Review: Heretic (The Helios Rising Trilogy Book 1) by Chris Mayne

A dark magical adventure into the far-flung future of humanity, Heretic by Chris Mayne is a bold, creative mixture of dark fantasy and dystopian fiction.

An explosive disaster rocks the city of New Tartarus, leaving countless dead in its wake, except for one man found in the center of the blast crater with glowing runes on his body. At first glance, Arlex is nothing but a young sapien underminer, a low-level laborer, but he is also a vortex of magical phenomena, displaying more raw potential than even the most powerful priests and magick-users of the Order.

Viktor, an acolyte healer who witnessed Arlex’s power firsthand and is desperate to study it, defies his holy vows and helps Arlex escape. With top-tier bounty hunters and the unnatural forces of Lord Malus on his heels, Arlex is forced to reckon with his world-shaking destiny, even as he tries to stay alive.

The alternating narrative perspectives keep the prose dynamic, but the narrative voice also shifts, giving different chapters notably different attitudes and styles, which is both impressive and enjoyable. In general, the language is direct and the storytelling moves forward quickly – while flowery descriptions are rare or neatly trimmed, Mayne is a brilliant scene-setter, and knows how to summon a mood with every new chapter, scene, and environment.

There are many moments of social commentary that feel timely and poignant, reminding readers that even after the apocalypse, history will continue to repeat itself. The premise of sapiens vs. gens (“old” humans vs. the further evolved rulers of society) has plenty of parallels to our own world, specifically the vast difference in treatment and respect for people on opposite sides of the wealth inequality gap, making the story both fantastical and incisive.

Some of the narrative details, such as the spell-casting and general magical rules, feel somewhat derivative of other fantasy sagas or realms, such as the physical toll that casting takes on the body, as well as the nomenclature of magical abilities. However, there are also unique elements of this shadowy future, including the monstrous and magick-twisted creatures from the realm of the Nephilim. The mind-bending abilities displayed by the residents of Downshade Asylum also add to this intriguing mix of Gothic fantasy and dark dystopian writing.

The character relationships are also strange and original, especially Michael and Wil, with Arlex and Viktor making for an odd couple of renegades. Each is on a journey of self-discovery, some veering away from traditional faith, while others are seeking greater faith in themselves, another thematic element that is subtly but trenchantly explored. Some of the challenges and existential dilemmas are familiar for a work of fantasy – average people thrust into heroic lives – but nothing about this story or its characters feels predictable.

On a technical level, some of the dialogue feels rushed or too informal, as are the occasional anachronistic words and idiomatic phrases, which can pull readers out of the illusion that Mayne has crafted. Despite some unpolished edges, this fast-moving novel is an enthralling and impressive introduction to a new fantasy series.