By Sandy Amazeen May 3, 2009, 3:18 GMT
In the wake of her engrossing Kushiel’s Legacy series, Jacqueline Carey produces another winner with this warm story of a small family struggling to survive in the post apocalyptic no mans land between Mexico and the United States. The story is quite timely as Carey tells of several waves of a devastating virus sweeping through the Mexican countryside which the US responded to by constructing walls that created a buffer zone along the border. Caught within this buffer zone the citizens of Santa Olivia are virtual prisoners, denizens of military Outpost No. 12.
Into this desolate landscape Martin Garron, a genetically engineered solder remains long enough to father Loup, a daughter who proved remarkable from her birth during the Festival of Santa Olivia. When Loup was six, she tried school with her thirteen-year-old brother Tommy, an experience that got them both thrown out and set the course of their young lives. From then on, instead of attending school Loup watched Tommy work and practice at the local gym with the ultimate goal of winning freedom for them both.
After their mother died, Tommy moved into the gym while Loup lived with a small group of orphans at the church. As the other orphans learned of Loup’s unusual strength, agility and speed, they hatched a plan to right a few injustices within the community. Loup assumes the guise of Santa Olivia, the town’s patron saint and suddenly the locals had reason to hope. Events soon conspired to transform Loup’s young life forever and in the process, create an enduring local legend.
Despite the hardships, crushing poverty and daily struggle for survival, this is an uplifting tale of strength, integrity and the power of dreams. The paranormal, while present, is not the main focus of this enchanting tale, instead it is the finely nuanced characters that make this such a compelling read. Savor this one.
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