Full Fathom Five
“Whatever else one might think of poets, they are excellent barometers for metaphysical shenanigans. Not as good as proper prophets, but these are fallen times.”
Third book in the Craft Sequence, though fifth chronologically.
Featuring investment banker priests, a child refugee prophet, slam poetry, a trans heroine, commentary on tourism as a new form of colonialism, more allegories for police violence against marginalised communities, Elayne Kevarian cameo, three stories beginning to converge, fallen gods and rising gods, and as always – excellent writing, and pitch perfect allegories for real life issues.
Published 2014, Tor.com
Summary of Full Fathom Five
(from publisher)
On the island of Kavekana, Kai builds gods to order, then hands them to others to maintain. Her creations aren’t conscious and lack their own wills and voices, but they accept sacrifices, and protect their worshippers from other gods—perfect vehicles for Craftsmen and Craftswomen operating in the divinely controlled Old World.
When Kai sees one of her creations dying and tries to save her, she’s grievously injured—then sidelined from the business entirely, her near-suicidal rescue attempt offered up as proof of her instability. But when Kai gets tired of hearing her boss, her coworkers, and her ex-boyfriend call her crazy, and starts digging into the reasons her creations die, she uncovers a conspiracy of silence and fear—which will crush her, if Kai can’t stop it first.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence.