The Infinite State marks the start of a new sci-fi series, The Decurion Saga, written by Richard Swan, published by Tor (US) and Gollancz (UK). As somebody that has greatly enjoyed his fantasy, picking this one was a no brain, but especially once you see the themes chosen by Swan for it: the founding of a democracy, the fight against authoritarianism, and how silence and conformism makes us necessary accomplices on maintaining the regimen in power, among others; an intelligent novel that couldn't be released in a better moment (vaguely gestures at the world).

Swan immediately transports us to a really dark world, under the control of a rigid authoritarian system that is so close to those portrayed by classic dystopias such as 1984; an almost omnipotent state that keeps a firm iron grip over its citizens, who are mostly resigned with their situation. However, while it sounds as the classical dystopian novel, Swan immediately takes a different path for his story, far from big revolutions or plans, putting us in the shoes of really flawed humans that will try to do something different, something bold that will allow to finally become free from Pater Aeternus: a democracy.

The core of this novel raises many questions that our characters will need to face on their path to establish themselves, questions that are part of what constitutes the social contract that sustains a society. Swan takes the opportunity to make an in-depth discussion of concepts such as fairness, freedom, and the limits of the state, all through the mouths of his characters, creating a heavy political and philosophical novel that engulfs you while inviting you to reflect on those same concepts applies to society.
Part of what makes the execution brilliant is how our cast is forced to confront terrible decisions if that means it gives an opportunity of survival for the new state they are creating; they might have elevated ideals and goals, but in the name of creating something better they will need to break them many times.

This is a really ambitious book, one that might feel dense at moments, especially as there are almost no flashy action scenes, choosing instead to invite us to think, to follow those flawed characters who are striving to create something better. In the end, we have a deeply philosophical book that analyzes the nature of power and the form of states; and on a positive note, it also shows how there's hope, that we can strive for more, even in the darkest times.

The Infinite State is a superlative novel, a thought-provoking proposal that shows how Swan's brilliance is not contained to fantasy; a novel that is just the start of a saga that promises to become a classic among the dystopian genre. I can't wait to see what Richard Swan has for us in the next instalments of the series!