House of Open Wounds
4.5

Behind the Palleseen crusade to eradicate magic, a field hospital confronts war's brutal reality. Yasnic, a former priest reprieved from execution, serves in an unorthodox medical unit led by the formidable 'Butcher'. Amidst gore and suffering caused by monsters, magic, and enemy soldiers, this motley crew of conscripts and healers works to save the seemingly unsavable. Their precarious existence is threatened by their illicit practices involving unapproved magic, necromancy, and Yasnic's forbidden Gods, risking disbandment, arrest, or worse at the hands of the zealous Palleseen.

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About The Tyrant Philosophers Series

This alternate history/philosophical fantasy trilogy includes The Just City, The Philosopher Kings, and Necessity. Inspired by Plato’s Republic, the series imagines Greek gods creating a city governed by philosophical ideals, staffed by scholars from across history. As the experiment evolves—and unravels—the books explore questions of justice, consent, identity, and divine intervention. Walton blends speculative fiction with intellectual rigor and emotional insight, crafting a unique, thought-provoking exploration of idealism and imperfection in both gods and humans.

About Adrian Tchaikovsky

A British author known for his diverse and imaginative science fiction and fantasy novels, often featuring intricate world-building, unique alien species, and thought-provoking explorations of evolution and consciousness. His Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning novel, Children of Time, is a prime example of his ability to create compelling narratives with truly alien perspectives. Tchaikovsky's prolific and inventive storytelling has made him a significant figure in contemporary speculative fiction.

Other Books by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Children of Time

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Series: Children of Time (#1)

4.3

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time is a sweeping sci-fi epic about the rise of a new civilization. As humanity flees a dying Earth, they discover a planet where uplifted spiders—descendants of a failed terraforming experiment—have evolved intelligence and complex societies. The novel alternates between the spiders’ development and a desperate human crew searching for a new home. It explores themes of evolution, empathy, and what it means to be human. With bold ideas and a richly imagined alien perspective, Children of Time is a thought-provoking, genre-bending masterpiece that challenges assumptions about intelligence, progress, and survival.

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Series: The Women of Troy (#3)

4.2

In 'The Voyage Home', Pat Barker masterfully explores themes of identity, trauma, and the relentless quest for self-discovery in a post-war world. Set against the backdrop of a society trying to piece itself back together, the narrative follows a diverse ensemble of characters grappling with their pasts as they seek a sense of belonging and purpose. Barker's lyrical prose intricately weaves personal stories with broader historical context, creating a vivid tapestry of human resilience and vulnerability. The novel's introspective nature coupled with its emotionally charged journey invites readers to reflect on their own paths and the complex interplay between memory and healing.

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