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Like the Saint of Bright Doors, it teases with real life and then just catapults us into a rich afterlife/world of uploaded minds, gods, and rebirths.

It's Buddhist SF, ya'll. It's a playground for the imagination.

I love the creativity and I admit I like to think, think, and think about all the worldbuilding here, not to mention the theology, the scope, the Akashic record.

We also get a ton of story-within-story action here, which is quite delightful.

So, why am I only giving it 4 stars? Because the core story wanders. It's fun as long as you go into this for the journey, for the sightseeing, but plot is subsumed in experience. Even dead-experience. You might say--it's just a slice of life.


Nommed for '25 Nebula awards.


My synesthesia sees a lightshow of colors throughout the novel, but all the other senses are dulled--especially the scents. I experienced this at a remove, alas. Wanting to get deep into it isn't the same as being deep in it.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com