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~A NEW NOVEL FROM PHILLIP E. CARPENTER, THE AUTHOR OF ELEPHANT GUN AND ARABIAN ASSIGNMENT!~ Refugees of ravaged planet Earth are caught in a war between the Host of Jesus and the Nomad Nation. The small number of humans left alive must face truths about themselves, choose sides and form bonds to survive this strange new world. The earth suffers a stellar calamity that reduces the world population to less than a million people. Without electricity, internal combustion engines or government, the remnants of humanity flee to Mexico from the encroaching northern hemisphere ice age. Returning to the ways of the early native Americans is not easy as old prejudices and political ambitions cause groups to splinter. Follow the story of a group of such refugees thrown together during their escape from the frozen north. Experience their personal trials, stormy relationships and Herculean efforts to survive in a harsh new world of altered topography, rapidly propagating free-roaming wild animals and a vicious, medieval war between strange new cultures. “Normalsâ€, the pre-cataclysm generation, find nature has accelerated evolution to prevent species extinction by giving the “new†children extra sensory powers to help them assure a future for the human race. Like all human stories, this one includes the best and the worst of human nature and a strong dose of action and excitement. Take this unforgettable journey into a world of tomorrow with these brave adventurers, you won’t regret it!
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 Extremely well-crafted |
| Review Date: May 29, 2006 |
| Reviewer: C.L. Barker, |
This latest work by Phillip E. Carpenter veers off course from his established genre, however it turns out to not be a bad thing. As I read this book, I immediately recall why I liked his writing so much, he brings an intelligent and literate application to a decidedly masculine and forceful style. The prologue of the book begins with what now has become almost a cliche mode, thanks to Hollywood beating the concept of a world-wide post-apocalyptic cataclysm to death, but to be fair, it is merely a set up for the main plot and there is no other way the reader could get the information required to understand the following story line. It also introduces at least two of the main characters and their backgrounds, a glimpse into their previous lives at the time of Earth's major disaster.
How they and the other interesting and unique individuals they encounter adapt to survive horrific climatological and geographical changes and the loss of their comfortable technological civilization is amazingly detailed and realistic. It becomes an adventure in the truest sense of the word, a quest for life and a struggle to maintain some form of civilized behavior among the most primitive conditions. I have always liked Carpenter's ability to get inside the minds of the various characters, making the reader feel he or she knows them personally. And these characters are very intriguing. They are too numerous and strange to list here, but one clue is the artwork on the cover of the book, the woman Samantha, a red-headed former stripper from Argentina who joins the Jaguar tribe of the Nomad Nation and must have their totem tattooed on her face to assure loyalty. Her story alone is well worth reading the book, but she is only a part of the great ensemble. The way Carpenter weaves many people's lives into this plot is a work of art and reinforces the basic premise that perseverance, integrity and honor will prevail over greed, degeneration and evil. The war between the Nomad Nation and the Host of Jesus becomes the pivotal point in the book and it is told in a manner that gives one serious pause and reflection on the human condition. Conflict over ideology is not glorified nor is it abhorred, but treated in a realistic manner, warts and all.
The only criticism I find is that in this book, as in Elephant Gun and Arabian Assignment, Carpenter tends to provide too much detail about weaponry and personal combat for my tastes. I do not need to know how to kill someone in twenty different ways or use every type of weapon from knives, bow and arrows, seige machines and antique cannons to infra-red-scoped sniper rifles, however I admit it is all well within the context of the story and emotionally entertaining. I am still shuddering from the description of how a man dies when bitten by a rattlesnake and another tortured on a cross. On balance, I prefer the parts of the book where separated people discover courage and loyalty within themselves and find each other, develop new loves and strengthen relationships and family ties. There is where the author's writing is most powerful and moving. Those who choose this book will soon see what I mean.
-Barker Reviews |
Realistic S.F. Adventure into a possible future
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| Review Date: June 29, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Art Fields, Temporarily in Iraq, home town is Chicago |
Great book! I really liked how the story was on this planet and not way out there with hard to understand plot and bizarre situations. It seemed like a true story even though it was set a few decades from now. I liked the logical way the people interacted and the experiences were described, I could actually visualize all the events and the characters clearly. The trek across into Mexico was an amazing tale, as was the way people formed groups to survive. Carpenter really knows his material, nature, the animals, the terrain, the way people have to live without modern conveniences, even the weather and the smells. He also is apparently expert in weaponry, tracking and hunting, battle strategy and history. I am a true fan of his books, I only wish there was more of them.
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Very good story
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| Review Date: June 19, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Lilyana Ramos, |
I have read all three of Carpenter's most recent books and enjoyed all of them immensely. This one is no exception. One thing that appeals to me is that he always characterizes his women in the stories as intelligent, strong, independent and resourceful, yet having a loving and nurturing side. All of his main characters are fully developed as genuine human beings, some courageous and kind, some weak and nasty, but all are believable. Dan Cutter the main protagonist is an example. He is not perfect, has weaknesses, makes mistakes and is conflicted with memories of his lost wife and daughters who died in one of the many massive earthquakes that accompanied the destruction. The other characters play major roles, too, it isn't just a story where all the focus is on the central character and the others merely provide background. In this story, the trials and tribulations of a small remaining group in the aftermath of the world's worst tragedy are outlined in stark detail, yet the pressure of their radically altered lives forces each to reveal hidden truths about them.
I wasn't too keen on the details of the battle between the religious cult and the nomadic tribes, too gory for me, but I know most men would relate strongly to that. I have no other criticisms, the pacing was excellent, the descriptions so vivid you felt you were there in person. The whole book literally defines the word "adventure." It is educational and food for thought too, written with certain knowledge of living in primitive conditions and understanding nature. I was very pleased with it because it very well could happen just like that if such a major calamity befell our planet and after reading it I still think a lot about how I would cope in such a situation.
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Classic SF
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| Review Date: September 15, 2006 |
| Reviewer: J. Johnson, Atlanta GA U.S.A. |
| Liked it, very good pacing, lots of surprises, excellent character deliniation. I wish more SF authors would get back to the basics like this and just tell a great fast-track adventure story without all the ET, bioweapon and psychobabble distractions. The details were just right, not too much, not too little. The plot was imaginative, linear and satisfying and full of unconventional concepts and twists. I highly recommend it. |
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