Markus Heitz’s epic AERA: The Return of the Ancient Gods was originally serialised across ten novellas, first published in German and then translated into English by Emily Gunning and Charlie Homewood, and it’s now available in a single 800+ page omnibus courtesy of Jo Fletcher Books. A strangely compelling mix of Europe-centric urban fantasy, mystery and mythological adventure, it’s set in an alternative world in which the old gods returned to Earth in 2012, and subsequently set about reclaiming their worshippers and setting themselves up in positions of power (more than a few turning to business to take full advantage of the modern world). Into this mix steps Malleus Bourreau, Interpol agent and avowed atheist, who refuses to believe in the gods and is determined to find out who or what they really are. Given the circumstances, and the potential for god versus god rivalry, this leads to some interesting conflicts of opinion.
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