Z-Verse is a science-fiction setting created by R.H. Stevens. It currently consists of three books and one short story:
- A Sense For Memory (2024)
- Triangulus (2024)
- Ghosts of Moonrise (2024)
- Escape From Angra-Mainyu (2024)
The Z-Verse is set in a dwarf universe, at the center of which is the monstrous star named Zircona (which gives the Z-Verse its name). The non-human residents of the Z-Verse are able to traverse their universe via wormholes, here called Veins, which has allowed them to grow their respective empires but also put them closer to dangerous threats beyond the void. Each book/story features a different protagonist dealing with plots ranging from cozy mysteries to action-adventures.
Expect soft SF tropes such as Faster-Than-Light Travel and Antigravity, with an emphasis on cultural relations between the aliens.
A Sense For Memory takes place on the Rej-Jir homeworld, and features Commander Qwatajawa as the heroine. The head of security on a small, quiet island on the planet, she must investigate a series of disappearances which occur on the island and which seem to be linked to a mysterious cosmic artifact which has recently emerged on the archipelago.
Triangulus introduces a new heroine, Ambassador Sa-Kolis, and a new species, the Rit-Phyr. Sa-Kolis is sent to the far side of space to parley with the royal family of another alien species, but is soon caught up in a political intrigue when the alien Quee was negotiating with is assassinated.
Ghosts of Moonrise is an epistolary-format novella which takes place on a planet which has not yet achieved interstellar travel. A young female Irjizi finds an old diary, and this diary details seemingly-supernatural events which took place in a hidden village over a century ago.
Escape from Angra-Mainyu is set a few weeks after the events of Triangulus, with Sa-Kolis once again as the main character. She is asked to investigate the station Angra-Mainyu, which is trapped in a falling gas giant. This suicide mission is necessary, however, in order to recover genetics research which could incriminate a dangerous politician.
The stories can be read in order on the website here
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The Z-Verse series contains examples of:
- Alternative Calendar: Shown in Ghosts of Moonrise.
- Alternate Number System: Of sorts, when it comes to dating the stories.
- Always a Bigger Fish: The Rej-Jir, Zurxok and Rit-Phyr are the major players in the Z-Verse, but even they live in fear of whatever lies beyond the boundaries of their Universe.
- Ambiguous Time Period: Since this is a different universe, it's impossible to know whether the events are happening before or after current human civilisation.
- Ancient Evil: The Big Bad of the Z-Verse appears to be Tetzavaquektl, a Rej-Jir akin to an Eldritch Abomination. She is so powerful the scattered remnants of her inventions can drive people to madness.
- Awesome Art: Each story is lovingly illustrated.
- Bizarre Alien Senses:
- The Rej-Jir are able to detect the thoughts and emotions of others. Becomes an important plot point in A Sense For Memory.
- Sa-Kolis, as a Rit-Phyr, is able to detect the scent of dangerous poisons which go unnoticed by members of other species.
- Xenofiction: The entire story of course.
