Dead World
Lori O'ClareFantasy erotic romance
Available from Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 1-4199-0505-8
January 2006
| Syndi is a homeless person living outside of Detroit in the not so distant future. Since World War III water has been a very expensive commodity that only the rich can afford on a regular basis. For some reason Syndi craves water more than the normal person and only feels better if she can splash some on her body. One day she comes upon a pond in the desert and decides to get totally wet for once in her life. It is against the law to do so, but this pond is out in the middle of the Dead Lands and no one will find out. While in the water, she finds out that she has gills and can breathe deep in the pond. She explores further and finds a tunnel that leads to another world where there is unlimited water. She also meets one of the leaders of that world. His name is Tor and the two are instantly drawn to each other. They are very different and each has obligations to their people, so it seems impossible for them to get together. Syndi's ancestry is also a mystery. She lives on the surface, but is taller that the normal human, has gills, and dark hair. Her family tells her that she is adopted, but is she really? One of the other leaders of Underworld, Ran Mose, has an agenda all his own, and one of the items he wants to acquire and dispose of is Syndi. He doesn't care if he has to start a war to accomplish his objective, and it is up to Tor and Syndi to save both of their worlds.
This is a very good futuristic story. The author has described a divided Earth after a catastrophic war very vividly. The world above with its harsh sun and lack of water is especially vivid. The homeless driven from the cities by the rich citizens of Detroit are survivors and very determined as is depicted in Syndi and Perry. The people of Underworld have a much better life with an abundance of water and luxuries that Villagers like Syndi can only dream about. The connection between Tor and Syndi is immediate, though neither can understand how they can love someone so different from themselves. The supporting characters, from elderly Bertha, to the conniving Fern, are each well-drawn and easy to picture. I really liked this one.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Maura Frankman |
