What is it about?

The Iron Garden Sutra follows Vessel Iris, a monk in a future where humanity has long since left Earth. Iris’s role is to perform funeral rites by preparing remains, offering prayers, and honoring the deceased. In this, he is assisted by his Vessel Iris' Friendly AI, or VIFAI, implanted into his brain, and present as a constant companion.

When he is assigned a job aboard one of the original generation ships that fled Earth, he expects solitude. Instead, he finds researchers already aboard the ship grown into a whole new ecosystem, and soon makes both unexpected friends and enemies. As the crew starts feeling watched and endangered, the story becomes a space thriller layered with philosophical reflection, moral tension, and unsettling discoveries.

What did I enjoy?

What I loved the most in this book was the depth and introspection presented through Iris’s thoughts and conversations with his AI. The dynamic between human and artificial intelligence is one of the novel’s strengths, raising questions about AI autonomy, rights, and the unintended consequences of imposed control.

The balance between philosophy and action sequences felt exactly right. The plot delivers twists, emotional stakes, and just enough gore to keep you on the edge. Sui has a remarkable ability to make you care about characters quickly, but you have to be aware that in a space thriller with murder-mystery elements, not all of them will remain safe. This book felt perfectly tailored to my tastes, but does require emotional and philosophical investment.

Who is it for?

This is ideal for readers who enjoy sci-fi with character-driven narratives and thoughtful explorations of AI ethics. It’s best suited for patient thriller readers who appreciate a balance of atmosphere and philosophical depth alongside tension and mystery, with just a bit of romance.

Although the story contains death, violence, and some gore, these elements remain secondary to the emotional connections and ethical core. While this is only the first installment in a series, it does resolve some elements of the mystery, yet leaves enough questions open to keep you curious where the story will go.

For me, this was a five-star read and easily my favorite advanced listening copy so far.

I thank NetGalley and Recorded Books for the advance listening copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What is is about?

Fern, a curious ten-year-old, moves into a strange apartment building with her mother, Alice. The tenants are odd and unsettling, and include a mermaid girl, a glass girl, a reclusive professor. When Fern discovers a dead body in a dumpster, the adults around her just don't believe she saw what she think she did.

However, Fern is determined to begin investigating on her own. What unfolds is a paranormal murder mystery with ghostly elements, but beneath it lies a story deeply rooted in family dynamics, grief, and domestic unhappiness.

What did I enjoy?

The book has a dark, witty tone, and its quirkiness is its greatest strengths. Fern’s curiosity and sharp childhood perspective drive this story, even as it explores heavy themes. While the mystery and supernatural elements were what drew me to request this advance copy, the emotional core caught most of my interest, and it lies in family trauma, abuse, and carrying the weight of unresolved pain.

The audiobook performance was excellent, with engaging multi-POV narration. Although the story occasionally drifts and loses pacing and focus, the characters are rich enough to keep the experience entertaining. However, the ending felt somewhat underwhelming and rushed, and the book could have benefited from tighter editing.

Who is it for?

This book is best suited for readers who enjoy cozy paranormal mysteries with layered family themes and a touch of the strange.

Despite being marketed as an adult murder mystery, the story reads more like a middle-grade or YA cozy paranormal mystery, since the main POV is of a very young girl. Some adult readers may struggle with Fern’s young perspective, but those open to something quirky, original, and emotionally complex may still find this rewarding.

The reason I gave this book 3/5 stars is not because it lacked quality, but because it was somewhat different from what was described and what I had expected. This is still a fun read and an entertaining book if one knows what they're getting into.

I thank #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for the advance listening copy of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.