23 ratings (5.00 avg)
17 reviews

Brittany L.

Add friend

Brittany’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (1)

currently-reading‎ (3)

read‎ (22)

Stats | More…

Brittany is Currently Reading

Brittany L. is currently reading

The Heart Scarab: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel: Book 2 of The Duchy Wars

by Stella Atrium (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Brittany L. said: " A Layered, Lyrical Masterpiece of Political Intrigue and Mythical Resonance

Stella Atrium’s The Heart Scarab unfolds like an epic chant a mesmerizing blend of lyrical prose, political upheaval, and soul-deep mythology. As the second installment in The A Layered, Lyrical Masterpiece of Political Intrigue and Mythical Resonance

Stella Atrium’s The Heart Scarab unfolds like an epic chant a mesmerizing blend of lyrical prose, political upheaval, and soul-deep mythology. As the second installment in The Duchtan Wars, this novel continues the journey of Bybiis with searing emotional complexity and thematic resonance that rivals the best in speculative fiction. It’s rare to see such an uncompromising yet elegant dive into the spiritual and societal costs of power.

Atrium’s command of narrative voice is astounding. Told through multiple perspectives human, serpent, tribal, and military the book never loses clarity or purpose. Each shift in viewpoint deepens the worldbuilding and stakes, especially as the serpent mythology intertwines with political dynamics and the legacy of colonization. Bybiis, in particular, is a triumph a flawed, gifted, and embattled woman whose journey echoes both myth and gritty realism.

The world of Dolvia feels ancient and alive, shaped by tribal laws, imperial schemes, and natural forces far beyond human control. Atrium’s use of language captures the voice of each faction whether it’s the serpents’ hissing rhythms or Rearguard warriors’ tribal cadences. These linguistic textures ground the reader in a living, breathing universe.

Themes of exploitation, gender-based violence, and resistance are handled with grace and clarity. Atrium never shies from the horrors her characters endure, but she also foregrounds their agency, their resistance, and their small, necessary rebellions. The novel’s ethical complexity particularly around the serpent pouches is striking. Who deserves to harness power, and what does it cost?

This is not a novel for readers seeking a conventional hero’s journey or neatly tied resolutions. The Heart Scarab dares to complicate its victories and muddy its alliances. That courage along with its inventive mythology and layered characters makes it an essential read for fans of Ursula K. Le Guin or N.K. Jemisin.

In short, The Heart Scarab is a literary, political, and spiritual triumph. Atrium has cemented her voice as one of the boldest in contemporary speculative fiction. ...more "

Aug 19, 2025 03:12PM · see review