Ostakia by Angelica Primm

 ** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **

 POV: 1st person, dual POV

 Themes: Sci-Fi, MPREG, religious fanaticism, political intrigue, Bisexual MC, Intersex MC

 This was an interesting read for me. It's my first book by Angelica Primm and it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed Ostakis and hope that the inclusion of Human Planets Collective on the cover is the promise of more books to come, even if they focus on new planets and different characters. I'd certainly be willing to read more within this world.

 Ostakis is the story of one man entering a new world and turning it upside down; viewing the laws and struggles of their people with fresh eyes, offering the promise of revolution and change. It's the story of love overcoming class, social status and political boundaries, and the story of a friendship so strong that it can weather all storms.

 This is, firstly, a novel about political intrigue, with a dash of romance, and a struggle against a rising religious power that threatens to overshadow all decent humanity if not contained quickly. Through the dual POV of both main characters – Arlan, the Cursed; and Kaj, the human representative – we see this new world with fresh and familiar eyes at once. I loved that we got to see some events through both sets of eyes, first through Arlan's and then through Kaj's so that we understood the delicate political and often dangerous nuances of language and political understanding. What slips carelessly from Kaj's lips causes shock and surprise for the Ostakians; while what the Ostakians accept so readily is sometimes abhorrent and inconceivable to Kaj. This was really well handled and introduced the idea that Kaj's mission was much more complex than first thought, while offering something for us readers to rally towards. I was fully committed to the Cursed and their plight, to helping them rise from oppression, long before it even became a plot point in the book.

 I'll admit, I had a tough time getting started. The style of writing, and the phrases that are by rights original to the people of Ostakis and this new Earth presented to us, were all unusual to me. The writing is somewhat formal in places, sometimes drifting from past tense to present, but maintaining the style throughout. The choice of words was sometimes odd, to me, but sometimes felt as though it was remaining true to the character's knowledge of language rather than the author deliberately dipping into purple prose or making unconventional phrasing choices. It took me about 20% of the book to really feel comfortable with the style and the phrasing, to grasp what it was doing and to feel familiar around the choices made. Once I did, it flowed really well.

 I do wish I'd read the contents page, though, because then I would have found out there is a Glossary of Ostakian terms at the back, which I could have used to help me out. However, saying that, the writing made it clear what each word meant as I was reading, so kudos to the author for making it clear even without the glossary.

 Also, when I started, I really wasn't sure about why the letters to Marta were included, what they represented, or what point they had to make. But, as I read on, they became a touching reminder of all that Kaj had sacrificed, all that he'd given up, and all that he'd experienced before his journey to Ostakis. It added another lay to his characterisation that I appreciated.

 When it comes to characters, I wasn't so sure about Kaj to begin with. He seemed uncomfortable around the Ostakians and inept for the political dance he had entered into. But as time went on, his authority settled and he became more comfortable in his new role, which was great to see. I loved Arlan immediately. He was sweet and feisty, and I rooted for him the whole way through. Pib was another light in the dark; he was sweet and a great friend to Arlan, making sacrifices but finally asserting himself when it came time. I loved their friendship with each other as much as I loved the not-so-subtle chemistry between Kaj and Arlan. From the first minute they met, the attraction was real and noticeable, but I liked that it wasn't insta-love, either. It blossomed nicely throughout the novel.

 The world building was also really well done. I liked that we weren't overwhelmed by info dumps of what Ostakis was, how it functioned and all that it entailed, right at the start. For a while, I wasn't entirely sure what the world was like and what those like Arlan were – if they were shifters or humans – but things became clear as it went on and it proved to be a clever bit of mystery that kept me wondering and reading, intrigued to find out more. When the truth of the Unspoken and the Cursed was finally revealed, I found it all the more interesting because of the little hints along the way.

 The story deals sympathetically with the cultural themes of women in power, how intersex people are treated, politics and religion, as well the treatment of aboriginal people by invaders. All subjects are relevant to our world, today, but they were also well explored in the world of Ostakis, showing us as the story developed how this world worked and how it had come to the brink of survival. The interlink between the aboriginals and men like Arlan, creating the Unspoken and the Cursed, was a clever piece of plotting and a great mirror to the prejudices of our own world.

 Why didn't I give it five stars?

 For me, there were a few niggles that just kept it shy of the five star mark.

 1. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with the story and the writing style. We had to learn most of Ostakis through Kaj's eyes, at first, and didn't really understand the world until Arlan's POV entered. 2. There was quite a bit of repetition, sometimes of entire scenes, sometimes of conversations, to explain the delicate nuances that separated Earth understanding for Kaj, and Ostakis understanding for Arlan and everyone else. I do understand why most of it was necessary, but it did mean that I had to read conversations a second time when a thought process or recollection might have been enough. 3. I also would have liked more of an exploration about changing the laws for how women and aboriginals were treated, at the end. 4. I would also have liked some kind of resolution to the Pib and Arlan friendship, that better suited their love for one another and their future children.

 I was also surprised by the MPREG storyline, as there was no mention of that in the blurb or in the advertisements I've seen. While I love a good MPREG, I think the author is missing a trick by not advertising it as such; it's a growing market and I'm sure many more people would love to know that there's a sci-fi MPREG out there, with a true intersex character and a storyline that isn't all heat and sex, but is clever and original, while portraying a beautiful romance.

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 Favourite Quotes

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