Review – Divinity 36 (Tinkered Starsong, Book 1) by Gail Carriger (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: GAIL CARRIGER LLC
Release Date: June 1, 2023
ASIN : B0BZWZM5JG
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Tinkered Stars series
Source: Borrowed ebook from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Phex is a barista on a forgotten moon. Which is fine – he likes being ignored and he’s good at making drinks. Until one day an alien hears him singing and recruits him to become a god. Now Phex is thrust headfirst into the galaxy’s most cutthroat entertainment industry, where music is visible, the price of fame can kill, and the only friends he has want to be worshiped.
Welcome to the divinity. Where there is no difference between celebrity and religion, love and belief, acolyte and alien. Where the right kind of obsession can drive a person crazy or turn them divine.”
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Tinkered Starsong series. I borrowed a copy of this on ebook from my library.
Thoughts: I absolutely loved this start to the Tinkered Starsong series. Previous to this I had read all of Carriger’s other series and enjoyed them. This was very different from her previous series in that it is science fiction but the story still had that humorous, cozy voice to it that all of Carriger’s books have. Dare I say this is cozy science fiction? Is that a thing?
The book follows Phex; a refugee working as a barista on a small moon. He is happy enough with his quiet existence and then an alien comes in and recruits him to become a god. At this point things get incredibly not quiet and very complicated.
I loved the world created here and the ideas behind the way pantheons and divinity work, it is not at all what you are thinking. Pantheons are groups of six that sing, dance, and make light shows together to provide galactic entertainment. It is a cutthroat industry just like you would imagine the entertainment industry would be, but is also strangely complex since the pantheons must work together seamlessly to be successful.
I also adored all the characters here. Even though Phex is the main protagonist, all of the side characters are just as fantastic as he is. They all have complex pasts, a lot of depth to their personalities, and their own dreams and concerns.
The unique world, intriguing story, and complex characters make for an amazing book that is impossible to put down and a joy to read. The story leaves you feeling happy, hopeful, and content. I am incredibly eager to read the second book in this trilogy. Really this book takes Carriger’s writing to a whole new level. I have always enjoyed Carriger’s writing but this book is special…it is incredibly well thought out, creative and polished; I loved it.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this book and am eager to continue with the series. This is an amazing world, a fantastic story and wonderful characters. The concepts explored here are unique and intriguing. I really loved the humor and fun, as well as the thoughtfulness around friendship and family. I am very excited to read the next book in the series “Demigod 12”.
