seemingly group of no name underdog humans come together with God's and witches to work together to help save their world from those who are trying to destroy it.
I like how the author had chapters that told the story from each one of the characters perspectives. It really gives your imagination a complete idea of what's happening so you can envision this story in your mind. Being able to see the full picture really draws you into this book and connects you to the characters. Ethos, the main character, written beautifully as a gay man starts off as a poor/quiet/artist from the Roots and develops into this powerful/strong/brave man who does everything he can to save his friends and city. I like how even the side characters play big roles that contribute to the storyline and it doesn't just follow one sole person. My favorite character actually ends up being Victor, a bounty hunter who's a complete brut, but the comedic relief is great. I have to say I didn't dislike any of the characters, they are all written/described very well.
I will admit, within the first couple chapters I kept wondering "where it was heading" and "when will the action happen".. but oh boy did it lead to perfectly jam packed action! The fighting/battling scenes were very well described and I was captivated! All my confusion at the beginning was solved after just a few chapters! Usually I don't like reading such long novels as it is hard to read it all in a couple days like I would normally like, but it was so worth the few extra days it took to read it! It definitely was a roller coaster ride with all the mysteries slowly being solved!
I enjoyed that within all the fighting and action there was still some well written scenes that drew on my heart strings. Some character deaths (without giving anything away) really got to me. I'm glad though that most of the characters that I came to love had happy endings.
While reading this book I couldn't help but want to see it come together in real life. I can really see this becoming a movie or TV series. After that ending, I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
I received this book as a free ARC giveaway.
I like how the author had chapters that told the story from each one of the characters perspectives. It really gives your imagination a complete idea of what's happening so you can envision this story in your mind. Being able to see the full picture really draws you into this book and connects you to the characters. Ethos, the main character, written beautifully as a gay man starts off as a poor/quiet/artist from the Roots and develops into this powerful/strong/brave man who does everything he can to save his friends and city. I like how even the side characters play big roles that contribute to the storyline and it doesn't just follow one sole person. My favorite character actually ends up being Victor, a bounty hunter who's a complete brut, but the comedic relief is great. I have to say I didn't dislike any of the characters, they are all written/described very well.
I will admit, within the first couple chapters I kept wondering "where it was heading" and "when will the action happen".. but oh boy did it lead to perfectly jam packed action! The fighting/battling scenes were very well described and I was captivated! All my confusion at the beginning was solved after just a few chapters! Usually I don't like reading such long novels as it is hard to read it all in a couple days like I would normally like, but it was so worth the few extra days it took to read it! It definitely was a roller coaster ride with all the mysteries slowly being solved!
I enjoyed that within all the fighting and action there was still some well written scenes that drew on my heart strings. Some character deaths (without giving anything away) really got to me. I'm glad though that most of the characters that I came to love had happy endings.
While reading this book I couldn't help but want to see it come together in real life. I can really see this becoming a movie or TV series. After that ending, I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
I received this book as a free ARC giveaway.
November 24, 2021
I was given an ARC copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Wow this book was a great read. I love the mixing of Egyptian gods with the background of a desolate futuristic world. Who else has mixed witches with robots and gods? Very well written in a way that I could picture the action in my head, and also connect with the characters. This is very important for me in a book.
My only wish is that it wasn't so long. I tend to avoid the longer books. However given that I finished this book, shows how great it was. A great debut read, and I can't wait for the next instalment.
Wow this book was a great read. I love the mixing of Egyptian gods with the background of a desolate futuristic world. Who else has mixed witches with robots and gods? Very well written in a way that I could picture the action in my head, and also connect with the characters. This is very important for me in a book.
My only wish is that it wasn't so long. I tend to avoid the longer books. However given that I finished this book, shows how great it was. A great debut read, and I can't wait for the next instalment.
January 3, 2022
Noland really knocked it out of the park in this first novel. I am usually hesitant when I see a novel begins with a map. I can almost always expect a truckload of exposition at the beginning and time spent setting scenery that does not move the story forward. However, Noland brought me the unexpected. I grew to like the map, and I loved the character drawings at the start of the book. He balanced the tech, magic, and world creation wonderfully against his plot. It was immersive sci-fi adventure-filled action, mystery, and drama. The characters were diverse and meshed well for a complete ensemble in the story.
Noland’s voice was consistent throughout and made for easy storytelling. Sometimes it is hard to get into the rhythm of a science fiction/fantasy world, but it was very cozy. It was told in a way that was like you were being dropped off in Roots but had a guide with you. The way he wove together Egyptian mythology into the mythos of the book was well done. It did not feel like a copy/paste or Frankenstein-ed together in a clumsy way. It was all very thoughtfully planned and laid out.
Like many of the genre, it was very long. It is a story that takes a couple of days to thoroughly read over and digest. It might have been easier to consume as 2 books in his series, but overall it was well done. There is a lot of thought and passion for his creations. I am here for it for whatever comes next!
Noland’s voice was consistent throughout and made for easy storytelling. Sometimes it is hard to get into the rhythm of a science fiction/fantasy world, but it was very cozy. It was told in a way that was like you were being dropped off in Roots but had a guide with you. The way he wove together Egyptian mythology into the mythos of the book was well done. It did not feel like a copy/paste or Frankenstein-ed together in a clumsy way. It was all very thoughtfully planned and laid out.
Like many of the genre, it was very long. It is a story that takes a couple of days to thoroughly read over and digest. It might have been easier to consume as 2 books in his series, but overall it was well done. There is a lot of thought and passion for his creations. I am here for it for whatever comes next!
January 16, 2022
3.5 * (rounded up to 4 for the sake of GoodReads rating system)
This novel is clearly written by an author passionate about his project—the love the author has for this work is evident, especially from the illustrations and maps at the beginning of the book, which I personally thought were a nice touch.
It is quite long and very dense with complicated overarching strands which make it a rounded world, but not necessarily an easy read. I think it could have done with being split into two novels, personally. There is a lot of action, and a wide array of very distinctive colourful characters, meaning there will always be someone to root for, no matter what your taste, though sometimes the dialogue fell a little flat.
I found the prologue to be a bit over-explained. I personally thought that we could have gone straight into chapter one without losing anything. Also, on a very minor note, the formatting has very deep indentations, which is quite jarring to read as an ebook. (It may well look different in paperback, I don't know.)
I think it is aimed at dedicated science fiction fans—as someone who only browses sci-fi occasionally, I did struggle with it a bit, but that is probably just personal taste. Hard-core Sci-fi fans will probably enjoy this book though, and I would recommend it to them.
This novel is clearly written by an author passionate about his project—the love the author has for this work is evident, especially from the illustrations and maps at the beginning of the book, which I personally thought were a nice touch.
It is quite long and very dense with complicated overarching strands which make it a rounded world, but not necessarily an easy read. I think it could have done with being split into two novels, personally. There is a lot of action, and a wide array of very distinctive colourful characters, meaning there will always be someone to root for, no matter what your taste, though sometimes the dialogue fell a little flat.
I found the prologue to be a bit over-explained. I personally thought that we could have gone straight into chapter one without losing anything. Also, on a very minor note, the formatting has very deep indentations, which is quite jarring to read as an ebook. (It may well look different in paperback, I don't know.)
I think it is aimed at dedicated science fiction fans—as someone who only browses sci-fi occasionally, I did struggle with it a bit, but that is probably just personal taste. Hard-core Sci-fi fans will probably enjoy this book though, and I would recommend it to them.
November 20, 2021
S.E.T. is a sprawling adventure akin to the journey taken during a massive RPG: filled with a colorful cast of characters, a unique world with hybrid influences, and high stakes with plenty of magical influences.
Mr. Noland's debut novel is an ambitious undertaking, but considering the complexity involved, he's quickly soared to lofty heights. There's a lot to keep track of here, both as an author and a reader, but it pulls back just at the point of being overwhelmed. Some other reviewers have noted the size of the novel, and I do agree it would've been great divided into two, but this is the author's uncompromised vision and we're seeing it as he intended.
The cast of characters are likeable and diverse in multiple ways, and the world is at once recognizable and unique. If you're a fan of action scenes, they're here in spades! The author has drawn from many influences to make something all his own and build a universe filled with intricate lore.
You'll come to care about Akhet, Ethos, and the colorful cast--and also enjoy his wonderful artwork. This is a true passion project, a bit of a commitment to read through, but definitely one that's worth making. Give this debut author a shot, or at least get to know a promising new voice in the field!
Mr. Noland's debut novel is an ambitious undertaking, but considering the complexity involved, he's quickly soared to lofty heights. There's a lot to keep track of here, both as an author and a reader, but it pulls back just at the point of being overwhelmed. Some other reviewers have noted the size of the novel, and I do agree it would've been great divided into two, but this is the author's uncompromised vision and we're seeing it as he intended.
The cast of characters are likeable and diverse in multiple ways, and the world is at once recognizable and unique. If you're a fan of action scenes, they're here in spades! The author has drawn from many influences to make something all his own and build a universe filled with intricate lore.
You'll come to care about Akhet, Ethos, and the colorful cast--and also enjoy his wonderful artwork. This is a true passion project, a bit of a commitment to read through, but definitely one that's worth making. Give this debut author a shot, or at least get to know a promising new voice in the field!
November 16, 2021
I really wanted to like this book and I do like a lot of what the author was attempting. This book is a sprawling sci-fi/fantasy epic with a gay main character and that is always welcome. Unfortunately it suffers from being both too long and too short. Ideally, this would have been expanded out and broken up into a number of volumes, each filled to the brim with world building and character development. As it is I did not get a great idea of life in this post apocalyptic world where the cities seem medieval but outside there are still motorcycles. I was often intrigued but confused.
This confusion spread to the theological underpinnings of the world. In the book thee citizens talk of Gods and Demons walking among them and the characters start to learn all may not be as they thought. But what did they think? What does it mean to have gods controlling your city? Is it known that gods have powers? Then why is it a surprise that magic exists?
Other choices felt narratively forced (why does a character slaughter a dozen men with his powers in one fight and then in the next he is scared of a single man with a weapon on a chain? Why does he let this man live?).
Ultimately I didn't particularly like this book but I would be interested to see what the author does next. I think he has a lot of talent but may need an editor and a few beta readers.
This confusion spread to the theological underpinnings of the world. In the book thee citizens talk of Gods and Demons walking among them and the characters start to learn all may not be as they thought. But what did they think? What does it mean to have gods controlling your city? Is it known that gods have powers? Then why is it a surprise that magic exists?
Other choices felt narratively forced (why does a character slaughter a dozen men with his powers in one fight and then in the next he is scared of a single man with a weapon on a chain? Why does he let this man live?).
Ultimately I didn't particularly like this book but I would be interested to see what the author does next. I think he has a lot of talent but may need an editor and a few beta readers.
November 19, 2021
S.E.T. has a lot going for it in its first installment! The world in the novel is expansive and has many unexplored areas and potential plot points. The cast of characters is almost as diverse as the world itself. With witches, ghosts, robots, demons, bounty hunters, gods, and humans set in a post apocalyptic future there is literally something for everyone. At times I felt overwhelmed with the amount of characters with active roles in the story, but the author does a great job of making the reader feel for these characters. One of my favorite parts of this read was the action sequences, of which there are plenty! Overall S.E.T. was an enjoyable read in a world with limitless potential.
Read
November 17, 2021This book has Demons, Gods, Humans, Ghosts, and robots, and a war to save the humanity. Grab your pop corn and sit back and enjoy the adventure that you are about to go on.
Ethros and his best friend, Aargo have to fight evil to save the city they live in. Read how they and their group of friends tries to save human kind, their friends, family, and loved ones. But is their rag tag group strong enough to win.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ethros and his best friend, Aargo have to fight evil to save the city they live in. Read how they and their group of friends tries to save human kind, their friends, family, and loved ones. But is their rag tag group strong enough to win.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2021
SET is everything you could want in an epic adventure of massive proportions! It’s intricately thought out with characters you can truly root for! And filled with heart wrenching moments and pulse pounding action sequences that have the reader on the edge of their seat! Plus the world building was tireless and original - this book is one of a kind!
Can’t wait for the next one!
Can’t wait for the next one!
December 8, 2021
The story follows a few different characters, the main two being Ethos and Aargo. When a connection between the disappearances of young women and the god Ra, Ethos finds himself swearing vengeance against him.
First things first, this is the author's debut novel, but you would think they had been writing for much longer.
The characters are incredible. There's diversity and they are well developed, with believable back stories. I couldn't find a character I hated, even the supposed villain in the story.
The writing was impeccable, and the plot was well thought through and developed. The pacing was fast, but you don't miss any details due to it. The book is on the longer side, but you're not left with a cliffhanger or with any unanswered questions.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys dark, dystopia novels.
The author provided a copy. This is my honest review.
First things first, this is the author's debut novel, but you would think they had been writing for much longer.
The characters are incredible. There's diversity and they are well developed, with believable back stories. I couldn't find a character I hated, even the supposed villain in the story.
The writing was impeccable, and the plot was well thought through and developed. The pacing was fast, but you don't miss any details due to it. The book is on the longer side, but you're not left with a cliffhanger or with any unanswered questions.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys dark, dystopia novels.
The author provided a copy. This is my honest review.
March 22, 2022
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The synopsis was very promising, but as I got into the book, I was left with disappointment. This was a sci-fi story using a remixed version of Egyptian mythology and oh yeah...a white savior. Not my cup of tea. This could have been a great story, but it just missed the mark for me. Also, it was way too long. This story could have been told in 286 pages, honestly. There was a lot of fluff and unnecessary "love" stories in the mix.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The synopsis was very promising, but as I got into the book, I was left with disappointment. This was a sci-fi story using a remixed version of Egyptian mythology and oh yeah...a white savior. Not my cup of tea. This could have been a great story, but it just missed the mark for me. Also, it was way too long. This story could have been told in 286 pages, honestly. There was a lot of fluff and unnecessary "love" stories in the mix.
September 17, 2022
A lot of head cocking
A lot of people cock their heads in ‘S.E.T. The Earth on Fire’ by Kyle Noland. This is a present-tense, 500-page epic post-apocalyptic novel with a curious mix of modernist sci-fi, street slang and a menagerie of daemons and other assorted monsters. Ethos is Noland’s protagonist, but before we meet him, we are presented with sketches of a dog, a groupie, a shy boy and a dark scene reminiscent of Tom of Finland. There are no clues as to the relevance of these images, but the first map settles it: this is a traditional fantasy saga. (The map reminded me of a sort of reverse Scandinavia). The prologue reveals this is a story about Synthetically Engineered Terrestrials, confusing the notion I was about to enjoy a Belgariad-style yarn. Another sketch before Chapter One: a picture of Akhet (in the year 3129), which is oddly reminiscent of ancient Rome (or is it Egypt?)
Ethos and Aargo are our beloved heroes. Noland nicely centres each chapter on one or two of his well-rounded characters. The signpost at the start of each section is extremely helpful, given his prose’s ‘happening now’ style. For an LGBTQ+ sci-fi novel, there are a lot of men in this long book (I expected more diversity), but perhaps that’s how Noland sees his future world. This does not, however, detract from the incredibly complex and intricately woven story. There are obvious good guys and clearly-defined bad guys who all carry out their business in a richly described, unique world. Noland also brings a great sense of reality to his well-written action scenes: this is the work of a talented author who has spent much time considering his words.
Personally, I was not daunted by the size of his project, although this is not a book that can be read in a single sitting, weighing in at a hefty twenty-five dense chapters. However, this allows Noland to weave his story across several satisfying subplots and, of course, his fully-formed characters. However, I did struggle with the clash between gods and high technology, as the latter tends to kill the mystical, which is certainly true of our world. Some may find this merger a little off-putting.
Generally, ‘S.E.T.’ is a satisfying read, with battles and betrayals and love and levity. With the inclusion of magic and a few gods, Noland presents the reader with a vast scale. Noland has achieved something marvellous in this first-in-series. However, he may have set himself an almost-impossible challenge of bringing us, his readers, a second instalment worthy of ‘The Earth on Fire’.
A lot of people cock their heads in ‘S.E.T. The Earth on Fire’ by Kyle Noland. This is a present-tense, 500-page epic post-apocalyptic novel with a curious mix of modernist sci-fi, street slang and a menagerie of daemons and other assorted monsters. Ethos is Noland’s protagonist, but before we meet him, we are presented with sketches of a dog, a groupie, a shy boy and a dark scene reminiscent of Tom of Finland. There are no clues as to the relevance of these images, but the first map settles it: this is a traditional fantasy saga. (The map reminded me of a sort of reverse Scandinavia). The prologue reveals this is a story about Synthetically Engineered Terrestrials, confusing the notion I was about to enjoy a Belgariad-style yarn. Another sketch before Chapter One: a picture of Akhet (in the year 3129), which is oddly reminiscent of ancient Rome (or is it Egypt?)
Ethos and Aargo are our beloved heroes. Noland nicely centres each chapter on one or two of his well-rounded characters. The signpost at the start of each section is extremely helpful, given his prose’s ‘happening now’ style. For an LGBTQ+ sci-fi novel, there are a lot of men in this long book (I expected more diversity), but perhaps that’s how Noland sees his future world. This does not, however, detract from the incredibly complex and intricately woven story. There are obvious good guys and clearly-defined bad guys who all carry out their business in a richly described, unique world. Noland also brings a great sense of reality to his well-written action scenes: this is the work of a talented author who has spent much time considering his words.
Personally, I was not daunted by the size of his project, although this is not a book that can be read in a single sitting, weighing in at a hefty twenty-five dense chapters. However, this allows Noland to weave his story across several satisfying subplots and, of course, his fully-formed characters. However, I did struggle with the clash between gods and high technology, as the latter tends to kill the mystical, which is certainly true of our world. Some may find this merger a little off-putting.
Generally, ‘S.E.T.’ is a satisfying read, with battles and betrayals and love and levity. With the inclusion of magic and a few gods, Noland presents the reader with a vast scale. Noland has achieved something marvellous in this first-in-series. However, he may have set himself an almost-impossible challenge of bringing us, his readers, a second instalment worthy of ‘The Earth on Fire’.
December 9, 2021
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3ycp8JF.
Meteors crashed into the Earth ending life as we knew it. On these came gods. S.E.T., Ra, Osirus, Bakari, and the rest of their family. Together they created a new place for the humans that remained to grow and prosper. S.E.T, with the help of the Core he holds, has maintained peace for years. However, with Osirus' betrayal the Hive and the original creator of the Core is out to destroy this new life created. With Gods and Ghosts abounding humans have little control of their future. But, the fate of humans should not rest with the Gods.
After the murder of his best friend, Charlie, by Ra for being a Heka user Ethos flees Akhet and finds himself bound to a snake Ghost, Wormwood. The parasite's spirit has given this human powers that may prove useful in the coming war. However, with so many factions competing for the Core and domination it is hard to see who will win or if humanity will survive this newest peril.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and for a debut indie author novel there was surprisingly few errors in it. I, of course, loved the title of the book. It's very dramatic and post-apocalyptic books are fun to read. While I would never want to live in one the change from our normal day to day lives is great.
This book has a bit of everything. There is romance between characters, action, adventure, and possession. What more could you ask for? Characters are assholes and realistic. Well, other than the ghosts and gods, but the author works hard to make them relatable as well. Ethos feels the need to hide who he truly is because of who he chooses to love just as some people have trouble doing now. There is some witchcraft in the form of Heka as well as apothecary use side by side.
A combination of current, old, and new all wrapped in one. My favorite character was Charlie. She may not have been around for a long time, but she was a big influence and wasn't afraid to be herself. Charlie was unique, outspoken, and absolutely beautiful. And I have to say that I loved the detail about her necklace and can't wait to see what happens next! I hope that you will enjoy this book as much as I have and check out the authors store to get some interesting book merchandise!
Meteors crashed into the Earth ending life as we knew it. On these came gods. S.E.T., Ra, Osirus, Bakari, and the rest of their family. Together they created a new place for the humans that remained to grow and prosper. S.E.T, with the help of the Core he holds, has maintained peace for years. However, with Osirus' betrayal the Hive and the original creator of the Core is out to destroy this new life created. With Gods and Ghosts abounding humans have little control of their future. But, the fate of humans should not rest with the Gods.
After the murder of his best friend, Charlie, by Ra for being a Heka user Ethos flees Akhet and finds himself bound to a snake Ghost, Wormwood. The parasite's spirit has given this human powers that may prove useful in the coming war. However, with so many factions competing for the Core and domination it is hard to see who will win or if humanity will survive this newest peril.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and for a debut indie author novel there was surprisingly few errors in it. I, of course, loved the title of the book. It's very dramatic and post-apocalyptic books are fun to read. While I would never want to live in one the change from our normal day to day lives is great.
This book has a bit of everything. There is romance between characters, action, adventure, and possession. What more could you ask for? Characters are assholes and realistic. Well, other than the ghosts and gods, but the author works hard to make them relatable as well. Ethos feels the need to hide who he truly is because of who he chooses to love just as some people have trouble doing now. There is some witchcraft in the form of Heka as well as apothecary use side by side.
A combination of current, old, and new all wrapped in one. My favorite character was Charlie. She may not have been around for a long time, but she was a big influence and wasn't afraid to be herself. Charlie was unique, outspoken, and absolutely beautiful. And I have to say that I loved the detail about her necklace and can't wait to see what happens next! I hope that you will enjoy this book as much as I have and check out the authors store to get some interesting book merchandise!
November 24, 2021
Format Read: E-Book/Listened with EVIE App
How Obtained: Pre-release sent to me by the Author Kyle Noland from winning a giveaway.
Links:
For concept Art and to connect with Kyle
https://settheearthonfirebykylenoland...
Twitter: @Kyle_Noland
I am going to do my best to not have any spoilers in this review. I received this book through a giveaway that the author Kyle Noland did. The book is released November 20th of 2021 and I must say you should pre-order it now or pick it up as soon as it releases.
This is a highly engrossing roller coaster ride of emotions. Kyle Noland has great character development through this story. The world that he creates seems to be absolutely beautiful and highly intriguing. There is so much in this book I don't know how he was able to fit it all in there. There are quite a few twists, and plenty of ups and downs to the point that sometimes you might question whether you like him as an author because of the way that he just toys with your emotions.
The references throughout the look I found to be very fun and quite plentiful. You have pop culture references as well as plenty of references various historical figures and mythologies. Somehow combining it all together makes for a quite fantastical world that I want to read more of.
In My Opinion, I hope that this eventually becomes a screenplay and turns either into a short series or a series of movies because seeing this visually and staying true to the book would be incredible. As a book this is an incredibly intense read with plenty of world-building and character building that brings everything to the forefront of your imagination. I can't wait to read the next book.
I give this book 5 ghosts out of 5.
Until next time,
-Teo
How Obtained: Pre-release sent to me by the Author Kyle Noland from winning a giveaway.
Links:
For concept Art and to connect with Kyle
https://settheearthonfirebykylenoland...
Twitter: @Kyle_Noland
I am going to do my best to not have any spoilers in this review. I received this book through a giveaway that the author Kyle Noland did. The book is released November 20th of 2021 and I must say you should pre-order it now or pick it up as soon as it releases.
This is a highly engrossing roller coaster ride of emotions. Kyle Noland has great character development through this story. The world that he creates seems to be absolutely beautiful and highly intriguing. There is so much in this book I don't know how he was able to fit it all in there. There are quite a few twists, and plenty of ups and downs to the point that sometimes you might question whether you like him as an author because of the way that he just toys with your emotions.
The references throughout the look I found to be very fun and quite plentiful. You have pop culture references as well as plenty of references various historical figures and mythologies. Somehow combining it all together makes for a quite fantastical world that I want to read more of.
In My Opinion, I hope that this eventually becomes a screenplay and turns either into a short series or a series of movies because seeing this visually and staying true to the book would be incredible. As a book this is an incredibly intense read with plenty of world-building and character building that brings everything to the forefront of your imagination. I can't wait to read the next book.
I give this book 5 ghosts out of 5.
Until next time,
-Teo
September 6, 2022
SET The Earth on Fire is a dystopian fantasy set in the far future. It follows the story of Ethos as he must leave the relative security of Akhet and venture far into the barren wastelands. In the desert, Ethos finds powerful and vengeful gods, robots, witches, cannbals, and numerous other fascinating creatures, and has meaningful and captivating interactions with them at every opportunity.
There are some really great characters in this book and with a cast of so many it is great that the author managed to make them all feel so unique and diverse. I think this is down to a clever choice of a naming system, with names like Horus, Artemis, Apollo etc. being used quite often (as well as some more traditional names). This nod to antiquity gives the characters a sort of familiarity and really helped me compartmentalize them so I could tell them apart. I liked Ethos as a main character as he was a determined and talented protagonist, driven by a sense of justice and had a sense of humour. I liked the antagonists too, who always felt one step ahead with their betrayals and plots to try and stop Ethos and his friends. There are a number of sub-plots throughout this book which were revisited often enough that I could remember where each character was and what was happening in their own drama.
The world is really captivating and I liked that it had a unique feel to it. There is so many dystopian novels that they can all feel a little bit the same, however there is something very immersive with the details provided that the world feels fresh and new. The action scenes were very well written and engaging, with so much going on but always feeling relevant to the plot and characters. This is a long book but one that is very engaging.
There are some really great characters in this book and with a cast of so many it is great that the author managed to make them all feel so unique and diverse. I think this is down to a clever choice of a naming system, with names like Horus, Artemis, Apollo etc. being used quite often (as well as some more traditional names). This nod to antiquity gives the characters a sort of familiarity and really helped me compartmentalize them so I could tell them apart. I liked Ethos as a main character as he was a determined and talented protagonist, driven by a sense of justice and had a sense of humour. I liked the antagonists too, who always felt one step ahead with their betrayals and plots to try and stop Ethos and his friends. There are a number of sub-plots throughout this book which were revisited often enough that I could remember where each character was and what was happening in their own drama.
The world is really captivating and I liked that it had a unique feel to it. There is so many dystopian novels that they can all feel a little bit the same, however there is something very immersive with the details provided that the world feels fresh and new. The action scenes were very well written and engaging, with so much going on but always feeling relevant to the plot and characters. This is a long book but one that is very engaging.
September 12, 2022
This is a GREAT book. While I will admit it was strange to get used to the present tense (without the use of first person), once I got going, I found the style was easy to read along with. I really LOVE great dialogue, and this book had plenty of it, along with witty character thoughts/actions that enhanced the already layered nature of the book! When it comes to multi-POVs in fantasy series, it really is a hit or miss for me, but this one hit the mark. Nothing was too confusing to follow, but intricate enough to where I adored getting into every character’s head (and none were boring, or made me want to skip their pov chapter lol). While I love epic/dark fantasy, this blended in a bit more with sci-fi/futuristic, which honestly I really loved. Merging genres can create such a unique blend of the best parts of multiple genres, and when authors do it well, it hits the mark 10/10. Beyond the dialogue and in-depth characters, the action scenes here are fun, engaging, and heart-racing as heck! Overall an awesome read that ended on a note that makes me desperate to read book 2.
September 14, 2022
SET The Earth on Fire is a dystopian fantasy set in the far future. It follows the story of Ethos as he must leave the relative security of Akhet and venture far into the barren wastelands. In the desert, Ethos finds powerful and vengeful gods, robots, witches, cannibals, and numerous other fascinating creatures and has meaningful and captivating interactions with them at every opportunity. As a first-time author, I think he did a fantastic job at storytelling and building an environment. I only mention he's a first-time author because he says so in his bio. I hope he continues down this road to writing, as I think he’s got a knack for it! Spoiler alert: the ending was abrupt and sad, but that just left me wanting more. Such is life in the world of books. Definitely worth the read, and I hope there’s a spin-off! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone fan of action scifi and those interested in an LGBT sci-fi story.
December 4, 2022
This book is probably best for people looking for a high fantasy story involving Egyption lore that can also feel like a manga shonen-style action adventure. The story revolves around a man named Ethos, who’s life is suddenly upended, and this results in him seeking revenge. The story can be a little slow at first. But eventually, you get to some interesting action that reminded me a bit of the Japanese manga and anime Naruto and Parasyte. The book can keep you interested with its story involving a conspiracy, as well as the mystery about the main character and his newfound power. However, the book can sometimes lack in detail when it comes to the character’s surroundings, the society they inhabit, and how certain fantasy-elements work. So some plot points will unfold without a clear explanation at first. There’s also some sci-fi sprinkled in the world. But I came away feeling the story was more of a fantasy genre.
December 8, 2022
It took me a while to get into this book and to adapt to the writing style—it’s not often I read books in the present tense, but I don’t regret my choice.
Although I found the start rather slow with the introduction of the characters, the story gradually took off at a nice speed with our protagonist, Ethos, pulling us along with him on his journey throughout the book.
Mr. Nolan has a way of creating characters that we can immediately connect with. Reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end of the book, we understand how, as a child, his imagination was already in full-swing even though his characters only came to life years later.
I’m not one for divulging the contents of books, as I always leave readers to discover the stories themselves—it wouldn’t be fair to spoil the adventure. What I will say, is that this book had me captured, and is well worth the read
Although I found the start rather slow with the introduction of the characters, the story gradually took off at a nice speed with our protagonist, Ethos, pulling us along with him on his journey throughout the book.
Mr. Nolan has a way of creating characters that we can immediately connect with. Reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end of the book, we understand how, as a child, his imagination was already in full-swing even though his characters only came to life years later.
I’m not one for divulging the contents of books, as I always leave readers to discover the stories themselves—it wouldn’t be fair to spoil the adventure. What I will say, is that this book had me captured, and is well worth the read
October 21, 2022
extremely involved
This book was absolutely fantastic. Pretty much everything I look for. I love that the protagonist is in the LGBTQ community and it’s a pretty dark, sci-fi fantasy, which makes it even more epic. Reminiscent of a few other books I’ve read recently, such as Experimental, Activation, by Qaterina Wanders, and the Aon 14 world by MD Cooper.
So if you’re into this type of thing, this is definitely worth the read. Somewhat long and involved, but if you’re ready to make the commitment, you will definitely be glad you did.
This book was absolutely fantastic. Pretty much everything I look for. I love that the protagonist is in the LGBTQ community and it’s a pretty dark, sci-fi fantasy, which makes it even more epic. Reminiscent of a few other books I’ve read recently, such as Experimental, Activation, by Qaterina Wanders, and the Aon 14 world by MD Cooper.
So if you’re into this type of thing, this is definitely worth the read. Somewhat long and involved, but if you’re ready to make the commitment, you will definitely be glad you did.
November 24, 2021
I used to be an avid reader but lately….life. But I started reading this and was instantly drawn into this world. Filled with witches, robots, magic stones, fire and everything that you need to make it a great read!
You bond with the characters and have a sense of loss when they fail but celebrate with their victories. You despise the bad guys, cheer for the good guys.
All in all I throughly enjoyed it and have regained my lust for reading.
You bond with the characters and have a sense of loss when they fail but celebrate with their victories. You despise the bad guys, cheer for the good guys.
All in all I throughly enjoyed it and have regained my lust for reading.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The setting is both original and well done, with its mix of gods and far future scifi. The characters are interesting, and the dialogue is well done (bad dialogue is a pet peeve of mine). There is a lot of plot to this book, it can almost be too much, but it's great nonetheless.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of action scifi, and to those interested in an LGBT scifi story.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of action scifi, and to those interested in an LGBT scifi story.
November 28, 2021
I love the subgenre of post-apocalyptic/dystopian. Kyle Noland’s SET has weaved an incredible and captivating tale with all favorite subgenres. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
September 25, 2022Dystopian fantasy, science fiction, apocalypic, animae; this has it all. I love the characters, even the A.I. I may read it again.
For those who like the lighter side, this is a bit dark in the storyline and a bit in language... but enjoy.
For those who like the lighter side, this is a bit dark in the storyline and a bit in language... but enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews