Angel from the Rust

Earth Medieval #1

by Jason Link

Her story begins when the world ends...

"I devoured this book! Angel From The Rust marked all the boxes for me." - Literature Approved

"The writing itself was really well polished...I found myself reading faster and faster." - Becky M, SPFBO 9 Judge

"It is the weirdest dystopian fantasy I have ever read, and I am saying this in the most astounded tone!...[Link] got the world-building spot on!" - Rosh Reads

"I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing what Link does next in this world." - Red Fury Books

They say Earth was a place of wonders, where towers pierced the clouds, cities lit up the night, and flying machines streaked across the sky. It was magic. But the magic conjured the End War. Fire fell from the sky, and metal beasts leveled the cities.

That was six hundred years ago. Now the ruins of the Ancient world are buried or overgrown. And the technology of the past is feared as forbidden magic.

Corvala, a young musician on the run from the law, never intended on getting mixed up with history. But when a murderer falls from the heavens and sets himself up as a god, she’s driven into the wilderness and discovers the secret of her a code of immense power embedded in her DNA. The code could save thousands—or plunge her into madness.

To defeat the tyrannical false god, Corvala must do something more terrifying than confront the demons of Earth’s history. She must confront her own.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2023

About the author

Jason Link is a high school English teacher by day and an author by night (if by “night” you mean the early morning when it’s still dark).

Ever since he was a kid, he’s been a fantasy nerd in love with the art of story. His world building course for fantasy writers is a bestseller on Udemy, and his writing courses have over 14,000 students enrolled from all over the world.

He lives with his family in beautiful Nicaragua—the land where he once proposed to his wife on an active volcano. (It erupted a week later, but he had nothing to do with that.)

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: An interesting indie work combining various sub-genres into a tightly woven apocalyptic setting. Will be a great read for those who enjoy dystopian fantasy. First of a planned series; no cliffhanger ending.

Story Synopsis:

Corvala is a young musician who knows that madness lies in her future, courtesy her mother’s family line. She seeks a cure but ends up being a fugitive from law.
When a strange being falls from the skies and sets himself up as a god, Corvala’s bloodline is activated, and she is called to defeat the false god with only two characters for support.
(This synopsis is looking too boring, but I don’t want to reveal a lot here. The plot is quite complicated with multiple tracks, and thus, best discovered for yourself.)

Where the book worked well for me:
🔥 The plot, as I mentioned above, is not a straightforward one. Unlike what the blurb seems to promise, Corvala is not the only character we hear from. There are multiple third person povs and multiple story arcs. The other perspectives are from characters who are morally grey, so it takes time to discern which side of the good-evil spectrum they lie on. The author handles all the storylines well though, gotta give credit for that.

🔥 The world-building is amazing. The series is titled “Earth Medieval”, but it is set in the distant future about 600 years ahead. So the story is an explosive combination of past and future, with ancient social beliefs and futuristic tech. Add into the wacky medley some trolls and dragons and space travellers and goblins and androids! It is the weirdest dystopian fantasy I have ever read, and I am saying this in the most astounded tone!
(ETA: I just read the author’s bio on Goodreads and saw this line: “His world building course for fantasy writers is a bestseller on Udemy, and his writing courses have over 14,000 students enrolled from all over the world.” Dayyum! No wonder he got the world-building spot on!)

🔥 Corvala makes for an appealing lead character. Her uncertainties about the future combined with her talent with the fiddle offer some good scenes. Her being the ‘Chosen One’ might seem predictable but the overall arc was well-written. Another character I truly enjoyed was Serapha – “She” was a bundle of surprises. I want to know more about her origin in the sequels. The antagonist was creepy! I loved to hate him and hated to love him.

🔥 Though the first of a series, the book doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. While there are questions left unanswered, the key plot points are brought to a satisfying completion.

🔥 The pacing is just right. The book takes its time to set up the world and the characters, and the action moves ahead steadily without feeling rushed. At the same time, it doesn’t slow down even when it enters one of the minor story tracks.

🔥 There are plenty of action-filled tense scenes at regular intervals, making sure you stay hooked.

🔥 I must include that awesome cover art in my positives list. Ever seen a character holding the fiddle with such cool swag!? 😍


Where the book could have worked better for me:
💢 Because of the multi-character multi-track approach, the characters sometimes felt a little under-developed. (This is what gave me some YA vibes.) It was tough to feel connected to anyone except Corvala.

💢 Wanted to know more about the outer space side of the story. (Yup! There’s outer space also!) This might be covered in the rest of the series, but I would have liked at least a little more detailing in this book. A part of it gave me Wall-E vibes, so I’d have loved to see how things reached that stage.

💢 Things get resolved a bit too conveniently at times.

💢 A part of me feels that the storyline went a tad too ambitious, trying to incorporate too many distinct elements into one work. Of course, if this build-up will be utilised in the next novel, then it wont be a negative any more.


The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 11hrs 50 min, is narrated by Tiffany Morgan Baker. She does an amazing job, voicing all the characters to perfection. She even sings well! For a book with so many characters and parallel plots, the audio is surprisingly easy on the ears.


Overall, I enjoyed this unusual story way more than I had expected. (This is not to take away from the author; it is just that I don’t usually read apocalyptic fiction as I am not a big fan of the genre.) It makes an engaging attempt at putting together a plot with many novel aspects. I'm keen to read the sequel to discover what lies ahead for Corvala.

Recommended to those who enjoy dystopian fantasies with spunky heroines and slow-burn thrills.

3.75 stars.


My thanks to author Jason Link for providing me with a complimentary audio copy of “Angel from the Rust”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers in India.





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[Joshua Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel from the Rust is really great debut novel with a setting that I personally never tire of reading: a post-apocalyptic Earth. But this story is set half a millennia beyond the apocalypse, proving an interesting slant to this subgenre. The setting itself was my favorite part of this tale, especially as the story evolved and you learned more about what had brought Earth to its current state.

This was a well-plotted story that seldom dragged, although I did feel took a bit to get going. Or at least for me to connect with the narrative. However, it never fell into the trap that I personally dislike with a lot of modern authors that feel a breakneck speed is best; I felt the story took its time to develop the setting and didn't feel rushed. And although I didn't feel I emotionally connected with the characters, they were distinct and memorable. I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing what Link does next in this world.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Angel from the Rust is my favorite read this year so far. No easy feat, as there have been a few I am impressed with. This one just had a unique blend that put it over the top for me.

The story mainly follows Corvala. She is from a small town in a future world. This world is devoid of technology and has a Medieval feel. Mythical creatures included through past bioengineering. Technology is considered Ancient witchcraft, and is persecuted as religious sacrilege. A sect of templar like warriors, called Rooks, willing to eliminate any and all that interact with the contraband. Cordova, through a series of unfortunate events, finds and uses such to save her father. Very familiar, yet excellently twisted world building.

Corvala starts out as naive and unsure of her place. The journey forced upon her allows her to grow up some and find out who she really is, who she wants to be. He father isn't all he seems either. Stalwart and stoic, he has some hidden talents. Other characters have their own clear, dynamic personalities. They were thought out well in each role they play.

The story was simple, but well crafted. With bits of humor, call outs to reality with possible consequences without being preachy. Nothing overly lewd, violent or gory. Giving me the opinion it is for a wide audience. I would be comfortable with my kids reading it.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into it but really did enjoy its spin on several genres. Highly recommend.

[Hayley Chow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a unique, interesting read. I really enjoyed the premise of humanity after essentially the rise and fall of technology, and the high-fantasy vibe it brought with it. The world building was great, and I enjoyed exploring it with the characters on their journey. The audiobook was well narrated and the visuals were easy to fall into. But the characters fell a little flat for me. I felt like the MC lacked agency, and in general, the POV characters spent a lot of their time in their own heads and were missing the growth and relationship that would've really brought them to life for me. But if you enjoy plot-driven epic sci-fi and fantasy, I'd definitely recommend you give this a try!

[Angelika Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit it, I picked this one up because of the title. Obviously. I went into it without the first idea what it was about. I hadn't even read the blurb. All I knew was, it's fantasy.
It starts with a scene up in space and a ton of advanced technology. I'm not a fan of science fiction. Usually, blends of science fiction and fantasy don't work, at least not for me. This one does. Oddly enough, the best thing about this book actually is the way the author presents the clash, the confrontation, the interaction between the medieval fantasy culture on this imaginary future Earth (which seems rather realistic, all things considered) and the leftover technology of a long forgotten, mythical past. Highly recommended.

[Marion44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I was hooked from the very first page. The story is very engaging and the characters are endearing. I was completely immersed in the complexity and richness of the world Jason Link created.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to make a couple of things clear as we get into my full review for Angel from the Rust by Jason Link. This was another top 20 to prioritize from my personal SPFBO-9 TBR. However, luck would have it and it also hit my group for the SPSFC-3 pile. I want to make it perfectly clear that the following review is my own and may not reflect the overall scoring or results in that competition.

This is one of those rare true mix of fantasy and science fiction tales. I've personally only read a couple of these types of stories before. The two worlds seemed rather far apart at the beginning of the story, but I'd recommend sticking with it as these paths cross fairly quickly.

I had a lot of fun seeing how things came together in Angel from the Rust. I did opt for both the audiobook and visual for this. If this was a read strictly for my enjoyment I probably would have stuck with the audio and left it at that. But I included the visual to make it an immersion read to make sure the visual book didn't have any serious formatting or editing errors that I wouldn't have caught listening alone.

With that being said, I felt Tiffany Morgan Baker did a really good job with narrating this story and it's characters. Once again, this was both a new to me author (Jason Link) and narrator (Tiffany Morgan Baker) and I was pleasantly surprised.

The pacing for Angel of the Rust did start out a bit rough for me simply because of the confusion between the perspective in a clearly science fiction scene then suddenly in what appeared to be a much more primitive world being introduced. However, it didn't take too long for these two worlds to collide and then coincide from that point on as things are laid out for the reader.

The worldbuilding was very unique. There was a lot to bring the reader up to speed with this one. As we began to learn about current events we also had a lot of historical information coming out way to fill in what has gotten us to those current events. These details were very important in understanding our current situations. I felt one thing that stood out for me about the cultures was that there was a lot of fear and prejudice to be overcome. This was both from those planet side as well as those not grounded.

The character development was very strong in Angel from the Rust. It's easy to see some of the development from our protagonist (Corvala) and supporting cast (Exodus) but I was surprised on seeing how Serapha evolved as well. I think the latter was one of the most unique parts of this read for me. Though learning the background of Exodus was always really interesting and the story unfolded.

This might not have been one of my favorite reads of the year but it was still a lot of fun and kept me interested. I look forward to seeing where this series goes from here.

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good example of YA post-apocalyptic science fantasy. (Depending on your viewpoint it could be considered an adult work—and certainly could be enjoyed by adults—but since the main protagonist was a teenage girl it felt definitely like a YA novel to me.) It's hard to say how long it's been since the apocalypse happened. Centuries, for sure, but it's not clear how many. It's been at least several generations, and the bulk of the population turned into an agrarian society. This is a really nice change: there's no hint of the dystopian society I would expect based on most other post-apocalyptic books I've read.

I liked the first half of the book best, when we were setting up the world and getting to know the main protagonist. I really enjoyed seeing how our tech and knowledge were viewed by people in this non-tech society, and making guesses about the events between now and then which made that world the way it was. In the second half (or so) of the book, we started getting more chapters with other characters' POV. While it was still neat to see the worldbuilding in those sections, I personally lost the thread of the main narrative a little with the addition of these other viewpoints. Some of the POVs seemed very fast-paced, while others were slower-paced, and that threw me off.

The plot gradually ramped up in scope and got more consistent in pace as the book neared its climax, with lots of stumbling blocks thrown in to complicate plans for good guys and bad guys alike. While I often expected when something would go wrong to mess up the plan, I only rarely guessed what was going to actually happen. My biggest complaint, really, was that the main antagonist went so evil so quickly. I would have liked some more on-screen character development for him before he showed his Bad Guy colors, so that the reader was kept guessing for a while whether he was the villain or not.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I read this book as part of the judging process for the 3rd Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC3), and while I was provided a review copy for judging purposes I read the book using the version available on Kindle Unlimited. My opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts of my SPSFC3 team or the competition as a whole.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I have to say I really enjoyed the story. I think once I got started I read longer and more often than I generally do. It's an engaging tale indeed! The premise of the book is not new, but the story has enough wrinkles to keep you interested.

A large portion of humanity has established a virtual world and stored their physical bodies in space. Of course the transition wasn't without disagreement, so some people stayed behind. An agreement was reached and codified in a treaty and the sides parted ways. All was well for a long time, but as the story begins that's about to change.

When I first started to read, there was something about the style that put me off kilter a bit. It took me quite a while, but I came to the conclusion that the author has what I would call a "choppy" style of writing. The sentences seem short and uniform to me. I hasten to add that I'm not a writer and have no expertise in these matters so you shouldn't read too much into my comment. It's what I observed.

I will say that I quickly adjusted to the style, and as I said earlier I was drawn into the story. The characters are engaging, the villain is suitably villainous, the plot is twisty and the ending is satisfying. If you enjoy this kind of story about a person discovering their destiny, then you'll enjoy this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a regular sci-fi/fantasy reader, but I do enjoy a good 'futuristic/post-apocalyptic' tale now and again. I loved this story - it did start a bit slow for me (I read pretty fast normally), but after a few chapters the pace picked up a bit and eventually I could NOT put it down. Once I stopped trying to mentally compare places I know in real life to the action in the story (based on the maps provided), I was able to follow Corvala and her father along on the journey with great enjoyment. At one point mid story, I actually slammed the book shut and had to take a moment to compose myself -" how are they going to get out of this?!?". To me, this is the mark of a great story, when you are so emotionally invested in the character that you have a physical reaction to the danger they are in. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes a good adventure/journey story with some fantasy/tech thrown in. I believe this is going on the 're-read multiple times' pile at my house.

[Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This is best book I’ve read that is great for young and old with nothing inappropriate for younger readers but I didn’t miss it. I could not put it down. I am ready for the next one. I’m hoping that a sequel is planned! Should be a movie!

[Brenda Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and would recommend it for others to read. It was like you were in the story itself and following them where ever they went. Over all it was a good read.

[Susan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a post-apocalyptic world, greed and arrogance still battle for the souls of the survivors. Corvala, a young, want-to-be fiddle player must fight her fears and myriad dangers to save the life of her father. Early in the saga, Corvala is rescued by Serapha, a strange woman with mysterious superpowers who is invincible in battle, but also has the power to heal. Accused of collaborating with demons, Corvala allies herself with Serapha and flees her home along with her injured father. Unbeknown to Corvala, she possesses a secret code within her DNA, and it is Serapha’s secret mission to get Corvala to an Elijah Tree so the code within her can activate a defense system for the planet and fend off an attack from an alien invader. Adventures abound as the trio are attacked by forest creatures, chased by unknown enemy forces, and forced to masquerade as a traveling troupe in their quest to find the Elijah Tree.
The story is engaging from the first page and weaves together characters and events in such a way as to make them believable—almost! I recommend this book for anyone who loves science fiction or simply enjoys a good story.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked by Jason to write a review after reading his new book Angel from the Rust after receiving a copy of it. I worked with Jason for several years and know his passion for writing and his desire to give a reader a great story through the dedication to his craft. I approached the reading of this book with a critical eye, but also as one who loves a great story. His characters, setting and overall story have depth and are written in a way that makes the everything very believable, but the biggest thing for me is that I found myself lost in the story. Page after page, situation after situation kept me reading. One thing that did surprise me at the ending is that this story caused me to reflect on my life and how I live it, how certain things can impact not only myself but those around me. I can't wait for what Jason will be writing about next. This book is a great read and I highly recommend it. Keep up the good work Jason.

[Korinne Tande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is written from several different perspectives - same story told by different people - which leads to several perspectives as mankind explores a primitive life vs technology as society and life evolve following an apocalypse. Will there be a new "normal" way of life? Is it natural that different beliefs and ways of life lead to conflict? I enjoyed the descriptive language used by the author. The story includes family struggles and dynamics; a female protagonist; and war vs. peace. I found that the farther I got in the book and story, I was able to do a better job of understanding how the characters and storylines would intersect - which kept me wanting to keep reading. I don't think anyone can read this book and not ponder the role technology plays in our lives...I am reading the book on an electric reader for goodness sakes. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tabatha Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Did Like:
+Great world created here. You are intrigued by both sides and how they connect. You also immediately look for that connection to what we know and that works too! This one really highlights why dystopia is a science fiction sub genre. It sort of made me think about Wall-E. Kind of what would’ve happened if Wall-E had involved people who opted to stay behind, if that makes sense.
+Multiple storylines crash together and connect in a pleasing way.
+Enough plausible science and technology to please those who like science left in their Scifi yet enough of a stretch to please those who don’t. This tech is just outside what makes sense with science right now.

Who Should Read This One:
-Science fiction fans, specifically those who like space, technology, or dystopian.

My Rating: 4 Stars
Well written science fiction that will please fans of the genre.

For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2023/...

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it took a while to get going but I am glad I stuck with it. I found the blend of medieval fantasy with Sci-fi elements worked well (exploring the idea of human relationships with technology in a post-apocalyptic world that had been reset to a time without that technology - and on the other hand, the purpose of that technology in such a world too). It's where these two separate elements (fantasy / sci-fi) came together that, for me, the book 'hooked me in'.

Overall, it's an engaging, well paced story and I didn't feel like I got bogged down with detail, though at times I did feel the book told us everything and didn't leave much for us to figure out.

I would recommend this book, an enjoyable read.

[Caroline Noe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six hundred years after an apocalypse that sent technology users into an orbiting space station and left others behind to form a medieval style society, teen Corvala awaits a madness that takes all her female line.

When a golden man drops from the sky, claiming godhood, a secret lodged deep in her DNA may be the only salvation for her community.

Reading as a mashup of apocalyptic scifi, medieval fantasy, supernatural heritage and Chosen One quest, the narrative gathers pace once the characters take their staunch positions in the lead up to a final showdown.

An unusual mix of ideas and themes, for the most part, works well.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex story with well-written characters and unpredictable developments! Good mix of new technology, creatures and ideas with age-old themes of human ideals and conflict that will always be relatable. Jason Link is a new voice in the post-apocalyptic literary scene that gave me some new wrinkles to consider.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to dive deep into a vivid and fascinating dystopian world in Jason Link's "Angel from the Rust." This thrilling post-apocalyptic novel introduces you to Corvalo, Serapha, and the nefarious Dane, all players in a story that pits the "haves" of space against the "have nots" of Earth. The world-building is top-notch, crafting a rich and detailed world without any trace of modern technology. I quickly found myself invested in the well-written and relatable characters, some of whom are even likable. But be warned, lurking in this world are gnarly creatures that only add to the suspense and excitement. This twisty, thought-provoking, and easy-to-read novel is a true page-turner that will keep you engaged until the very end. Trust me; you won't want to put this book down once you get into the groove. So don't miss out - I highly recommend "Angel from the Rust"!

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you look for evil, that's all you end up seeing."

I devoured this book!

Angel From The Rust marked all the boxes for me: dragons, trolls, and goblins? Check. AI robots? Check. Father-daughter dynamic? Check. Mysterious helmeted bounty hunter? CHECK. VIOLINS? CHECK! And yes, I could keep going with the hype-building; there were so many things that made this book a blast to read!

This book is a brilliant imagination of what would happen if tech geniuses from the future invaded the primitive civilizations of the past. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, humanity is rebuilding from the ashes of nuclear weapons with new parameters in place that label all tech as "demonic". So what happens when these civilizations see someone wield electricity or fly a spacecraft? You guessed it, they'd call them a "god". Luckily for humanity, someone from the past saw this coming and had a plan. Corvala and her violin, "Sir William", are part of that plan.

"'I can make my own choices.' 'You better make them wise.'"

Angel From the Rust was such a refreshing book to read. It's full of action, twisting and turning around corners you'd never expect, all the while keeping the light of hope shining in the darkness present. The book is lined with faith-based characters, but Corvala herself struggles with the concept of a deity, especially once this false god appears. Her journey, though not hers alone, is more than just saving people, it's coming to terms with her faith and what it means to trust blindly. I'm typically not a fan of blatantly placing God or Christianity into fantasy/science fiction, just because it often feels out of place and a lot like preaching, but this felt so natural to the story and that it truly BELONGED in the story that I loved it!

This book is a little difficult to compare to others, all I could think of were movies, so I would say that aspects of it reminded me of WALL-E, Iron Man, and even Big Hero 6 (if you're a fan of Baymaxx, all I'm saying is you'll love Serapha). The closest comparison that I can think of, however, is actually my favorite video game: Horizon - Zero Dawn. So, if you enjoy wholesome, exciting science fiction that will have you biting your nails, Angel From the Rust should be on your TBR!

I received this book for free from the author. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is entirely voluntary.

[Shh I am Reading Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book set so far into the future after the end of Earth as we know it, this novel was good. However, it was very difficult to get into the novel at first. Perhaps it was the multiple POV, but the other characters fell kind of flat for me except for the lead character Corvala. If the other characters had been a little more fleshed out, this would have been an easy 5 Stars for me.

Once you get into the book and past the beginning, there is no stopping, especially because the world building was exceptional. As a gamer, it gave Horizon Zero Dawn vibes, so it hit close to home on the interest scale for me, definitely.

Despite the little hiccup with the bumpy beginning and the multiple POVs, I definitely am interested in continuing the story and finding out where else this planned series goes to.

I received this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary.

[Laura Miller]

Angel From the Rust is futuristic, post-apocalyptic science fiction. Follow the adventures of a musician named Corvala, her father and judge Exodus, and the recently-awakened automaton Seraph Raphela as they try to prevent the disastrous consequences of the reign of gold-clad spaceman Dane. We find out that there are people living on a spaceship called Olympus who have been there for the last 600 years. They still have access to modern technology. Meanwhile, those living on earth are in the aftermath of massive destruction caused by that same technology many years ago. They’ve reverted to a natural or primitive way of life, and technology at this point is regarded as ancient and demonic. Thanks to the Treaty, things could stay this way for many years to come, except for the fact that one man from space comes back to Earth with world domination in mind.

I loved the character of Corvala and rooted for her the whole way. The moral conflicts that Exodus faces are interesting, and Serapha is wonderful and tough as nails. (Who knew automatons could juggle?) Meanwhile Dane is exactly the despicable villain that you need to drive conflict in the story.

I found this novel to be fascinating and thought-provoking. The world-building was imaginative. I’m usually not one for post-apocalyptic fiction, but I found myself liking Angel From the Rust for the same reason I like Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Namely, most of the action in Angel From the Rust is happening many years after the apocalypse, when life has returned to a new normal. It really gives one an opportunity to consider the role of technology in our own lives and what our future may hold. I also adored the integration of the hymn, “It is Well with my Soul” into the story. The integration of spiritual themes is not heavy-handed, but they are there if you look for them. I highly recommend this book and enjoyed it tremendously.

[Al Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly mesmerized by this book.
Having previously taken two of Jason's courses on Udemy, I was curious to see the teacher at his craft, as it were. The construction of "Angel from the Rust" does not disappoint in the least. Without feeling in the least forced, the book is very well put together, throwing in elements that one could fit in with the fantasy genre (trolls, goblins, dragons), but masterfully explaining them and easing them into the plot.
The backdrop of the story is a future Earth some six centuries after a global and cataclysmic war that has created an irreconcilable rift between those who bask in their technological advancements, and those who thoroughly oppose it and have in time come to see it as forbidden "Ancient magic and devilry". This, therefore, precludes an easy categorization of the novel. Some might call it science fantasy, but I think trying to fit "Angel from the Rust" into a genre is not so important when we get such a solid story, in any case.
The three protagonists, Corvala, Exodus and Serapha, complement each other with different strengths and weaknesses, and the author plays these very well. No one seems to be there just to fill a quota, and they drive the action very cleanly.
The antagonists or the "forces of nature" that stand in their way balance the acts nicely and precisely, creating the right amount of tension, whether they be willingly opposed to the protagonists' goals, or simply there at the inconvenient time.
The minor characters introduced serve characterization or worldbuilding purposes, and nothing seems thrown in just to be there.
Jason does a great job at keeping everything relevant and at webbing everything in, so that every little detail comes to serve a purpose in furthering the narrative.
All in all, a solid five stars for a novel that reads very easily and that kept me entertained from (digital) cover to cover.

[Tom Mock]

This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.

The Founders of Olympus, a three-mile space station housing millions who sleep, plugged into the Dream, wake and bestir their frail bodies to sentence a murderer to death.

Is this Sci-fi? Yes. But it’s going to blur the lines with fantasy soon enough, as the story shifts to the 600-year-post-apocalyptic earth’s surface.

The details are beautiful. The physical degeneration of the ancient sleepers is horrible and wonderfully described. The prose in this opening doesn’t miss. It is immersive, expressive, and exact. In a word, it’s brilliant.

The story emerges steadily from the eerie, sterile world of the space station full of sleepers, as a murderer is led to his summary trial - little more than a minute to take the vote to sentence the condemned. Thousands died. The verdict is plain: death.

While our ancient sleepers were perhaps too energetic in their speech at times, that is hardly a criticism when measured against everything that is incredible about this opening.

The 3rd person close narration is colored by the sentiments of our focal character to give this opening a great sense of voice perfectly tuned to the otherworldliness of this space-station, so distant in so many ways from humanity.

I can’t wait to see where this story goes next, and to find out how this immensely talented author handles the next phase of this highly imaginative fantasy-Sci-fi. If the novel can maintain this level of artistry, this is Finalist material. I’m in.

[Heidi Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful Sci-Fi novel based in the far off future. After the people on earth became so obsessed with living in the perfect world. The founders went into Space to live in the ultimate utopia. Leaving their progeny behind to live in a recovering world. Hundreds of years later, after the earth had reestablished a treat is released upon the people. The founder anticipated this threat and put in a failsafe recovery. Four terrific characters Corvala, Sarapha, Exodus, and the Rook all fight to correct the terrible mistake that was made by a founder. The system of justice brings about a terrible judgment against Carvala's Fah. The Rook is out to rid the earth of all the demonic influences (technology, mostly lost). He is out to do the right thing but because he doesn't have a full understanding of the demons he is led on a path of misguided purpose. Carvala is assisted by a "demon" from long ago. The gluttony of imagined perfect word ravages the mind of one of the founders. The other founder though just as guilty of said technology gluttony see there is a problem with Dean. The founders vote and he is sent to be terminated except his friend used very bad judgement and just exiles him to earth. This was a great start to a new series. I can't even imagine when the story will go next. I hope to meet Carvala and her Fah again. I also want to see the Rook when discovers the truth

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is mostly fast paced with characters I cared about and plenty of questions to keep me turning pages. Mostly though I took delight in exploring the world that the author created, learning layers of history with the characters and encountering the cleverly constructed social systems. The layering of fantasy creatures created before the collapse, pre-industrial society, and forbidden tech advanced beyond what we have today, was brilliantly executed and so much fun.
There was a bit of the story before the midpoint with every second chapter being a vignette from a minor character. Each little story was masterfully told but so many of them did slow the pace there. However from the midpoint the story stuck to main characters and the pace picked back up again, keeping me going past my bedtime.
Well worth reading.

[Eliade Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good idea and interesting plot

The author successfully built a world and drag me into it. But it had some shortcuts, like a super technological guy from a space station conquer a city fallen in medieval age in one page.
Also, I think he tries to achieve too much, having too many secondary plans to prove a point. These little inconveniences did not take away the book's fascination.
I would observe that the main characters' evolution is odd at times, following the same pattern: from denial to quickly accepting the new challenges after a short internal struggle.
Most descriptions are delightful, and the philosophy accompanying inner thoughts is very welcomed.

[Katrina Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started slowly and was really hard to get into until the last quarter of the book, if I rated on the first 3 quarters, I probably would have given three stars. I struggled with staying interested as there was a lot of exposition and the way it bounced between characters felt a bit strange at times. Overall the story was interesting, but I probably would not read another in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teresa Stauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great combination of sci-fi and fantasy!

I liked how the author got my emotions to be angry at the bad guy and frustrated with the good guy. There were similarities to other books and yet unique to this story type.