The God Engines by John Scalzi (book review).

‘The God Engines’ is a standalone novel fantasy novel set in space. Ean Tephe is the Captain of The Righteous, a spaceship powered by an enslaved god that is tortured into moving the ship through space.

Tephe and his crew are devout followers of their own god who has subjugated other gods and placed them in ships. Tephe follows the orders of his god who entrust his wishes to the Bishopry Militant, a group of warrior priests who in turn order the captains of the ships and the priests.

The priests on the ships control the gods through torture by using special iron. First-made iron, found after a supernova, can kill a god. Second-made iron, which is metal found when a planet is forming, can hurt a god. Third-made iron, which is metal made in a human forge, does not affect gods at all. Tephe’s god also gives out special Talents which are iron ciphers worn on a chain through which the god grants the bearer either command or special skills such as communicating with other people over vast distances in space. Faith in their god is an integral part of society. Tephe’s god is made stronger by the faith of his followers and can in turn grant them power.

The Righteous and various other ships in Tephe’s gods fleet have been failing to protect their people from the attacks of another rival god that is trying to defeat theirs. Tephe’s god sends his crew on a secret mission to an unknown world to help him defeat the rival god.

Faith and trust are key themes in the book. I can’t really say any more as the book is so short. All I can say that it’s very engaging and fast-paced.

Supreethi Selvam

October 2016

(pub: Subterranean Press, 2009. 132 page small hardback. Price: $20.00 (US). ISBN: 978-1-59606-280-1)

check out website: www.subterraneanpress.com

Please note, although this book is sold out, Subterranean Press do have other books by John Scalzi on their website.