Heretic by Noah Isaacs

Blurb:

A lord. A lady. A priest or even a bishop. At times, a queen.

These are the people Varre has killed.

And next, an emperor.

Years now Varre has served the realm, devoting herself to the common folk who go without justice at the hands of those driven mad by power. Yet these same people fear her. Curse her. Spit at her deeds as if she should not to them be a saint.

Unlike them, her Faith lies in the dark, where the world passes unseen to most and the drivel of blasphemers is seldom heard over the wails of the damned.

Before, a single death unburdened the lives of so many. The emperor’s might condemn untold more. She used to tell herself these deeds were a necessary evil. Life for death. Death for life.

But now, as the mortal realm is to be cast asunder by her own blade, she must decide if a righteous future is worth attaining when there are none left to witness it.

Review:

Varre is a renowned killer determined to make her next kill with the ease of all her other murders—even if she has to kill the emperor. Serving the realm by devoting herself the commoners who are abused and ignored by those in power, she tries to find justice for those who cannot and vanquish those driven to insanity by their enhanced levels of authority. Yet when the people she works for fear her, she finds her work unsatisfying.

Driven from the horrors of a corrupt religion long ago, Varre’s faith withers, and she refuses to speak of her lack of belief due to the risk of getting caught and punished for it. But when she’s tasked with ending the emperor’s life, she’s forced to determine how much she’s willing to give up to save herself and pursue a righteous future—even if it means she must doom the emperor, and therefore, countless others.

I saw Noah Isaacs requesting a review for his novella, Heretic, a prelude to an upcoming series, and I decided to take a chance on this story, Heretic, which at the time I knew nothing about. I am so, so glad I did. Isaacs is a self-published author of extraordinary skill, with an adeptness at describing everything from characters to settings in a simple but effective and evocative way. I absolutely loved everything from the way the civilizations were described to the way the characters fought with what they believed—especially in terms of how Varre fought with herself and how she viewed the world.

This story is one I won’t be forgetting soon. So many novels (or in this case, novellas) beat around the concept of addressing religious trauma in their pages. Beating around the topic, or in essence, hinting at it but never stating it outright. The way Varre faces conflict with her faith is so forward-facing that it was truly a breath of clean air amid dozens of books that are too afraid to do the same.

One of my favorite things about Heretic was the perspective of the main character. I’ve seen a fair amount of women written by men who just don’t ring as authentically as others, but Isaacs pulls off the female POV with both respect and skill. Varre felt vivid and realistic; I could read dozens of novels with her as the main focus of the story.

I’ve already purchased more books written by Isaacs and I am so beyond excited to see where he goes next with his immersive, palpable fantasy worlds filled with authentic characters who use their abilities and intelligent with brutal efficiency.

Noah Isaacs has an incredible knack for writing immersive settings, compelling plots, and best of all: unforgettable characters. Although Heretic was a prelude to another story, it is most definitely a fresh take on fantasy that will live readers breathless and wanting for more. With intricate worldbuilding, a badass main character, and epic action sequences, this story has all of my favorite things packed into one. It's a unique twist on religious corruption in fantasy, a memorable world brimming with twists a turns that will leave readers gasping. Well worth the read! Very, very much recommend!