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What do you get when you mix murder mystery, science fiction, philosophy and horror? — You get this wonderful mashup, starring a death-servicing monk, Vessel Iris, who is an enigma as unforgettable as he is intriguing.

When Vessel Iris is summoned to lay to rest the thousand or so deceased passengers on a relic ship from First Earth held in automous orbit for hundreds of years, he has no idea what is in store for him.

A beautifully drawn character, and our main protagonist, Vessel Iris is a troubled and vulnerable man, with a traumatic past, all of which he has funneled into a devoutly practiced religion, riddled with rituals, chanting sutras and vows (he must remain physically untouchable), as he desperately searches for meaning and belonging in a world filled with pain, suffering, and ultimately, death.

Without giving the plot away, Vessel Iris and the implanted AI he carries in his brain, are a wildly interesting duo, forming the kernel of a wildly interesting plot, that absolutely held this reader spellbound.

Touching on themes including organic vs inorganic consciousness, agency vs captivity, and religion versus compassion, this is a gorgeous read, perfect for lovers of sci-fi with a heart, and a soul, and some truly unforgettable characters and ideas.

Recently published, this new read could be found in my local library.