Blurb:

An epic adventure of interstellar war, visionary transformation, and cosmic mysteries begins here.

Fight for Your Place in the Stars!

Growing up the lowest of the low in a cruel, alien underworld, Sabira dreams of something more. More than being forever unseen, toiling in tunnels and mines, and never seeing the sky. She dreams of a life of adventure among the stars.

She has only one way to make her dreams come true:
Victory in the deadly fighting pits of the Divine Masters.

When a failed battle brings certain death and defeat, a chance encounter saves Sabira’s life, but challenges everything she holds sacred. Confronted by shamanic visions and unimaginable revelations, Sabira must choose between faith and loyalty or mystery and liberation. The lives of everyone she loves, and of worlds across the galaxy, weigh in the balance…

Bryan S. Glosemeyer’s novel delivers a fast-paced, thrilling sci-fi adventure set in the distant future, filled with vivid worlds, compelling characters, and gritty action.

Shattered Gates Volume 1collects all four previously released novellas,Part 1: Trickster’s Pit, Part 2: Infiltration Crew, Part 3: Eon, Part 4: Sacrificial Altars,and includes a complete Lexicon.

Review:

When the author reached out to me to see if I was interested in reading his book, I immediately went and read the preview on Amazon.  I really liked the writing and was immediately interested.  This has one of the strongest opening lines I’ve seen:

“The girl was eighteen, and like all Humans her age, she had one chance to choose her fate.”

The book is actually 5 short stories compiled together.  HOWEVER, do not let that deter you!  The pacing is really well done!  I finished part 1 and I was really amazed that the first 40 pages were so action packed and fast paced!  The worldbuilding in part 1 was the action, and that was unique!

“We’re been buried in lies our whole lives. But the truth has been inside you, always, hidden away. It will find its way out to you, if you let it.”

The story begins with "the girl" living in a society where people don’t have names; instead, they are identified by tattoos on their faces that indicate their birth and profession. On her 18th birthday, she faces a pivotal decision: like the characters in Divergent, she must choose her path. She opts to join the ranks of the servants, viewing this as the highest calling.

As she receives her name, we gain deeper insight into her society, and red flags begin to emerge for the reader. Although she is deeply ingrained in her culture and accustomed to a life of obedience and sacrifice, she is still a slave—albeit a powerful one. The limited choices she has are reminiscent of the color-coded hierarchy found in the Red Rising series.

“How do you expect the Gods to see you if you don’t even see yourselves? “

The characters speak in a way that reminds me of the Belters from The Expanse series. They say “I see you” the way that one might use the phrase “I hear you.”

Sabira is our main point-of-view character, and this story truly centers around her journey. She faces significant challenges and experiences profound growth as she navigates the new realities of her life, undergoing a remarkable transformation along the way.

The action sequences are well-executed, keeping me eagerly turning the pages to find out how it all concludes. The political dynamics might be a bit beyond both the characters and myself, but the author skillfully highlights the importance of key figures, ensuring we know who matters in the story.

There’s a moment when we anticipate some worldbuilding; we know it’s coming and need that information, experiencing it alongside Sabira. While there’s a bit of info-dumping, it feels necessary. Additionally, the author incorporates a Shaman ritual involving a drug-induced hallucinogenic experience to detoxify Sabira. It’s quite graphic but aligns with what I’ve read about such rituals.  Weird stuff happens in the dream sequence, and it’s…weird. 

I enjoyed Sabira and look forward to the rest of her story in Beyond the Gates Infernal!

“The Divine Masters don’t see us. The Gods don’t see us. Only death sees. Only death knows.”

I thought the pacing was spot on, and I appreciated how the author explored the characters' morality as Sabira confronts the reality of her culture. The book is driven by dialogue and delves into darker themes. Sabira takes actions that would easily label her a villain in any other context, but the author uses these moments to highlight her struggle against even more oppressive systems.

Trigger warnings for killing of children (alien, but still). 

“My name is Sabina. And I am not your property.”

Would I reread? Yes, I really enjoyed this story and would def be able to pick up some more of the worldbuilding on a second read!

Would I recommend?  Yes! Sci-Fi fans will enjoy this especially fans of Red Rising, The Expanse and Blood Over Bright Haven!

Recommended for Fans of Red Rising, The Expanse and Blood Over Bright Haven