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Veles
I was the land. I was the air. I was the sea. I was all of it – everywhere – and as I inhaled then let the tormented sorrow screech from my lungs, the world buckled and broke beneath my feet.
I was burning alive…
And the world would burn with me.
A century after the Great Destruction that devastated civilization, Mizuki Altherr lives within a small village struggling to survive beneath the shadow of a great mountain. The Elders teach that it is home to Veles, god of the earth, who keeps them safe – but demands penance for humanity’s past indiscretions.
It’s a Gifting year…
The previous sacrifice tore Mizuki’s family apart and forever changed her world. Now she must face the terrible tradition again as her closest friend, Aiden, and his family are chosen to provide the next offering. In a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence and defy the Elders’ iron rule, Mizuki and Aiden set forth on a daring journey into the Wild – where together they discover a secret that shatters their understanding of the village and reveals the truth behind the horrors that left the world in ruin.
I was burning alive…
And the world would burn with me.
A century after the Great Destruction that devastated civilization, Mizuki Altherr lives within a small village struggling to survive beneath the shadow of a great mountain. The Elders teach that it is home to Veles, god of the earth, who keeps them safe – but demands penance for humanity’s past indiscretions.
It’s a Gifting year…
The previous sacrifice tore Mizuki’s family apart and forever changed her world. Now she must face the terrible tradition again as her closest friend, Aiden, and his family are chosen to provide the next offering. In a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence and defy the Elders’ iron rule, Mizuki and Aiden set forth on a daring journey into the Wild – where together they discover a secret that shatters their understanding of the village and reveals the truth behind the horrors that left the world in ruin.
449 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2021
21 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Marie
2 books35 followersEngineer by trade, P. J. Marie has always been a storyteller at heart. Inspired by the captivating tales that her Ukrainian grandfather used to tell about life on the Canadian prairies, P. J. has always looked at life through a narrative lens.
An avid creator, P. J. loves the design process from start to finish and is always working on projects that meld the structured world of engineering with her creative passions. Whether world-building, crafting cosplays, or building custom bookshelves for her ever-growing collection of novels, manga, and terrible monster movies, P. J. is always working on something.
In her spare time, she enjoys collecting new skills, drinking copious amounts of tea, and spending time with her family and adorable doggo.
---
Occasionally I review books and post about them on Instagram (@authorpjmarie) and here on Goodreads.
This is how I rate them:
3 stars – Solid book, but not really for me.
This was a perfectly fine book, but something about it just didn’t click with me. It probably isn’t my typical genre, or I struggled with some aspects of the story, or it struggled to hold my attention. Either way, it’s still a solid book, and I will recommend it to the audience that I think will enjoy it most.
4 stars – Great/Good book.
I enjoyed this book! It captured my attention and kept me engaged throughout. It made me care about the character(s) and their world and want to know more about it.
5 stars – Amazing book.
This book stole my attention and made me feel. I’m going to reread it, or at least think about it for days on end and probably annoy people by talking about it obsessively. These are the books that haunt my dreams and make my mind spin. Something about this story resonates with me, and I keep these books with me forever.
I do not assign star ratings below 3.
My focus will always be promoting books that I love. Reading is personal.
If I don’t like a book or it doesn’t suit my preferences, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the book wasn’t good. Everyone enjoys different things. Unfortunately, I don’t get a lot of time to read, so if I dislike something, I DNF and move on. I would much prefer to find my next new favourite book and help promote it than leave a review on a book I didn’t enjoy :)
I always try to include a list of warnings/triggers in my reviews, and while I do my best to be thorough, please don’t rely solely on my list. Everyone has different tolerances, so I may not identify everything for your specific boundaries (and I may leave some out to avoid spoilers).
An avid creator, P. J. loves the design process from start to finish and is always working on projects that meld the structured world of engineering with her creative passions. Whether world-building, crafting cosplays, or building custom bookshelves for her ever-growing collection of novels, manga, and terrible monster movies, P. J. is always working on something.
In her spare time, she enjoys collecting new skills, drinking copious amounts of tea, and spending time with her family and adorable doggo.
---
Occasionally I review books and post about them on Instagram (@authorpjmarie) and here on Goodreads.
This is how I rate them:
3 stars – Solid book, but not really for me.
This was a perfectly fine book, but something about it just didn’t click with me. It probably isn’t my typical genre, or I struggled with some aspects of the story, or it struggled to hold my attention. Either way, it’s still a solid book, and I will recommend it to the audience that I think will enjoy it most.
4 stars – Great/Good book.
I enjoyed this book! It captured my attention and kept me engaged throughout. It made me care about the character(s) and their world and want to know more about it.
5 stars – Amazing book.
This book stole my attention and made me feel. I’m going to reread it, or at least think about it for days on end and probably annoy people by talking about it obsessively. These are the books that haunt my dreams and make my mind spin. Something about this story resonates with me, and I keep these books with me forever.
I do not assign star ratings below 3.
My focus will always be promoting books that I love. Reading is personal.
If I don’t like a book or it doesn’t suit my preferences, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the book wasn’t good. Everyone enjoys different things. Unfortunately, I don’t get a lot of time to read, so if I dislike something, I DNF and move on. I would much prefer to find my next new favourite book and help promote it than leave a review on a book I didn’t enjoy :)
I always try to include a list of warnings/triggers in my reviews, and while I do my best to be thorough, please don’t rely solely on my list. Everyone has different tolerances, so I may not identify everything for your specific boundaries (and I may leave some out to avoid spoilers).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 14, 2022
The book Veles takes place in a world after a massive disaster where the survivors live in a small village in fear of the mountain that looms near by, where the supposed god Veles is said to reside. Two members of the village, Mizuki and Aiden, set out on a dangerous quest to find answers after finding out news that could shatter their families. Together they are forced to face tough challenges, unimaginable dangers and work together to survivor in order to discover the truth about Veles.
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC (advance readers copy) of Veles and must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. P.J. Marie does an amazing job of world building and creating depth to not only the world but also the characters throughout the story. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat as Mizuki and Aiden venture through the Wilds, feeling their struggles and anguish along side them. The book continued to surprise me as it left me wondering what would happen next. I felt many emotions reading this book, and even shed a few tears near the end. This book will keep you up at night, wanting to read one more chapter then one more after that. I highly recommend this book to all readers, but if you enjoy reading speculative fiction or dystopian style books, this is a definite must read.
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC (advance readers copy) of Veles and must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. P.J. Marie does an amazing job of world building and creating depth to not only the world but also the characters throughout the story. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat as Mizuki and Aiden venture through the Wilds, feeling their struggles and anguish along side them. The book continued to surprise me as it left me wondering what would happen next. I felt many emotions reading this book, and even shed a few tears near the end. This book will keep you up at night, wanting to read one more chapter then one more after that. I highly recommend this book to all readers, but if you enjoy reading speculative fiction or dystopian style books, this is a definite must read.
December 24, 2021
Veles was seriously hard to put down – I might have put off some other plans just to finish it… P.J. weaves characters, genres and timelines together to deliver an amazing adventure highly relevant to the world we live in today.
Mizuki and Aiden are confronted with real, terrible and consequential decisions throughout as they brave a hostile world together. Their journey through the natural hazards and beauty of the wild contrasts with the equally dangerous power of the village elders, and both threaten credibly to take everything from them.
Veles explores the best and worst in humanity, reflecting our capacity for great kindness against our propensity to destroy, and brought me through highs and lows throughout with compelling characters and real emotional climaxes (especially at the end…). 10/10 would recommend, and P.J. is definitely an exciting new author to keep a close eye on.
Mizuki and Aiden are confronted with real, terrible and consequential decisions throughout as they brave a hostile world together. Their journey through the natural hazards and beauty of the wild contrasts with the equally dangerous power of the village elders, and both threaten credibly to take everything from them.
Veles explores the best and worst in humanity, reflecting our capacity for great kindness against our propensity to destroy, and brought me through highs and lows throughout with compelling characters and real emotional climaxes (especially at the end…). 10/10 would recommend, and P.J. is definitely an exciting new author to keep a close eye on.
January 27, 2022
WOW. I know it's over the top but I genuinely feel that way. I adore science fiction and this is a new contender to be an ALL-TIME FAVOURITE piece of fiction of any medium. PJ Marie did an incredible job. She is going to be a heavy hitter in the future and it's plain as day with Veles.
Riveting and consuming story with twists that would make early career M. Night Shyamalan jealous. I cannot stress how much I enjoyed Veles and how difficult it was to put down.
Riveting and consuming story with twists that would make early career M. Night Shyamalan jealous. I cannot stress how much I enjoyed Veles and how difficult it was to put down.
June 23, 2022
Actual rating 4.5⭐️
It took me a little while to get into the book at first, a few chapters to wrap my head around everything and understand the concept, but then I really enjoyed it. The world building was great, as I could completely visualize every step of their journey. And I loved Aiden, he was my favorite part! He was sweet, caring, intelligent, and always there for Mizuki. What a cinnamon roll!
This book made me feel, though part 2 was mostly a TON of anxiety 😅 (and, I personally think totally necessary for the story), but I went through a whole range of emotions while reading it and loved how everything connected and wrapped up in the end!
For some reason I didn’t connect with Mizuki the way I feel like I should have. She was a nice enough character, burdened and struggling, but rife with hope and caring. She just wanted to make things right in her village, in the world. But I just didn’t feel for her and I’m not sure why.
The adventure of part one was fun, albeit a little bit long. But I learned so much about them and their world and it’s where Aiden really shone for me. But also, there were parts that made me so angry and sad. The elders. 😑
Part three was a relief until it wasn’t and I was DISTRAUGHT! But things were cleared up and the whole book wrapped up nicely, though I would love to know more about what happened after the end!
It took me a little while to get into the book at first, a few chapters to wrap my head around everything and understand the concept, but then I really enjoyed it. The world building was great, as I could completely visualize every step of their journey. And I loved Aiden, he was my favorite part! He was sweet, caring, intelligent, and always there for Mizuki. What a cinnamon roll!
This book made me feel, though part 2 was mostly a TON of anxiety 😅 (and, I personally think totally necessary for the story), but I went through a whole range of emotions while reading it and loved how everything connected and wrapped up in the end!
For some reason I didn’t connect with Mizuki the way I feel like I should have. She was a nice enough character, burdened and struggling, but rife with hope and caring. She just wanted to make things right in her village, in the world. But I just didn’t feel for her and I’m not sure why.
The adventure of part one was fun, albeit a little bit long. But I learned so much about them and their world and it’s where Aiden really shone for me. But also, there were parts that made me so angry and sad. The elders. 😑
Part three was a relief until it wasn’t and I was DISTRAUGHT! But things were cleared up and the whole book wrapped up nicely, though I would love to know more about what happened after the end!
February 19, 2022
Veles absolutely blew me away with its fantastic world building, characters, and adventure. The authors writing completely immerses you in this dystopian world that you won't want to walk away from. I had such a hard time putting this book down after growing attached to these characters. It's fast-paced, emotional, and a total binge read if you have the time.
I wish I could read this one again for the first time. Though, I'd probably enjoy it just as much a second time through. I've found a new auto-buy author!
I wish I could read this one again for the first time. Though, I'd probably enjoy it just as much a second time through. I've found a new auto-buy author!
February 16, 2022
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Veles
Thank you to R & R Book Tours for providing me with a copy of Veles! I voluntarily leave this review.
Every decade a sacrifice is made to the God Veles, or as the elders like to call it, a gift. The last gifting year tore Mizuki’s family apart as her younger brother was selected. While she refuses to believe in the gifting, most of the village is terrified to give up the tradition. The elders have instilled in them a fear that the God Veles will punish them without sacrifice. When her best friend’s family is selected for gifting, she knows it will break them. But she’s older now, and willing to take risks to end this horrible tradition. Aiden and Mizuki dare to venture beyond their village, searching for answers and a way to save Aiden’s family from heartache.
While the politics of the village and the elders certainly can be deemed one of the key opposing forces against Mizuki and Aiden, the story also focuses on the land itself. As the two journey farther into the wilderness, they must face off against starving animals and declining weather. P.J. Marie weaves into the story the aftereffects of overburdening the land and its animals, by turning it against Mizuki and Aiden. It was refreshing to see characters struggle against more than just other humans. It solidified the ideas of what they were fighting for, even if at the time they didn’t realize how deep-rooted the problems were in their village.
Veles was a riveting and emotional tale. The way P.J. Marie dives into the thoughts and feelings of the characters is devastating. Mizuki remains the narrator for the majority of the tale, and everything she experiences is so completely described the reader feels it for themselves. Even as the narrative branches off later in the story and the perspective switches, the writing style remains steadfast at pulling every bit of emotion to the forefront. This tale will keep you engaged as the characters struggle to survive.
The abrupt change in perspective is a bit jarring though. There is a lot of information given upfront to the reader. It takes a little while for worldbuilding to reestablish the new narrative boundaries. There is also a heavy dose of news related tie-ins that give summaries of what is currently happening in the background of the story. This shift in the story also jumps to the past and explains how Mizuki and Aiden’s world became post-apocalyptic. But there was too much information. It detracted from Mizuki and Aiden’s story. The two characters were so well developed, and on a steady rise to their peak moments that would define their overall progress when it all shifted.
If you enjoy dystopian reads with a dose of mystery and apprehension give Veles a try. The characters are so well written. The story at times becomes complex and will twist in unexpected ways, keeping you guessing what will happen next.
Thank you to R & R Book Tours for providing me with a copy of Veles! I voluntarily leave this review.
Every decade a sacrifice is made to the God Veles, or as the elders like to call it, a gift. The last gifting year tore Mizuki’s family apart as her younger brother was selected. While she refuses to believe in the gifting, most of the village is terrified to give up the tradition. The elders have instilled in them a fear that the God Veles will punish them without sacrifice. When her best friend’s family is selected for gifting, she knows it will break them. But she’s older now, and willing to take risks to end this horrible tradition. Aiden and Mizuki dare to venture beyond their village, searching for answers and a way to save Aiden’s family from heartache.
While the politics of the village and the elders certainly can be deemed one of the key opposing forces against Mizuki and Aiden, the story also focuses on the land itself. As the two journey farther into the wilderness, they must face off against starving animals and declining weather. P.J. Marie weaves into the story the aftereffects of overburdening the land and its animals, by turning it against Mizuki and Aiden. It was refreshing to see characters struggle against more than just other humans. It solidified the ideas of what they were fighting for, even if at the time they didn’t realize how deep-rooted the problems were in their village.
Veles was a riveting and emotional tale. The way P.J. Marie dives into the thoughts and feelings of the characters is devastating. Mizuki remains the narrator for the majority of the tale, and everything she experiences is so completely described the reader feels it for themselves. Even as the narrative branches off later in the story and the perspective switches, the writing style remains steadfast at pulling every bit of emotion to the forefront. This tale will keep you engaged as the characters struggle to survive.
The abrupt change in perspective is a bit jarring though. There is a lot of information given upfront to the reader. It takes a little while for worldbuilding to reestablish the new narrative boundaries. There is also a heavy dose of news related tie-ins that give summaries of what is currently happening in the background of the story. This shift in the story also jumps to the past and explains how Mizuki and Aiden’s world became post-apocalyptic. But there was too much information. It detracted from Mizuki and Aiden’s story. The two characters were so well developed, and on a steady rise to their peak moments that would define their overall progress when it all shifted.
If you enjoy dystopian reads with a dose of mystery and apprehension give Veles a try. The characters are so well written. The story at times becomes complex and will twist in unexpected ways, keeping you guessing what will happen next.
December 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Incredible messaging about being proper stewards to our planet. Set in a post apocalyptic dystopian earth, where humanity tries to rebuild but falls into the same mistakes their predecessors did before civilization’s destruction. Can the cycle be broken?
An incredible story. The first 80 pages or so were a bit verbose, understandable as it’s establishing for the rest of the book, but it did make it difficult to get into. Once Mizuki and Aiden began their journey the story really moved and became interesting.
Incredible messaging about being proper stewards to our planet. Set in a post apocalyptic dystopian earth, where humanity tries to rebuild but falls into the same mistakes their predecessors did before civilization’s destruction. Can the cycle be broken?
An incredible story. The first 80 pages or so were a bit verbose, understandable as it’s establishing for the rest of the book, but it did make it difficult to get into. Once Mizuki and Aiden began their journey the story really moved and became interesting.
February 18, 2022
Title: Veles
Author: P.J.Marie
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
“”I was burning alive, and the world would burn with me”
Synopsis: A century after the Great Destruction that devastated civilization, Mizuki Altherr lives within a small village struggling to survive beneath the shadow of a great mountain. The Elders teach that it is home to Veles, god of the earth, who keeps them safe – but demands penance for humanity’s past indiscretions.
It’s a Gifting year…
The previous sacrifice tore Mizuki’s family apart and forever changed her world. Now she must face the terrible tradition again as her closest friend, Aiden, and his family are chosen to provide the next offering. In a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence and defy the Elders’ iron rule, Mizuki and Aiden set forth on a daring journey into the Wild – where together they discover a secret that shatters their understanding of the village and reveals the truth behind the horrors that left the world in ruin.
Thoughts: First of all I want to thank @rrbooktours and @authorpjmaire for gifting me a copy of this book for a review!
I read this book in two days. I was literally hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down, nor did I want to. The world and character building in Veles is phenomenal! The first half of the book definitely gave me some Hunger Games vibes, which I absolutely loved. The two main characters, Mizuki and her best friend Aiden, have a harrowing journey that they go on through the whole book. Every twist and turn is keeping you guessing; are they going to make it in time, or not? Are they both going to survive? What/who is Veles?! These were just some of the questions that kept running through my mind while reading. Then the second half of the book is completely different than the first, and you are going through another difficult journey with a different character. The way Marie makes these two stories weave and connect is absolutely amazing. Once everything clicked in place my mind was blown. Veles left me wanting more! And just FYI, yes I did reach out to Marie and ask her if there would be more books because, I need to know what happens next! I’m pleased to say, yes, there will be more. If you are into dystopian stories, fantasy and mystery, then go get Veles, grab your coffee and start reading. You won’t regret it!
Author: P.J.Marie
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
“”I was burning alive, and the world would burn with me”
Synopsis: A century after the Great Destruction that devastated civilization, Mizuki Altherr lives within a small village struggling to survive beneath the shadow of a great mountain. The Elders teach that it is home to Veles, god of the earth, who keeps them safe – but demands penance for humanity’s past indiscretions.
It’s a Gifting year…
The previous sacrifice tore Mizuki’s family apart and forever changed her world. Now she must face the terrible tradition again as her closest friend, Aiden, and his family are chosen to provide the next offering. In a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence and defy the Elders’ iron rule, Mizuki and Aiden set forth on a daring journey into the Wild – where together they discover a secret that shatters their understanding of the village and reveals the truth behind the horrors that left the world in ruin.
Thoughts: First of all I want to thank @rrbooktours and @authorpjmaire for gifting me a copy of this book for a review!
I read this book in two days. I was literally hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down, nor did I want to. The world and character building in Veles is phenomenal! The first half of the book definitely gave me some Hunger Games vibes, which I absolutely loved. The two main characters, Mizuki and her best friend Aiden, have a harrowing journey that they go on through the whole book. Every twist and turn is keeping you guessing; are they going to make it in time, or not? Are they both going to survive? What/who is Veles?! These were just some of the questions that kept running through my mind while reading. Then the second half of the book is completely different than the first, and you are going through another difficult journey with a different character. The way Marie makes these two stories weave and connect is absolutely amazing. Once everything clicked in place my mind was blown. Veles left me wanting more! And just FYI, yes I did reach out to Marie and ask her if there would be more books because, I need to know what happens next! I’m pleased to say, yes, there will be more. If you are into dystopian stories, fantasy and mystery, then go get Veles, grab your coffee and start reading. You won’t regret it!
February 1, 2022
A century after a world-altering event left the world devastated and civilization rebuilding from the fractured pieces that remained, Mizuki struggles to survive in her small village. The god of the earth, Veles, protects them but they must make a sacrifice to appease this god. With the help of her closest friend, Mizuki must stop the madness, but what she learns may leave her reeling.
I found this to be an excellent dystopian read. The novel includes thorough world-building with realistic and engaging characters that will have you invested in the novel and its outcomes. The story is complex and action-packed, which will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens next.
All in all, I found the book to be an intriguing read and would recommend it to anyone looking for their next dystopian read!
I found this to be an excellent dystopian read. The novel includes thorough world-building with realistic and engaging characters that will have you invested in the novel and its outcomes. The story is complex and action-packed, which will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens next.
All in all, I found the book to be an intriguing read and would recommend it to anyone looking for their next dystopian read!
February 16, 2022
Veles by P.J. Marie was SO GOOD. I don’t want to write this review, I want to read this book again. It was absolutely impossible to put down. When a dystopian is done well, it is such a compelling read and Veles is the perfect example of what a dystopian should be.
The world-building is fantastic. P.J. Marie writes with such a realistic tone that it was easy to get lost in the story and feel like I was there.
Veles is complex and fast-paced. The writing is deep and the characters are well-developed. There isn’t a single thing in this book that I can say anything negative about.
If I could give this more than five stars, I would. Highly, highly recommend. Don’t miss this one!!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
The world-building is fantastic. P.J. Marie writes with such a realistic tone that it was easy to get lost in the story and feel like I was there.
Veles is complex and fast-paced. The writing is deep and the characters are well-developed. There isn’t a single thing in this book that I can say anything negative about.
If I could give this more than five stars, I would. Highly, highly recommend. Don’t miss this one!!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
December 9, 2022
One of the best books I've read this year. I couldn't put it down. The world building was great (both the big and small world). I felt like I was the characters throughout the story. I highly recommend reading Veles
February 14, 2022
Love, hope, kindness, destruction, and cruelty all intertwine to make this unforgettable. This book opens with vivid imagery that continues throughout the entire story. The world has forever changed, and what we know as normal now is nothing but fables lost to the past. I loved Mizuki from the start, she's unique and full of spirit. Her adventures with Aiden as they try to save him from becoming the next sacrifice made by their village. I will warn you - don't start reading until you have a few hours clear for reading, because you won't want to put it down once you start!
February 15, 2022
Dystopians aren't my usual go to read, but PJ Marie spins a tale that is unique and unforgettable. We find our two main characters Mizuki and Aiden in a world after a huge disaster has happened. But in their village in the mountains the god Veles resides, and he demands a sacrifice.
PJ Marie's writing is detailed and her world building is next level. Mizuki and Aidens story is one of loss, love and friendship and this is a book you soon won't forget.
PJ Marie's writing is detailed and her world building is next level. Mizuki and Aidens story is one of loss, love and friendship and this is a book you soon won't forget.
January 3, 2024
Unique, thoughtful and wonderful
This was the first book by this author that I have read and I must say that I was delighted with it. It captivated me from the first page and even though I had to go to work the next day, I decided it was worth staying up until 2 a.m. to read it to the end.
The story is divided into three parts. The first part presents the world just over 100 years after the Great Destruction, which practically wiped out the human race. Those who survived formed a settlement where they had to learn how to survive in the new reality. According to the teachings of the Elders, the current inhabitants of the village are the last people living on earth. Since the Great Destruction was carried out by God Veles, in order for them to live in prosperity, it was necessary to make a gift every 10 years in the form of a randomly selected inhabitant who was banished to the Dead Zone. The main characters of this part are Mizuki Altherr and Aiden O'Kane - two young people who have been friends since childhood. Mizuki's family was not liked in the village because of her great-grandmother, who was not afraid to criticize the decisions of the village Elders and told stories about what the world was like before the Great Destruction. Previously, Mizuki's brother, who at that time was only a ten-year-old boy, was selected as a gift to God. This event practically tore her family apart. This time the gift was to be a member of Aiden's family, who suspected that his twelve-year-old sister would be drawn. One night, Aiden accidentally overhears a conversation between the Elders, in which the matters discussed do not coincide with their teachings, and he and Mizuki decide to secretly go to the Wilds under the cover of darkness in search of other people. Their mission is extremely dangerous - if they are caught, the punishment will be death. If they return with nothing, or if they find others but they are unable to convince the villagers that the Elders are wrong about the need for a gift to God, not only will they fail to save Aiden's sister, but they will still face death. In my opinion, both young characters are perfectly created. It was very easy for me to empathize with their emotions and experience all the ups and downs with them as they slowly discovered the truth about the village's history. I was so involved in their fate that when I suddenly moved on to the second part of the book, I first thought, "What is this about? Where are Aiden and Mizuki?" Although the jump in narrative and time of action in the next part of the story may not appeal to everyone, after reading the entire book, I believe that this move was very well thought out by the author.
Part two shows the times a few months before the Great Destruction. It explains how this event happened and shows a little what Veles is. This time we see the story from the point of view of Delilah Eldritch, who is a embittered woman full of inner anger. Lilah observes how life on Earth is falling apart due to the overexploitation of the planet by all countries, social unrest related to the limitation of resources and terrorist attacks by the mysterious group HUANEE, whose symbol is Veles - the god of the earth from Slavic mythology. Additionally, she is irritated by the fact that most of the people who surround her, for example at work, not only do not follow the basic rules of social coexistence, but also believe that cheating the system is something to be proud of and anyone who follows the rules is a loser. The woman is the tragic character of this story. After her sister's death, she limited contact with their parents. She has virtually no friends except Ren Altherr, who is the only bright ray in her life. Even though Ren fights for Lilah until the end, as events unfold, we observe how the woman loses herself more and more in anger and bitterness. How she sees no way out of this spiral except that the only solution is to annihilate the plague that is the human race.
Part three of the book takes us back to the fate of Mizuki and Aiden, who fight for each other until the end. It also asks questions: is humanity really doomed to extinction? Will the voices of those who want change always be drowned out by those in power, who prefer to blame others for their mistakes? Even if given another chance, will humanity not be able to learn and change?
The world created in each part is very well developed. The author painted the political and social situation perfectly. It was very easy for me to imagine life in a post-apocalyptic village or the tense reality just before the Great Destruction. A number of side characters are also very important to the story, emphasizing the course of events and helping to build tension and establish bonds with the main characters.
Even though I have read a lot of books in which humanity fights for survival after some form of destruction, in my opinion Veles stands out in this genre and will remain in my memory for a long time.
This was the first book by this author that I have read and I must say that I was delighted with it. It captivated me from the first page and even though I had to go to work the next day, I decided it was worth staying up until 2 a.m. to read it to the end.
The story is divided into three parts. The first part presents the world just over 100 years after the Great Destruction, which practically wiped out the human race. Those who survived formed a settlement where they had to learn how to survive in the new reality. According to the teachings of the Elders, the current inhabitants of the village are the last people living on earth. Since the Great Destruction was carried out by God Veles, in order for them to live in prosperity, it was necessary to make a gift every 10 years in the form of a randomly selected inhabitant who was banished to the Dead Zone. The main characters of this part are Mizuki Altherr and Aiden O'Kane - two young people who have been friends since childhood. Mizuki's family was not liked in the village because of her great-grandmother, who was not afraid to criticize the decisions of the village Elders and told stories about what the world was like before the Great Destruction. Previously, Mizuki's brother, who at that time was only a ten-year-old boy, was selected as a gift to God. This event practically tore her family apart. This time the gift was to be a member of Aiden's family, who suspected that his twelve-year-old sister would be drawn. One night, Aiden accidentally overhears a conversation between the Elders, in which the matters discussed do not coincide with their teachings, and he and Mizuki decide to secretly go to the Wilds under the cover of darkness in search of other people. Their mission is extremely dangerous - if they are caught, the punishment will be death. If they return with nothing, or if they find others but they are unable to convince the villagers that the Elders are wrong about the need for a gift to God, not only will they fail to save Aiden's sister, but they will still face death. In my opinion, both young characters are perfectly created. It was very easy for me to empathize with their emotions and experience all the ups and downs with them as they slowly discovered the truth about the village's history. I was so involved in their fate that when I suddenly moved on to the second part of the book, I first thought, "What is this about? Where are Aiden and Mizuki?" Although the jump in narrative and time of action in the next part of the story may not appeal to everyone, after reading the entire book, I believe that this move was very well thought out by the author.
Part two shows the times a few months before the Great Destruction. It explains how this event happened and shows a little what Veles is. This time we see the story from the point of view of Delilah Eldritch, who is a embittered woman full of inner anger. Lilah observes how life on Earth is falling apart due to the overexploitation of the planet by all countries, social unrest related to the limitation of resources and terrorist attacks by the mysterious group HUANEE, whose symbol is Veles - the god of the earth from Slavic mythology. Additionally, she is irritated by the fact that most of the people who surround her, for example at work, not only do not follow the basic rules of social coexistence, but also believe that cheating the system is something to be proud of and anyone who follows the rules is a loser. The woman is the tragic character of this story. After her sister's death, she limited contact with their parents. She has virtually no friends except Ren Altherr, who is the only bright ray in her life. Even though Ren fights for Lilah until the end, as events unfold, we observe how the woman loses herself more and more in anger and bitterness. How she sees no way out of this spiral except that the only solution is to annihilate the plague that is the human race.
Part three of the book takes us back to the fate of Mizuki and Aiden, who fight for each other until the end. It also asks questions: is humanity really doomed to extinction? Will the voices of those who want change always be drowned out by those in power, who prefer to blame others for their mistakes? Even if given another chance, will humanity not be able to learn and change?
The world created in each part is very well developed. The author painted the political and social situation perfectly. It was very easy for me to imagine life in a post-apocalyptic village or the tense reality just before the Great Destruction. A number of side characters are also very important to the story, emphasizing the course of events and helping to build tension and establish bonds with the main characters.
Even though I have read a lot of books in which humanity fights for survival after some form of destruction, in my opinion Veles stands out in this genre and will remain in my memory for a long time.
February 9, 2022
Veles was a bit of a mixed bag for me, honestly. There were some things I really enjoyed about it, but there are definitely some things about it that hold it back. There are some pacing issues. Important moments seem to blink by quickly while moments that don’t seem to do anything for the plot plods along. The language and descriptions are great; it just feels like they take over the plot. By the end, the plot seems thin, but also feels like too much? It was a weird feeling 😅 But! I was interested in what was going on and was pleased by the ending!
❄️
I really enjoyed the characters in Veles! Mizuki and Aiden are a great team, and I really enjoyed watching them interact with each other. They are definitely tropes, but tropes are tropes for a reason… because they work! Aiden is very reminiscent of Peeta from Hunger Games, and Mizuki is the typical outcast leading lady. Their love story is super-sweet and really refreshing!
❄️
At one point, the perspective shifts to show the main character what the world was like before The Great Destruction. While this helps to set up the world, I feel like it comes a little too late. I almost wish that glimpses of the past had been peppered in throughout the narrative instead. It also switches to a first-person POV, which was jarring and seemed somewhat unnecessary. That being said, I did like the use of news articles to inform the reader about the world. I just wish there had been more of this sooner!
❄️
I’m interested enough to see where the series goes from here, and I’m interested to see how the author continues to grow!
❄️
I really enjoyed the characters in Veles! Mizuki and Aiden are a great team, and I really enjoyed watching them interact with each other. They are definitely tropes, but tropes are tropes for a reason… because they work! Aiden is very reminiscent of Peeta from Hunger Games, and Mizuki is the typical outcast leading lady. Their love story is super-sweet and really refreshing!
❄️
At one point, the perspective shifts to show the main character what the world was like before The Great Destruction. While this helps to set up the world, I feel like it comes a little too late. I almost wish that glimpses of the past had been peppered in throughout the narrative instead. It also switches to a first-person POV, which was jarring and seemed somewhat unnecessary. That being said, I did like the use of news articles to inform the reader about the world. I just wish there had been more of this sooner!
❄️
I’m interested enough to see where the series goes from here, and I’m interested to see how the author continues to grow!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2024
Marie knows how to craft a story with intention and detail. Her strength, at least one of the many, (I believe—and this really struck me) is her ability to constantly test and push the characters to their limits. She knows how to drive the reader MAD but to keep them looped in and wholly invested.
The novel held surprising twists. It was enjoyable. It was frustrating at times! (In the best way.) I’m so impressed with where she took this story. It is grouped within the dystopian genre, yes, but it forges its own path into something unique and different that I think many readers will love.
Watch this Author. She’s very talented.
I’m eager to devour her other works!
The novel held surprising twists. It was enjoyable. It was frustrating at times! (In the best way.) I’m so impressed with where she took this story. It is grouped within the dystopian genre, yes, but it forges its own path into something unique and different that I think many readers will love.
Watch this Author. She’s very talented.
I’m eager to devour her other works!
January 10, 2024
Fascinating... At first this book reminded me of Hunger Games, what with sacrificing children periodically to keep the populace in line. But then it was about survival in the wilderness, treachery, and again survival. We are all trying to survive our own trials, but imagine if the community just plain didn't like you or your family. It had an ending, but it leads to another book because, yeah, more has to be said.
February 9, 2024
This was a really engaging and creative read. I liked the contrast between the world we see at the start, and the very familiar place that world came from. There was a fun mix of creepy almost horror-like elements, nature, and a reflection of our current world that makes you stop and think. I can't wait to see the rest of the series.
January 18, 2022
Really love the writing style and intrigue the story creates. A classic post apocalyptic scenario with unexpected themes. A must read!
July 23, 2023
I really enjoyed the Characters and the story line in this book.
March 2, 2025
Reading this with the climate crisis and all the wars around the world felt like a sucker punch. But at least Aiden was best bf.
October 17, 2025
HOW DOES SHE COME UP WITH THESE PLOTS?!?! 10/10. 10000/10. Would recommend. I wish I could erase my memory so I could read it again for the first time
January 30, 2022
So this book started as a post apocalyptic dystopian and somehow ended as a weird destructive god fantasy. I can’t say I’m a fan of that shift.
The initial story and conflict with Mizuki is interesting but it quickly get side railed I feel like. The author felt this need to detail every hour of their journey and a lot of it could’ve been skipped over. Then almost all of Delilah’s section was unnecessary. As we’re all the news articles in her pov.
The shift from third to first person when the perspective switched to Mizuki to Delilah confused me at first. After I finished the book I realized it switched to first person because it was meant to be written as if Delilah was dictating her story.
The other major thing that could’ve made this book more enjoyable is if Marie would’ve cut down on the superfluous details and descriptions. It felt like I read the same information five times and it really slowed the story down.
The initial story and conflict with Mizuki is interesting but it quickly get side railed I feel like. The author felt this need to detail every hour of their journey and a lot of it could’ve been skipped over. Then almost all of Delilah’s section was unnecessary. As we’re all the news articles in her pov.
The shift from third to first person when the perspective switched to Mizuki to Delilah confused me at first. After I finished the book I realized it switched to first person because it was meant to be written as if Delilah was dictating her story.
The other major thing that could’ve made this book more enjoyable is if Marie would’ve cut down on the superfluous details and descriptions. It felt like I read the same information five times and it really slowed the story down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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