Review of On the Precipice

[Mayang Bature]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "On the Precipice" by Brianna MacMahon.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Imperium, a planetary civilization that split from the Core due to differing church beliefs, is now thriving as an independent colony. Their government is divided into seven factions, each headed by a Lord Regent. Lord Regents are Keepers who have graduated from one of the prestigious Keeper schools. They are assisted by Prophates, church-assigned advisers. To become a Lord Regent or hold any prestigious office, a Keeper must belong to one of three political parties: Expansionists (the ruling party), Affiliates, or Grounders (minorities). The election season has arrived, and the struggle for political power has resumed.

Raelynn, a recent graduate, or Audilla, was surprised to learn that the Lord Regent of Diplomacy, Levine Liston, had opted to be her tutor. A Lord Regent taking on an Audilla had never occurred in Imperium history, and the higher-ups were opposed to the act. This allowed Raelynn to work with a well-known mentor while also exploring New Caelus, Imperium's capital. Cyno Banner, the Lord Regent of War and Defense and an Expansionist, had a long-standing rivalry with Levine Liston, an Affiliate. He believed that everything Liston did, including taking on an Audilla, was part of a plot to undermine his leadership of the Assembly. To make matters worse, Liston was actively pursuing peace talks with the Civitans, another faction attempting to secede from the Core and declare independence. It did not help that they were involved in the Glass War years ago against the Imperialists. Not everyone was pleased with Liston's decision in this matter. The other Lord Regents and Prophates each had their own noble or not-so-noble goals to pursue. Now that election day is approaching, with determination, greed, and betrayal in the mix, one can only wonder how it will all play out.

"On the Precipice (New Caelus Book 1)" featured proper world-building and well-developed characters without devoting too much time to any one aspect. I appreciated the novel's straightforward approach. Each of the seven Lord Regents, along with their Prophates, was given some screentime to highlight their backstories and express their motivations. Banner and Liston went at it like politicians, using the media to sway public opinion. This aspect was enjoyable because it could be both tense and funny at times. Banner's Prophate, Kosabeus, was the leader of the Prophates and had a very sharp tongue. Banner's explosive temper was always met with a clever remark from Kosaebus, which hindered executing some of his rash decisions. Kosabeus was likely the only one who could keep Banner in check.

The gradual progression and description of events made the world-building feel very familiar. Every reference was followed by an explanation as to why it was that way. Liston's interest in Raelynn, the glass war, and the people's desire for new leadership were all addressed, allowing me to better understand what was going on. It made sense how different people were affected by different events based on their level of participation. It was amazing how the author created this world, with all of the characters and their personal stories. I was truly immersed in this world, always eager to find out what happened next.

I honestly have nothing negative to say about this book. Despite its slow start, I thought it was necessary for the gradual development of the world and the overall description of global affairs. Brianna MacMahon's "On the Precipice (New Caelus Book 1)" deserves a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for its well-thought-out story and flawless execution. I am hooked and looking forward to the next book in the series. With only one objective error that I discovered, I am confident that this book was thoroughly edited. This book is ideal for readers who enjoy delicate world-building and political affairs.

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On the Precipice
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[Osvaldo Borghese]

This book should be part of a series, so I think that to have a better understanding of the whole story will be necessary to read the other books of the series too. thanks for your nice review.

[NetMassimo]

This novel seems to offer a complex tapestry of politics and religion. I don't mind a slow start if that's useful to create an engaging story with strong foundations. I'll look into this series. Thank you for your great review!

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

This book seems quite complex, but beautifully explained by the reviewer. As I read the first few pages I like the warm and well written prose. This book has the feel of belonging to a series.

[AJIBOLA Olasunbo Aminat]

While political intrigue isn't typically my cup of tea, I appreciate the impressive world-building and character development in "On the Precipice." If you're a fan of science fiction and fantasy with a focus on political machinations, this book is definitely worth checking out. Congrats for being the book of the day!

[Rukayat Zakariyah]

The politics in this book sound very interesting. I can just imagine Banner and Liston going at it! And that Kosabeus guy seems like a real character. I bet his comebacks to Banner were pretty funny.

[FAIZANUL HAQUE]

The review has piqued my interest in the nuances of Imperium's political landscape and the characters involved. I'm looking forward to delving into the intricate relationships and power dynamics as the election draws near. "On the Precipice" appears to be an ideal choice for readers who enjoy well-developed political dramas and complex world-building. It has become a priority on my reading list.

[Daring Faith]

This book needs a lot of time and for someone really interested in politics and world building. thank you for the review you have given it is well detailed, a lot just like the book and the insights are surely an abstract to start on

[Charles Magesa]

This book gives a good overview of the political and religious aspects of Imperium and from this review I am compelled to read the book to discover more.

[Mayang Bature]

The politics in this book sound very interesting. I can just imagine Banner and Liston going at it! And that Kosabeus guy seems like a real character. I bet his comebacks to Banner were pretty funny.

You are definitely right! Kosabeus was a real smart-ass that was the apt representation of "knowledge is power."

[Marion Muguro]

This book talks about political where the imperium government was divided into seven factions each headed by a Lord Regent and each of them,a long their prophates was given some screentime to highlight their black stories and express their motivation.

[Gerry Steen]

This is a book with excellent worldbuilding and character development. How will Imperium, seceded from the Core, fare with a three-party political system? Will Raelynn have an important role to play? Read the book!

[Annabell Samuel]

In this book, politics meets religion. However, the drama about to unfold because of the disruption in the Imperium's MO is palpable. I came wait to get deep into the story.

[Sean Patrick Tracy]

This review makes "On the Precipice (New Caelus Book 1)" sound like a captivating read. The blend of political intrigue, character development, and detailed world-building seems well-balanced. The dynamic between Lord Regents and their Prophates, especially the tension between Banner and Liston, adds depth to the story. The gradual pacing for world-building and clear explanations make it accessible without overwhelming the reader. Given the reviewer's high praise and the lack of significant negatives, this book appears to be a must-read for fans of political dramas and intricate world-building. I’m definitely intrigued and eager to dive into this series. Thanks for your recommendation.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

"On the Precipice (New Caelus Book 1)" featured proper world-building and well-developed characters without devoting too much time to any one aspect. I appreciated the novel's straightforward approach. Each of the seven Lord Regents, along with their Prophates, was given some screentime to highlight their backstories and express their motivations. Banner and Liston went at it like politicians, using the media to sway public opinion. This aspect was enjoyable because it could be both tense and funny at times. Banner's Prophate, Kosabeus, was the leader of the Prophates and had a very sharp tongue. Banner's explosive temper was always met with a clever remark from Kosaebus, which hindered executing some of his rash decisions. Kosabeus was likely the only one who could keep Banner in check.

I really appreciate that. So often, fantasy authors devote way too much time to explaining the world they have built or overlook character development.
I have enough with real-life politics, though.
Thank you for your review!