Crimson in Quietus (Eugen Bacon, Meerkat Press)
Eugen Bacon’s Crimson in Quietus is a standalone science fiction novel set within the Sauútiverse, a shared fictional setting created by a collective of writers from Africa and the African diaspora. The Sauútiverse imagines a futuristic, multi-planet society grounded in African culture, history and philosophy, offering a striking alternative to the genre’s familiar futures, which extend the English-speaking world into space. Here, the boundaries between science and magic are drawn differently, with sound as the most powerful force underpinning both.
Fin’lei is a woman who can harness the power of sound to create, while researcher and scholar Muso’mi studies the language of silence and wields its power. Together, they seek to understand and unravel the sounds that underpin the universe, unaware that a killer who devours that kind of power has been set upon them. When Fin’lei is abducted, Muso’mi is forced into a desperate search across multiple planets to find her and uncover the conspiracy behind her disappearance.
Bacon (Danged Black Thing) challenges conventional ideas about what science fiction can be while delivering a dynamic thriller with interesting characters. Positive LGBTQ+ representation, some sex scenes and darker themes broaden its appeal to adult speculative fiction readers. Crimson in Quietus is a satisfying science fiction hors d’oeuvre, enticing readers into the banquet of ideas offered by this richly imagined Sauútiverse. Recommended for fans of Arkady Martine for the unique setting and Stark Holborn for the blurred lines between science and magic.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Stefen Brazulaitis has been a bookseller with a special interest in science fiction and fantasy for 30 years and is the owner of Stefen’s Books in Perth. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
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Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews
