Red Demon by Sill Bihagia

An unflinching and epic work of sci-fi/fantasy, Red Demon by Sill Bihagia is the genre-blending debut of what portends to be a masterful series.

After discovering that his town has been wiped out by a mysterious bioweapon, and witnessing an immortal warrior named the Red Demon mercilessly cut down his brothers, a traumatized Jesse swears vengeance, provided he can survive the night. In a tense world where two strains of humans exist – the “magical” Asri natives and the “modified” Chaeten refugees – Jesse starts rebuilding a different life with loyal companions and fellow crafters, but the bitterness never fully fades. With the aid of another immortal Chaeten-sa and a chosen brother he never expected to find, Jesse evolves into a determined warrior who refuses to turn down the chance for justice, even if that means sacrificing his opportunity for peace.

From its dramatic opening lines and spectacular world-building depth to the visceral emotionality of the prose and Jesse’s remarkable story arc, this novel exceeds every expectation for the genre. The concept of modifying genetics as a common cultural practice draws readers in early with a unique and fascinating hook, but this book defies traditional sci-fi boundaries, with elements of inborn magic and ghostly immortality rubbing shoulders with genetic engineering and interplanetary colonization.

Combined with existential quandaries that we’re facing in the real world, Bihagia has crafted a stunningly multifaceted first installment, emphatically demonstrating a mastery of both sci-fi and fantasy storytelling.