Many Thanks to Recorded Books (RB media) for the Advanced Listener Copy of The Iron Garden Sutra.
This book is definitely one that hits with perfect timing, addressing many issues that are top of mind these days. And even though it has a lot of similarities with other already published novels, Sui was able to use these commonalities between other novels in unique and interesting ways, giving readers an entirely different story. For me I was a bit stunned at the surface similarities between it and Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather. As I started to read, I did start to wonder why we seem fascinated and interested to imagine and create religious orders in space. I have no good answer to that one. If there is one thing I'd like to leave behind- it would be societies that dictate 99% of a person's day and night - but here we are.
This novel despite the surface similarities, is entirely different and unique when compared to other sentient ship/religious orders in space books that I have read. I think it is one worth reading!
The Iron Garden Sutra is a very different novel, and one that will appeal to many different kinds of readers. It is definitely Science Fiction, but it also contains a bit of a closed room mystery for readers who like to untangle and uncover who/what dun it, and a little bit of a budding romance of sorts as well as a literary fiction vibe that takes the entire book up a notch if you will.
Without any spoilers, we follow Iris, a monk who's order mostly performs death rites for the dead in space. Much of the novel is told from his perspective - as a report from his private journals. As we meet Iris he is suffering from ennui and he's very excited to attend to a Generation Ship - which is essentially an ancient space craft. He's hoping to get a lot of time on the ship to search for artifacts, and also- if he's being honest- spend time away from the "monastery" When he arrives he finds the ship is occupied by scientists who also want to search the ship. It's also full of bones, and the bones tell a definite story. As the crew tentatively get to know each other, strange things start to happen and the AI used by Iris, starts to note indications that they aren't exactly alone on the ship. The narrative for this unlikely band of researchers and monk changes from curiosity to terror and from dreams of academic accolades to survival nightmares. One by one, members of their party start to die at the hands/vines of the Generation Ship. Iris teams up with Jan, a gruff engineer, to make a desperate attempt to leave the ship.
For me the book is filled with ethical dilemmas, thought provoking ideas regarding AI, and how it's developed, a heart wrenching romance, and an actual space adventure. It starts of a bit slow, with a lot of detailed background building, and some light world building. As one continues to read, the intensity of the situation continues to build until it bursts in a crescendo of action and coming down to a surprisingly gentle conclusion.
One thing I've noted in a few reviews that were poor was that they were all from people who did not, in fact finish the novel, so I can say that the latter chapters definitely made the novel for me.
I had an advanced copy of the audio book from Recorded Books. The narrator was T Ryder Smith- who is a new narrator for me. I felt like he did a pretty good job drawing me in, using some different vocal tones to indicate the AI voice as well as the voice of Iris. I never felt that the narration took me out of the story, so for me this is an excellent narration.
First Published : February 24, 2026
Pages: 400
Available as an Audio Book : YES
Trigger Warnings: Abuse, trauma, mental health, violence, eating disorders, death, body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)
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