An orphan with a terrible secret, transgender Runo ekes out a living with his found-family in the remote city of Askeria by scavenging magic detritus fallen through the Fray for his brutal scav-boss.
Life has always been a struggle for city strays, but as the High Priestess begins condemning those with unsanctioned magic to death, Runo knows the only way he and his crew will survive is if they leave Askeria for good. But escape doesn’t come cheap. Runo's crew thinks their troubles are over when their scavenging leads them to an angel, intact and—unfortunately—very much alive with their own agenda.
While trying to evade his scav-boss, save his girlfriend from succumbing to the magical flesh-eating disease known as the Rust, and worse, Runo’s past catches up with him even as he and his crew uncover a shocking truth that will not only rewrite the history of Askeria, but change the future of humanity forever.
Waypoint Seven | Xan van Rooyen
ISBN
Paperback: 978-1-0672459-3-1
eBook: 978-1-0672242-3-3
Waypoint Seven is a powerful speculative punch wrapped in lyrical prose and layered worldbuilding. Set in the decaying, magic-laced city of Askeria, the story follows Runo—a transgender scavenger scraping by in a brutal, broken world where magic is both currency and curse. Van Rooyen crafts a protagonist who is raw, complex, and beautifully human, haunted by his past and driven by a ferocious need to protect his found family.
The characters are fantastic—distinct, memorable, and easy to root for. Runo’s tight-knit crew felt real and deeply lived-in, and I found myself quickly invested in their survival. Their banter, loyalty, and desperation all ring true, and every member of the group brings something important to the emotional weight of the story.
I also have to gush about the layout of the book itself—clean, intentional, and visually compelling in a way that adds to the mood without ever distracting from the story. (Unfortunately, this is a review-only copy – I am not sure if printed copies are available.)
Aetherpunk is a completely new genre for me, and I’m hooked. This blend of arcane tech, decayed futurism, and magical machinery scratches an itch I didn’t know I had. Give me more aetherpunk, please!
The plot moves with the intensity of survival: Runo and his crew hustle beneath the gaze of a zealot High Priestess, dodge a ruthless scav-boss, and grapple with the slow, horrific progression of the Rust—a magical disease that threatens those closest to him. The stakes are visceral and emotional, and when they discover an angel among the ruins, the novella launches into a sharp exploration of power, history, and rebellion. There were also a couple of unexpected surprises thrown in along the way that caught me off guard in the best possible way.
When I featured Waypoint Seven on my Bookstagram, the editor, Nerine Dorman, commented that she loved editing this novella because it is full of heart. Dorman’s editorial philosophy emphasises emotional depth and authenticity in storytelling—she seeks narratives that explore identity, belonging, and personal growth. Waypoint Seven is a perfect example of that. And I concur: this story is full of heart.
What truly sets it apart is its representation. van Rooyen doesn’t just write about queer characters—they write for them, with care and honesty. The representation is never tokenistic; it’s lived-in, tender, and fiercely unapologetic. Runo’s identity isn’t the story’s conflict, but rather a part of a richly drawn tapestry of survival, love, and resistance.
The novella is compact but potent. While some threads could benefit from more room to breathe, the emotional resonance lingers well beyond the final page. I loved this so much. Waypoint Seven is a small book with a big soul—and it deserves to be read widely.
There is a theme park about an hours drive away from where I live. I have always loved going, especially for the thrill rides like the roller coasters. When I was younger I used to get on the rides and enjoy every second of it, but as I got older my anxiety would make me doubt this choice. As we would queue for the ride irrational fears would creep in. What if a bolt comes loose and the ride breaks? Or the safety harness doesn’t lock and I fall out. By the time I’m on the ride and hearing the click click click, as the roller coaster slowly climbs to the peak before the drop, I’m not enjoying the ride. I want to get off. The thrill cannot be worth the discomfort I am currently feeling. Then the last click and off we go and all my anxiety is forgotten and I am loving every second of the ride.
Just like the roller coaster, Waypoint Seven was a slow uncomfortable start for me. I found it unnecessarily wordy at points and the shift from narrative to journal entries was very confusing, and honestly I kinda wanted to get off this roller coaster. But let me tell you I was so happy that I was harnessed in because this roller coaster was worth it, in a big way.
Xan van Rooyen created a vivid world with rich descriptions that brought the whole story to life. Following Runo and his crew on this adventure was exhilarating. Once I got used to the things that had at first confused me I fell in love with this incredible world Xan created. The religions and social dynamics of the society in the book was detailed and beautiful. Each character had added to the group dynamic in a way that carried the story.
Unfortunately, just like a roller coaster this book was over before I realised it. I had my arms in the air screaming with glee as I enjoyed the thrill of the twists and turns and then it was over.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Waypoint Seven’ and would recommend it to any sci-fi fan. The only big down side is it was too short.
'Waypoint Seven' is a fast-paced story that follows Runo and his crew on their adventures. This book had my full attention captured from the first page and it did not let go. The characters and the plot were both very interesting, unique, and well-developed. I also really enjoyed the strong aspects of found family relationships formed and strengthened throughout this book.
Really looking forward to more from this author!
[ I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ]