Brianna MacMahon’s "On the Precipice," the first book in the New Caelus series, is a unique sci-fi character study that readers won’t want to miss.

Raelynn Mabry, a recent graduate with a bright future among the elite governing class, is taken on as the intern to one of the planet’s top leaders. Levin Liston, the Lord Regent of Diplomacy and the leader of the Affiliate Party, has chosen Raelynn to help him broker a political alliance between Imperium and the Civitan against their long-standing enemy, the Core.

But the Expansionist Party favors annihilating the Core through military measures rather than through political pressure, and Raelynn soon finds herself embroiled in the political rivalry between Liston and Cyno Banner — the Lord Regent of War and Defense, the leader of the Expansionist Party and the current Head of the Assembly.

With Imperium on the brink of a pivotal election, one that could mark the biggest political shift in decades, political tension runs high as unlikely alliances are drawn — and destroyed.

The planet of Imperium is inhabited by a number of fascinating characters. Between Imperium’s seven Lord Regents and their Prophates — highly-ranked Church officials who offer religious council — the list of key characters is extensive. Author Brianna MacMahon graciously includes a detailed list of these characters and other world information in the back of the book to help readers navigate the complex world and character dynamics.

While Raelynn may be seen as the lead protagonist of this ensemble, she’s really no more important than any other character. Each character is given an ample amount of page time, providing an in-depth look at their personal and political lives.

The list includes (to name a few) a hardened veteran, a grieving father, an ambitious fundamentalist, and a passionate woman of color trying to make a name for herself in a male-dominated world. But these characters are more than two-dimensional, with each shifting point-of-view providing a different look at the characters.

The pious Head Prophate is a doting husband who’s wildly sarcastic and unafraid to ruffle some feathers. A spineless yes-man is secretly a man passionately in love with someone he knows he’ll never fully have. A strong, beloved leader is haunted by the memory of a crippling alcoholic episode.

I found Grell, a temporary Prophate, to be a particularly interesting character. She’s riddled with guilt over a past that is eventually revealed — but I have a suspicion there are more secrets we haven’t yet learned.

"On the Precipice" provides such an in-depth analysis of the characters and the political scenes of Imperium that one could easily see parallels with the politics of Earth. The fragmented nature of politics, the rivalry and backstabbing, the underhanded maneuvers and unwillingness to compromise.

Yet MacMahon also reveals the all-too-human side of these politicians, creating a realistic and well-rounded narrative of what it means to be a leader. The good, the bad and the flawed — you’ll find them all in this story.

"On the Precipice" is only the beginning of what readers hope will be a thrilling sci-fi saga filled with dynamic characters and political tension. The novel’s end will certainly leave readers slack-jawed and eager for more.