To celebrate the summer release of the next book in the series, we're going back to the beginning... to My Friend, The Gifted. Read on for more info!
My Friend, The Gifted: A Sci-Fantasy (Universe of Infinite Wonder Book 1)
Publication Date: May 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy
What would you sacrifice to become extraordinary? Elodie Marchand struggles to stand out at the Sight Institute. With so many brilliant minds pushing the limits of AI, alchemy, and nanotechnology, it feels impossible to compete.
A stark contrast to her best friend, and the Institute’s unrivalled favourite - Soraya Gourrami. Soraya’s firm encouragement curbs Elodie’s impatience, and in turn, she helps keep Soraya’s temper in check. A perfect symbiosis. But all that is about to change with one simple meeting. When the Institute’s psychic organisation mandates a thorough search for new gifted blood, Elodie jumps at the opportunity to finally reach for greatness.
Even if she may not survive the test, or the process that follows. Elodie will need all the help she can get to keep her life and sanity through the test that will establish her suitability for a life of duty and prestige. But Soraya’s friendship suddenly comes with a single new rule. Elodie can never look into her past or future. But accidents happen. And some secrets are too big and dangerous to keep. It’s time to choose. Friendship or a chance to claim her true self at any cost?
REVIEW:
My Friend, The Gifted is a sci-fi fantasy read with two characters that are quite interesting. This is not my usual genre to read but I really enjoyed the author's writing and attention to detail in this world of AI, alchemy, and nanotechnology. Elodie and Soraya are the main characters, but when Elodie takes the chance to reach greatness, their friendship changes. I found that this story was quick, full of great writing, and characters that pull you into said story.
About the Author
E.L. Aldryc is an exotic foreigner who grew up reading only the best in sci-fi and fantasy - Dune, Our King Bee JRR Tolkien, Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams - the only speculative fiction famous enough to be translated into her niche language. Passionate about reluctant futures, fringe sciences, and whatever stupidity the human race does next in the multitude of truths that surround us, she roams around London and dispenses bad memes. She loves obscure occult books and AI, dislikes: empirical methodology and decaf.
You can check out some of her other awful writing over at The Infinite Library's lit mag, and follow her on instagram, which she will cordially welcome.