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Book Review: EYE OF THE STORM by Aimee Kuzenski

I met Aimee Kuzenski a few weeks ago when she gave a reading of her debut novel “Eye of the Storm” at DreamHaven Books in Minneapolis. Her reading convinced me to buy a copy of the book and I’m glad I did.

As Book One in the Deus Ex Machina quartet, “Eye of the Storm” introduces us to the old gods. The really old gods. As in the OG, Original Gods. For source material, Kuzenski goes all the way back to the Four Horsemen (Conquest, War, Plague and Death, in case you needed a refresher). In her world, these OGs are the foundation for all other gods who came to the party later in history.

When Alexander Sehkmet realizes his cover as an immortal is blown, he reacts the way any incarnation of the God of War might: he beheads his accuser and torches the place. But now he’s on the run, and he needs a new meat suit to ride. While he’s at it, Alexander figures that maybe it’s time to update his look, get a 21st century outlook on life. Why not come back as a woman?

Alexander gets more than he bargained for with Camilla Sykes, an Army lieutenant with a chip on her shoulder. He soon finds himself embroiled in a battle with his new host for control of “their” body as well as a struggle for their lives against South African arms dealers and an immortal ex-lover bent on his destruction—and that’s just the first third of the book!

Rest assured, this is no Riordan knock-off. Kuzenski has a fresh look at the very old topic of mortal vs. immortal relations. She masterfully manages to keep the characters of Alexander and Camilla separate even while they inhabit the same body.

She also does something that few writers have the guts to do: make your main character a bad guy. The God of War (aka Alexander) is compelling, interesting,and colorful, but he’s not a character that evokes sympathy or even empathy.

And yet, I kept reading.

The story is well-paced and crafted in such a way that I was kept “in the moment” the whole time I was reading. The characters (remember, we’re talking about some bad immortals here) were deliciously twisted with a nice helping of 21st century updates.

A sincere well done, Aimee, on a wonderful first novel. Now when can I get the next installment?

You can get your copy of “Eye of the Storm” HERE on Amazon or by visiting Aimee's website HERE.

David Bruns is a speculative fiction writer from Minnesota.  His latest novel, IRRADIANCE, the first book in The Dream Guild Chronicles, is available HERE.

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