In a war-torn realm where only nobles can summon ancestral spirits to fight, a commoner named Temi accidentally invokes a powerful spirit, unraveling hidden truths that could end a centuries-long conflict. Exploring themes of class, identity, and lost history, this epic fantasy blends ancestral magic, ancient technology, and a vast cast of characters in a richly imagined, pre-colonial-inspired world.

Reader Review Summary

Set in the Nine Lands, a world inspired by multiple pre-colonial cultures, the story centers on a society where only nobles can summon ancestral spirits to fight in a centuries-long war against the monstrous Greybloods. The plot is driven by five main point-of-view characters—Temi, Jinao, Boleo, Elari, and Runt—each from different social backgrounds, whose storylines interweave across four major parts and multiple epilogues. The narrative explores themes of family, class, identity, and hidden histories, with a magic system that combines ancestral invocation and ancient technological relics known as techwork. The book features a large ensemble cast, a queernorm setting, and elements such as lost civilizations, religious orders, and a cat with a secret, all contributing to a complex, layered epic fantasy that is the first in the Invoker Trilogy.

Readers praised the book's expansive and immersive worldbuilding, noting the detailed depiction of the Nine Lands, its clans, and the integration of both magic and technology. The magic system, particularly the ancestral summoning and the use of techwork relics, was highlighted as engaging and well-developed. Many found the multiple POVs effective in showcasing different facets of society, with particular appreciation for characters like Temi, Jinao, and Runt. The writing style, described as both lyrical and clear, and the handling of themes such as family dynamics, societal hierarchy, and the uncovering of lost histories were also frequently mentioned as strengths. Several reviewers enjoyed the absence of romance, the queernorm setting, and the way the plot threads converged with impactful twists and revelations.

Common criticisms focused on the book's complexity and length, with several readers finding the large cast and frequent POV shifts overwhelming or difficult to track, especially for those less familiar with epic fantasy conventions. Some noted that certain characters, especially Temi, disappeared from the narrative for long stretches, which affected their engagement with the story. The pacing was described as slow or dragging in the early sections, with a steep learning curve due to minimal exposition and the need to keep track of many characters, clans, and plotlines. A few readers felt that the structure led to a loss of momentum or made it hard to reconnect with specific plot threads after long absences, and some desired more clarity on elements like the Greybloods and techwork.

The book is positioned as the first entry in the Invoker Trilogy and is described as ambitious, with a focus on epic scope and intricate plotting. It includes a cast list to help readers navigate the many characters and clans, and features prologues and multiple epilogues. The setting is queernorm, and the narrative avoids romance subplots, instead emphasizing themes of rebellion, revenge, and the consequences of hidden truths. The book has received a generally positive reception, with an average rating of 4.14 out of 5 from 243 ratings and 174 full reviews, and is recommended for readers who enjoy complex, character-driven epic fantasy with minimal romance and a focus on worldbuilding and societal structures.