Gabriel Katz has become one of my favourite French SFF-authors, especially after having read his wonderful trilogy 'Le Puits des Mémoires' and the stand-alone [b:La Maîtresse de Guerre|28951779|La Maîtresse de Guerre|Gabriel Katz|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454839656s/28951779.jpg|32796449]. See my reviews (in Dutch and/or French, however) here, here, here, and here.

This duology, 'Aeternia', also takes place in the same world as the other books. Aeternia is the underworld. It all starts with a (divorced) gladiator (Leth Marek) retiring from decades of fighting in the arena and winning a gazillion of fights, earning much money in the process. Money he's put on a bank account in Kyrenia. His savings which are later blocked, as Leth is wanted for murder (of an innkeeper) would be used to enjoy a calm, yet expensive, life, while his sons (whom he hasn't seen in decades) would pursue studies at a fancy university.

While moving out to his new location, he decides to stay at an inn, which charges a lot of money, but refutes the arguments against that aspect, stating others are far more expensive and offer less for your money. Word goes around quickly that Leth is the champion of Morgoth, so this is excellent promotion for the innkeeper. But when Leth witnesses a beautiful lady in trouble nearby, he comes to her rescue. She's part of a new religious cult, that of Ochin, while her attackers were part of that of la Déesse de la nature (the goddess of nature). In other words: religious wars are the theme here.

So Leth saves her, kills a few in the process (he's a fighter, after all, not a rational thinker), and so his new life begins. Especially when the survivors threaten him: we will meet again and it won't be a pleasant time. A little later, after he returns from having escorted Nessirya back to her people, he detects something is wrong. Indeed, his sons and servants were all killed by the Rédempteurs, the attackers he faced a while earlier. The Rédempteurs seem to be the die-hard followers of the cult of la Déesse. They've shaved their hair and eyebrows.

Another character we're following is Varian, who is a very religious and ambitious kid and seeks to get a high post at The Temple of la Déesse. He, too, encounters and faces the wrath of the Rédempteurs, the fanatics, even has to fear for his life. But somehow he's rescued and brought back among the living, thanks to the intervention of one of the best doctors the cult has recruited. He gets promoted rapidly, even gets to act as the Chronicler of Nahel Amon, who has an important role in the Temple. However, Varian also gets his dose of love feelings, intrigues, and even some black magic. Hence, the link with Aeternia.

But not all is as religious or politically correct as one would think. Even cults have an own political path, where the religious aspect is only a cover-up, something to keep the masses at bay. Here, too, as Varian will soon find out. Especially as he finds out that certain high-placed preachers don't mind the pleasures of the flesh now and then. But when the high-priest gets killed, especially with the news of the rising popularity of the Cult of Ochin, the situation takes a turn for the worst.

As Leth is furious about what happened to his family and servants, he kills the innkeeper, as the man knew who the attackers were and what the reason for the attack was, yet never divulged it. Leth has to flee, with the few possessions he still has. But he has his trusty axe. His only refuge is the cult of Ochin, who are recruiting followers in the neighbourhood before moving out to other territories and repeat the process. He joins them, vows to avenge his family, and gets the job as head of the guards of the cult, although previously another fighter, Desmeon, was in charge of that. Desmeon also has a history with Nessirya.

In any case, matters take a turn for the worst, and it comes (almost) to a clash of religions. See this animated gif of how it works in this story (or in general): The cult of the Goddess of nature vs the cult of Ochin, see here.

A small barony provides shelter to the moving/fleeing cult of Ochin. The clash is postponed; instead, there's an arrangement for an arena fight between the two champions. Or, le Corbeau and Leth Marek. But Leth will never be ready for the fight, since he first goes out, investing the disappearance of one of Ochin's people, who was going to buy milk in a nearby village. There Leth encounters the Rédempteurs he faced before (see higher), manages to capture one and drags him back to camp to interrogate the lad. His story makes you doubt the cult's intents. But every cult has its own intents and interests, never really good, except for those in charge. And those intentions... clash with Leth's, whose story meets an untimely end, it seems. Or does it? To be continued... in [b:L'envers du monde|25925808|L'envers du monde (Aeternia #2)|Gabriel Katz|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437129271s/25925808.jpg|45817642].

This duology focuses heavily on its characters and actions, less on the world and religions. It's about power, politics, love (What is true love? What with betrayal?), fighting for your ideals, ...

Only small pieces of information are given. I had hoped to learn more about the religions, for example. Maybe in the second book? Katz managed, fro example, to create a perfect contrast between, for example, "the Dancer" Desmeon, who's quick with swords and knives (and his tongue), and the man of the brutal (and more emotional) approach, Leth Marek.

In any case, Gabriel Katz wrote another great story, which reads very smoothly, with his usual touches of humour. It's a page-turner. But it ends with a cliffhanger! So, beware when reading this book: you must read the second one, too. ( )