REVIEW: Cello’s Gate by Maurice Africh
Well, I don’t know what I was expecting from a sci-fantasy following sky pirates going on a fool’s quest of a treasure hunt, but Cello’s Gate truly was the wickedly wild and uniquely imaginative adventure I didn’t know I needed in my life. It’s epic yet intimate, dark yet light-hearted, playful yet emotional, and it’s got a fun factor that just soars higher than the sky. Ghandammit frens, this is how you write one hell of a debut!
Okay so Cello’s Gate is really one of those books that just hits the ground running and never lets up. And while I am usually not the type of reader who likes to be thrown straight into the action, Africh just made it work oh so well. When we first meet our motley crew of loveable rogues, they are mid-heist, which not only instantly set the stakes and tension sky-high, but which also showcased how this diverse cast of characters works together like an oiled machine as everyone’s unique skills are put on full display.
And so, the sturdy foundation for this absolute romp of an adventure is laid. From the very first page, I totally believed that the charming captain Grey and his ragtag crew would be able to pull off the impossible. So when the immortal daughter of the infamous Archgovernor tasks them with a treasure hunt to steal the Stones of Indigo, which are widely believed to be nothing but pure myth, in return for a bounty that sounds too good to be true? Let’s go baby, we got this, I am IN.
From the very first page, I felt like I was part of this crew; they are my frens, whether they know it or not. Captain Grey immediately captured my heart with his snarky attitude and amusing swagger, but the main reason why I fell head over heels in love with him is because he is not afraid to show his softer, vulnerable side or to admit that he was wrong when things go sideways. The man truly has a heart of gold, and seeing how deeply he cared for his crew and trusted blindly in their abilities just made me feel all the feels.
Though as big a presence as he is on the page, he somehow never overshadowed all the other intriguing and endearing characters who each have their own important role to play in Cello’s Gate. I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite character if I had to (okay lies, it’s probably my girl Dot), and I just loved unpacking everyone’s own emotional baggage throughout all these wild trials and tribulations. I personally loved the balance between the light-hearted banter, soul-stirring introspection, emotionally impactful conversations, and bursts of exhilarating (and often horrifying) action, which all really built up that deep emotional investment and made me fully feel and believe the stakes. Also, do not get me started on the found family vibes; just perfect, no notes.
Now, I do have to admit that the enigmatic big baddie of the story maybe felt a bit underdeveloped compared to the main cast, but I honestly didn’t mind that too much. See, I was just along for the wild ride, and the captivating present tense narration combined with the irresistible air of mystery and intrigue had me so deeply immersed that I honestly felt like I was living and breathing this story myself. Especially once we reached the mysterious abandoned island (which cleverly cancels out all tech), I was just glued to the page, and the section in the maze-like catacombs where everyone got tragically separated had my anxiety and claustrophobia running wild in all the best ways.
Plus, this future (queer-normative!) sci-fantasy world is just SO COOL! Like, not only does it have a fascinating detailed history, rich lore, tense political landscape, and unique flora and fauna, but it’s also inhabited by sky pirates in spaceships, enigmatic immortal baddies, powerful mystics, honourable sword wielding knights, and gunslinging guardians. Africh’s wild imagination just continued to surprise me with each new turn of the page, and I absolutely loved how he was able to capture and maintain that mystical fantasy vibe I so adore while also bringing in so many excitingly fresh modern tech elements.
While Cello’s Gate is truly unlike anything I have ever read, I think especially fans of Django Wexler’s Burningblade & Silvereye series, Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Tamsyn Muir’s The Locked Tomb series will find so much to love here. There truly wasn’t a single dull moment in Cello’s Gate for me, and the diabolical twists and turns during the heart pounding ending would’ve made me fly straight into book 2 if that had been available. Honestly, forget about the Ghandamned mythical Stones, this book itself was the true treasure all along.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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