Review: Amazing Journey
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 18, 2013
The Ark has taken this reader on a superb journey of discovery into a futuristic world that has survived the near obliteration of its nature, race and inherent humanity.Although it appears primitive at first glance, there are segments of society that embellish and enhance life and technology, others just merely survive.The plot is multi layered and displays what can happen when two differing powerful societies collide. The main plot centres around a young female Iaya and consequences she must endure after foolishly meeting her deity, Enti. The trials and tribulations Iaya must face enhance her characters inner strength. Together with a handpicked professional team from her society’s administrators (Techno priests), they embark on a journey to unravel the mystery of the sacred message Enti had placed into her blood stream (Find ARK).Woven around the protagonist Iaya, are further layers and subplots, themes of sorcery, secrecy, bizarre rituals, other worldly creatures, personality camouflage, fierce techno battles, jealousy, stubbornness, religion, forbidden love, family and courage. A small sprinkle of humour will secrete its way in subtlely. There is a plethora of techno gadgets as well as old mechanical or steam powered machinery and evilness that transcends this reader’s imagination.The journey is fast paced with multiple action sequences, superbly described in minute detail as they embark on the dead continent, where only the most clever and strong survive. They discover interesting and unusual societies and eventually are led to the major city of Rorace, after meeting a local wastelander. The team inadvertently create mischief to this multi society city and mayhem ensues, they must utilise all their advanced techno gadgets to survive with some devastating effects.The pace remains action packed and circumstances split the team into two groups. A side plot intervenes here and weaves through the main as it unravels, thus throwing our techno priests into chaos with unbelievable fantasy creatures, the meeting of the guardians of the Ark, and unbridled fear, as the knowledge of the Harbingers come into play throwing humans in the middle of some ancient war. The end of the book battle is amazingly riveting as this ancient war of rival’s heat up. Of course the ending leaves you wanting to know more.The characters and their worlds are rich and inviting to the reader, very unique in presentation and thought. It is great to read an original storyline where word building enables the bizarre to feel realistic. The main characters are three dimensional showing growth and roundness, the support characters are a mixture of dynamic ( two dimensional) and static ( cannon fodder) personality traits.There is a good balance between action, plots and characters. The tone and delivery is serious for most of the story but this is in keeping with the world and the harsh environment. The descriptive writing was superb and seamlessly progressed into conversational/ narrative style with enough voice to distinguish the characters.Thank you for this amazing journey, another great Indie book.