Delivering a generous dose of action and intrigue, Colin Searle's The Call of Abaddon shares a heart-pounding dystopian vision of corruption and those that choose to fight against it. An eldritch nanopunk wonder, The Call of Abaddon sees protagonist Jason scavenging to survive the underbelly of New Toronto after escaping a secret United Earth Federation laboratory. Fellow escapees David and Sam must help him overcome the shadowy horror known as the Abaddon Beacon, which threatens to possess him while promising answers to his dormant psionic abilities and its strange connection to both a devastating nanotech plague and a looming Imperial invasion that promises a violent end. As the world crumbles under the weight of war, disease, and systemic oppression, this determined trio must fight for more than just survival. The first in a new series, the novel invites readers to forge an intimate connection with Searle’s characters and builds suspenseful momentum leaving us eager for the next installment. The Call of Abaddon is a true good-versus-evil story, with each conflict showing the power and necessity of proactive heroism. Even in the darkest hours, facing the most challenging circumstances and the lowest of morales, Searle’s protagonists continuously demonstrate that with enough bravery, humanity can triumph over any wickedness . . . but it’s going to be a wild ride! Readers will be left breathless as the dark tendrils of an unknowable entity snake silently through the pages, creating a nail-biting tension that is equal parts satisfying and haunting. The chapters are helpfully time-stamped, clearly guiding readers through a timeline of events, technological advancements, and historical conflicts—an essential feature in a narrative that layers complex world-building. A Torontonian himself, Searle expertly reimagines the city as a polluted, layered arcology enclosed in an atmo-dome—a far cry from the lakeside metropolis we know today. While readers unfamiliar with Ontario’s capital can still enjoy the richly imagined setting, those who know the city may find its transformation into the capital of the United Earth Federation both unsettling and fascinating. Hints of present-day multiculturalism, technological innovation, and authoritarian overreach are woven throughout, offering a vision of Toronto that is speculative yet eerily plausible. Instantly captivating, The Call of Abaddon will see readers devouring chapters at lightning speed. Each carefully layered detail deepens the immersive quality of the narrative, drawing readers further into its high-stakes world. Searle seamlessly combines science fiction, eldritch thriller, and war-torn action in an enthralling beginning to what will undoubtedly be an epic series. —CANREADS BOOK REVIEW