Conquergood & the Center of the Intelligible Mystery of Being is a captivating new dystopian science fiction novel by CG Fewston, an author already making a name for himself with his thought-provoking work. Set in the year 2183, Conquergood is set in a world where one company, Korporation, reigns supreme and has obtained world peace, through oppression.

The story follows Jerome Conquergood, a homeless outcast known as a strayer who lives in what is left of Old York City. His life is at its lowest point yet, but he has a goal, to find his mysterious brother, Vincent, who has gone missing. 

This mission leads Jerome to being offered a job in the Turnkey Akweesitions Department of the authoritarian Korporation. He hates them for what they’ve done to the world, but he knows this job is perhaps his only hope of finding his brother. As Jerome navigates the dangerous world of the Korporation, his journey of self-realization unfolds, revealing the intricate web of secrets surrounding both the entity and his own identity.

The world-building in the novel is remarkable. Fewston has created a believable and authentic post-apocalyptic society with technological wonders and thought-provoking societal issues. The relevance of the themes to the state of the world today adds an extra wrinkle and makes the story even more compelling.

Speaking of the story, it is well-paced, quickly gaining momentum as it progresses, and big reveals begin to pile up. Fewston expertly weaves together multiple storylines, including Vincent’s mysterious story and the brothers’ family background. These serve to add a nice additional layer of emotional depth to the tale.

But the book’s true strength lies in its messaging. Good science fiction isn’t all about great world-building and fancy technology; it needs to say something. Fewston poses Jerome with fascinating moral quandaries as he is forced to become what he has always hated. His character growth is fascinating to watch. The questions Fewston raises about the future of humanity in a world full of genetic and mental manipulation are equally interesting. 

Conquergood & the Center of the Intelligible Mystery of Being is just an excellent piece of dystopian sci-fi all around. The pacing and story are exciting enough to keep casual fans engaged throughout. Those who like their sci-fi to have some depth will likely fall in love with the book. There’s a lot to unpack in Fewston’s new novel, and doing so is a pleasure. 

Pages: 318 | ASIN : B0BY84F3X7