Andrew Gillsmith's Reviews > The Hand of God

I'll admit to having a slight advantage over (most) other readers of The Hand of God: I've gotten to know the author, Yuval Kordov through a network of like-minded writers of metaphysical sci fi. And so, before I read the first page, I knew I was in for a treat. He is a wildly original thinker with a generous and contemplative soul. To call him a mensch does not do justice!

I was not disappointed! The Hand of God is an outstanding first entry in his planned Dark Legacies series.

Thematically, it ticks all of my favorite boxes. There is faith and doubt (which need each other) and there are powerful human connections being formed, connections that cross generations, belief systems, vocations, etc. There are some much-appreciated nods to Frank Herbert (particularly w/r/t a sect called the Revenant Sisters). Like Herbert, Kordov excels at making a "place" into a character. In this case, it is the Deadlands, a physical and spiritual wasteland with a life- (or death-) force all its own.

Also like Herbert, Kordov gets deep into the promise and danger of Messianism. There doesn't seem to be any "black and white" here, as far as I can tell, and the story is much the better for it.

I think I can reveal the premise without spoiling anything. The book is set long after a nuclear apocalypse has all but ended human civilization. If that weren't enough, God has withdrawn from the world, leaving it open to literal demons as a chastisement for mankind's "mass suicide."

Kordov's prose is wildly imaginative and at times almost experimental. His place descriptions as well as his ability to convey the visceral, eldritch horror of the demons were particularly notable.

The world-building (gack, I'm coming to hate that term) is also extraordinary. This is a completely three-dimensional, complex ecosystem that Kordov has created. I have heard that he worked out some of the details by making it a setting for his own RPG, which makes complete sense. There are layers upon layers, and one is constantly straining to see just beyond the edge of the map.

But I am a simple man at heart. Much as I appreciate tight theming and innovative prose and meticulous worldbuilding, there has to be a *story* and characters that hold my interest. And here again, Kordov succeeds.

The characters are fully developed and distinct (especially the AI character!). And the plot cracks along with rising action and deliberately accelerated pacing right up to the climax. Once I got 15% in, I knew this was a book I would finish VERY quickly.

I would absolutely recommend The Hand of God for anyone who loves classic, metaphysical sci fi. Possibly even to some who don't!

I am very much looking forward to the next installment and will be reading anything Mr. Kordov produces in the future.