The Pheeworker's Oath

by Adam Gaylord

Humans don’t belong on this world. The refugees who crash-landed on the Atipok homeworld can’t see or touch phee, the elemental power which flows through rock and stone like living rivers of light. From the moment of his hatching, healer Takey has manipulated phee to heal, bending strands to his will to mend muscle and bone for both human and Atipok alike.

But when the Atipok queen is murdered and her death blamed on an orphaned human child capable of pheework, the first of her kind, a rift is torn between the two races that could spell the end of humanity. Anti-human factions seize power and the Atipok army is on the march. Can Takey survive long enough to unravel the strands of conspiracy, protect the child, and broker a peace to avoid genocide without betraying his own people or himself?

90 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

In early 2005, Adam read what he considered to be a pretty awful book and said, "Hell, I can do this." Since then he's learned a good deal of humility and to truly love all things writing. His short stories can be found all over the web and his gladiatorial fantasy novel "Sol of the Coliseum" was released by Mirror World Publishing in September 2015.

Having lived all over the country, Adam returned to Colorado where he and his wife wage a daily battle with their two kids. When he's not at work as a biologist, he's usually reading, writing, hiking, or cooking, often while enjoying a craft beer.

Adam hopes you like his stuff and are generous enough with your time that you'll leave an honest review.

Reviews

[L.N. Holmes]

This is a Small Spec Book Awards nominee!

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pheeworker's Oath is an amazing novella. I love the blending of humans and Atipok together on the Atipok homeland. The author brought a story filled with exciting characters, excellent imagery, and a suspenseful plot. I was on the edge of my seat as Takey had to unravel the murder mystery involving the queen.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. Smooth and concise, Adam Gaylord wove together a fantastic scifi fantasy. I loved the mystery surrounding the death of the queen, the path the author took the reader on in order to solve the case, and the complexities Takey faced in the attempt to keep the peace. The story pulled me in and kept engaged from the very beginning.

[Mr. Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A respectable 3.8 stars for this story, While listed as science fiction, I personally think of it as mysticism. Humans are the aliens in this story, as told from the POV of Takey, an Atipok healer who lives among the human survivors of a colony ship that has crash landed. Aside from that event, and scattered mention of plasma rifles and space suit helmets, there is little that makes me think "sci-fi", but then again, my preferred genre is hard sci-fi. Don't take that as a negative against Mr. Gaylord's work. It isn't intended to be. I only share this in an attempt to be fair and honest while writing my thoughts in a review format.
The writing skill shown in the work was well above average, in my opinion, when compared to many other new, up and coming, authors. The copy I read was an ARC edition, and was very nicely edited. The plot itself felt fresh and new to me. Overall it was an enjoyable read, I have no problem recommending it to lovers of the fantastical. For readers, like me, who enjoy their sci-fi to include a higher ratio of science to fiction, I'd say that you might be surprised by how much there is in this story that captures your attention.

[Maria Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hugely entertaining read where magic and science fiction intersect in a rip-roaring good tale about magic (phee) on an alien planet, an Atipok healer, dastardly deeds, animosity and betrayal, and a weapons vs magic clash between humans and Atipok. I especially loved the vivid and colourful descriptions of magic (and magic battles!) AND the wonderful character of Takey.