Author Alia Luria portrays an obscure, almost illusory world in Compendium (Artifacts of Lumin Book 1). For not all is as it seems, much lies beneath the surface. Two distinct times, hundreds of cycles pass, and an ancient book holds the key that will unlock the future. In Cycle 9498, time is running out for the people of Lumin. The planet is growing weaker. Lumin needs to rest and regrow, but not everyone is in agreement. The leaders initiate Gamma Protocol - a full scale blackout. Chaos turns to terror! One brave woman, hoping to aid posterity, leaves behind a book and a key. Six hundred fifty years later, Mia Jayne is sent on a mission of mercy; her father is dying. Perhaps the Order has found a cure. She leaves her beloved forest with a sealed note from her father. Once the letter is unsealed, Mia finds herself a forced servant, an acolyte to the Order of Vis Firmitas. Mia is alone, ignored and trapped inside the dank and dark Compound. Assigned to the archives, she discovers a usual book, Compendium. This discovery unlocks the mystery of the days before the Great Fall. She holds in her possession the secret of all secrets. Who can she trust? Confusion leads to clarity, a plan to escape unfolds. How can she right the horrible wrong?

Compendium by Alia Luria is a spirited science fiction tale. Intrigue soothingly propels this work of fiction. The energy of the narrative hums like that of the buzzing power emitting from the trees on Lumin. Science fiction uniquely reveals itself through a planet powered by the eco-system, travel through a vortex, and an artificial consciousness. The narrative also has an element of fantasy mixed in as well. The use of formal and at times antiquated language enhances the notion of another land enveloped in another time.

Compendium is filled with creative sensory descriptions and imaginative scenes, appealing to sight, sound and smell. The plot is not rushed, the story transfers easily from the two time period settings. Luria uses the omniscient limited, third person point of view, to tell her story. We only know what the character knows, including the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. I feel that the essence of the novel is the development of the characters. Each of the cast helps shape the growth of the other. Written extremely well were the emotions and thoughts that held Mia captive while in the dungeon. They vividly depict her turmoil and pain. Compendium is truly a fictional tale of life in a land far, far away, yet elements of the real world hold the reader firmly in its grip.

Hundreds of years ago, the ministers on the Central Counsel of Lumin initiated Gamma Protocol - a drastic but necessary measure intended to save Lumin from extinction. The results were devastating to the citizens, all of whom had not been prepared for this change. Knowledge of the proceedings, as with all other knowledge, was stored in a special book that was later hidden. When Mia was sent by her ailing father far away from home to present a sealed letter to the Order, she had no idea that the contents of the letter would seal her fate. She was henceforth to stay in service to the Order. With barely any of her new peers speaking to her, Mia threw herself into her duties in the archives where books containing all sorts of knowledge about Lumin were stored. It was during her work in the archives that she unknowingly discovered the priceless book that contained powers beyond anything imaginable. In a bid to use the book for her own cause, however, Mia made some allies who turned out to have their own agendas, putting the work of the Order in grave danger.

Compendium (Artifacts of Lumin, Book 1) by Alia Luria is a one of a kind captivating story that combines incredible science fiction, adventure, drama, intrigue and suspense. Set against a post-apocalyptic background, the story portrays a planet plunged into chaos, darkness, suffering, wars and other forms of social disintegration. It combines a one of a kind plot, a fascinating setting, fresh and memorable characters and a flawless and gripping descriptive writing style capable of pulling you from this world into a new world - Lumin. It was simply amazing to see the plot come together and the story come to life through the combination of all these factors. Each chapter of the novel brought a new thrill as more of the history of Lumin was revealed and new secrets discovered; this was an adventure to look forward to. The story kept me on edge the entire time with intense anticipation of what might happen next. I cannot wait to read the next book in the Artifacts of Lumin series.