FOOD FOR NEVER

by S.J. Riccobono ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

In this fantasy novel, a villager battles tyranny to save his people from a menacing giant in a technologically advanced world.

Tav is the arena fighting champion among a series of self-governing villages, but his skills are no match for Almer, a space-alien giant whose kind abandoned him on this unnamed planet centuries ago. Every few days, villagers sacrifice elders to cannibalistic Almer; otherwise, he’d surely devour them into extinction. Then, one day, Tav stumbles onto hope—or more specifically, Mara, a mysterious woman he meets in a desolate place away from the villages. She teaches him the Kulaire, a highly efficient and seemingly undefeatable fighting style. Tav could vanquish Almer if he masters this technique, but Mara first needs Tav’s help for something else. She hails from The Nation, a society with technology that Tav has never seen before. Mara keeps her objective deliberately vague, but she wants to reset The Nation’s balance of power, which is split among such rulers as the civilian government and the Military. The two most powerful forces, however, are the Priesthood and the mostly covert organization CRIMECO. After thoroughly training him in the Kulaire, Mara sends Tav to become a Priesthood cadet. His biggest obstacle is hiding his abilities, as the Kulaire is a secret technique that the Priesthood doesn’t teach. But if Tav can do the unthinkable—defeat five tournament opponents simultaneously—he can become the “People’s Hero” and give The Nation’s citizens hope. It may also put him in a unique position to take down one or more of the groups running The Nation.

Riccobono excels at worldbuilding, and his book opens with comprehensive but concise backstory. Almer’s terrifying presence, for example, spurred people into building the wall that now separates the villages and The Nation. The author likewise simplifies myriad details, with a general focus on those two large regions (naming only a few of The Nation’s many cities) and recognizable tech, like tracking implants and holographic images. The narrative boasts plentiful action with scenes lingering on Tav’s honing the Kulaire as well as the Padesh, the Priesthood’s fighting style; he must repeatedly prove himself in tournaments, engaging in fisticuffs with strong opponents who gradually increase in number. Tav is an admirable hero; all he wants is to protect his people from Almer, a yearslong goal that takes him away from his family. Nevertheless, his romantic interests feel halfhearted, as he pairs off with the most convenient partner, from Mara during his training to a fellow cadet at the Priesthood. As Mara’s plan, aimed at those in power, is slowly revealed, the story turns more political. Despite the drop in action, Riccobono maintains a nimble pace and, when necessary, jumps forward in time with clarity and panache; the final act has a few jolts as well, including betrayals and deaths. Some readers may think the story meanders toward the end, but it culminates in an unexpected denouement and a gratifying resolution.

Action and politics drive this brisk, entertaining, and surprisingly compact epic.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 317

Publisher: Manuscript

Review Posted Online: March 14, 2022

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

FANTASY | GENERAL FANTASY