The First Conception: Rise of Eris by Nesly Clerge

Envisioning the end of the world seems like a common pastime for modern writers, but Nesly Clerge takes a very different approach in his new novel, The First Conception: Rise of Eris. Humanity hasn’t been subjected to a zombie outbreak or devastating climate change, but rather the inability to reproduce – not so much as a mysterious malady, but as an act of revenge.

After a lifetime of being abused and disrespected – physically, emotionally, mentally, and professionally – and seeing it happen to other women across the world, Dr. Katherine Eris Barnes decides to take matters into her own hands. She wants to ensure that men, and society as a whole, realize the terrible mistakes they’ve made, and feel the pain of having control wrested from their grasp. The form that this punishment takes is unique, which is where the sci-fi or dystopian elements of the story appear, which are both timely and prescient.

Given that the setting of this novel is so recognizable, the idea that a group of angry women seeking revenge might be able to have such a drastic effect on the future of the species is not too farfetched. Despite being written by a man, this novel strikes a powerful chord about the treatment of women both in the past and present, leaving readers with plenty to consider about their own actions, and the current treatment of women overall.

Not purely a message-driven novel, the plot is fast-paced and the writing is clean, swinging deftly between thought-provoking philosophy and creative narration. It sets up a new series excellently, with many more storylines and ideas to explore within this intriguing premise.