The Genesis of Misery

The Genesis of Misery is a science fiction novel that reimagines Joan of Arc's story in a far-future space setting. Within this universe, a substance called holystone grants supernatural abilities to certain individuals, leading to centuries of conflict between the faithful Empire and those who reject religious explanations for these powers. Misery Nomaki, a young person from a rural planet, possesses the rare ability to manipulate holystone despite having no formal training. After claiming to be the prophesied Ninth Messiah, Misery becomes entangled in the complex political dynamics between the Empire's throne and the powerful Church of the Forge, while experiencing visions of an entity called Ruin. The story follows Misery's transformation from an untrained holystone user to a military asset, as they navigate training as a mech pilot and form alliances with various figures in the Empire. Throughout their journey, Misery must confront questions about their own sanity and the true nature of their visions. Yang's novel explores themes of faith, power, and identity while questioning the line between divine inspiration and madness. The narrative challenges traditional concepts of religious authority and examines how institutions can shape and manipulate prophetic figures.

Readers compare this book to both Joan of Arc and Mobile Suit Gundam, with many noting the unique blend of religious themes with mech warfare. Several reviews highlight Yang's detailed world-building and the fresh take on familiar science fiction tropes. Liked: - Complex queer representation and gender identity exploration - Distinct narrative voice using second-person sections - Integration of religious elements with space opera Disliked: - Pacing issues, especially in the middle sections - Some found the second-person narration jarring - Complex terminology and naming conventions require extra attention Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 (500+ ratings) One reader noted: "The religious aspects feel authentic rather than decorative." Another stated: "The second-person sections pulled me out of the story repeatedly." Several reviewers mention the book works better for readers already familiar with both military sci-fi and religious literature.

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🌟 As the first Asian author to be nominated for all major SFF awards (Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Lambda) in the same year 🌟 The novel's reimagining of Joan of Arc follows a rich tradition of science fiction adaptations of the saint's story, including works by authors like C.S. Lewis and Michael Moorcock 🌟 Author Neon Yang previously published under the name JY Yang and has written the acclaimed Tensorate series, which blends East Asian-inspired fantasy with themes of gender and power 🌟 "Holystone" in the novel draws parallels to real historical concepts of sacred materials, like the philosopher's stone in alchemy or holy relics in medieval Christianity 🌟 The book's second-person narrative style is a rare choice in science fiction, creating an intimate connection between reader and protagonist while echoing religious texts