Review: Beautifully crafted piece of work
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 31, 2013
"This is your destiny, your world, oh Orphan. You cannot escape."With this sub-title Gloria Piper sets up a dystopian future where a caste system rules the planet. Admins are at the top of the chain with Landeds and Orphans finding their place respectively. Separate from them all are the Nomads.The story centers on Garland, an Orphan who is relegated to the Sun Train after being elevated from the Sub Train. At all costs, the Orphans want to stay off the Hive Train. The voice of the Admin, a computer named Mentor, lulls the Orphans into a feeling of safety and security while providing for all their needs; thus leaving no reason to want to leave. Garland is an entertainer with a desire to find his way outside the Train. In the process we meet Little Byte, Dos, Tillman, Hedge and a full cast of characters as he proceeds on his journey.The language of the Orphans consists of the use of digital technology jargon to describe and name things. One quickly falls into the vernacular and it all makes perfect sense. It all culminates in a duel between Garland and Hedge, after each has experienced a number of harrowing situations.Piper's rich, descriptive language quickly creates a world and inhabitants that are both believable and palpable. Her narrative is almost poetic in its beauty and elegance. The story arc for the plot and characters is well crafted and developed. This book should be read, even it it is only to experience her ability to use the English language to bring the world she writes about to life.I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in dystopian works...or just wants to read a beautifully crafted piece of work.Norm Hamilton