Divinity 36: Tinkered Starsong

By: Gail Carriger

Narrated by: Michael Lesley

The aliens are coming for us and they want our voices.

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger brings you a gloriously warm and unique scifi about the power of art, celebrity, and found family.

Phex is a barista on a forgotten moon. Which is fine – he likes being ignored and he’s good at making drinks. Until one day an alien hears him singing and recruits him to become a god. Now Phex is thrust headfirst into the galaxy’s most cutthroat entertainment industry, where music is visible, the price of fame can kill, and the only friends he has want to be worshiped.

Welcome to the divinity. Where there is no difference between celebrity and religion, love and belief, acolyte and alien. Where the right kind of obsession can drive a person crazy or turn them divine.

Becky Chambers meets The Voice in the first of the Tinkered Starsong trilogy in which the mysterious Dyesi are trying to take over the universe, but they’re doing it so beautifully we might just let them.

©2023 Gail Carriger (P)2023 Gail Carriger

Critic reviews

"A tapestry that is simultaneously witty, charming, exhilarating and downright fun." — fantasyliterature.com (Soulless)

Excellent as always

Loved this book. Can’t wait for the audios of the rest of the series to release.

Stunning

I have rapidly become obsessed with this series. I got another of Gail Carriger’s books in this universe (”5th Gender”) and fell deeply in love. After reading this series, I worry no other will ever measure up to it. This is one of the most beautiful depictions of music, art, found family, loss, and love. I have listened to the entire series 3 times since I first got it, because I can't move on. Talk about Godfix! I hope she writes more in this universe because I am so emotionally attached to it. You won't regret reading it. (At least I can't imagine why.) Recommending it to all my friends. A universe to sink into.

First book in a great sci fi/LGBTQIA+ series!

Phex is a very unusual main character. He learns to be a fully rounded human by the end of the series.

But in this book he is just a refugee working as a barista on a space station. One day an alien comes into his coffee bar and things begin to change to and for Phex.

I’ve really enjoyed this series on Kindle. But I’m far more excited about this audiobook! This reader is really excellent.

Read about Phex and the Space Gods and enjoy!

Good

I can’t figure out how to get out of review screen. Do not want to review. Please let me out!

Great book!

Gail has an incredible ability to put into words the pain of not fitting in, the joy of finding your true family, and the utter contentment of finding your place in the world. I have all 3 books in digital format and I can’t wait until the other 2 arrive in audiobook format as well. I plan to relisten today. If you have not checked out Gail’s other books you are mission out. Start with Soulless.

The amazing combination of people

No dislikes here, enjoyed the book so much that I have both the book and the audio recording .

The comfort of a sun

Once again my favorite author has given me another comfort read. Not everyone wants to be thrusts into fame & glory. To be worshipped for their voice and shoulderblades. Working to be the best at creating something beautiful and godfix. The sun taking care of his pantheon and finding frustrating affection in a golden god that needs support to stay out of trouble. Can they find love when romantic attachments are forbidden?
Perfectly performed by the narrator. This has become another comfort listen just as Gail's other books have been.

Beautiful exploration of belonging

I loved understanding Phex’s journey from outcast to refugee to trainee to demigod. Beautiful and genuine and oddly sweet!

Awesome world building

I was really able to visualize everything in this world, which is incredible, especially as it is based around sound and visuals from that. I really just loved how the world of music was transformed and meshed with religion, such as the audience being named congregation and little things like that. And as always, Michael Lesley is superb. I bought this book because he was the narrator, and recommend it.

I love the characters and their interactions. The different roles in a pantheon offer a clever framework to build on.

The story is unique and the narrator is excellent!!! Can’t wait to see what happens next for Phex :-)