The First State by Tshekedi Wallace

A vicious and power-mad despot rules over London 50 years in the future in The First State by Tshekedi Wallace, a dystopian thriller with chilling echoes of our present-day world.

As tensions rise between the metropolitan police and the urban fist revolution, the line between justice and violence blurs more dangerously than ever. With a myriad of players, from noble rebels and simpering yes-men to political charlatans and sadistic authorities, this dark drama is Shakespearean, yet pointedly contemporary.

Thematically, the novel offers a strong warning for readers, as great sci-fi so often does. Authoritarianism is on the rise around the world, in the shadow of an uncertain future, and deadly conflicts with police forces and ideological enemies seem to worsen every day. This fast-paced and visionary novel imagines a world where the civic crises of today have spun even further out of control, leading to an outright dictatorship, where once had stood a monarchy. In this twisted carnival mirror of a future, it isn’t hard to identify the heroes and villains, which could lead to some cognitive dissonance, depending on one’s political leanings.

Despite Wallace’s deft hand for impactful descriptions, there are frequent errors in grammar, stilted dialogue, and awkward syntax that can disrupt the illusion. That said, the grim world-building on display is no small feat, nor are the unforgettable personalities of the revolutionaries that give this novel its admirable heart.