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The first half of this book reads like a fantasy, but it's actually science fiction, though taking place on an isolated, backwards and repressed world. Kerin's sky-touched son, Damaru, (autistic with special talents) finds a naked, unconscious, amnesiac man on the edge of the swamp. Kerin, a widow, nurses him back to physical health and begins to dream of a better future with him. He names himself Sais - stanger, outsider - and proceeds to try and recover lost memories. He remembers nothing of his own life, but he knows things far outside of the understanding of the primitive culture he finds himself in, while at the same time knowig nothing of the overbearing religion that demands Kerin send her sky-touched son to either be a Consort of Heaven or die in the attempt.
On the long journey to the Cty of Light, with Kerin and Damaru, Sais begins to remember a different place, a wider universe, and slowly comes to understand that Kerin and all her people have been living a lie, but exposing that lie will rock the foundations of the hidebound society beyond endurance.
This is the second novel in Jaine Fenn's Hidden Empire series, begun on the much more technological world described in Principles of Angels. It isn't until the end of the book that you can see where the story of Sais (for despite Kerin being a viewpoint character this is Sais' story) intersects with the universe we discovered in Principles of Angels. It's a steady start, but then picks up pace and races to the finish. Kerin and Sais are well drawn characters and the author subverts the romantic expectations in a neat way - twice.
Recommended. It's a standalone novel, but for the best effect read the intiguing Principles of Angels first.
On the long journey to the Cty of Light, with Kerin and Damaru, Sais begins to remember a different place, a wider universe, and slowly comes to understand that Kerin and all her people have been living a lie, but exposing that lie will rock the foundations of the hidebound society beyond endurance.
This is the second novel in Jaine Fenn's Hidden Empire series, begun on the much more technological world described in Principles of Angels. It isn't until the end of the book that you can see where the story of Sais (for despite Kerin being a viewpoint character this is Sais' story) intersects with the universe we discovered in Principles of Angels. It's a steady start, but then picks up pace and races to the finish. Kerin and Sais are well drawn characters and the author subverts the romantic expectations in a neat way - twice.
Recommended. It's a standalone novel, but for the best effect read the intiguing Principles of Angels first.
