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The Divine Heretic Book 1: Seven Days of Mercy for the Apostatic Priest
Ages ago, the people of Hebdomar killed their creator. But Gods are ever restless, even in death.
In every generation, a child rises from the desert of Ohtahp, bearing within them the seed of creation itself. These “Eidolons” are called to complete a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mahakalpe, a place to plant their Godling seed so it might take root and germinate among the faithful.
Dispatched by her Apostatic Priesthood, Ruxindra l’Maer sets out for the ancient walls of Mahakalpe on a mission to slay the latest Eidolon before the Syzygy of Avum, preventing the cycle of divine rebirth. Once she reaches the Holy City, however, she discovers preparations for a forbidden blood rite—a human sacrifice to accompany the Eidolon’s investment. The fell ritual reeks of eldritch arcana, and Ruxindra is not eager to see the two sorceries mix.
One thing is certain: the Eidolon must be destroyed. The last time the Godhead walked the mortal plane, every soul on the face of Hedomar bent to his implacable will. Never again. Ruxindra swore an oath to her priesthood, but Mahakalpe is home to Gods far crueler than creation, and this young Eidolon she is sworn to destroy might be the only power capable of preventing their release.
With only seven days until the syzygy aligns, the fate of Mahakalpe turns on the mercy of one Apostatic Priest.
Behind the Cover
It is both strength and weakness that I am not easily saddened—not prone to melancholia nor bouts of general malaise. As I watched these offerings taking their leisure in the Mahak’s garden, I felt nothing but rage. This sacrifice by fire reeked of eldritch sorcery, but it was a familiar stench, for every culture on the face of Hebdomar still carried foul hints of its sordid bouquet. All manner of blood has been spilled in pursuit of divine favor, but an inordinate share belongs to women—to the young and the pure. Men great and small tremble before the mystique of female sexuality. They seek to squeeze it and bridle it—to see it throttled and, yes, destroyed. I do not deny that some mean spark may be released in its destruction, but to see such a power nourished? To cultivate it? To guide it through its fullest bloom? There lies a power to debase every haughty sorcerer and necromage—to bend every monarch and send crass thaumaturges screaming for their middens.
Critical Acclaim
Strong Series Opener
“Lorimer’s scene-setting is visceral and evocative, whether describing conditions on the road and in the city or the various non-human species that become key to the story.”
Publishers Weekly/BookLife, Editor’s Pick
Unpredictable
“From thaumaturgical glamor and sophist rebels to dark sorcerers, snake-headed butchers, and unexpected saviors, this fast-paced fantasy is an unpredictable blur of genres and coal-dark themes.”
★★★★★
SPR
Compelling
“Readers of smart fantasy that balances the wondrous, the realistic, and the personal with moral and philosophical weight will be eager for more.”
Publishers Weekly/BookLife, Editor’s Pick
Sharp and Evocative
“Seven Days of Mercy for the Apostatic Priest packs a lot of story into its 200 pages. With sharp, evocative prose, the novel is as concise as it is elegant in its descriptive language.”
★★★★★
IndieReader, IR Approved
Effortlessly Impressive
“The prose is effortlessly impressive, with original turns of phrase, creatively precise metaphors, and exquisitely chosen vocabulary.”
★★★★★
SPR
Compelling
“A world that’s dense with well-written characters, surprising twists, and a formidable protagonist.”
★★★★★
IndieReader, IR Approved
Impressive
“Evocative prose meticulously describes the Holy City at a deliberate pace that builds further tension…Engaging characters enliven an impressive dystopian fantasy tale.”
Kirkus Reviews
Reader Reviews
Stunning
“This is a stunning opening book in author Lorimer’s new series…I laughed, I cried, I got chills reading the powerful ending.”
★★★★★
Goodreads Review
Beautiful
“The weight of history presses on every scene; it feels as though every step the characters take stirs up old regrets and the sense that something fundamental is about to shift. I kept turning the pages because it felt as if the land itself was urging the story forward, even as everything within it was falling apart.”
★★★★
Goodreads Review
Rich World
“From virgin sacrifices to eldritch horrors, this novel packs a tight, fast-paced plot but doesn’t skimp on the character development.”
★★★★★
Goodreads Review
Strong Series Opener
“Not to give to much away, we have sacrifices, murders, death, assassinations, or attempted assassinations, friendship and loyalty.”
★★★★
Goodreads Review
Thought-Provoking
“By the close, I was left thinking differently about loyalty, about how people are changed by the pressures they face. The book never feels as though it is lecturing; its tone has a kind of structure, almost like a chronicle, but it never forgets to care for its characters and what they endure.”
★★★★
Goodreads Review
Deep
“For those of us who enjoy stories built on deep and complicated worlds, with a touch of philosophy, it will be a rewarding read. It is not a quick journey, nor does it focus on a single hero’s exploits, but if you are willing to spend time in its shifting sands, there is much to discover.”
★★★★
Goodreads Review