Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Dominion.

While this story was interesting in theory and I liked the dystopian world building, it had so much potential that all really fell flat. The dialogue was clunky and forced in many spots. I think even just one edit run through might have bumped this story up another star.

It was not a story that I will think about again.

June 20, 2025
Dominion Ascension by D. A. Murray is a riveting dystopian, post apocalyptic novel set in the fictional country of Dominion. After the four-year great war ended in 2030, and destroyed the United States, 26 unified Republics were formed. The story is told by investigative journalist, Dani Matthews, who is reporting on the enslavement and emasculation of men through chemical weapons rendering them infertile and cognitively impaired as a result of the great war. Men are limited to domestic servitude and pleasure giving.
Women control everything. They emerge as captains of industry, lead the government, and create policy. They decide that boys from aged 12 will become Breeders and, propagate Dominion offsprings. In their quest to create a utopian society, women suppress expressions of dissent, particularly by the Breeders. Dani’s investigation into what happens to the Breeders after they reach 30 leads her to reconnect with Robbie, a childhood friend. Now in his mid-20’s he expressed to Dani his desire to leave Dominion and be free. Dani and Robbie embark on a long and arduous journey to the remote region of Haven in their fight for freedom. Their struggle to survive kept me frantically turning the pages and, I can’t wait to read what comes next.
Author D. A. Murray draws inspiration from Margaret Atwood, Octavia Butler, and slave narratives of resistance, as well as the present political climate.

I thought this book was a good dystopian sci-fi read that reminded me a lot of Octavia Butler. As a guy I found it to be a good exercise in empathy with the gender role-reversal and appreciate that it was not anti-man, unlike some of the fiction that is popular these days. In particular, I liked how the main character is complex and likable and shows several sides of the Dominion world as we follow her story. I did think there was quite a lot of scene setting narration, but I attribute that to it being a sci-fi novel and needing to build up the world. Overall I would say this is an excellent debut for a first-time published author!

Whether you are a man or a woman; humans are humans. This book asks what it means to be a human. Following the journey with the protagonist through this sensual dystopian novel takes you away with the author's descriptive and detailed writing. You will be transported to this new world while asking so many questions we all face today about relationships, equality, and basic human rights. I highly recommend this book. From the epic dangers to the spicey love scenes, it is pure entertainment!!!