And if I live, may God tremble with the knowledge that he created a calamity.
SYNOPSIS
Priestess and Merchant of Knowledge Calinthe leads a nomadic life, travelling across the planes of the Pentagonal Dominion in search of secrets to trade with her employer. The goal is simple: save enough to retire with her best friend, Merchant of Magic Zakuro. But the Pentagonal Dominion is a vast and multifaceted collection of worlds and species, demons, gods, and gods’ children: every place has dangers, everyone has an agenda and secrets, and Calinthe’s secret could land her in slavery. Then, Calinthe finds a powerful object with powers beyond compare, and ends up in a high-stake negotiation with her would-be enslavers. If she succeeds, she and Zakuro will reach their dream of a safe and comfortable life; but what if she fails?
Gut reaction
It was A RIDE. From the meticulously detailed worldbuilding to the sky-high stakes, to the multi-faceted characters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Erika doesn’t hold back when it comes to putting her people in tough predicaments. It’s emotional, it’s harsh, it’s the opposite of cosy, in all the best ways. You come to care so much about the fates of these characters, as well as the fates of these worlds (yes, there are multiple worlds!). It is a rollercoaster, and I’m so happy I went on this ride.
reflection
The worldbuilding in this book is a thing of beauty. So vast, so detailed, yet so natural. The reader feels immersed in a reality that has been going on for a long time before we opened the book, and will continue to go on long after we finish. And we want to know all about it, yet what we get is the perfect amount we need to understand the story, the characters, and the complex background of the societies in action. There is very little exposition, so the narrative flows without interruptions; at the same time, the reader doesn’t feel left out or out of their depth.
The narrative itself is another strong suit. From cosy fireplace talk to high-octane battle scenes, from tense bargaining between enemies to lewd parties, everything happens and more. There is spice, there is tension, there is The pace is intense, especially in the second half of the book, where it can feel slightly relentless; the occasional breather in the story is definitely more than welcome. Calinthe especially, and her allies, go through a lot. And the ending, ugh, the ending is just raw power.
The book is mostly told from the POV of Calinthe, with occasional intermissions from Zakuro, or others. Calinthe has a rather unique perspective, even in this reality of many worlds and creatures: she is an extremely rare hybrid of two species, which makes her a prime target for enslavers. She is cautious, analytical, and buries her feelings deep, and her POV is multifaceted and fascinating. I’m a sentimental reader, so I struggled to relate to her logical, at times calculating mind (I vibed more with Zakuro); nevertheless, Calinthe is the perfect POV for this story, and her arc is by far the toughest and most interesting.
Conclusion
A beautiful and intricate tapestry of a story that leaves the reader wanting more of everything: world, characters, action.
bonus quoteS
- ‘Sayuri, your idea is terrible, blasphemous, and guaranteed to kill us. I’m in.’
- The truth can sound like a lie in the mouth on one who is scared.
Magnolia Fay Writes 
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