The Ascendants: Threadweavers: Book 1 by Jazza Brooks
When the Mines Awaken: Threadweavers’ Tense and Terrifying Debut
Jazza Brooks’ The Ascendants launches the Threadweavers saga with a high-stakes blend of industrial science fiction, deep lore, and survival horror. Set in the oppressive subterranean mining colonies of the Grand Edictum Corps, the novel follows siblings Sam and Aiden, whose lives are dictated by the rigid hierarchy and hazardous labor of the colony world Strata Multorum Y9. Their routine is shattered when a mining operation unearths an ancient alien power source—tenebrax—alongside something far more dangerous: predatory creatures from the depths. As chaos spreads, survival demands not just physical resilience but moral resolve, setting the stage for broader conflicts tied to the mythical Zenitharch and the fate of humanity.
The novel deftly explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the tension between individual ambition and familial duty. The bond between Sam and Aiden becomes a study in mutual dependence, complicating the reader’s view of heroism and selflessness. Authoritarianism and propaganda—embodied in the Ascendancy’s creed—form a constant backdrop, raising questions about faith, manipulation, and the suppression of dissent. Brooks also engages with the theme of awakening—both in the literal emergence of alien threats and the characters’ growing awareness of their place in a wider, perilous universe.
Sam emerges as a compelling protagonist—capable, pragmatic, and fiercely protective—while Aiden offers a quieter, more introspective counterpoint. Their sibling dynamic is believable, with friction rooted in love and guilt. Secondary figures such as Crestley, Trevor, and various crew members are sketched with enough specificity to feel real, though some remain archetypal. The setting is one of the novel’s strongest achievements: the claustrophobic, grime-encrusted mines, the regimented workstations, and the cavernous junctions are richly detailed. This oppressive industrial architecture not only grounds the action but reinforces the novel’s mood of confinement and systemic control.
The book opens with a slow-burn immersion into the colony’s daily life, allowing the reader to understand its rhythms before the intrusion of the alien threat. Once the breach occurs, pacing accelerates sharply, sustaining tension through escalating danger. The most gripping moments come in the scenes of immediate crisis—particularly the creature’s attack in the dock—which are cinematic in their clarity. A few early sequences dwell heavily on procedural detail, which may slightly delay narrative momentum, but they also deepen the authenticity of the world.
Brooks’ prose blends functional clarity with moments of vivid sensory impact. The mining jargon, industrial descriptions, and Ascendancy propaganda are integrated naturally, enhancing immersion without overwhelming the reader. The book uses alternating perspectives between Sam and Aiden to broaden scope and emotional resonance. Brooks avoids heavy exposition dumps, opting instead to seed world-building details through character experience and environmental cues. The dialogue feels organic, capturing camaraderie, rivalry, and fear in equal measure.
The originality of the world-building—particularly the fusion of deep-mining sci-fi with quasi-religious authoritarianism—distinguishes The Ascendants from standard colony thrillers. The juxtaposition of massive industrial scale with intimate sibling drama gives the novel both epic and personal stakes. The first encounter with the alien creature is a standout sequence, blending horror pacing with stark brutality.
The Ascendants succeeds as both a tense survival narrative and the opening act of a larger space opera. Its strengths lie in atmospheric world-building, believable sibling dynamics, and a seamless integration of socio-political commentary into a thrilling plot. While the early chapters may feel procedural to readers eager for immediate action, the payoff in immersion and tension is considerable. This book will appeal to fans of The Expanse, Aliens, and Red Rising, particularly those who value rich settings and layered character relationships.
Strongly recommended for readers who enjoy science fiction that marries industrial grit with mythic scope.
—N3UR4L Reviews
