Son of Osivirius
About
He wants to escape. She wants him dead. But the giant flying cats want something else entirely...
Fledgling pilot Jayden is one of the first generation to be born on the newly colonised planet of Osivirius. Now he’s determined to get his family out of ‘Wormsville’, the part of the colony where people are little more than numbers. So when Commander Tun offers a huge reward for finding the location of the rebel base, he jumps at the chance.
Nettle hates everything to do with the colony—especially the military arm—and is fiercely protective of the simple, grounded ways of the rebels. So when she and her brother Flint discover Jayden after he crash-lands, she’s ready to slit his throat without a second thought. But as Flint nurses him back to health, Nettle’s antipathy turns to empathy, and then an unwanted attraction.
Jayden, meanwhile, has made secret plans to escape on a Masu, one of the giant flying cats the rebels ride, but though his blood family still need him, the lure of the valley might just prove stronger.
In this award-winning, action-packed, and visionary novella, the mystical connection to nature of Avatar, the romantic tension of Outlander, the dystopian political struggle of The Hunger Games, and the character evolution of Ender’s Game all meet. It’s a perfect read for teens and adults who enjoy spiritual elements and clean enemies-to-lovers romance in a high-stakes futuristic setting.
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Exclusive Illustrated Edition (not available at retailers)
Art by @alfibunneni
READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS HERE.
Meet the cast in this blog article.
Find out more about the Masu in this blog article.
Read my thoughts on the themes in this article and this article.
Find BOOK CLUB and EDUCATORS GUIDES here.
Check the content guide.
ENDORSEMENTS
“A lushly imagined, and hopeful serving of adventure filled with heart, humanity and flying cats. I loved it!” — Trent Jamieson, award-winning author of Stone Road, Day Boy, the Death Works Series, and the Nightbound Land Duology
“Delicious worldbuilding and characters that sparkle with agency. Son of Osivirius deftly highlights the importance of the natural world and humanity’s place within it. Cathryn DeVries weaves a brilliant tale.” — Pamela Jeffs, Aurealis Award winner and author of Wilder
“I adored this story from start to finish. A gripping plot, believable characters, and a richly immersive world that overflows with imagination and compassion.” –Kylie Chan, best-selling author of the Dark Heavens series and the Dragon Empire series.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Literary Titan. Read the review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Reader's Favourite. Read the review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Reader's Choice. Read the review
Praise for this book
This was an amazing science fantasy novella! From the first page I was sucked in and invested in Jayden's story. I enjoyed his growing camaraderie with Flint and how he integrated into the valley, even if it was for the wrong reasons at first. I loved how he kept trying to crack the wall that Nettle had built, and watching their no-spice romance slowly build. The Masu creatures were a great touch, bringing hope and balance to the people and the world they had settled on. The world-building was exquisite, with wonderful descriptions that brought the story to life.
Cathryn deVries has written one of the best, if not THE best dystopian sci-fi fantasy novellas I've read in a very long time. Son of Osivirius is world-building done right, with exceptional characterizations of protagonists, antagonists, and the fantastic Masu flying cats. I can't recall if I've ever read a story in which the leading characters provide first-person accounts in alternating chapters, the effect of which is to give exceptional clarity into the characters' thoughts, emotions, conflicts, and decisions. The slow romantic development between Jayden and Nettle, Jayden's struggle to decide whether to escape the rebel community and return to his family, his feelings for Nettle, the rebel community, and his own amazing Masu partner, Shana, are true to life in their depth of emotion and in the associated real-life, everyday experiences that require hard decisions among competitive choices.
Son of Osivirius surprised me with its heart. Beneath the adventure and the danger, this is a story about belonging and trust, and how hard it is to let go of fear in order to live freely. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction that balances action with deeper themes, especially fans of Avatar or The Left Hand of Darkness. It’s also a great pick for anyone who wants an adventure with strong characters, a lush setting, and deep ideas.
With superb world building, captivating characters, and a tender slow-burn romance, this is a must read for fans of dystopian science fiction and fantasy.