Cimmerian City

Reviewed by Annie Hawe © 2007

Wild Child Publishing.com © 2007

Title of Book: Cimmerian City
Author: Rae Lindley
Publisher: Mundania Press
ISBN Number: 978-1-59426-388-O
Genre: Science Fiction/Mystery
Rating:
Length: Novel
Release Date: August 2007
Author's Website: Rae Lindley's website

Cimmerian City by Rae Lindley is the type of book that in this reviewer's wide experience, is all too rare: an utterly unstoppable tale which latches on to the reader from the first sentences, then sets a death-defying pace through realms known and unknown, flying the reader through plot twists and turns, character delineations, and theme. Highly recommended is this book, because I literally could not put it aside until completed; and immediately accorded it an important spot on my Keeper Shelf!

Raven Blackheart is a young Crow Indian from California, who lost her mother at age five and then was turned over by her father to his sister, who raised her. In college in Arizona just at the turn of the 21st century, Raven inexplicably finds herself unable to live up to her full potential, both in classwork and in her graphic art representations. It's as if some inner unconscious part of her is determined on self-sabotage. Fortunately for Raven, her best friend and roommate Jack believes in her wholeheartedly and supports her with unconditional love and friendship--until a series of incredible and nearly impossible events take Jack from her, and nearly destroy Raven herself.

Pharmaceutical side effects have caused such mutations in much of the population that an entirely new subspecies, the Dracins, have been created. Much like vampires, the Dracins are however able to walk in the light of day and to avoid the usual legendary proscriptions such as holy water and garlic. A sudden onslaught by the previously concealed new race has destroyed much of Earth's human population; in the attack Jack is killed, protecting Raven. She herself chooses to die, but the Dracin insteads bites her, injecting his mutated genes, and she is partially transformed. Awakening from a long-term coma in the year 2o1o, Raven finds herself the pawn of a megacorporation and its vice-president, Tyler Deamond, who has offworldly dreams for solving Earth’s decade of suffering and loss.

Cimmerian City commences a brilliantly imaginative new trilogy, The Cimmerian Trilogy. This reviewer will be on tenterhooks awaiting release of the next volume! An imaginative gift and world-building creativity of this excellence deserves widespread notice and recognition.

Rating: Freya’s Award

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To find out more about how to purchase Cimmerian City visit Rae Lindley's Website.