Katherine Eris Barnes is an important person, though you may not know it yet. You don’t know what she’s done, but it’s easy to understand why she transformed the fabric of society. Improved it, many might say. Growing up in poverty and being subjected to the fists and otherwise unwelcome attention of her mama’s boyfriends hardened Katherine’s resolve to change the world. Being a genius who breezed through school and college gave her the means to pursue a subversive method of avenging every woman who’s suffered under male dominion. Katherine has experienced plenty of suffering and now she intends to return it.

The First Conception is a harrowing novel, particularly in the first half. While the author avoids graphic descriptions of rape, molestation, and assault, there’s no doubt about these events occurring and it is still upsetting. These incidents do serve the story, however, and there’s a huge sense of satisfaction once the plot gains momentum and Katherine starts pursuing justice for offences committed against both herself and her mother. I had difficulty understanding the psychology of the people Katherine befriends through a women’s movement. They appear to hold to feminist beliefs, even though they too have radical end goals, but they fail to identify Katherine’s misandry, and encourage it instead. This is as confusing as the conversations where the women seem to define themselves by their ability to bear children. However, The First Conception is unputdownable. Clerge’s writing is magnetic and draws the reader into the story with minimal effort.

The First Conception: Rise of Eris is a stunning story by Nesly Clerge, beginning with a breaking news event that stuns everyone. The only woman who has been able to conceive in the last five years just had a miscarriage. Scientists can’t determine why women aren’t able to conceive. We are in 2015 and the human species could go extinct should women not be able to conceive. But the world is about to endure far worse than what the breaking news reveals — Katherine Eris Barnes is rising and, with her rise, so is a curse directed towards men. Dr. Katherine Eris Barnes wants men to pay for the different forms of abuse they have heaped on women, so she’s meticulously devised a punishment that involves altering conception in a powerful way. Will she succeed in her sinister plans with a traitor out there or will someone stop her before the harm becomes irreversible?

Nesly Clerge’s storytelling skills are noticeable from the very beginning of the book and I enjoyed the fact that the crisis is introduced immediately. The reader is also introduced to the protagonist right off the bat. Born in 1978, young Katherine witnesses and experiences sexual abuse in a way that leaves her with a cruel inner darkness. The psychological development of this character is masterly and readers will be interested to discover how the monster came to be. The writing in The First Conception: Rise of Eris is flawless and there is a musicality that accompanies the prose, making it an enjoyable read. The story is emotionally intense, filled with suspenseful moments, and embellished with dialogues that are as exciting as they are natural. The different elements of the story are created with a striking balance — the fast-paced, intelligent plot, the powerful conflict, the phenomenal characters, and the excellent prose. It’s a real page-turner with perceptive insights into human nature.