Diathesis (Descent, Book 1) by Ishmael A. Soledad

Temple Dark Publishing, 2025 (release date April 18)

ISBN: 2370015765491

Available: Hardcover, ebook edition (preorder)

Buy:  Amazon.com

With Diathesis, author Ishmael Soledad has taken a quantum leap forward in science fiction writing.  His debut, Sha’kert, was good, but also hinted at the potential of better to come.  With Diathesis, that potential has been fulfilled.  The book is a phenomenal tale of science and the ethical questions that come with it, used to propel a gripping story.  This one should easily be on the shortlist for awards this year, if not the outright winner.  If you are looking for a futuristic tale that will keep you pondering over the dilemmas posed for weeks afterwards, don’t miss this one.  It’s a must-read for sci-fi fans.

Diathesis is written in the present tense, told in the first person from multiple character perspectives.  Similarly to Sha’kert, it has intriguing plotlines that use moral questions as one of the foundations of the story.  However, the ethics are not the overriding reason for the story, they are simply part of it and used to advance the overall narrative, while making the reader think at the same time.  In this case, the main question concerns the genetic engineering of humans, deemed necessary to complete Earth’s first interstellar flight.  The genetically engineered humans are a big part of the story, and you’ll follow them as they deal with the fact that despite all the money and effort poured into making them superior, they are still considered expendable, nothing more than items designed for a purpose.  In other words, humans who aren’t considered human.  The author weaves their struggles into their training regimen over the years with impeccable skill, making for an enthralling story.

The engineered humans are not the only part of the story: other characters are equally as compelling, with problems of their own.  Maria, the scientist who creates the cryogenic sleep system needed to allow for interstellar flight, must compromise everything she believes in order to continue her research.  For her, the price may eventually become too high, and Maria has to decide whether to sit on the sidelines or do something about it, possibly destroying everything she worked for her entire life.  It makes her character compelling.  How much is too much?

Li Quao’s plot thread provides a nice counterpoint to the other characters, since he could be politely classified as having an extreme self-interest streak, or, more accurately, as a borderline sociopath.  His part in the narrative isn’t established by the end of the book, but he’s clearly going to play an important role later.  His Jekyll/Hyde personality can be terrifying, as he eliminates anything in his way, but on the surface he plays the role of a morally centered person perfectly.  He’s the one character that never has any qualms about doing anything wrong, since he believes himself incapable of it.

All the above cover the story arc, from the original planning of the interstellar mission and the obstacles encountered, up through the initial launch.  There’s a lot of material here, but it’s not the “hard science” type. The author prefers to concentrate on the characters instead of the technical aspects.  That’s where his main skill is, and it’s doubtful that there is anyone else out there who does it this well.  It’s a character-driven story that pulls you in hard and never eases up, while giving you plenty to think about over the course of reading it, and long after.  This is sure to be one of the best of 2025.  This is beyond highly recommended, and certainly gets the Samuelson seal of approval!

Reviewed by Murray Samuelson