House of Gold

Written by C. T. Rwizi

Narrated by Susan Dalian and Jaime Lincoln Smith

From visionary author C. T. Rwizi comes the epic journey of four people on a distant planet who face the ultimate test of loyalty, friendship, and duty in the rising tide of war.

A corporate aristocracy descended from Africa rules a colony on a distant planet.

Life here is easy—for the rarified and privileged few. The aristocrats enjoy a powerful cybernetic technology that extends their life spans and ensures their prosperity. Those who serve them suffer under a heavy hand.

But within this ruthless society are agents of hope and change. In a secret underwater laboratory, a separatist cult has created a threat to the aristocracy. The Primes are highly intelligent, manipulative products of genetic engineering, designed to lead a rebellion. Enabling their mission are the Proxies, the Primes’ bodyguards and lifelong companions bound to their service.

When the cult’s hideout is attacked, Proxies Nandipa and Hondo rush to the rescue. As they emerge with their Primes onto the surface, however, everything they’d been led to believe about their world is shattered.

Nandipa and Hondo will risk it all to honor their oath of absolute loyalty. But when the very people they’re tasked to protect turn on each other, the Proxies must decide between those they were built to serve and the freedom to carve out their own destinies. And the fate of their planet may rest in their choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798400105050

C. T. Rwizi

Debut author C. T. Rwizi was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in Swaziland, finished high school in Costa Rica, and got a BA in government at Dartmouth College in the United States. He currently lives in South Africa with his family and enjoys playing video games, taking long runs, and spending way too much time lurking on Reddit. He is a self-professed lover of synthwave.

[quondame · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of parts in search of a real story. It concerns people descended from the nations of Africa on a planet that has been both stressed and isolated. Much is made of the African origin and features of the characters, but that's as far as it goes—nothing in the cultures, choices, or actions has anything to do with Africa, though some clothing items do. We have superpowered teens pairs, a Prime and a Proxy each, so that each Proxy narrator is caught between their Prime and the other Prime's Proxy.
Basically though, it kept blowing its promise until it ran out, and then it was hurriedly wrapped up.
Basically though, it kept blowing its promise until it ran out and then it was hurriedly wrapped up.

[quickmind · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fairly snappy read with interesting and likeable characters. I enjoyed the story but would have enjoyed even more time spent on world building because I think the world is fascinating.