The book of Koli is a dystopian science fiction novel, told in a future after civilization has broken down and genetically-altered nature has taken over.    People survive in small villages or enclaves and build their own way-of-life, complete with the myths created by those in charge.

The story is told by an illiterate youth named Koli.   With no education he follows the tenets of the village and takes on the trade of his family, accepting the expectations of the ruling family.   In a world without technology, there are still a few pieces of “tech” in operation and those who have them do so with a level of power and authority.    From a wandering doctor (Ursala), he learns a little about the “Old World” and the place of technology.   Koli oversteps his place in the village of Mythen Rood and retrieves/steals some tech from storage, subsequently figuring out how to use it.    It is an AI music player called a Dream Sleeve with the persona of a Japanese social media star Monono as its voice.   Using the player, Koli makes poor choices and finds himself banned from the village (Koli Faceless).

The tale is told in plainspoken language in the first person by Koli, looking back at the events that changed his life, covered in a trilogy.    The first book can be divided into two parts – Koli’s life in Mythen Rood, then Koli’s flight into the dangerous world of a future Ingaland.       By the end of the first book, Koli’s quest is set and along with Minono, Ursala, and Cup, he is off to find Lundum.

But it really is not a tale of action and adventure.    There is a thread of humanism, compassion, and relationships, woven into world-building and character development.    We care about the characters and we find ourselves alongside Koli as he grows and as he explores the world outside.

I was fully engaged with this book and I will carry on with the trilogy.   My rating – 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8

An audio excerpt: