This compelling novel from Australian author Eric Kok puts a delightfully unique spin on the angel mythos with a speculative narrative set in an alternate universe on a planet called New Earth. The planet’s populace is increasingly divided between supporting cutting-edge (and possibly unethical) scientific advances and embracing a religious, and decidedly technophobic, lifestyle.

The novel comprises essentially three intertwining storylines involving a trio of characters as they attempt to navigate a complicated situation made treacherous by radicalized leaders with ruthless agendas.

Eighteen-year-old Gabrielle Roddenberry has been told for years that she’s a miracle—the “Divine Emissary” that will lead her people to salvation. Born with wings, she yearns to leave her remote commune and experience the vast world of the “unlearned,” those who (she has been told) “abandoned their moral compass for the allure of science.”

Associate Professor Jacob Anderson-Li has just been inducted into the esteemed Apex of Scientifica as an expert in science-related ethics. But he soon realizes he’s a pawn in a much larger, and complex, political game where the winner literally takes all.

Rafael Martinez is an enforcer, a cop who only wants to do his job with diligence and honor. But when his son dies from a drug overdose at a music festival—where “designer drugs” are legally sold—he quickly realizes his son’s death was much more than accidental. During his investigation, he finds himself entangled in a grand-scale conspiracy.

The novel’s momentum and intensity explode when all three plot threads come together.

The narrative is notable for its brilliantly developed characters. Sublime worldbuilding, brisk pacing, and subtle social commentary add to the enjoyment. But it’s Kok’s overriding message of personal freedom and the responsibility to remain open to change and new ways of thinking that packs the most powerful punch.

Smart, well-written, and deeply thought-provoking, Animalis —the first installment in a projected series—is a triumph in storytelling.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.