Against Nature

Against Nature
"Against Nature" is the first full-length novel published by Obverse Books as part of the Faction Paradox series and written by Lawrence Burton. It is inspired and strongly influenced by Aztec mythology.

Reviews
"It's a good book. That much I can tell you. As for what it's about, that's something entirely different. Is it about someone with a deathwish and wanting to take all of creation with him? Or is it about two men discovering that their lives are interwoven, impossible and all part of someone else's grand game? Or is it about what "family" means to a species who reproduce literally via technology? Or is it about the clash between society and it's gods and the tension created from having to live with but struggle against the gods? Or is it all of those things and more mixed together to create a rainbow cake of interesting text, flavour and thought? Yes. Yes it is. Lawrence Burton divides his story up into something that could be seen as five books in one, and uses the symbolism of a compass (the five points being North, South, East, West and the Centre point) and a uniquely Mexican mythology connected to that symbolism to create the foundation of his tale. Each "compass point" has it's own texture, it's own voice and feel. One has a sad ground-down weariness to it, another a faded pomp and majesty. As you read it, you're offered clues as to how the stories inter-relate and it's a genuinely rewarding feeling when you put two and two together and something you thought in passing a couple of chapters before turns out to be what's happening. He also litters it with little jokes and winks (such as one of the characters being a "Priest in Black" whose job it is to investigate mysterious sightings of gods out of their natural habitat). I know it says "Faction Paradox" on the cover, but it's not directly a Faction Paradox novel. The Faction's referenced in it, some of their techniques and rituals turn up but it's more a "other peoples and powers from the FP unvierse" novel. It's a good stand-alone, you don't need to be au fait with the Faction to enjoy it, everything you need is within the covers, but it does offer a little something more for the Faction fan (including one of the famous "mystery" characters from "the Book of the War" if I'm not mistaken)."

Review original published on Amazon.com.au and used with the permission of the reviewer.